Torsiello/Parisi/Bonelli

[bonnville]

Am new to the forum, but am looking for direction...

My great-grandfather, Sabato "Sam" Torsiello (1888-1966), came to the US in 1906, followed by his wife, Giovannina "Jennie" Parisi (1888-1954). Settled in Newark, NJ. I have all of their info while in US, but cannot seem to find anything about the family in Italy prior to immigration.

I believe Sabato and Giovannina were from Calabritto, based both on Ellis Island records and family information. Sabato's mother, Irene Bonelli (abt 1860-1929), did eventually come to the US and lived with Sabato and Giovannina. Irene's mother was reportedly Rachel Merola, but I have no info on Irene's father.

I also have no info on Sabato's father, Anthony (Antonio?) Torsiello.

Giovannina's mother was supposedly Elizabeth Bevalqua, but I have no idea if this is correct or if it was, in fact, spelled this way. No info on her father.

Can anyone point me in the right direction as I have hit the proverbial "brick wall" on this?

Thanks!

[PeterTimber]

www.tuttitalia.it/campania/62-calabritto is the website for the town and scroll down to MUNICIPIO for address of UFFICIO DI STATO CIVILE (Vital Recs) at that address. Its FREE of charge for birth,marriage and death records

www.angelfire.com/ok3/pearlsofwisdom/it ... tters.html is the website to guide you. Form letters inItalian are provided. Click the www to the right of Municipio for tourist info for the town. Click "FOTO GALLERY" ffor entgire town and area of Calabritto. =Peter=

[Tessa78]

Hello and welcome!

You also might consider visiting your nearest LDS Family History Center. They have available the microfilms for Calabritto including the birth (nati), death (morti), and marriage (matrimoni) for the years 1861-1910.

http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library ... di++Cala++

You will need to visit the FHC and order your films to view (about $5.50 per film for a month).

Find your nearest LDS Family History Center by entering your zip code at this site.
www.familysearch.org

The records are in Italian, but we have many volunteers here to translate for you if you need it.

T.

[bonnville]

Thanks a bunch, Tessa and Peter! I'll check those out! : )

[maestra36]

SABATO TORSIELLO 14 May 1888 Nov 1966 78 07058 (Pine Brook, Morris, NJ) (none specified) New Jersey SS#138-09-1088

This is from the Social Security Index at www.rootsweb.com

Ordering a copy of his application for his social security card, which now costs $27, should yield his parents' names and his place of birth. If you click on the left option under tools, it will generate a letter which you can send to Social Security. Personally I would not order it through Vital Check, as I have read about too many problems with ordering through that company.

For online ordering http://www.ssa.gov/foia/html/foia_guide.htm