A brief history of Holy Ghost Societies in Falmouth, Massachusetts, focusing on the first group formed around 1900. Includes information on why Portuguese islanders from the first new world - Azores and Cape Verde - emigrated to America, how Quaker sympathizers settled near a Wampanoag village, and how Falmouth prospered for two centuries before American expansion spurred the Portuguese population of Falmouth to explode from zero to 30]% in two generations. Describes the eight century old religious folk tradition of the Holy Ghost, how three different groups celebrate it, concluding with a summary of Holy Ghost festas in the Azores today. Appendices include summary of political turmoil in 19th century Portugal, and recipes for traditional foods available at the festa.