These were young males who eventually would send for their loved ones. When whaling was on the decline, the Azoreans gravitated towards to textile mills found in and near New Bedford and to the fishing banks nearby. Some went to California on whaling ships and soon were in the gold fields there. Table 4 below shows the cycles of Portuguese immigration to the United States. Census data can be a troubling mire at times with little consistency.
Researchers glean out what they can and present it as well as they can.
In the 1870's, direct shipping began between Boston and Horta, Faial which was an impetus for increased immigration to the United States. In 1890's, the U.S. Consul moved from Horta to Ponta Delgada which is on the most populated island in the archipelago, Sao Miguel. This brought direct shipping to Sao Miguel and further increased immigration to the United States. In 1910, the Portuguese monarchy fell, and an anticlerical government was instituted which caused conservative Catholics to leave Portuguese possessions and relocate. Many came to the Azores and to United States.