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About Saturday’s CHamoru Genealogy Workshop in Everett, WA
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- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
This is somewhat of an after-action report and a lesson learned for not doing one for the Workshop in Arlington, Texas last month. So here forward, I will continue to document these Workshops.
A big shout out to Julita Atoigue, dba GuamGrub, for organizing the event held at the Everett Library, Evergreen Branch, Everett, Washington on June 7, 2025 from 12:00 to 5:00pm. Those were actually the Saturday operating hours of the library. But no problem, everyone pitched in to help setup and restore the conference room upon conclusion.
We planned for up to 30 people. I generally plan for that amount to factor in a 50% attrition. Lo and behold while we received 24 registrations, there were a total of 13 participants! It’s actually a good number of participants because it allows me more time to work with and help each participant with their unique questions pertaining to their own genealogy journey. For me, the best part of the Workshop is engaging with the Participants, listening and learning of their family and stories.
Of the 13 participants, we received 8 completed Participant Feedback Forms. Their responses and comments are documented in the video.
"Saipanese Returns After 35 Year Exile" (Daniel Manibusan Aldan)
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- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
[Transcription]
Saipanese Returns After 35 Year Exile
From MNA press release
SAIPAN – Daniel Manibusan Aldan has returned to Saipan from a 35-year absence from his home island. Drafted into the Imperial forces in 1942, Aldan remains as a sprightly 62-year-old, and not surprisingly, things have changed in his absence.
Aldan's wartime career under the Japanese took him to New Guinea in February of 1942, leaving behind on Saipan his wife and three small children.
It was not easy to refuse the orders of the Japanese military at that time, he says, because resistance would have meant severe punishment.
On reaching New Guinea, he was assigned to the Japanese Navy where he remained for six months, but was transferred to Halmania, Indonesia for hospitalization when he became ill. It was there he convalesced for a period of time during 1943.
Read more: "Saipanese Returns After 35 Year Exile" (Daniel Manibusan Aldan)
CHamoru Genealogy Songs/Chants
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- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
Håfa Adai Everyone. I would like to compile a list of CHamoru songs and chants that specifically identify names in their family or their family clan names. If you know of one, or several, please add to this list the singer, the composer of the song/chant, and the title of the song/chant. I only have three in my collection so far.
Camacho, Dåkota Alcantara, “i Hale’-hu.”
Chaco, Juan Babauta, “i Tai Hinekkok na Håga’, i Trongkon i Fåmilia-ku.”
Duenas, Mike, “Guåhu Låhen Francisco Duenas.”
Arlington, Texas Workshop Videos
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- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
Through the collaboration and co-sponsorship with the North Texas CHamoru Association a CHamoru Genealogy Workshop was conducted on May 25, 2025 in Arlington, Texas.
Video by Mona-Lisa Leon Guerrero Cassedy (Nåcha' yan CHe')
Video by Michelle Yamasaki (Yai yan Ma'fongfung)
1920 Church Census of Guam and “Culion”
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- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
Each time I get a chance to review a transcribed copy of the Catholic church's 1920 census of Guam, I learn something new and make a note of it. Last night I learned that there were nine (9) eight (8) CHamoru people listed in the census with a note of “Culion,” indicating that they were in Culion, an island of the Philippines, where the U.S. exiled some people with leprosy.
- Jose Charfauros Guatafe
- Vicente Pangelinan Rosario
- Gertrudis Quintanilla
- Jose Guerrero Pangelinan
- Juan Leon Guerrero Campos
- Juan Guerrero
- Pedro Atogue Lujan
- Vicente Atoigue Lujan
- Vicente Benavente Toves
From 1912 to 1924, CHamorus from Guam diagnosed with leprosy were sent to Culion. Later in 1924, some were allowed to return home. Others were not as fortunate and subsequently died in Culion.
Someone once asked me if I had a list of CHamoru people that were sent to Culion or those who may have died there, but unfortunately, I did not. Perhaps, they may be listed in the register contained at the Culion Museum and Archives.
References
Leprosy - Hospitals and Colonies: https://www.guampedia.com/us-naval-era-leprosy-hospitals-and-colonies/
Culion Leprosy Colony (Philippines:) https://leprosyhistory.org/geographical_region/site/culion
The Island of No Return: https://philippines.michiganintheworld.history.lsa.umich.edu/s/exhibit/page/the-island-of-no-return
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