Tales from New York City
Many Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico identify as American similarly as they do in New York. Therefore, leaving the island was not as difficult as others that migrate here from other countries. Although adapting to cold was hard, it simply meant “bundling up” and needing warmer clothes. My parents were encouraged to move to New York from Puerto Rico, along with millions of other Puerto Ricans: in search of opportunities that would relieve them of poverty. It had been advertised that jobs were available, even for limited-English speakers. However, my parents struggled to find employment, not only for language reasons, but, because they lacked an education that did not extend past the early-elementary-school grades. My parents had met sometime after arriving to New York and eventually moved to the Lower East Side Manhattan, which was already a culturally-diversified neighborhood that included Jewish, African-American, Italian, Irish, Chinese and Puerto Rican. As New-York born, my siblings and I have been referred to as “Nuyoricans,” which seemed to have been a term either ignored or unknown to our parents; because according to their understanding, moving to New York did not make them any less Puerto Rican. Not as foreigners, but as United States citizens: my parents adapted to their “state-side” community of Puerto Ricans in the 1950’s.
- Maria Victoria Torrey - Kissimmee, Florida
- Maria Victoria Torrey - Kissimmee, Florida
Here is a Bronx story:
"In the early 1950's my father, Joaquin Santiago, was the youngest Master of Ceremonies in New York City. He worked as such in the "Teatro Puerto Rico" in the Bronx. This theater was for the Hispanic community, what the Apollo Theater in Harlem was to the African-American community. My father was also in charge of contracting entertainers. My dad was born in the town of Lares, Puerto Rico. During the Christmas season, the Teatro also presented a children's talent show called 'Fiesta Infantil con Joaquín Santiago' directed by my dad, the theater's MC, in which parents were encouraged to bring their children as participants.
One day a family from the town of Lares moved to New York and since they were from the same town as my father, they went up to him and told my dad that they had a blind 9-year-old son with a wonderful singing voice. My father heard the child sing and was amazed. He then agreed to give the child an opportunity to sing before a live audience in the theater. It was the child's first break in show business.
That child grew up and became famous and rich. He wrote and sang his own songs. Among them is the now classic Christmas song "Feliz Navidad" which you may already know. That child's name is: Jose Feliciano." - Tony Santiago, New York
"In the early 1950's my father, Joaquin Santiago, was the youngest Master of Ceremonies in New York City. He worked as such in the "Teatro Puerto Rico" in the Bronx. This theater was for the Hispanic community, what the Apollo Theater in Harlem was to the African-American community. My father was also in charge of contracting entertainers. My dad was born in the town of Lares, Puerto Rico. During the Christmas season, the Teatro also presented a children's talent show called 'Fiesta Infantil con Joaquín Santiago' directed by my dad, the theater's MC, in which parents were encouraged to bring their children as participants.
One day a family from the town of Lares moved to New York and since they were from the same town as my father, they went up to him and told my dad that they had a blind 9-year-old son with a wonderful singing voice. My father heard the child sing and was amazed. He then agreed to give the child an opportunity to sing before a live audience in the theater. It was the child's first break in show business.
That child grew up and became famous and rich. He wrote and sang his own songs. Among them is the now classic Christmas song "Feliz Navidad" which you may already know. That child's name is: Jose Feliciano." - Tony Santiago, New York
Tales from Connecticut
In 1982 my aunt was recruited to work as a teacher in the city of Hartford in the state of Connecticut. Not much later in 1985, once she settled, she recruited my father. We came to the states and landed at Bradley Airport, CT the summer of 1985. My father immediately began to work as a teacher for the bilingual program in the inner city. We moved from Rio Piedras , San Juan, Puerto Rico.
- T. Ramos, Boynton Beach, Florida |
Tales from Philadelphia
"My maternal grandma, Lydia Lopez Serrano, was born in San Lorenzo, but lived in Santurce. Her father was Pedro Lopez and mother was Incarnacion Serrano. She moved to Manhattan, New York in 1950. She moved to Philly in 1954, to Chicago in 1960, and back to Philly in 1965. My paternal grandfather was born in Hato Rey, Santuce in 1923. When he was 13, he came to the US via Florida as a stowaway. He came through some type of immigrant detention / border patrol place that contacted family in Brooklyn, NY. He grew to manhood in Brooklyn and became a Merchant Marine who served in WW2 and Korea (Purple Hearts for both). In the 50's, he settled down in Newburgh, NY and then moved to North Philly at Marshall and Cumberland around 1959 to stay for 30 years. My pop went to Hartranft, Welsh, Jones and Edison High School when he lived in North Philly. He has been in Philadelphia for 53 years."
- J. Rivera, Philadelphia, PA
- J. Rivera, Philadelphia, PA
"My family came to Jersey City, New Jersey from Rio Piedras, San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1985. They spent the first few months in the states living with my uncle who had immigrated prior to the rest of his family. My grandparent eventually relocated to the city of Philadelphia to the area that is now known as Northern Liberties and then Kensington. My grandparent arrived with a goal to open a Pentecostal church in the local community with connection to a council of churches from Puerto Rico. One by one, all of their children relocated to New Jersey or Philadelphia. In their time in Philadelphia they have been cultural educators. Making it their vision to teach about Bomba and Plena. Two of my aunts are also small business owners in the Kensington area."
-J. Fuentes, Philadelphia, PA
-J. Fuentes, Philadelphia, PA
"I was born in 1993 and raised in the town of Punta Santiago in Humacao, Puerto Rico. I grew up close to the beach and in doing so I enjoyed my time being near the water. School was a great way to continue to hang out with my neighbors since we all lived close to each other and some were even 2nd and 3rd cousins of mine. At the age of 11, in the middle of my 6th grade year, my mother decided to move to Philly because she wanted a better life for my younger siblings. I had to say bye to my entire family and cane to the States to meet with new family members I never knew about. I started going to school and felt weird because it was all a new language I barely understood. Though I grew up on it back on the island, here it wasn’t just a subject, it was ALL classes taught in English. So I decided to give into the American culture without losing my Puerto Rican roots because that’s what keeps me linked to my people back home."
- O. Gonzalez, Philadelphia, PA
- O. Gonzalez, Philadelphia, PA
"My father was born in Naguabo Pueblo and then moved to Barrio Mariana, Naguabo. My mother was born in Mariana. The families were related. The town is nicknamed El Pueblo de los Enchumbaos because of all the rivers that run through (and often overflow) in the town. In my dad’s family, there were 5 boys. One of the boys passed away at two years of age from tapeworm. My father was the only one of the boys that did not serve in the military. His older brothers were all serving when a freak accident claimed the life of his brother. The older two were already on active duty so my father received a sole survivor deferment because the military was at fault for his brothers death and his two brothers were already overseas. Some of my father’s family sought educational opportunities in the states and ended up in New York. Some moved to the Bronx and others moved to Long Island. My dad’s two brothers went to University in NY (one in Syracuse and the other in NY city). My father graduated high school in 1955 in Naguabo and then headed for New York. He then started hanging out with friends and relatives from PR that settled in Philadelphia. It was there that he reunited with my mom and they were married in 1957.
My mother’s father died of tuberculosis in Puerto Rico when she was 10. His widow, my great-grandmother, moved with her youngest kids to Philadelphia in 1948. My mom attended middle school and high school in Philly. She had gone to school with my father at the elementary level and before she moved to the states. Her family and my father’s family did not like each other (think Hatfield and McCoys). My father’s family had money and influence and they would make fun of my mother’s family who were poor farmers. My dad’s father owned a store and deli and had a little cafe and a jukebox for folks to gather. It’s wasn’t until years later that the roles reversed. My mother’s family had 13 children, 7 boys and 6 girls. Two of the boys passed at very young ages. 11 survived into adulthood. My grandmother moved back from Philadelphia to Puerto Rico in the late 1960’s and settled in Fajardo."
- J. Scheele, Bollingbrook, Illinois
My mother’s father died of tuberculosis in Puerto Rico when she was 10. His widow, my great-grandmother, moved with her youngest kids to Philadelphia in 1948. My mom attended middle school and high school in Philly. She had gone to school with my father at the elementary level and before she moved to the states. Her family and my father’s family did not like each other (think Hatfield and McCoys). My father’s family had money and influence and they would make fun of my mother’s family who were poor farmers. My dad’s father owned a store and deli and had a little cafe and a jukebox for folks to gather. It’s wasn’t until years later that the roles reversed. My mother’s family had 13 children, 7 boys and 6 girls. Two of the boys passed at very young ages. 11 survived into adulthood. My grandmother moved back from Philadelphia to Puerto Rico in the late 1960’s and settled in Fajardo."
- J. Scheele, Bollingbrook, Illinois
"My family Rosa-Salas migrated to Philadelphia in the early 50s. We were one of the first Puerto Rican families to settle in North Philadelphia, now known as Northern Liberties. My father came first, got a job, lived with family for a little bit and then sent for all of us. My father, mother, three sons, and five daughters. We were all born in San Sebastian, Puerto Rico. My parents always emphasized the importance of maintaining our language, culture, music and love of family. We all graduated from high school and my oldest brother earned a scholarship to Lincoln University. The first one in our family to graduate from college. No matter what we chose to do our parents encouraged us. They made the sacrifice to have us all attend catholic school We all attended St. Peter the Apostle and have been a part of the parish since the fifties. We went there, our children and our children's children also attended the school. Inclusive of cousins etc. My one brother, Juan "Hector" was mentally challenged. He was loved by all and recently passed. When I graduated from high school I got my first job and the first item I purchased was a camera. My mother encouraged me to follow my dream. My mother was never really interested in learning English. We all took turns translating for mom at drs. appointments, etc. I've maintained my love for my island, its people, the music and in my documentation of the everyday people I emphasize the beauty of dance, music, young, old, freedom, community activism. I have documented the Philadelphia community, Puerto Rico and other areas since 1972. I encourage my children to follow their dream and other's children also."
- L.S. Salas, Philadelphia, PA
- L.S. Salas, Philadelphia, PA
"In 2005 my mother decided to move to Philadelphia, PA. I was born and raised in Ponce, Puerto Rico so I was a bit afraid of the whole moving situation, but yet ready for a change. I came at the age of 11 years old. I grew up in the neighborhood of Kensington & Allegheny in Philadelphia. I have been here ever since."
- J. Santana, Philadelphia, PA
- J. Santana, Philadelphia, PA
Tales from Chicago
"My father was born in Lares and then worked for many years in San Juan. He spent a short time in the Army and returned to the island. He moved to the states in the 1950s to work at a farm in Wisconsin and eventually settled in Chicago where he was married I was born. According to my dad, many Puerto Ricans moved during that timeframe for more opportunities.
We lived on the North Side of Chicago and like New York where my dad's brother settled with his family, there were areas where a lot of Puerto Ricans settled for a good city life. My dad worked for a major retailer and forged lifelong friendships in the city.
I grew up in Chicago went to good public schools, working as a lakeside lifeguard and attended a great college before serving in the military for a decade. In Chicago there are many ethnic neighborhoods and I often miss the big town. I currently live outside Atlanta, Georgia which also has rich ethnic areas. I visited Puerto Rico multiple times as a child and New York to see my father's side of the family. One of my big regrets is not speaking Spanish since it was not necessary and my mother was not Hispanic. I see now how it would have been such a benefit.
It seems like in the 1950s and 1960s people that moved from the island moved to just a few areas of country (NY, Chicago, LA). Now people who move from the island are very spread out across many states. After my father passed after living with me his final resting place is back in Puerto Rico in the beautiful national military cemetery so he is back home."
- E. Velez, Atlanta, GA
We lived on the North Side of Chicago and like New York where my dad's brother settled with his family, there were areas where a lot of Puerto Ricans settled for a good city life. My dad worked for a major retailer and forged lifelong friendships in the city.
I grew up in Chicago went to good public schools, working as a lakeside lifeguard and attended a great college before serving in the military for a decade. In Chicago there are many ethnic neighborhoods and I often miss the big town. I currently live outside Atlanta, Georgia which also has rich ethnic areas. I visited Puerto Rico multiple times as a child and New York to see my father's side of the family. One of my big regrets is not speaking Spanish since it was not necessary and my mother was not Hispanic. I see now how it would have been such a benefit.
It seems like in the 1950s and 1960s people that moved from the island moved to just a few areas of country (NY, Chicago, LA). Now people who move from the island are very spread out across many states. After my father passed after living with me his final resting place is back in Puerto Rico in the beautiful national military cemetery so he is back home."
- E. Velez, Atlanta, GA
Tales from Hawai'i
"I’m a descendant of Borinki’s in Hawai’i who arrived here in 1901. My grandpa’s family has been rekindling our connections across generations of relations spread from Hawai’i through the mainland. His family name is Carvalho.
My great-great-grandfather Antone Carvalho was born in Guayanilla in 1887. Antone’s father was Manuel Carvalho born in 1860 and Antone’s mother was Juana Ruis. I believe Manuel came to Hawai’i as a widower. Carvalho is sometimes listed as Caravalho in records but we have 4 generations of men who used Carvalho regardless of clerical errors. Sounds like Ca-va-yo unless we’re trying to get a stranger to understand the name. We have lazy tongues here, too :) There is an unrelated family here whose large set of siblings was split as half Carvalho and half Caravalho.
Antone’s wife Crucita was born in Ponce in 1896 and also has a Portuguese surname, Acosta. Her father is Goio Matteo. Her mother Mary Monica Acosta was born in Ponce around 1855. Borinki’s came to Hawai'i after 2 large hurricanes killed thousands of people in south west Puerto Rico. I’ve noticed a lot of widowers in the first set of immigrants and believe Mary was also a widow. I think this explains why Crucita carried her mother's last name since she arrived in Hawai’i as a child with her mom." - Shantee Brown
My great-great-grandfather Antone Carvalho was born in Guayanilla in 1887. Antone’s father was Manuel Carvalho born in 1860 and Antone’s mother was Juana Ruis. I believe Manuel came to Hawai’i as a widower. Carvalho is sometimes listed as Caravalho in records but we have 4 generations of men who used Carvalho regardless of clerical errors. Sounds like Ca-va-yo unless we’re trying to get a stranger to understand the name. We have lazy tongues here, too :) There is an unrelated family here whose large set of siblings was split as half Carvalho and half Caravalho.
Antone’s wife Crucita was born in Ponce in 1896 and also has a Portuguese surname, Acosta. Her father is Goio Matteo. Her mother Mary Monica Acosta was born in Ponce around 1855. Borinki’s came to Hawai'i after 2 large hurricanes killed thousands of people in south west Puerto Rico. I’ve noticed a lot of widowers in the first set of immigrants and believe Mary was also a widow. I think this explains why Crucita carried her mother's last name since she arrived in Hawai’i as a child with her mom." - Shantee Brown
Puerto Ricans on the Mainland
Send a picture of your family in the states!
"Puerto Ricans, it doesn't matter where they live, it doesn't matter how long it's been since they visited the island, their hearts are there." - Anibal Acevedo Vila