Department or Program

German and Russian Studies

Abstract

This thesis explores German immigration to Brazil through a genealogical case study of Guilherme (Wilhelm) Piclum. It aims to reconstruct Piclum’s story, blending information from family documents, oral history, and photographs with archival work and scholarly research. Beyond positioning Piclum’s story within a broader context of the history of German-Brazilian migration and identities, I examine traces of German cultural heritage and identity in the family today. As some facts about Piclum’s life are impossible to confirm, I seek to fill the gaps in knowledge by using a subjunctive approach, speculating on possibilities with a basis on known facts. Chapter 1 introduces the topic of German immigration to Brazil before World War I, identifying common themes, analytical frameworks, and identifying the available information on Piclum. Chapter 2 focuses on Piclum’s experience in Germany and the journey to Brazil, including motives for immigration and Piclum’s employment history. In Chapter 3, I examine Piclum’s story in the context of World War I and II to answer remaining questions that arise from his personal documents. Chapter 4 utilizes interviews to study changes in German cultural heritage within the family over time, including the family’s return to Germany in more recent generations. By retelling Piclum’s story, this thesis provides a case study that can be used to gain new perspectives into German immigration to Brazil and German-Brazilian experiences.

Level of Access

Open Access

First Advisor

Cernahoschi, Raluca

Date of Graduation

5-2026

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Number of Pages

109

Components of Thesis

1 pdf file

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