Why Madeira?

Question

In researching my family tree, in the years between

the 1930's and 50's there was a lot of travelling backwards and forwards to the island of Madiera.

Can you please tell me what would have been the attraction at that time.?

Answer 1

In that period Funchal (city of Madeira Islands) was considered as the 2nd Riviera. It was visited by mostly wealthy English and Americans. One of them was Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill who spent the winter in the luxurious resort / hotel Reid's. Reid's was at that time the 'attraction' ... a piece of British island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. But also the beauty of the island itself ... the panorama of mountains and sea.

If you come to Madeira nowadays ... you can see why it was that popular in those days.

I did find a travelogue (see below) where such a visit is described in details. It can give you a good impression why people wanted to visit the Island of Flowers.

I also created a small video with a few vintage photos of Madeira ... just for a small peek into the past.

Answer 2

In 1766, Madeira islands were granted authority to mint its own money, and in 1901 the Portuguese government granted administrative autonomy to Funchal,s District

The British Empire occupied Madeira as a result of the Napoleonic Wars,  which concluded in 1814 when the island was returned to Portugal,and the British had popularised Madeira wine

Due to its geographical location and traditional links with foreign countries, Madeira island has been welcoming European's since the early 1900's, particularly from the UK.  Total population peaked at around 300,000 in 1960, but fell as a result of emigration

Answer 3

Funchal has an English Church and a great many English graves and records

In those early days, the only access your family would have had to the island was by boat or flying boat.

Answer 4

Holiday makers or wine merchants.

Just a note on the wine  - if you set your toaster oven to 425, then put a cup or so of shelled hazlenuts in it until the paper-like husks crack and the nut meats turn from white to golden brown (5 - 10 minutes), then serve with Fine Bual or Rainwater in nice little glasses, you have a real treat.

We do it after dinner, when the company is good. It gives people something to do while they converse.

Answer 5

Might they have had close family there? Or, perhaps they were doing importing.

Madeira m'dear...Flanders