I am doing geneaology research on my father's side. The name is MELIM. They came from the Maderia Islands and settled in Hawaii where they changed the name to MELIN. Any info would be great...thanks!

I am a Melim, and yes the Melim name is of Portuguese decent, mine come from the island of Madeira.
I'll try and answer any question you have.

Thank you! Did any of your ancestors migrate to Hawaii? My grandfather Charles Melin was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on May 16, 1911, his mother's name: Mary Melin, his father's name: Joe Melin. Mary's last name of Melin was her maiden name also. So I think they were cousins. Is it true that there is only one family by the name of Melim in Maderia? My family changed the last name to "MELIN" when they came to Hawaii. Maybe we are cousins? Please respond and by then I will have more questions! Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to you too.
No its not true that there was only one family by the name of Melim.
Our family had the same problem when they moved from Madeira, the Melim turned to Melin, but my family changed it back. My family didn't go to Hawaii, they came from the Madeira Islands. I have been to Hawaii and was quite suprised to see lots of Portuguese there. Are we cousins? I don't think so, but we might some how have a relative down the tree roots.
Emidio
ps the name Emidio is a portuguese name. you can find Emilio, and that would be Italian or spanish. Emidio means "Saint of earthquakes" and since I live in CA it makes sence.

Wow! Your name has a lot of meaning to it! And believe me when I say I know what you mean, since I live in California too, in the San Fernando Valley! I don't know what Melim means, but I do know that there is a whole group of Melim's in Hawaii, there is even a hugh building out there with the name of "melin" on it. I am doing more research with the Portuguese Geneaology Society in Hawaii on my family and I hope to get more info, but I really appreciate your info too. One day, my husband and I may go to the Maderia Islands, but first I must go to my family in Italy. The Portuguese is on my father's side...wow what a combo! Take care, Lisa

I don't know what Melim means either, if it has a meaning.
I too have an Italian uncle who married a Portuguese aunt of mine, so see its not that rare.

Hi,
My name is Robin. My grandparents were from Porto Santo, Portugal and immigrated to Hawaii then onto Oakland,CA in the early 1900's. My grandmother's maiden name was Helen Maria de Britto Pestana Melim. She married into the Telo family on the Island.. there is a book that was published called 'the families of madeira' it is a rare book with all of the original families in it, like mine.
All the best in your serch. Take care
Robin Telo/Tellis( is what our name changed to in America)

Hi Emidio,
Thank you for replying. My Grandmother was Helena de Britto Pestana and her mother was Maria de Melim born in 1874
Joao Pestana de Britto was her husband born 1870
Both were born in Porto Santo, Madeira Island
She married Atansio Tello on the island of Oahu when their families immigrated there around 1900. They would have been teenagers! and many cousins on the island married by the way.
If you have information about the family, please email me at robin.pehle@gmail.com
I would so love to know more!
thank you!
Robin Tellis Pehle

Hi there, My great grandfather Manuel Gil Dos Reis settled in Hawaii after giving up the whalers life. He started a hack & cab (pre-taxi) business in the late 1870s. We know from stories that he hired a fellow Portugee with the last name of Melim, and was so fond of him, he sold him a piece of his property, next door to his, on Queen St in Honolulu. That Mr. Melim also became fairly successful, in that the office building there is still named the Melim bldg. Are you related to that Melim relative? I believe those Melim's sold the business and moved to CA.

hello , was just looking on line for the origin of my last name and i found this.
dont know much about it but i love to , my las name is melim and it comes from my dad's side, my grandfather was called Edson Melim, and my grandmother virginia melim, my grandfather died before i was born so all i know is my grandmother is now 95 years old, and my great gran, grandfathers mum was also called virginia melim, all i know is that there are lots and lots of melims in madeira as i remember she had like 15 or more melims and she made all of them play football witch is now called MARITIMO. my dad has a very old diary at home , with all the pics of the club at the time. i could ask for a copy somehow.
if you find anything else about the name let me know , im intrigued.
m.melim9@gmail.com