The J.A. Freitas Library
With over 12,000 volumes, our library is one of the most extensive collections of Portuguese literature and history in the nation
Search the Library
The library collection consists of over 12,000 works dealing with the Portuguese throughout the world. It holds a vast number of books on the Azores and a fairly complete sample of periodicals published by the Portuguese in California, some dating to the late 1880’s. Just type in an author’s name or the title of book to find what you’re looking for.
Popular Releases
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- Barcode: E1536
- Availability: Can be requested
The Holy Ghost Festas
This publication of the history of all 149 Holy Ghost festas ever celebrated by the Portuguese community in California is the culmination of almost two years of research by over 200 volunteers, historians, photographers, sociologists and researchers.
Illustrated by hundreds of photographs, many of historical significance and never seen before, this is the history of the largest and most visible religious and cultural manifestations of the Portuguese community. Starting with the first festa in the late 1850’s to nowadays, this book narrates the history of every brotherhood that every existed.
These Holy Ghost celebrations, brought to California by our Azorean pioneers over 150 years ago, are still central to the life of our community.
In it you will also find in-depth articles on the historical origins of the celebrations, the evolution of the use of capes by the queens as well as a perpetual calendar for every festa.
This is a must have publication for anyone interested on the history of the experience of the Portuguese community in California.
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- Barcode: E1580
- Availability: Can be requested
The Portuguese Californians – Immigrants in Agriculture
The Portuguese Californians is designed as a 330 page hard-cover book printed in color on high quality paper, 9″x 12″ format, luxury limited edition, profusely illustrated with many photographs, tables and graphics, to record the enormous feat accomplished by the unchallenged leaders of a major industry.
The first part of this publication is a “revisitation” of Dr. Graves’ 1977 dissertation with a re-write for a general audience, with improved graphics and many photographs of historical importance. The second part is a thorough assessment of Portuguese involvement in California agriculture at the turn of the 21st Century.
The book includes a detailed counting and locating of all Portuguese in California in 1860 and 1880, using the original, handwritten, unpublished censuses of population for the entire state of California and unpublished membership lists of Portuguese fraternal lodges in order to determine the settlement patterns. After 1930, accurate location data were no longer available from the census bureau. The result of this research was an in-depth analysis of the Portuguese involvement in dairying in California.
A Loja do Ti Bailhão
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- Subject:Biography
- Barcode: GA1834
- Availability: Can be requested
Coming to America – An Immigrant’s Voyage
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- Subject:Biography
- Barcode: TMP00001
- Availability: Can be requested
Descobrimentos Portuguese -I (O)
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- Subject:History
- Barcode: A1195
- Availability: Can be requested
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The library is available to members during normal business hours. Making an appointment is easy, simply fill out our contact form.