GSSCC: Genealogy Research in the Azores, Joao Ventura, guest speaker

João Ventura will present vital information to start genealogical research on the Azores, including records that can be found online, other sources, and Portuguese naming patterns.

João Manuel Diniz da Silva Ventura has been immersed in Azorean genealogy for more than 25 years. He is a professional genealogist and has worked for the Government of the Azores in the field of genealogy and is currently the archivist of the Secretary of Public Works, on Terceira Island. João was responsible for scanning church records for Terceira, São Jorge and Graciosa, and supervised the digitizing of records for Faial, Pico, Corvo and Flores.

He studied at the University of Coimbra where he earned a degree in English and German and a postgraduate degree in Archivology. He has successfully completed genealogy research for government entities, fellow genealogists, and individuals. João has also given genealogy workshops and lectures in São Miguel, Terceira, Faial, as well as in California and Salt Lake City