3rd Great-Grandparents Puzzling Curiosities The Asturian-Portuguese Connection

 I've traced one branch of my family tree all the way to the Asturian coast, uncovering a remarkable story that begins in early 19th-century Spain and leads to a surprising destination in Portugal. One set of my 3rd great-grandparents—Francisco Méndez Fonfría and Ana Antonia Pardo—were both born in Asturias but married in Água Revés, Valpaços, in the Trás-os-Montes region of Portugal in 1849.

• Francisco Méndez Fonfría
  Born in 1820 in El Franco, Asturias
  Son of Juan Méndez Fonfría and Josefa Díaz
  Baptized in San Miguel de Mohíces Parish

            Note: This town was historically known as San Miguel de Mohíces until its name changed to La Caridad in 1852. This didn't held me when I was trying to identify the parish and church.

San Miguel de Mohíces Parish

Photo Credit: Camino-de-santiago-slroute.com site - edits by Claudio Abreu

• Ana Antonia Pardo
  Born in 1823 in Lugar Barres, Castropol, Asturias
  Daughter of Dom Antonio Pardo and Manuela Méndez
  Baptized in San Esteban Parish

Iglesia de San Esteban de Barres

Photo Credit: Carmenmoran Wikimedia Commons - edits by Claudio Abreu

• Marriage: Took place in 1849 in Água Revés, Valpaços, Portugal

Photo Credit: Município de Valpaços's facebook page - edits by Claudio Abreu

1. What might have motivated their move from Asturias to Trás-os-Montes in the mid-1800s?
2. Were there known migration routes, labor movements, or religious missions between these regions?
3. Could they have had relatives already living in Água Revés or Valpaços?
4. Were there political, religious, or economic factors that influenced Asturian migration to Portugal?