From NBC's Today Show, here's the video of Meredith's segment on her roots in the Azores:
Friday's post:
This Providence Journal photo, dated Feb. 25, 1985, accompanied a story headlined "Portuguese honor Meredith Vieira" that began,
Nearly 700 people gathered last night at the Venus de Milo Restaurant for a "Night of Portuguese Pride" honoring CBS news correspondent Meredith Vieira and others "from various professions who bring pride to the Portuguese community."
"My name is Meredith Vieira, and I'm very proud of that," she said in accepting her award as Portuguese American of the year for 1984. She told the crowd how she had divorced herself from her Portuguese heritage as a child but found its true meaning while she was a television newscaster at WJAR in Providence.
She remembered covering stories about Portuguese fishermen, "strong people" going off in rough weather, and spoke of her great-grandfather, who left Portugal to become a journalist in New Bedford 100 years ago. Tears welled in her eyes as she spoke of her father, who spent his life as a doctor treating Portuguese immigrants on Warren Avenue in East Providence.
She said she has only recently realized the place her heritage has in her life and that she now is proud when she hears Portuguese music or watches the folk dances of the islands. "Maybe that little kid from Rhode island has grown up," she finished.
Vieira commented numerous times that she felt "humbled" by the award and that she was "uncomfortable " on the other side of the microphone. She was kept humble by some of the barbs other speakers and associates aimed her way.
U.S. Rep. Barney Frank joked that he had to be nice to her because she was a reporter and people in "her business" might remember. And Fall River Mayor Carltion Viveiros remembered her hounding him every day when he first ran for mayor in 1977. But they also praised her for her professionalism, dedication and her "healthy view of herself".
There was plenty of the music and dancing Vieira referred to as colorful costumed performers sang folk songs in their native language and performed dances from the island of Madeira. Hands clapped as the dancers strolled and whirled, accompanied by accordions, violins, guitars and bells...
Before achieving fame and fortune on national TV, East Providence native Meredith Vieira was familiar to Rhode Islanders as a reporter at NBC Channel 10.
Monday, NBC's Today show, which Meredith co-hosts with Matt Lauer (who hosted PM Magazine on Channel 10), follows her to the Azores in search of her roots.
The press release is unusually informative:
Discover Meredith Vieira's Azores
New York, NY --On August 25, 2008 the NBC Today Show will take you on a journey of discovery as host Meredith Vieira explores her family roots in the Azores Islands, Portugal. All four of Vieira's grandparents came from the Azores - three from Faial, one of the nine islands in the archipelago. They all left for a better life in New England in the late 19th and early 20th centuries - settling around Providence, R.I. Until this summer, Meredith Vieira had never been to the islands of her ancestors.
The Azores are midway between the eastern coast of the United States and mainland Portugal - scattered over several hundred nautical miles of Atlantic Ocean. The closest point to Europe from the United States, just four hours away, the Azores are an autonomous region of Portugal.
Because these once uninhabited, remote islands were settled sporadically over a span of two centuries, their culture, dialect, cuisine and traditions vary considerably from island to island. Farming and fishing are key industries that support the Azorean economy. These traditional trades give the Azores an unspoiled, historic and authentically European feel that is becoming harder to find in other nearby locations. Visitors find plenty to see and do here, with upscale lodging and restaurants integrating with both the tiny, rural towns and the sometimes wild and lush landscapes that make up the islands
The Azores are considered to be some of the most beautiful islands in the world... yet they remain a closely guarded secret by tourists in the know. The National Geographic Center for Sustainable Destinations recently named the Azores as the world's second most appealing islands destination.
The Meredith Vieira Connection
The ties that bind the Azores to United States go back 300 years, when many English ships carrying what would become American colonists to the New World stopped in the Azores to rest and replenish supplies. Azoreans were among the first to fish the waters of North America. Many Portuguese historians believe that sailors from the Azores sighted North America years before Columbus.
Sailors stopped in the Azores for centuries to load up on oranges, which was the only way to ward off scurvy on board. Every major whaling expedition sailing from New England -- from ports such as Nantucket Island, New Bedford and Edgartown -- sailed to the Azores for supplies, dories and sailors before starting their voyage. In fact, it was New Englanders who taught the Azoreans the value of whaling. The Azoreans became so good at landing whales that American sea captains came to the Azores just to get crews. This built the foundation of a strong commercial bond between the sailing ships of New England and the Azores.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Azores became the main port of call for trans-Atlantic clippers. Leading Boston merchants felt at home in the islands. In 1944, an American airbase was set up on Santa Maria and was later transferred to the NATO airbase at Lajes on Terceira.
As the whaling industry declined following the introduction of crude oil in the 1870s, many Azoreans - like Meredith Vieira's family- began to immigrate to New England. They brought their strong work ethic to the then-thriving mills in southeastern New England and the fishing industries around Providence, R.I, New Bedford and Gloucester, Massachusetts. But they also made a significant cultural impact on New England. Popular summer feasts and festivals in Portuguese communities in New England all trace their roots to the traditional Holy Ghost festivals of the Azores.
Meredith's paternal grandfather António Cláudio Vieira was born in the city of Horta, on Faial, on November 1, 1864. He was baptized in the church of Matriz do Santíssimo Salvador on November 10, 1864. Son of Maria José Vieira and Manuel José Vieira, a farmer who was in the U.S., where he had emigrated in June of 1864 aboard the ship Fredónia. In 1876, at age 12, António Cláudio Vieira went to the local high school with 28 other boys. He then went to seminary in Angra on Terceira and studied there until April of 1887, when the adjunct bishop, D. Francisco Maria do Prado Lacerda, made him a priest. On June 27,1887 he became the parish priest (Cura) in the parish of Angústias, in Horta.
Soon after, António Cláudio Vieira was transferred to the island of Flores, west of Faial, to the parish of Caveira and then to Mosteiros. In 1893, he was given leave to emigrate to the United States.
Foods that are commonplace in New England kitchens are also uniquely Azorean - Portuguese sweet bread, Portuguese muffins, red pepper paste and linguiça sausage all hail from the islands. Even the way New Englanders often pronounce Portuguese foods - "shurrice" for chouriço sausage - shows an Azorean influence. By 1998, immigration from the Azores to New England had ended, but today there are twice as many people of Azorean descent living outside of the Azores than on the islands or mainland Portugal.
Vieira's Island
In the middle of the Azores, Faial Island encompasses some 67 square miles, but back in 1957 it was a mile less. The lava from volcanic eruption that year eventually added to the land mass and made the island's western end look a lot like the surface of the moon. Now a regional park, the landscape is one of reddish and black dust rock and the charred remains of a lighthouse. Meredith's physician father in Providence worked with other community leaders to help the many people who left Faial in the eruption's aftermath.
Ships have stopped in Horta - the main port of Faial - on their way between the New and Old Worlds for centuries. The seafarers left their mark by creating a giant collage of inscriptions and colorful paintings on the walls and sidewalks of the marina's jetty. Legend has it that bad luck will follow any sailor who doesn't leave a painting or inscription behind.
Yachts still regularly pull into Faial. More than 1,000 yachts visit the port with more than 4,400 crewmembers aboard each year, making it the busiest marina in Portugal. The port has about 250 slips.
Horta's internationally flavored waterfront offers shops that specialize in outfitting the ships that pass through. The city is full of modern cafes, bars and a few nightclubs, while the architecture is largely from the 19th century.
While her paternal grandfather hailed from Horta - two of Vieira's other grandparents came from the farming town of Cedros on the north coast, where the islands famous Ilha Azul cheese is made.
The Azores Today
The Azores' year-round mild climate gives the islands a fresh, springlike quality no matter when you visit. No matter what the weather back home, it's always between 57 and 71 degrees in the Azores. Summer arrives in July and often stays until December. The lava-rich soils, fed by volcanic eruptions of the past, nurture more than 1,200 species of plants, flowers and trees. The landscape varies from open fields lined with country roads to tiny towns perched on oceanfront cliffs.
The islands were created by volcanic activity millions of years ago, giving them a landscape that is varied and often dramatic. Rocky cliffs, crater lakes, geysers, waterfalls and lava caves are all remnants of Mother Nature's historical touch, and all make for excellent exploring opportunities for today's visitor.
In the harbor towns, visitors can watch the day's catch hauled in from the fishing boats, count the yachts that have sailed into port for the evening and stay in the manor homes and inns that may have once been the luxurious residences of wealthy sea-faring traders. The cities tell stories about the Azores' prosperous history during the time of Portugal's great explorations. Churches and town halls are built in varied styles including Gothic, Baroque, Manueline and classical architecture, evoking an old-world charm with new world functionality.
Visitors have the opportunity to learn about the 19th century history of whaling in the Azores, when expeditions from the Americas would stop to recruit crew-members and teach the locals the art of scrimshaw and whalebone-carving. While whaling is no longer an industry, whale-watching opportunities are abundant. An adventurous visitor can see these marine giants up close with the help of trained guides piloting fast, inflatable boats.
The Azores sit at the very spot where the tectonic plates for Europe, Africa and North America meet. The nine islands of the archipelago are divided into three groups:
Eastern: São Miguel and Santa Maria
Central: Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico and Faial
Western: Corvo and Flores.
...For more information on the Azores, go to http://www.visitportugal.com , or http://www.visitazores.org
Getting to the Azores
Direct flights to the Azores from Boston, Oakland and Providence are available only through Azores Express, a U.S.-based tour operator and member of the SATA Group. For information and reservations, call Azores Express at 800-762-9995, or visit: www.sata.pt. Fall packages with roundtrip air and 6 nights lodging start at $709 per person. TAP Portugal offers one-stop service from Newark's Liberty Airport, with daily flights via Lisbon, http://www.flytap.com/ or 800-221-7370.
Related: Let off some steam in the Azores, a travel story about the islands.
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Great article. Very informative. Looking forward to Meredith's TV special next week. Thank you.
Granddaughter of an Azorean immigrant.
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Great article but how did your paternal grandfather become a priest if Roman Catholic priests can't get married????????????
Thank you.
born in Horta, Faial-But from Salao, Faial
and immigrated to California in 1976 at age 5
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Wonderful article. Thanks for sharing your visit with us. I found the article informative and appealing. The Acores are truly the "lost paradise on earth"...
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Dear Meredith, Try pronouncing your last name as two separate words. The first one Vie (v-AY) and the second one ira (ee-RAH) and roll the "r". I've had that same problem with some words and this trick works for me.
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Thanks so much for the broadcast as well as the article. My husband was stationed at Lajes Field in the late 1980s, and our daughter was born there. We view those two years on the magical island of Terceira as some of the best times of our lives. The beauty of the islands, coupled with the warmth of the people, made for a particularly special time. In the ninth grade, our daughter did a National History Day project on how whaling brought Azoreans to New England, and we used her research as an excuse to visit the wonderful whaling museum in New Bedford. I have also been asked to speak about our experience of living in the Azores to various civic groups, and I always include mention of Meredith as a famous Azorean. Finally, hydrangeas--which grow in such profusion that they have to be trimmed back as a road hazard--always bring back many fond memories.
Thanks again!
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BRAVO Meredith,
I truly enjoy your piece this morning on CBS.
Iam first generation born when my parents mirgrated to Calif. It's true you feel like your home when you visit for the first time. As a young adult I traveled many summers and made many wonderful memories there. My family if from Terceira Azores. A must the next time you visit and remember to attend a bullfight in one of the village streets. Also, Fial is a blast during Semana do Mar (Sea Week). I always wondered about your background and if you were full blooded Portuguese. Keep up the good work.
God Bless!
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Awesome!!! This was a wonderful piece. I was born in Sao Jorge and migrated with my family to California when I was 2 yrs. I love my culture and heritage and today my twin 8 years olds were fascinated by watching you on the show speaking about their culture too. They wondered if they would see my parents who are currently vacationing there - too cute. You are awesome, like another writer mentioned "the lost paradise on earth". I am often asked where the Azores is? I've had to explain that my whole life and always did proudly!!! Today, I still attend Portuguese functions, speak Portuguese and continue to teach my kids where I came from. We hope to visit in two years where they will remember. Thank you for sharing, it was great!!!
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I was born in Azores left 1965, but still 100% azorean were i visit every year, most north americans have no ideia how beautiful this Islands are!!
Meredith, this was your first stop, hope many more will come .
keep you roots alive
:)
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Meredith,
What a great report this morning on your visit to Faial. We, who are from an Azorean background, were left beaming with pride in our cultural heritage. I am from the island of San Jorge, but I love Faial as I do Pico and all of the other islands. I hope that you will go back and restore your ancestors home. Our family did just that and we return every summer to recapture our culture heritage and a piece of paradise on earth.
Since I work at Stanford University, I could not help but notice that either your son or nephew was wearing a Stanford T shirt. Is he a student here? if so, please have him look me up.
All the best to you. You do us proud everyday!
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Meridith it was wonderful to see your video in the wonderful Island of Faial....my family is to from Faial and I have been there a few times myself and enjoy the culture and roots of my family as well. I also grew up in East Providence I am a "TOWNIE" and your father was my family doctor and was there when I was born... he helped my mother who had a very hard delivery he saved her life! And as a child I remember when I had the Chicken Pox your father Dr.Vieira came to my home with his little black medicine bag with medicine for me so that I did not have to leave the house because I was sick. Watching your video and seeing pictures of your father brought tears to my eyes of joy of course. And like yourself I to am proud of being Portuguese and from, Faial. Thank you, Cristina Silva Age 36
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Meredith, I watched your segment online this afternoon and I have to tell you that I was truly moved by the footage of your visit to Faial. As a child, I was blessed to travel to Sao Jorge every summer with my parents. My husband, two kids and I just returned home to California two weeks ago after spending four magical weeks there with my parents. It definitely is our little corner of paradise in the world! If you ever do decide to open a "Cafe Vieira", it'll be on our list of must-sees for our next trip there! Thanks so much for your report!
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I was born in Capelo, Faial and came to the US in 1956 but have gone back many times. I first heard of Meredith being in Faial from a client of mine who was at PETER Cafe and saw Meredith there in July. I live in East Providence and actually own a house also on Warren Ave which is next door to Dr Vieira's house.
I hope someday I can have the opportunity to bump into Meredith in the Azores.
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Meredith,
My parents & I were born in Cedros Faial Acores. My PARENTS Custodio & Lucia Escobar of Taunton, Mass are the owners of that PINK fixer upper as you called it. My mother Lucia is related to the ROSA family & growing up she remembers that house as the cutest house in Cedros. Your grandfather Domingos was brothers with my mothers grandfather Antonio. The house was owned by their brother Frank Rosa.
I had tears in my eyes to see your segment.
Please feel free to send me an email. My mother is is anxious to see the segment.
Marie Raposa daughter of Lucia & Custodio Escobar of Taunton, Mass
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I'm so happy to hear Merideth is talking about her roots in the Azore Islands. These portugueese immigrants are very hard working and loyal. They have assimilated well in America. I hope they do not loose there culture. I immigrated her from Terciera Azores in 1962 and have visited back twice, My children have also been back and they loved it. There father is American but they are very proud of their portuguese heritage. Thanks Merideth, Maybe now people will not be in the dark about these islands
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Dear Meredith,
We thoroughly enjoyed your piece on your roots from the Azores. My husband was born in Terciera, and came to California in 1969 as a teenager. I also have roots from Pico and Faial. My grandfather was born in Cedros, and I heard him speak of Horta many times. We have shared your story with many of the Portuguese here in our area, who also were born in the Azores. They loved it! I think taking your son with you was one of the best gifts you could ever give him. I'm sure he will always have warm memories of his trip. By the way, I also have had problems in "rolling the R" in some of the words. If you try to pronounce the "ra" as a "da", you will say your name correctly. Try Ve-a-da. Works for me! Teresa Borges, Pacific Grove, CA
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Meredith I thoroughly enjoyed the piece about your family roots. I was truly moved by the piece. It brought back so many memories. My family is from the island of Terciera. I had the opportunity to visit the island and my family when I was 17 with my Mother and Father. There were six children in my family, but they could only take one with them on their visit. I was very fortunate even thought at the time I did not think so. You know being 17 not exactly how I wanted to spend my summer. It was the first time meeting all of the relatives on both my parents side. It was great meeting everyone while they were still with us. My Grandmother at the time was 92 years old. Looking back I wish I had the since to take notes about the family tree. I still have some cousins there, but have not had the opportunity to go back and visit. I have two daughters who would like to go with me someday. This program has inspired me to do a search on my roots for my children. Something I should of done a long time ago. Thank you.
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I am proud to be an Azorean and what a beautiful article about a beautiful Island and it's warm and caring people!!! Thank you for exposing the beautiful islands called the Azores to the rest of the world through the " Today Show "
Charly Pacheco
Miami, Florida
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Of course the proper way to spell Vieira is not the way mine is spelled. My maternal grandparents (Escobar) are from Cedros, Faial. Meredith should know that although Vieira is old Portuguese, she may have Jewish roots. And if Historian James Quill is correct, the first Vieira's may of gone from Portugal to Madeira and then to Azores/Hawaii etc.
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Thank you so much for that wonderful segment on the Today Show about your roots in the Azores. I, too, am Azorean and was born on the Island of Pico. I have been back several times and was married there. I live in Rhode Island and remember going to Dr. Vieira with my grandmother. It use to be an all day event since we lived in the town of West Warwick and when you are a typical Rhode Islander, any commute to Providence or East Providence is far. We always had a long wait in the wating room for Dr. Vieira was extremely popular among the Portuguese imigrants in Rhode Island. I hope you have more opportunities to visit the Azores and maybe tour some of the other Islands which are all breath taking.
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The segment looked very inspiring. My father was from Pico Island ... I also noticed that comments can also be posted on Meredith's official blog http://meredithtoday.ivillage.com/entertainment/
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Dear Meredith,
I loved the piece on your trip to the Azores, and I think we may be related to each other. I am from New Bedford, and my great grandfather's name was Antonio Vieira. He was from Faial, and joined the US Navy during the Civil War. He had three daughters who lived in New Bedford, and one of them was my paternal grandmother. My mother told about driving to E. Prov. to see the Vieira family. I would love to compare notes with you sometime. It was very touching to see you visiting your family members over there, and I think it is wonderful that your son and nephew were able (and willing) to go too. I would love to visit the islands someday soon. How did you find the historian who helped you locate your ancestors' homes?
Thanks for a wonderful look at such an interesting heritage.
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Yay!
I loved this story... My family is from the Azores as well--the island of Terceira. I've been very lucky growing up; my best childhood memories come from our frequent visits there.
Who knows Meredith, I'm a Costa with relatives on the east coast--perhaps we're cousins?!
VE YAY DA (easiest way to say: Vieira)
:)
Julie
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Hi Meredith,
I was so moved by your visit to the Azores. I enjoyed the 'trip' with you as you traced your roots. I am now retired and living in the Dominican Republic. I wish I new how to speak Portuguese, I'm sure it would help me with Spanish. My great grandfather and your grandfather (Vieira) where brothers. My mother and your father were second cousins. I am your brother Edwin's age. My mother was Madeline Veyera Rebello. When my grandfather came to this country from the Azores via Bermuda, he could not speak English and so his name was written for him by someone else and spelled 'Veyera.'I lived in East Providence and have pictures of Edwin and I making First Communion together at St. Francis Xavior Church. I made many visits to your fathers office on Warren Ave. both as a child and as an adult. He was truly a great and gifted man.
Thank you for tracing your roots and sharing it!
Martha Rebello de la Cruz
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So fun to read all about Meredith's history--many of us of Portuguese descent have similar stories in our families, but these are becoming lost as we of the younger generation take our big families and humble heritage for granted!
The Azores are truly a wonderful place, and my husband and I had our wedding there last summer--44 of our friends and family traveled from the East and West Coasts to join us on Terceira in remodeled 17th-century fort. It almost couldn't have been better, and everyone had a wonderful time (most can't wait to go back). I would encourage anyone to visit and experience the warm hospitality and gorgeous scenery for which these islands are deservedly famous.
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Meredith-Many thanks for the excellent video and information about the Azores. My two daughters, their families, and my husband and I just returned from 9 days in beautiful Pico. They all loved the islands and the people. We visited Faial, Treceira, Sao Jorge and Ponta Delgada. My mother and many generations back were born in Pico. Many members of her family settled in Taunton, MA. My father was born in Bristol, RI. but his mother(Maria do Carmel Vieira) was born in either Pico or Faial. I am trying to find out where. She had a sister named Rose and I forgot the name of another sister.She married Antonio P.Oliviera and they lived in Bristol,RI. So along with others who have commented, we are probably all related in some distant way. Thanks again, Fran Bawn
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This is awesome! I was born in Faial, Azores and immigrated to East Providence, RI with my parents when I was 2 years old. My aunt just forwarded me this video because my son was caught in the video in the scene in the East Providence bakery. What a coincidence!!!
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My sister sent me the link to this video that was sent to her by one of our cousins. I just had time this morning to watch it. My father, his family and my maternal grandparents were all from Faial. My father immigrated to the United States in 1921 as a young man and ended up in Northern California where he was an orchardist. I have never been to the Azores, but, have always wanted to visit. Now, especially after viewing this video, I really want to go back and trace my roots. My relatives are Costa'a and Pereira's and I do still have relatives in the Azores. Our parents' taught my sister and I to speak Portugese, before we learned English, but, unfortunatey not using it on a regular basis, though I do understand a lot of the language, speaking it is a different story.
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My mother was a Vieira from New Bedford but never had the privilege of knowing her father, George. He was killed in Rochester, MA, by lightening, 4 months before she was born. He came from Pico, Azores and we know very little about him. My grandmother met him in the Baptist Mission in New Bedford about 1895. She had two other children at the time of his death and raised all three working in the cotton mills. In those days women just survived...they didn't discuss their hardships as we do today so we never knew much about my grandfather. I have a copy of their marriage license and his death certificate but would love to find out more. Any suggestions will be appreciated.
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this was a great clip , i grew in east providence , my grandparents owned a home the next street over from dr vieira office at 171 warren ave , i know my grandparents went to dr viera from time to time , i think i went to see him once but i was a small kid i don't remember it much !!! what blew me away was seeing that trunk in their home in the azores with the warren ave east prov r i address on it . it was a custom to send trunks to the old country i know my great grandmother and grandmother sent a lot of trunks with clothing to their family in the old country . at that time the azores was a very poor place . what a beautiful place , i would like to visit one day , great stuff thank you !!!!
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I loved these comments. my mother is from pico and my late father from fail, I have never been but am proud to be from such a proud and often reffered to as a quiet race of hard working people.props to you meredith and your family.
portugees are awesome.
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