My Family Tree

[rebeka]

Hello everyone. I am new here. I am very interested in tracing my family tree. In particular, my mother\'s side who is Italian. However, I haven\'t been able to gather much information. I have tried the Ellis Island web site hoping that it would help, but that was unsuccessful. <BR> <BR>I am looking for any information on my mother\'s side of the family. Her maiden name is Visconti. My maternal grandmother\'s maiden name is Zarella. However, it was only changed to Zarella when her parents moved to the U.S. I am fairly certain it was originally Zarillo. My two great-grandmother\'s had the surnames of Meoli and Amaru. <BR> <BR>I know that my great-grandmother Tina Amaru\'s family was originally from Sicily. However, I do not know where any of the other\'s are from in Italy. If anyone knows where I could find out, it would be much appreciated. <BR> <BR>Again, I am looking for information on the Visconti, Zarella, Meoli, and Amaru families. Any information you could provide would be very appreciated. <BR> <BR>Thanks, <BR>Rebeka

[ptimber]

Perhaps additional effort with the Ellis island site will yield information you are seeking. You need to know the town of orign in order to obtain history, relatives and documents. Try going back to family oral history,m fotos, letters anything that will enhance your research objectives. Do you happen to know where and when they entered the USA?. Peter

[rebeka]

Peter, <BR> <BR>Thanks very much for the reply. I\'ve been looking at the Ellis Island site again. It is difficult to determine which are my relatives because there are so many from Italy with the same surname. I am definitely going to have to inquire with some of my older relatives and see if they have any information. <BR> <BR>I do know that my grandmother\'s family (the Zarella\'s) came from Italy to Boston, MA around 1916. I also recall my grandmother saying that her family lived in Avellino. However, I am not positive on that one. It is just difficult because many of my older relatives are no longer around. However, there are a few left that I can ask. I will let you know what happens. Thank you again for the reply. <BR> <BR>Rebeka

[ptimber]

Go to www.genealogylookups.com/narchives.htm and request form 81 for NARA pasasenger arrival records and put in the names you have for Zarella and Boston. When rthat get back you will see a town of origin whgich may break the ice for you. Peter

[rebeka]

Peter, <BR>Thanks for the response. I found some old photos of my great-grandmother and grandfather\'s grave and found out that the original last name is spelled Zarrillo. I was able to find a lot of matches for that last name at ellisisland.org and many of them are from Calitri, Avellino, Italy. However, I couldn\'t find my great-grandparents Teresa or Paolo. Isn\'t that strange? However, I did put in a request for the form that you mentioned. Thank you for letting me know about that site. So at least I have made some progress with the Zarrillo/Meoli side of the family. Now I need to work on the Visconti/Amaru side. <BR> <BR>Thanks, <BR>Rebeka

[ptimber]

am glad for you. Peter