Media Release
Mangaluru, Feb 24: The Mangalorean Catholic community may be a small minority community in the vast kaleidoscope of people of India, but its people have made their mark in life for over a hundred years.
Dr Michael Lobo, who possesses an entry in Wikipedia, has made an extensive study of the genealogy and history of Mangalorean Catholic families. His magnum opus – the 'Genealogical Encyclopaedia of Mangalorean Catholic Families' – is 10,000 pages, and is a compendium of the genealogy of several hundred families, dating back 200 years and more.
Sadly, 19th century photographs are very rare, but from the year 1900 onwards, the more educated families began recording photographs on formal occasions such as weddings and family jubilees.
Dr Lobo, who resides in a 2-acre property in Mangaluru inherited from his great-grandfather, conceived the idea of converting the front portion of his premises into a cultural centre. A gallery of 80 vintage wedding photographs adorns one end of this cultural centre, ranging in time from the very early years of the 20th century up to the 1970s. Each photograph is printed on foam, measuring 2 ft in width and 3 ft in height.
The exhibition is expected to be of great interest to students of historical fashion. Both the brides and the grooms adorned bridal costumes that were fashionable in their era, be it traditional Indian attire or bridal dresses and suits befitting European aristocratic families.
Bridegrooms in military service were formally attired in their (Royal or Indian) Army, Navy, or Air Force uniforms.
Mangalorean couples married 50 years and more
1. William Henry Rego + Merlyn Philomena nee Pinto: Milagres, Jan 15, 1962 (Bendorewell)
2. Gregory Sequeira + Juliana nee Tauro: Cordel, Oct 26, 1964 (Matadakani, Urwa)
3. Pius Castelino + Jessie nee Rebello: Milagres, Dec 28, 1964 (Bikarnakatte, Kulshekar)
4. Stany Rebello + Jane Martis: Milagres, Oct 25, 1965 (Kadri, near Bunts Hostel)
5. Oliver D’Sa + Leena nee Serrao: Milagres, Dec 30, 1965 (Balmata)
6. Matthew Patrao + Nellie nee D’Mello: Bejay, April 17, 1967 (Matadakani, Urwa)
7. Jerome J.V. Fernandes + Renilda nee Pais: Fatima Cathedral, Belgaum, May 14, 1967 (Kapikad, Bejai)
8. Rudolph Lobo + Hazel nee D’Souza: Milagres, May 6, 1968 (Kadri Temple Road)
9. Stanislaus D’Souza + Maisie nee Britto: Milagres, May 7, 1968 (Matadakani, Urwa)
10. Patrick Rasquinha + Cynthia nee Pinto: Valencia, Oct 30, 1968 (Bishop’s Comp., Valencia)
11. Austin Colaco + Annunciata nee Lobo: Bendore, May 8, 1969 (Vas Lane)
12. Michael Mascarenhas + Alice nee Pinto: Milagres, June 2, 1969 (Bijai New Road)
13. Patrick Tauro + Soumithri: Mysore, August 1969 (Alvares Road, Kadri)
14. Edgar Sylva + Mariette nee Lobo: Milagres, Dec 29, 1969 (Bondel)
15. Gerard Rego + Trixie nee Martis: St Anne’s, Mazagon, Bombay, Jan 4, 1970 (Bolar / Bandra)
16. Archileus Sequeira + Thelma nee Pinto: Milagres, May 14, 1970 (Falnir)
17. Captain Hugh Vas + Dorothy nee Albuquerque: Rosario Cathedral, May 17, 1970 (Mercara Hill Rd)
18. Felix Sequeira + Maxina nee D’Souza: Bahrain, Nov 28, 1970 (Matadakani, Urwa)
19. Theobald Lobo + Elizabeth nee D’Souza: Bendore, Dec 28, 1970 (Sevanilaya, Bendore)
20. Archibald Pais + Muriel nee Pinto: Milagres, May 4, 1971 (Matadakani, Urwa)
21. Dr Alfred Farias + Dr Padmini nee Tholar: Ahmednagar, May 27, 1971 (Bendore)
22. Dr Jerome Pinto + Dr Marcie nee D’Souza: Milagres, Aug 12, 1971 (Don Bosco Road)
23. Francis D’Silva + Joan nee Azavedo: Milagres, Jan 3, 1972 (Sundar Apts, Britto Lane, Falnir)
24. Alwyn Pinto + Irene nee Saldanha: Milagres, May 25, 1972 (Lalbagh)
25. Prem Aranha + Blossom nee Menezes: married on Aug 24, 1972 (Shivabagh)
26. Edwin Saldanha + Pearline nee D’Souza: Valencia, Sep 11, 1972 (Shivabagh)
27. Terence Mathias + Nancy nee Pinto: Milagres, May 15, 1973 (Padua Hill, Mundan)
28. Harold Saldanha + Cheryl nee Gonsalves: Milagres, May 22, 1973 (Aquamarine, Jeppu)
29. Thomas Sequeira + Carmine nee Saldanha: Cordel, May 23, 1973 (behind Cordel Church)
30. Ronald Rodrigues + Adelaide nee Pais: Milagres, May 28, 1973 (Bendorewell)
31. Alwyn Mascarenhas + Birdie nee D’Souza: Bendore, Oct 25, 1973 (Ferrer Colony, Valencia)
32. Andrew Menezes + Dorothy nee Rasquinha: Bendore, Nov 12, 1973 (Valencia)
33. Leslie Lobo + Winnie nee Pinto: Bendore, Nov 15, 1973 (Bejay Church Circle)
34. Aloysius ‘Loy’ Albuquerque + Rosemarie nee Mathias: Rosario Cath, Dec 27, 1973 (Summer Sands)
35. Austin D’Souza + Winifred nee D’Souza: Milagres, Jan 7, 1974 (Kadri Kambla Road, Bejai)
36. Arthur Rasquinha + Merlyn nee Pinto: Milagres, April 18, 1974 (Simon Lane, Angelore)
37. Felix Frank D’Silva + Felcie nee Pinto: Milagres, April 25, 1974 (Kankanady, opp Fr Muller’s)
38. Richard D’Costa + Teresa nee Mascarenhas: Milagres, April 29, 1974 (Chilimbi, Urwa)
39. Antony Mathias + Patricia nee Aranha: Milagres Church, Aug 19, 1974 (Falnir)
40. Edward Fernandes + Doreen (Vera) nee Pinto: Milagres, Oct 23, 1974 (Kapikad, Bejai)
41. Cyril Patrao + Marie nee Lobo: Milagres, Oct 12, 1974 (Marnamikatta)
42. Patrick Saldanha + Mary nee D’Souza: Milagres, Nov 4, 1974 (Bridge Road, Balmatta)
43. Lionel Machado + Zeena nee Fernandes: Bendore, 29 Dec 1974 (Valencia)
44. Aloysius D’Silva + Carmelita nee Castelino: Milagres, May 1, 1975 (near Cordel Church)
45. Frank Martin Lobo + Irene nee Miranda: Bejay, May 4, 1975 (Bijai Museum Road)
46. Eugene Rent + Benita nee Mathias: Milagres, May 25, 1975 (Nantoor)
47. Gilbert D’Souza + Diamond nee D’Souza: Bendore, Oct 16, 1975 (Jeppu)
48. Gilbert D’Souza + Violet nee Rodrigues: Puttur, Nov 9, 1975 (Kadri, near Bunts Hostel)
49. Robert Lancelot Vaz + Corinne nee D’Souza: Milagres, Dec 29, 1975 (Kuntikan Junction)
50. Vincent Pais + Jennifer nee D’Souza: Urwa, Dec 30, 1975 (Urwa Stores)