I am researching my grandmother's family. It is very difficult as I do not know who her mother was. I do know that she was born in Brooklyn in October of 1896. Her father's name was Antonio Brienza or Brienzo. The story was passed down that when she was an infant her mother and she were in the Kings County Hospital. There was a fire and her mother was killed and she was saved. My mother had done some research and discovered Her mother's mother's name may have been Teresa Azzara. We know that when she was killed Rosina's father turned custody over to an Irish American Family. Possible name was Kellty or Sweeney. Not sure. Supposedly they were very wealthy. Somehow another family was able to get custody. Their names were Annunziato and Theresa Pepo. We have no idea why this occurred. They raised her until she married Salvatore D'Angelo about 1914. We think that the Pepo family were blood relatives. They would not give up information, however. They had a daughter Antoinette (Tina) who became very close with my grandmother and we believe that she was actually her half sister. She married a man named Leonard R. LaPolla. I have since been in touch with several of the LaPolla's who were Tina's grand daughters. I have not been able to break down the "Brick Wall" of who my grandmother's mother was or father ( just have his name.).
I have found census reports of my grandmother and Salvatore. I also have Salvatore's Passenger reports.Any help would greatly be appreciated. Thank you!


