Italian Origins

Objective

Search for the village of origin for end of line ancestors.

Results

A possible place of origin for Felice Chieffo was found. It is either the town or the province of Isernia.
A likely brother for Felice was found in New York City by the name of Antonio Cifelli.
Four additional children were found for the family of Sylvester and Rosalba Miraglia: Joseph, Nicolino, Giovanna, and Alfredo MIraglia.
A possible place of origin was found for the family of Silvestro and Rosalba (Di Pasquale) Miraglia. It is Pisticci in the province of Matera.
A possible place of origin was found for Rosalba Noto. It is Garaguso in the province of Matera.
The naturalization record was found for Frank D’Amico which named his place of birth as Marsala. This is a town in the province of Trapani in the westernmost part of Sicily.
The marriage record was found for Michael Crimi and Serafina Sansalone in Palermo, Italy. Parents were named for both on this record. Michael/Michele’s parents were Vito and Rosa Crimi. Serafina’s parents were Girolamo Sansalone and Anna Maria Crisci.

Recommendations

Investigate the possible brother of Antonio Cifelli, to learn more about his family and if there is information regarding a more specific place in Italy as to where he originated.
Search Civil records for Isernia, the city, as well as province for both the Chieffo/Cifelli and D’Torr families.
The place of origin for Francesco MIraglia should be investigated to discern the actual name. It may help in the search for records.
Search the Civil records of Pisticci in the province of Matera for the family of Silvestro and Rosalba (Di Pasquale) Miraglia.
Search the Civil records of Garaguso, in the province of Matera, for the birth of Rosalba Noto.
Search the Civil records of Marsala, in the province of Trapani, for the birth record of Frank D’Amico.
Obtain a copy of the actual marriage for Michele/Michael Crimi and Serafina Sansalone.
Obtain copies of the actual marriage records for Vito Crimi: Vito Crimi with spouse Rosa Trisci, married 13 Nov 1858 in Sferracava, Palermo, and Vito Crinsi with spouse Rosa Crisci, married 11 November 1858 in Molo, Palermo. Determine if they are the same person or not. If they are the same, continue research for the respective families in each village.
Continue the search in Palermo, Italy to extend the pedigree of Serafino Sansalone.

The objective of this project is to research the end of line ancestors with the intent of learning their place of origin prior to coming to the United States.

The maternal end of line ancestors are:

Felice Chieffo and Michealino Desano
Nicolo D’Torr and his wife, Margerite
Sylvester Miraglia and Rosalba Di Pasquale
Clement Noto and Brunette Ravielle

The remaining paternal end of line ancestors are:

Louis D’Amico and Mary Deleo
Michael Crimi and Serafina Sansalone

Flora Miraglia

Prior to beginning the immigration search, the client requested a search for a great aunt who was reportedly born after the 1908 birth of his grandmother. The name remembered by the client’s grandmother, Josephine, was Flora. There is a four year gap between Ida and Brunette Miraglia (Josephine’s sisters). A search in the New York birth index included the following Miraglia girls born between 1908 and 1909:[1]

Clorinda Miraglia born 26 July 1908 Cert 28231 Kings
Rosari Mirigliano, born 3 Aug 1908 Cert 25710 Kings
Julia Miraglia, born 1 Sep 1908 Cert 29920 Kings
Maria C. Miraglio, born 8 Mar 1908 Cert 13985 Manhattan
Andrea Miraglia, born 14 May 1908 Cert 27678 Manhattan
Rosaria Miraglia, born 4 Jun 1908 Cert 30512 Manhattan
Michele Meraglia, born 22 Aug 1908 Cert 45015 Manhattan
Teresa Miraglia, born 11 Sep 1908 48019 Manhattan
Carmela Miraglia, born 28 Apr 1909 Cert 21619 Manhattan
Eleanor MIraglia, born 8 Jan 1909 Cert 4220 Manhattan
Francesca Miraglia, born 10 Sep 1909 Cert 53679 Manhattan
Nicola A. MIraglia, born 7 Mar 1909 Cert 12861 Manhattan

The New York City death index included the following Miraglia females between 1809 and 1918:

Michele MIraglia, died 18 Mar 1909, seven months Cert 8401 Manhattan
Michelina MIraglia, died 25 June 1909, 7 months Cert 19682 Manhattan
Stella Miraglia, died 5 Jan 1909, two years Cert 414 Kings
Carmine Miraglia, died 25 Jan 1910, 9 months, Cert 3028 Manhattan
Giovanna MIraglia, died 2 Sep 1910, 8 months, Cert 27080
Carmela MIraglia, died 5 Feb 1911, six months, Cert 4179 Manhattan
Lucia MIraglia, died 13 Sep 1911, five months Cert 28270
Ida MIraglia, died 27 Aug 1911, two years, Cert 26797 Manhattan
Frances Miraglia, died 9 Sep 1911, two years, Cert 2922 Queens
Domenica MIraglia, died 14 Mar 1912, 7 months, Cert 1598 Bronx
Rosa MIraglia, died 25 Sep 1912, five years, Cert 27517 Manhattan
Lola MIraglia, died 6 Sep 1913, eleven months Cert 26386 Manhattan
Angiolina MIraglia, died 8 Jun 1914, six years Cert 18470 Manhattan
Elvira Miraglia, died 11 Mar 1915, five months, Cert 5055 Kings
Katie Miraglia, died 1 Apr 1915, one year Cert 10192 Manhattan
Philamina MIraglia, died 17 Mar 1917, five hours Cert 9368 Manhattan

None of the names were similar to Flora, but if the client wishes, each record could be searched to learn if the parents were Frank Miraglia and Rosalba Noto.

Felice Chieffo and Michealino (Nunziata) Desano

The son of Felice and Michealino/Nunziata Chieffo was Carmine who married Nunziata D’Torr. Carmine and Nunziata immigrated to the United States and settled in the New York City area.

Vital Records

A search for information regarding the place of origin in Italy for Felice and Michealino began with vital records of family members. The following records were found:

Births

The ancestor, Antonio Peter Cifello, born 11 June 1908[2] Parents’ birthplace was reported as Italy.
Maria Cifelli, born 28 Nov 1906[3] Parents’ birthplace was reported as Italy.

Census

The census was consulted which would help narrow down the year of immigration and possibly provide more information about family members. On the 1915 New York State Census of Haverstraw, in Rockland County, were found Carmine and Nunziato Chieffo and their children.[4] Nunziato Chieffo, age 70, mother of Carmine, was also enumerated in this household.

By 1920 Carmine was widowed and found on the Brooklyn census in New York City. His children, John, Felix, Mary, and Antonio were enumerated with him.[5] His date of immigration was reported as 1899.

Immigration

Carmine Chieffo could not be found on a ship passenger list around 1899. However, an entry was found for a Carmine Cifelli, age 28, married, arriving 6 December 1900 on the ship Columbia.[6] He was meeting his brother, Antonio C., who lived at either 178 Eliz Str or Mulb 3 ½. His last residence was Isernia.

Since Carmine’s mother was enumerated on the census with him in 1915, she was sought on a ship passenger list. On the ship, Madonna, arriving in the port of New York 30 June 1905, was Felice Cifelli, age 61, and his wife, Antone Nunziata Cifelli, also age 61.[7] The place they were going to looks like it could be Haverstraw, NY, but was crossed out with NY written on top. Note, that in 1915, Carmine, his family, and mother, were living in Haverstraw, New York. Felice and Antone Nunziata were going to join a son, Antonio Cifelli, who lived at 26 ½ Mulberry Street in New York. Note that Carmine Cifelli was meeting a brother, Antonio, who may have lived on Mulberry St. The most important information was that their last residence was Isernia and race was South Italian.

Isernia is a town in the southern Italian region of Molise and the capital of the province of Isernia. The reference could be for either the province or the town of Isernia. The civil records of Isernia the city should be searched for members of the family of Felice Chieffo and Michealino (Nunziata) Desano

Nicolo D’Torr and Margerite

A search was made in ship passenger lists for Nunziata, wife of Carmine, but she was not found. When a search is made in the Isernia records for the Cifelli/Chieffo family, a search should also be made for the D’Torr family.

Sylvester Miraglia and Rosalba Di Pasquale

Sylvester and Rosalba immigrated to the United States prior to 1895 and settled in New York City.

Sylvester’s parents were Francesco MIraglia and Carmella Zasi. Rosalba’s parents were Guisippe Di Pasquale and Maria Noto

Census

The Sylvester Miraglia family was first found on the 1900 Census in Manhattan, New York, New York. Of interest is the fact they were living on Mulberry Street which was mentioned earlier in this report as the place of residence of a possible brother of Carmine Chieffo/Cifelli. On this census, Rosalba indicated she had ten children and seven living.[8] The children on this census were: Frances (Aug 1879), Joseph (1883), Nicola (male Nov 1888), John (March 1895), Antonetta (Nov 1896), Alfredo (Nov 1898). Joseph, Nicola/Nicolino, and Alfredo were children not recorded on Family Tree, so they were added and submitted. “Silvestro” and Rosalba both claimed they immigrated in 1893 and that “Silvestro” had papers submitted for naturalization.

The family was next found on the 1910 Census of Manhattan Ward 14, New York, New York.[9] On this census, Rosalba reported she had ten children, but only five living. On this census the children named were: John (15), Antonetta (13), and Alfredo (11). Silvester’s mother, Carmelo MIraglia (age 70), was also enumerated in the household, as well as a nephew named Rocco Grossi (age 28, born in Italy).

Vital Records

Certificates were found for two of the children

Birth

Alfredo MIraglia, born 1 Feb 1899[10] This certificate stated the family was living at 240 Mulberry St. and that his mother’s maiden name was D’Epascale. This is a little different spelling and could be used when searching for the family in Italy.

Death

Giovanna Miraglia, 5 March 1894.[11] Giovanna was found on the ship passenger list and she died shortly after arriving of what appears to be pneumonia. She was only two years old.

Immigration

Since the year of 1893 was reported as a year of immigration, ship passenger lists were searched for Silvestro and Rosalba. Silvestro MIraglia, 37, was found on the ship Colombo, arriving 1 April 1893 into the port of New York.[12] Silvestro was traveling with Francesco MIraglia, age 14, who was likely his son. Last residence for Silvestro was Matera and for Francesco was a town which is difficult to discern. Matera is a province in Basilicata in Southern Italy.

Rosalba was finally found on a ship passenger list on the ship Cachemire, arriving 21 August 1893 in New York.[13] She was difficult to find because she traveled under her maiden name. She was on the list as Rosalba Pascale, age 33, with children: Maria (12), Giovanni(10), NIcolino(5), Giovanna (2) – all the children had the surname of Miraglia. Note the additional children of Maria and Giovanna. Of importance is the recording of the last residence for the family which was Pisticci, which is in the province of Matera in Basilicata.

Clement Noto and Brunette Ravielle

Rosalba Noto, daughter of Clement and Brunette, was the wife of Frank Miraglia, son of Sylvester MIraglia and Rosalba Di Pasquale.

Census

Rosalba was first found in the United States as the wife of Frank Miraglia on the 1910 census of Manahattan, Ward 9, New York, New York.[14] Her year of immigration was reported as 1902. Of interest is the fact that Noto had been originally written in as the surname of the family, but was crossed out and Miraglia written next to it.

Immigration

A search was made for Rosalba in ship passenger lists. She was found on the ship Calabria, arriving 20 September 1902 into the port of New York.[15] She was of the age 22, and was traveling with her sister, Elivra, age 10. Their last place of residence was Gargusa which could be Garaguso located in the province of Matera of the region, Basilicata.

The civil records of Garaguso should be searched for Rosalba Noto and her family.

Louis D’Amico and Mary Deleo

The marriage certificate for Frank D’Amico and Rosa Crimi was found and examined for clues regarding place of origin in Italy.[16] Parents were named and birthplace was simply stated as “Italy.”

Frank D’Amico was the son of Louis D’Amico and Mary Deleo. He immigrated to the United States prior to his marriage to Rosa Crimi in New York, 18 December 1910.

Immigration

A naturalization record was sought for Frank and was found. [17] On this record, Frank claimed he was born in Marsala, Italy and arrived in the port of New York, 24 June 1903, on the Sicilian Prince. He left from the port of Palermo, Italy. Marsala, is a town located in the province of Trapani in the westernmost part of Sicily. Civil records should be sought for Frank in this area.

Michael Crimi and Serafina Sansalone

Michael Crimi and Searfina Sansalone were the parents of Rosa Crimi who immigrated to the United States and then married Frank D’Amico in 1910. Rosa was born in Palermo and many of the records of Palermo are found on Ancestry.com Therefore, a search was made for the marriage of Michael (Michele) Crimi and Serafina Sansalone and a transcribed record was found, dated 30 June 1883. [18] Michele’s parents were Vito Crimi and Rosa Crimi. Serafina’s parents were Girolamo Sansalone and Anna Maria Crisci.

A possible marriage was found for Vito and Rosa Crimi, but two entries were found. One was a marriage of 11 November 1858 in Molo, Palermo indexed under the name of Rosa Crisci, with spouse Vito Crinsi as spouse.[19] Another entry was indexed under the name of Vito Crimi with spouse Rosa Trisci and a marriage of 13 November 1858 in Sferracava, Palermo.[20] Both places should be searched for an original record to learn if this is the same couple with the marriage recorded in their respective villages, or if they are two different couples.

Siblings for Serafina Sansalone were found in Palermo birth and death indexes: Anna, Giuseppa, Angela Maria, and Francesco Paolo. [21]

The actual marriage record for Michele and Serafina should be found so that the names of parents can be verified or clarified as well as their ages and places of residence at the time of the marriage. Also, both marriage records for Vito Crimi should be found to determine if they are the same person or not. If they are, civil or church records of each village should be searched in order to extend the Crimi pedigree.

CONCLUSION

This search was very successful. Villages and possible villages of origin were found for Felice Chieffo/Cifelli, Sylvester Miraglia, Rosalba Di Pasquale, Rosalba Noto, Frank D’Amico, and Rosa Crimi. Research should continue on these lines to verify and/or clarify the places of birth.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Investigate the possible brother of Antonio Cifelli, to learn more about his family and if there is information regarding a more specific place in Italy as to where he originated.
Search Civil records for Isernia, the city, as well as province for both the Chieffo/Cifelli and D’Torr families.
The place of origin for Francesco MIraglia should be investigated to discern the actual name. It may help in the search for records.
Search the Civil records of Pisticci in the province of Matera for the family of Silvestro and Rosalba (Di Pasquale) Miraglia.
Search the Civil records of Garaguso, in the province of Matera, for the birth of Rosalba Noto.
Search the Civil records of Marsala, in the province of Trapani, for the birth record of Frank D’Amico.
Obtain a copy of the actual marriage for Michele/Michael Crimi and Serafina Sansalone.
Obtain copies of the actual marriage records for Vito Crimi: Vito Crimi with spouse Rosa Trisci, married 13 Nov 1858 in Sferracava, Palermo, and Vito Crinsi with spouse Rosa Crisci, married 11 November 1858 in Molo, Palermo. Determine if they are the same person or not. If they are the same, continue research for the respective families in each village.
Continue the search in Palermo, Italy to extend the pedigree of Serafino Sansalone.

[1] Births - Database Searches at Italiangen.org

[2] Brooklyn (New York) Department of Health, “Brooklyn Birth Certificates, 1866-1909,” Certificate 31806, Antonio Cifello (FHL film 4207192). Document 1

[3] Brooklyn (New York) Department of Health, "Brooklyn Birth Certificates, 1866-1909," Certificate 188, Maria Cifelli (FHL film 4230197) Document 2

[4] 1915 New York, State Census, Haverstraw, Rockland, Carmine and Nunziato Chieffo household (Database on line at Ancestry.com). Document 3

[5] 1920 US Census: Brooklyn Assembly District 8, Kings, New York, Carmin Chieffo household (Database on line at Ancestry.com). Document 4

[6] “New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957,” Carmine Cifelli, arriving 6 December 1900 on the ship Columbia from the port of Napoli. (Database on line at Ancestry.com). Document 5

[7] “New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957,” Felice and Antone Nunziata Cifelli, arriving 30 June 1905 on the ship Madonna from the port of Naples, Italy. (Database on line at Ancestry.com). Document 6

[8] 1900 US Census: District 0124, Manhattan, New York, New York, Mulberry Street, Silvestro and Rosalba Miraglia household (Database on line at Ancestry.com). Document 7

[9] 1910 US Census: Manhattan Ward 14, New York, New York, Mulberry Street Silvester and Rosalbo MIraglia household (Database on line at Ancestry.com). Document 8

[10] New York (New York) Certificate and Record of Birth (Borough of Manhattan) 1898-1909, Certificate 5490, Alfredo Miraglia (FHL film 4201985). Document 9

[11] New York (New York) Department of Health, Manhattan Death Certificates…” Certificate 8084, Giovanna Miraglia (FHL film 4006004). Document 10

[12] “New York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957,” Silvestro Miraglia, arriving 1 April 1893 on the ship Colombo from the port in Naples, Italy (Database online at Ancestry.com). Document 11

[13] “New York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957,” Rosalba Pascale, arriving 21 August 1893 on the ship Cachemire from the port in Naples, Italy. (Database online at Ancestry.com). Document 12

[14] 1910 US Census: Manhattan Ward 9, New York, New York, Frank and Rosalbe Miraglia household. (Database on line at Ancestry.com). Document 13

[15] “New York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957,” Rosalba Noto, arriving 20 September 1902 on the ship Calabria from the port in Naples, Italy (Database online at Ancestry.com). Document 14

[16] “Brooklyn (New York) Board of Health, “New York, Brooklyn, Marriage Certificates, 1866-1937,” certificate 13157 Frank D’Amico and Rosa Crimi (FHL film 1613365). Document 15

[17] “New York, State and Federal Naturalization Records, 1794-1940,” Francesco Danico, certificate 35545 (Database on line at Ancestry.com). Document 16

[18] “Palermo, Italy, Marriages, 1820-1895,” Michele Crimi and Serafina Sansalone marriage (Database online at Ancestry.com). Document 17

[19] “Palermo, Italy Marriages, 1820-1895,” Rosa Crisco and Vito Crinsi marriage (Database online at Ancestry.com). Document 18

[20] “Palermo, Italy Marriages, 1820-1895,” Vito Crimi and Rosa Trisci marriage (Database online at Ancestry.com). Document 19

[21] “Italy Births and Baptisms, 1806-1900,” Anna Sanzalone, Giuseppa Sansalone, Angela Maria Sansalone, and Francesco Paolo Sanzalone (Database on line at FamilySearch.org). Document 20-24