Saturday, 12 October 2013 00:00
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The ‘Salgado Family Union’ (SFU) of Moratuwa, which originated in December 1938, will be celebrating the 75th anniversary of its inauguration at the end of this year. This Union was formed to facilitate the Salgado relatives to meet at least once a year and to foster a spirit of fellowship, and to promote a sense of mutual dependence and respect among members. It also undertook to render a helping hand to members in need of financial assistance and advice, and see to the needs of the less fortunate in the community irrespective of caste creed or nationality.
The descendants of Merennege Johannes Salgado and Warusahannadige Duminga de Soysa, the original parents, have slowly but surely increased with each generation spanning out six to seven generations today.
Johannes Salgado, who was born in Panadura, was an English Teacher at the John Gath Government English School, Moratuwa. Duminga de Soysa was a daughter of Warusahannadige Johanis de Soysa (brother of Jeronis de Soysa, the philanthropist) and Appolonia Fernando.
They got married on 10 December 1857 in a Church called Brownrigg Palliya in Moratuwa. Their home was called ‘Salgado Villa’. Johannes Salgado, a much respected modest person among the elite of Moratuwa, resided at Katubedda and was the Marriage Registrar of Moratuwa for 18 years until 1896.
The present members of SFU began the 75th year with a Service of Thanksgiving at the Holy Emmanuel Church (HEC) Moratuwa on 14 January 2013. Thereafter they visited the five family vaults in the HEC graveyard and remembered all past members now at rest. This was followed by breakfast and the 74th Annual General Meeting. A family picnic and get-together was held on 20 August 2013 at a holiday bungalow of one of the members in Induruwa. Elaborate preparations are being made to celebrate the 75th anniversary in a fitting manner, at the end of December 2013.
A special committee is compiling a souvenir, with photographs and articles, about the six sons and three daughters of Johannes and Duminga and their descendants. This souvenir could be recommended as a collector’s item or a coffee table book comprising valuable information of a family with a history dating back to six generations and will be available at a nominal cost in December.
The committee has been able to trace the names of Duminga de Soysa’s ancestors and her siblings. Though much effort has been taken to trace the names of Johannes Salgado’s parents and siblings, the committee has not been successful. It is understood that Johannes Salgado’s mother was a Fonseka, but no confirmation is available. Any information with regard to Johannes Salgado’s parents siblings or any other close relations is most welcome and could be sent to Dr. Anil Salgado, [email protected], (011 2625310); Gihan Salgado, [email protected], (0777751401); Srianthie Salgado [email protected], (0776424294).
