Conforti Family Calibra- Brooklyn - Mastic Beach Ny

[Captmike]

My name is Michael Conforti. I was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1968 and I am researching my Conforti family history. My grandfather was Leonard Conforti b. 2/27/1914 d. 4/3/1972. My grandmother was Helen Conforti b. 9/17/17 d. 3/29/2010. They had 10 children. Their son Michael is my father.

I am trying to determine if both of my grandparents were born in Brooklyn. I think they were and if that is the case I would like to know who my great grandparents are.

Please let me know if you have any advice on how to do this.
Thank you very much!
Michael

[Tessa78]

Welcome to the forum!

From the NYC Birth index - possibly your grandfather?
Name Leonardo Conforti
Birth Date 17 Feb 1914
[1914 Feb 27]
Birth Place Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
Certificate Number 7854

And in the 1920 US Census
Father Frank is a stone cutter, born in Italy. His wife and oldest daughter (Cecilia) were also born in Italy .
Name Leonard Conforti
Age 6
Birth Year abt 1914
Birthplace New York
Home in 1920 Brooklyn Assembly District 1, Kings, New York
Street Hick St
Residence Date 1920
Race White
Gender Male
Relation to Head of House Son
Marital Status Single
Father's Name Frank Conforti
Father's Birthplace Italy
Mother's Name Julia Conforti
Mother's Birthplace Italy
Native Tongue English
Able to Speak English Yes
Occupation School
Attended School yes
Able to read Yes
Able to Write Yes
Neighbors View others on page
Household Members (Name) Age Relationship
Frank Conforti
50 Head
Julia Conforti
48 Wife
Cecilia Conforti
18 Daughter
Alfred Conforti
13 Son
Umberto Conforti
13 Son
Michael Conforti
7 Son
Leonard Conforti 6 Son
Mary Conforti
3 Daughter

Top of page - click on image



This appears to be the arrival in 1910 of Giulia Papale (Italian women kept their maiden names) and her children: Clelia Conforti (8) and twin sons Alfredo and Umberto Conforti (age 2). Her destination is her husband Francesco Conforti in Brooklyn,, NY
She leaves her sister Emilia Papale in S. Maria.

Lines 8, 10, 11, 12 - It appears another daughter (Giovanna) did not travel.


T.

[Tessa78]

Correction to above post...
I do not believe the child Giovanni/Giovanna who did not travel was their child.
Perhaps it was a nephew/neice

Birth of Clelia Conforti in 1902 on 1 June in Santa Maria Capua Vetere.
#284


Births on 23 August 1908 of twin sons, Alfredo and Umberto Conforti, to Francesco Conforti and Giulia Papale in Santa Maria Capua Vetere, Province of Caserta.

#428 and 429
Father: Francesco Conforti, 28, stone cutter
Mother: Giulia Papale, his wife
First born: Alfredo
Second born: Umberto
Presentation of the birth to the official was made by the midwife because she assisted with the birth and because the husband of Papale was absent from the city.


So your father Michael was born in NY to Leonardo, who was born in NY.
Leonardo's parents Francesco Conforti and Giulia Papale immigrated from Santa Maria Capua Vetere where they had several children before coming to USA.

T.

[Captmike]

Incredible!
Thank you so much!
I just saw your replies now.

[Captmike]

All this time, I was under the impression that my Father’s family was Calabrian and moved to Brooklyn. It also appears his parents first three children where born in Italy and not just the first named Cecilia. They either told the Census taker the twin boys were born in the US or there may have been a communication issue as they spoke Italian.

[Captmike]

I have not seen my Father since about 1977 or 1978 when I was about 9 so I do not know my family at all. They lived at 112 Woodside Rd in Mastic, NY when I was young and use to visit usually by train with my sister. My grandmother’s name was Helen. My father’s youngest brother, Al still my live nearby and is involved in Little League baseball as his father Lenard was until he died in about 1972.

[Captmike]

So it now appears my father’s side of the family is from Santa Maria Capua Vetere. Amazing!

My other relatives:
Balzafiore/Balzofiore are from island town of Forio d’ Ishica. (My Mother’s Father’s Parents
Verga are from Vizzini in Catania on Sicily. (My Mother’s Mother)

[Captmike]

I would very much like to know more about my family and meet my Italian relatives, if possible. I go to Italy often, several weeks a year. I understand that I may be able to apply for Italian Citizenship, but I am not sure it is likely I would get my application approved. Hoping to buy property there and live there for six months or more of each year. Any suggestions are very welcome.
Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this and share your thoughts or recommendations.
Michael Conforti