......................DOTAR SEPHARDIC CHARITY AMSTERDAM - 1615..............Slowly putting together the history of Jacob Franco Lagarto, the Rabbi of the Sephardi Congregation in Vila Velha on the Island of Itamaracá, Pernambuco. This detail is his signature in 1637 on a document in which he accepts membership of the "Dotar" in Amsterdam. It was considered an honour to be part of this charity, and indicated an exalted position in the community. His father, Simon, apparently had been a member.