Trying to find great-grandmother (for my grandma)

[npaull]

Hi, I'm hoping someone can point me to a database I haven't checked yet. I'm trying to find out more about my great-grandmother and her parents. My grandma (her daughter) is 87 and extremely frustrated that she doesn't know/can't remember more about her mother.

Great-grandma is: Giovanni (Jennie) Gavini (1 Sep 1892 - Dec 1977) Died in Canfield, OH
Married to: Raffaelo Gavini (11 Sep 1892- 1 Oct 1969) Died in Youngstown, OH

I have Raffaelo's draft card but can't find him or Giovanni on the Ellis Island web site. I did find his brother Leonardo Gavini who came over August 26, 1912 - it says he was from Castelnuovo, Pisa. (That was news to us) Nothing about his brother or his sister-in-law though.

Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

[vj]

Welcome to the Forum!
It appears that Raffaele & his family arrived in 1921 thru Philadelphia
Valarie

from ancestry. com
1921 manifest
http://imageshack.us/a/img254/4108/1921h.jpg
next page
http://imageshack.us/a/img405/8459/1921b.jpg

Ship Name: Taormina
Arrival Date: 6 May 1921
Port of Departure: Genoa, Italy
Port of Arrival: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

lines 19-21

Raffaele Gavini 29, abt 1892
- has probable naturalization notations
- mason
- last permanent residence Castelnuovo Pisa
(probably Castelnuovo Val Di Cecina, Pisa, Tuscany)
- leaving father (-in-law) Francesco Puglisi in Castelnuovo Pisa
- destination Uniontown, PA
- joining brother Leonardo Gavini at 45 E Main Street
- born in Castelnuovo Pisa
wife Giovanna Puglisi 29, abt 1892
- last permanent residence Messina
- born in Messina, Messina
son Giuseppe 3, abt 1918
- last permanent residence Castelnuovo Pisa
- born in Messina, Messina

[vj]

1940 census
http://imageshack.us/a/img525/5489/1940p.jpg

61 N Glenellen, Youngstown

head Ralph Gavini 47, abt 1893 Italy
- Na (naturalized)
- chipper, steel mill
- earned 1300 in 1939
wife Jennie Gavini 47, abt 1893 Italy
son Joseph Gavini 22, abt 1918 Italy
- scarfer, steel mill
daughter Norma Gavini 15, abt 1925 PA
---

1930 census
http://imageshack.us/a/img256/1262/1930y.jpg

Home in 1930:
61 North Glenellen Avenue*, owns $7000, has a radio
Youngstown, Mahoning, Ohio

head Ralph Gavnia 38, abt 1892 Italy
- married age 25, abt 1917
- immig 1921, Pa (filed 1st papers for naturalization)
- steel worker, steel shop
wife Jane Gavnia 38, abt 1892 Italy
- immig 1921, Pa
son John Gavnia (Joseph?) 13, abt 1917 Italy
- immig 1921, Pa
daughter Norma Gavnia 5 2/12, abt 1924 PA

* according to Trulia. com this house was built in 1929
http://www.trulia.com/homes/Ohio/Youngs ... n-OH-44509

[vj]

You may want to order your great grandparents Social Security applications for abt $ 27 ea:

Name: Giovanna Gavini
SSN: 301-54-xxxx
Last Residence: 44406 Canfield, Mahoning, Ohio
Born: 1 Sep 1892 Died: Dec 1977
State (Year) SSN issued: Ohio (1969)

Name: Raffaelo Gavini
SSN: 292-09-xxxx
Last Residence: 44509 Youngstown, Mahoning, Ohio
Born: 11 Sep 1892 Died: Oct 1969
State (Year) SSN issued: Ohio (Before 1951)


Social Security Application SS-5

Their SS#'s are available here if you don’t already have them:
http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/ ... _form=true

About the SS Application:
http://genealogy.about.com/od/online_re ... equest.htm

The SS-5, or Application for Social Security Number is a great resource for learning more about individuals who died after about 1960, and generally includes the following:
- Full name
- Full name at birth, including maiden name
- Present mailing address
- Age at last birthday
- Date of birth
- Place of birth
- Father's full name
- Mother's full name, including maiden name
- Sex
- Race as indicated by the applicant
- Whether the applicant ever applied for Social Security or Railroad Retirement before
- Current employer's name and address
- Date signed
- Applicant's signature

Order form SSA-711 (can be done online):
http://www.ssa.gov/foia/html/foia_guide.htm