Mary BRANCA (1874?-1951) at Ellis Island--

by **topspinut** » 31 Jan 2003, 02:56

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!

by **ptimber** » 31 Jan 2003, 05:07

this is a duplicate posting. Peter