"The Forgotten Portuguese (Portuguese making of America : early North-American history" by Manuel Mira

Many people can trace their ancestry to America's southeast Appalachia region. Some of these people tell an oral history of Portuguese ancestors and they came to America in pre-colonial times. It is said the very word Melungeon means cursed or cursed soul.


My own research reveals that the Spanish and Portuguese did indeed come to America in the six-tenth and seventeenth centuries. You can read my research at : The Age of Explorers and Conquerors : The Melungeon Melding Pot Begins

Manuel Mira, born in Portugal, has written an eye opening book about the Portuguese who came to the shores of America.

Book Description

"Early American History, researches the origin of Melungeons and other groups. History of Portuguese settlers in America since the 1500's and their participation in the making of America. This is a history of one of the many minorities that makes up the American population. It presents many facts and over 100 illustrations, photographs and charts with American and Portuguese history chronology. It also presents the names of many settlers as well as the anglicized version."