Research Advice in Amantea

[aarongreco]

Hi All,

I am currently strategizing on how best to obtain birth and death records of my Great-Grandfather in Amantea (Provence of Cosenza), Calabria. My information is somewhat limited. Although I know his year of death, I am somewhat uncertain of his original Surname. He emigrated to the United States and anglicized his name to “Simâ€Â

[VaDeb]

Hi Aaron,

You can research birth, death and marriage records from Amantea from 1809 - 1910 yourself. They are available on microfilm from LDS.

http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library ... umns=*,0,0

Here is a post by Trish on how to use the FHC:
http://italiangenealogy.tardio.com/inde ... pic&t=2581

According to informaiton posted on this board the cost of microfilm has just increased to about $5.00 a roll. Still quite a bargain to see original documents signed by your ancestors.

I have done some microfilm research of Amanatea, as also have ancestors from there. I would suggest trying to get all the document research done before your visit. Use your time there to see the town and meet the people. Great that you have the relative to visit. They can make visits to the town office and church much more productive.

Here is a web site on the town of Amantea:
http://en.comuni-italiani.it/078/010/index.html

Pictures I have seen look beautiful. I hope to visit myself on my next trip to Italy.

[VaDeb]

I forgot to ask:

Have you found this family on US census reports? Have you found his passenger record from when he entered the USA?

If you need help looking for these please post first and last name, approximate year of birth, name of wife and children. Remember, 1930 is the most recent census available.

[aarongreco]

Deb,

Wow. Thanks for the quick response and helpful information. I have not looked into census records yet, nor have I visited an LDS Family History Center, although there seems to be one located in the town where I live (they are difficult to get a hold of). I've really only researching recently. I have, however, formally requested Marriage Certificate applications for both sets of paternal great-grandparents from Washington County, PA. My hope is this will provide some insight on birthplaces and dates.

I have not definitively found passenger records for my paternal great grandparents. My understanding is that all four entered the country through Ellis Island, but searching on ellisisland.org has not been totally fruitful.

Paternal Grandfather's Parents:

James Greco b.? (most likely in Sicily)
died in Washington, PA age 80+ year uncertain

Mary Gabriel b? (Italian, region unknown)
died in Washington, PA

Paternal Grandmother's Parents:

Frank Sim (or Simbo or Simba)
born Amantea, Cosenza between 1865-1875
died Amantea, Cosenza between 1986-1990

Again, popular opinion is that all four entered through Ellis Island.

Thanks again for assistance and suggestions.

Take care,

Aaron

[VaDeb]

Hi Aaron,
Here is a site that I prefer over Ellis Island.

http://www.jewishgen.org/databases/EIDB/ellis.html

You try and find your ancestors here. I will give it a try later also and see what I can find.

What is the name of Frank's wife? What are their childrens names?

[VaDeb]

Hi Aaron:

I did some preliminary searching on James and Mary Greco. Please let me know if any of the below represent your family. If will look forward.


1910 (not sure if this is yours)
Name: James Greco
Age in 1910: 27
Estimated birth year: abt 1883
Home in 1910: Midland Boro, Beaver, Pennsylvania

http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/6565/1910greco5vr.jpg


1920
Name: James Greco
[James Gr??co]
Age: 46 years
Estimated birth year: abt 1874
Birthplace: Italy
Race: White
Home in 1920: Washington Ward 1, Washington, Pennsylvania
Home owned: Own
Sex: Male
Marital status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Year of immigration: 1901

http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/415/1920greco4nh.jpg

1930
Name: James Greco
Age: 58
Estimated birth year: abt 1872
Birthplace: Italy
Relation to head-of-house: Head
Spouse's Name: Mary Greco
Race: White
Home in 1930: Washington, Washington, Pennsylvania

http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/5331/1930greco2px.jpg

[VaDeb]

Frank Sim:

What about these?

From Social Security Death Index:
Name: Frank Sim
SSN: 203-12-6666
Last Residence: 700 (U.S. Consulate), Italy
Born: 5 Dec 1895
Died: Dec 1990
State (Year) SSN issued: Pennsylvania (Before 1951

WWI draft card:
Name: Frank Sim
City: Not Stated
County: Washington
State: Pennsylvania
Birthplace: Italy
Birth Date: 05 Dec 1895
Race: Caucasian
Roll: 1926885

http://img65.imageshack.us/img65/1127/s ... ard9oz.jpg

Let me know if I am on the right track.

[aarongreco]

Debbie,

You are a godsend. I owe you my deepest and most profound thanks. You are most certianly on the right track. You've given me information that would have taken me forever to find. I've been able to narrow down James Greco's Ellis Island records to 4 people now. I've concluded that his given Italian name was Vincenzo based on a few factors. Along with the info you've provided, I am getting closer. I showed Frank Sim's WWI draft card to my father and he flipped his lid! Turns out his birthday was just a few days away from mine. Very cool stuff you've provided here. For now, I'm completely exausted as I've had somewhat of a tunnel vision with respect to this product. I can't wait to keep working on this project, however. I'll keep you updated and, if it's ok, solicit some more advice from you in the next few days.

You're awesome,

Aaron Greco

[aarongreco]

Debbie,

Sorry forgot to give you information you've asked for. Frank Sim's first wife (my GGM) was Emma Comito. She was apparently lived in Latrobe, PA before or around the time she met Frank. Latrobe is in Westmoreland County. I am uncertain when she came over, or exactly from where. I only know that she was from Italy and that she was, according to my GM, "young".

I've made formal written requests for their marriage certificate (or application) as it is believed they were married in Washington County, PA. Frank and Emma's Children:

Martha Sim Greco (my GM)
Mary Sim Aloe
Michael Sim
George Sim
Rose Marie Sim Nichol
Frances Sim Gisoni

[aarongreco]

The name of Frank Sim's second wife (after his return to Italy) is Rosa (or Rosalita) Sim. She, from what I understand, is alive and resides to this day in Amantea.

[suanj]

Hi are an Francesco (Frank) SIM italian, already naturalized living in
Washington, PA, address 352 Fayette St.

this is travel

Name: Francesco Sim
Arrival Date: 9 Apr 1921
Age: 25 years
Estimated Birth Year: 1896
Gender: Male
Port of Departure: Naples, Italy
Ship Name: Canopic
Port of Arrival: Boston, Massachusetts
Microfilm Roll Number: 264

http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/7356/f ... sim1jf.jpg

also are in 1920 census, in 362 Fayette St:

Frank A Sim Washington Ward 8, Washington, Pennsylvania abt 1896 Italy
Emma Sim Washington Ward 8, Washington, Pennsylvania abt 1904 Italy White
Martha Sim Washington Ward 8, Washington, Pennsylvania abt 1919 Pennsylvania White

and the brothers of Frank:
Santo Sim Washington Ward 8, Washington, Pennsylvania abt 1891 Italy White
Mike Sim Washington Ward 8, Washington, Pennsylvania abt 1898 Italy White


http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/1555/f ... sus1lp.jpg

your suggestions?
suanj

[VaDeb]

Hi Suanj. Looks like you found the correct family to me.

Here is the 1930 Census:
Name: Frank Ciombo
Age: 34
Estimated birth year: abt 1896
Birthplace: Italy
Relation to head-of-house: Head
Spouse's Name: Emma Ciombo
Race: White
Home in 1930: Canton, Washington, Pennsylvania

http://img71.imageshack.us/img71/2072/1930ciombo4iq.jpg

[ricbru]

Frank Sim:

What about these?

From Social Security Death Index:
Name: Frank Sim
SSN: 203-12-6666
Last Residence: 700 (U.S. Consulate), Italy
Born: 5 Dec 1895
Died: Dec 1990
State (Year) SSN issued: Pennsylvania (Before 1951

WWI draft card:
Name: Frank Sim
City: Not Stated
County: Washington
State: Pennsylvania
Birthplace: Italy
Birth Date: 05 Dec 1895
Race: Caucasian
Roll: 1926885

http://img65.imageshack.us/img65/1127/s ... ard9oz.jpg

Let me know if I am on the right track.

If you want to be sure about his last name, place and date of birth, you can check on hi naturalization records (if any)
Otherwise I suggest you to write to:

Comune
Ufficio di Stato Civile
Viale Regina Margherita, 53
87032 Amantea (CS)
Italy

or to

Archivio di Stato
Via Miceli, 67/79 -
87100 Cosenza
Italy

and request for the photocopy of origina birth act of Francesco/Franco Sim(?) born in Amantea on 5 Dec. 1895

or rent to the mormon church the following microfilm

Amantea (Cosenza). Ufficio dello stato civile
Registri dello stato civile, 1809-1910
Nati 1874-1910 Pubblicazioni 1866-1876 FHL INTL Film
1961610

I hope it helps, bye Riccardo

[suanj]

Hi Suanj. Looks like you found the correct family to me.

Here is the 1930 Census:
Name: Frank Ciombo
Age: 34
Estimated birth year: abt 1896
Birthplace: Italy
Relation to head-of-house: Head
Spouse's Name: Emma Ciombo
Race: White
Home in 1930: Canton, Washington, Pennsylvania

http://img71.imageshack.us/img71/2072/1930ciombo4iq.jpg

Yes VaDeb, you right..... the 1930 census is right... now the problem is the italian surname spelling... best regards, suanj

[suanj]

When you say :

I've made formal written requests for their marriage certificate (or application) as it is believed they were married in Washington County, PA. Frank and Emma's Children:

Martha Sim Greco (my GM)
Mary Sim Aloe
Michael Sim
George Sim
Rose Marie Sim Nichol
Frances Sim Gisoni

Well this children all lived in USA or also someone back in Italy with Emma?
Thanks, suanj