Asturian-American Migration Forum

Hi ! This is my first time posting...I view the site often.

Would like to know if anyone has relatives from Valentin Martinez & Maria Fernandez of Aviles, Asturias. These are my grandfather Francisco Martinez' parents. My grandfather came here about 1903-1908 with a brother named Eduardo and a cousin Amilio Martinez. They were working on merchant marine ships and ended up in WV mines for a short time before moving to Cherryvale, KS just before 1910.

I have no knowledge of Valentin or Maria's relatives in Aviles, or who might be the parents of Amilio. If anyone knows of any or is also searching for them please let me know...

Thanks so much, Marlene

Welcome, Marlene! We're glad you posted a message.

Are you sure about the spelling of Amelio's name? There are a few people called "Amilio" but it would be much more common to spell it "Emilio." Emilio is pronounced "a-me'-le-oh." (All of the vowels would sound like long vowels in English and the accent would be on the second syllable.)

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¡Bienvenida, Marlene! Nos alegra que pusiste un mensaje.

¿Estás segura de la ortografía del nombre de Amilio? Hay algunos quienes se llaman "Amilio" pero sería mucho más común deletreado "Emilio". Se pronuncia Emilio como "ä-me-le-oh" [usando los sonidos de ingles]. (Todos los vocales serían vocales prolongados y el acento recae en la segunda sílaba.)

Amilio could be wrong, that is how I saw it spelled on the 1910 census. I also thought Emilio was probably more correct. Thanks

You're probably right. I can imagine the census-taker being an English speaker who just wrote what the name sounded like.

Usually the Asturians have two last names (their father's and their mother's). Do you have any other names for Valentín Martínez and María Fernández?

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Tienes razón probablemente. Puedo imaginar que el empadronador fuera de habla inglesa y que simplemente escribiera el nombre como sonó.

Los asturianos generalmente tienen dos apellidos (uno de su padre y otro de su madre). ¿Tienes otros nombres para Valentín Martínez y María Fernández?

I don't have their other names yet, until I get a hold of my grandfathers birth or baptism certificate. I tried 3 times to get it thru the civil with no luck, and I don't know what church in Aviles he would have been baptized in yet.
Thanks so much