About the Family

Laura MOED and her three children received a visa issued by Aristides de Sousa Mendes in Bordeaux on May 22, 1940. Her husband, Jules/Julda MOED had already acquired a Portuguese transit visa in Antwerp, Belgium.

The MOED family crossed into Portugal on May 26, 1940 and subsequently sailed on the Quanza from Lisbon in August of that year. They were bound for Vera Cruz, Mexico, but were not allowed to disembark there. The Quanza headed back to Europe with refugees still on board. When the vessel stopped to refuel in Norfolk, Virginia, a lawsuit was brought against the shipping company, resulting in the passengers being rescued and allowed into the United States.