The SILVAN brothers in Cuba during 1930-1931

Agustin Silvan and Geronimo Silvan both traveled from Spain to Cuba during the late 1920s. I have documented this information through ship manifests.

** Agustin, single, age 43, sailed on the SS Cristobal Colon from Havana, Cuba June 20, 1930 via New York and returned to Zamora, Spain. His birth city was listed as Zamora. He had white hair and black eyes. His last residence was Havana, Cuba.

** Geronimo, married, age 54, sailed with his wife (Joaquina Bragado Vicente, age 55) on the SS Manuel Calvo from Santiago de Cuba one year later, also in June, 1931 via New York and returned to Zamora, Spain. They both had black hair and brown eyes. Their birth cities were both listed as Zamora. Their last residence was Santiago de Cuba.

I asked myself when they went to Cuba? Did they go together? Did they work in the sugar cane fields like their brothers, Juan Francisco and Victorino? Or did they work in another industry like their brother in law, Eusebio Gonzales who worked with horses? Why didn't they return to Spain together? What drove them to Cuba in the first place and what made them leave?

Today I found some answers and as usual, more questions popped up.


A brief history lesson: By December of 1896, Spanish troops left Cuba and the government was handed over to the U.S. on January 1, 1899. The U.S. government did not annex Cuba because of the restrictions imposed in the Teller Amendment, which required the U.S. to leave control of the island to the people. The Treaty of Paris later recognized Cuba's independence on December 10, 1898. The Spanish-American War etc... I read about Gerardo Machado's rule from 1925-1933). During his rule, he built a highway the length of Cuba from Pinar del Rio in the west to Santiago de Cuba, 705.6 miles, touching the coast in 3 places; Havana, Matanzas and Santiago de Cuba.

Did these brothers travel to Cuba for work on the highway or the sugar fields? During my research today I found a professor's name, a sugar company's name and a book that may give me more answers. I found a Cuban Historical Timeline and knew WHY they left when they did....
1928 - October - The Wall Street Crash drops the price of sugar and panic ensues.
1929 - A reduction in salaries cause agricultural pay to drop or become delayed. A general strike among railroad workers .... soldiers step in. Eight are killed.
1930 - Students lead violent demonstrations. Schools, the newspaper and Yacht Club are closed.
1931 - The university directors are arrested and indicted on conspiracy, jailed three months. An Emergency Tax Law to bring in revenue adds fuel to the fire. By July, everyone knew revolution was near.
SO OUR ANCESTORS KNEW THEY HAD TO "GET OUT OF DODGE" and they did!
For anyone interested in 'seeing' Cuba in 1930, go to www.huntleyarchives.com and look at film 217. Notice all the white clothing!