Mary BRANCA (1874?-1951)

by **topspinut** » 29 Jan 2003, 20:47

Mary BRANCA, my grandmother, was born about 6 Sept 1874 (based on Death Certificate) I believe in Genoa. Her Death Certificate says she was born in Switzerland; however, I believe this is due to her daughters denial of their Italian heritage. She married an August VAILLANT probably in St. Louis, MO or New York, NY in about 1908. She had three children who lived into adulthood--June (1909-1973), Pauline (1911-1974) and Benjamin (1913-2002), my father. My father\'s delayed Birth Record (recorded in 1940) states that Mary was born in France. There is at the Ellis Island site a BRANCA family--parents and daughters--who immigrated with a destination of St. Louis, MO. I do NOT know if Mary (one of the daughters names) was part of this family. To muddy the waters further, June, when she filed her delayed Birth Record in 1936 cited a baptismal record in a Catholic Church in St. Louis with Mary BRANCA as the mother and an August VENEZIANO as the father. Any clues anyone may have would be most appreciated for the direction I need to take....thank you. Jeff

by **ptimber** » 29 Jan 2003, 21:39

you do not say what further information the ellis island records reveal in terms of city of origin anf age at time of arrival into the USA as immigrants. Valid documents had to be presented and the country of origin reflected. Moreover just what specific objectives do you want to achieve? Peter

by **ptimber** » 29 Jan 2003, 21:47

P.S. Is BRANCA her maiden name? Woman in Italy never lost their maiden name upon marriage and having chiuldren. All children are in fathers name while mother keeps her own identity. Peter

by **topspinut** » 30 Jan 2003, 23:04

Peter Thank you for your interest and here are the answers as I know them: BRANCA is the maiden name; however, in the USA she took her husband\'s name (VAILLANT). There are four Maria BRANCA\'s entering the USA via Ellis Island as follows: 1. Maria Billoto BRANCA from Trentia who arrives May 29, 1893 as a 19 year old Female on the ship Cachemire that departed Naples, Campania, Italy. She is part of a family group that includes her 43 year old father Michelina, sister Maria aged 6, sister Guisetta age 11, sister Rosiana Billoto age 19---which makes me think there was an indexing error and perhaps Maria is 16. The family destination was New York. This could be a fit since family legend has her husband August VAILLANT being from New York as was his brother Francisco. And family legend has it that Maria/Mary had sister(s). 2. Maria BRANCA from Italy (no place of residence abstracted) arrives November 9, 1896 as a 22 year old Female whose marital status is listed as U which I recall means unmarried. She traveled on the ship La Campagne that departed from Le Havre, Seine-Inferior, France. Her destination was St. Louis, MO which fits with the birth of my Dad and his sisters. 3. Maria BRANCA arrives from Romano on June 21, 1902 as a 29 year old female widow. She traveled on the ship La Savoie that departed Le Havre, France. There is no family legend about Maria having been married before she married August; but that does not make it so! 4. Maria BRANCA from Trenta arrives 18 May 1907 as a 20 year old female married. She came on the ship Friedrich der Grosse that departed Naples, Campania, Italy. My goal is to determine if one of these or another Maria BRANCA is the one! With that \"fact\" nailed down, then I could get to the overseas records. Thanking you in advance for any hints! Jeff

by **ptimber** » 31 Jan 2003, 00:37

Lots of luck. This is a situation where little bits of information will prove helpful. Are there any photographs or old letters hanging around? Peter

by **topspinut** » 31 Jan 2003, 02:51

I think it will take more than luck!!! I do have a copy of her wedding picture (my cousin has the original). There are NO papers of any kind. The first generation children wanted their Mama to be American not Italian. Thus they created stories like she was born in Switzerland or France.

by **ptimber** » 31 Jan 2003, 03:01

any stamps or anything that shopws an addreess or city of the photographer? Peter

by **topspinut** » 31 Jan 2003, 03:28

THUD---forehand hitting forehead! Great point! I will check with my cousin.