I'm just reading this interesting discussion.
I hope I can explain some expression, or at least I suppose to:
My great grandmother was from Sicily. She used to always say something like: mangiadigabba!

It was kinda like "mamma mia!," usually said in response to something really frustrating ...

Hi John,
if I remember, saint Alfonso's Basilica does not have old records.
If you are looking for records before 1930 (let's say), the one place you can find them in Pagani is Church of Saint Felice and Corpus Christi. I was there two years ago, and I'd like to go there again next summer for my ...

Hi Lilbees,
I don't know if this can be the case, but I remember you were looking for civil records of Commune of Pagani.
Pagani is 37 km from Naples, and one of its next Communes is Sant'Egidio Monte Albino (or Montalbino). Albino just means Bianco (Albino literally is used for people with no ...

I also want to add that in neapolitan dialect, Nocera could sound something like "Nou tcher", and it must be really hard for somone who did not speak Italian (and neapolitan is quite different) to write a word they've never read. Also, I know the place, and I don't know any hamlet or village spelled ...

Susan,
in Southern Italy, at that time, it was not easy to put an end to un unhappy marriage; divorce was not allowed, and there was a strict control of society upon those who didn't follow the rules.
So, it often happened that those who wanted to start a new life with someone new, or undergo such ...

OK!
I'll write a note, so, when I go there for my searches, I will also look for yours. You wrote date of birth is 1774, is that right? It' s right far in the past!
Anyway, you wouldn't find a birth record in town offices, because in Southern Italy thay start from about 1805.

I'm from Pagani, and my mother still lives there. I must say I had problems with searches in Town Offices. I had less with searches in one of the main churches (S.Felice & Corpo di Cristo). So, if you need something from the church, just let me know.

I'd also add a historical reason...till the XIX century, before the unification of Italy, its southern part was an independant state, popularly known as "regno di Napoli" (kingdom of Naples). So, may be it was usual to give the inhabitants of the kingdom, and particularly those living near Naples ...

I'm not an expert, but that seems to be the uniform of Bersaglieri (by the feathers on the helmet), a corp of Italian Army.
As to monuments in Italian squares, they generally list soldiers who died in WW1 and WW2.

If it can be of any help, Trofimena is a typical name fom Amalfi Coast. So, Trofimena Ferraiolo was probably from Conca dei Marini, province of Salerno.

I suggest it might be Virzì.
If you look at phone boook at this address:
http://elenco.libero.it/elenco/indexOmonimi.jsp
you have to write Virzi'.

Thanks to all for your help.
Now, I have to tell something more, just to make clearer some questions I'm asking myself. My name is Giuseppe Moccaldi, too. My Gfather was Giuseppe Moccaldi, and my GGGfather Giuseppe Moccaldi (they are the three people of Trish's last information; it was me who put ...

I need help for reading the handwriting on the manifest for Guiseppe (and Pasquale, Carmela and Fiorigia) Macaldi on Ellis Island site (there is only one person with such name). The real name should be Giuseppe Moccaldi. I can't understand what is written in columns "Nationality" and "Last residence ...

Gigino is short for Luigi, typically in Naples area.
You can also fins Gigi, Giggi, or Gigetto

I've never heard Macera Superiore...may be it was Nocera Superiore, province of Salerno.