DiPierro or Caputo Death Cert. Missanello or Roccanova

[CaputoBruno]

Hello everyone,

I’m hoping someone here might be able to assist me with locating the death records for Filomena DiPierro and/or her husband Antonio Caputo.

Filomena was born in Missanello, and Antonio was from Roccanova, both in the province of Potenza, Basilicata region of Italy.

The couple lived for a time in Utica, New York, but returned to Italy in 1909.

I have documentation of Antonio Caputo meeting with the Commune of Missanello in 1909, so I believe they settled there after returning.

Based on my research, I don't believe they ever returned to the U.S., and I am trying to determine their year of death and ideally obtain their death certificates or records.

If anyone has access to these records, any information would be greatly appreciated!

[Tessa78]

This is a curious record...

The death of Antonio Caputo in Missanello on 26 December 1909.
He was age 7, born in Utica, New York to Vincenzo, residing in Missanello, and to deceased Lucia Izzo.

#17
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... g=en&i=623

Death of Filomena DiPierro, age 2 months, in 1908 in Miassanello.
#6
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... g=en&i=609


T.

[CaputoBruno]

Tessa -

THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE! I have to say I am a bit emotional and heartbroken. This is definitely our Antonio that I was looking for. My G. Grandfather Vincenzo had a son on December 11, 1901 with Lucia Izzo in Utica. After the death of Lucia in 1906, little Antonio was being raised by my G.G Grandparents Antonio Caputo and Filomena DiPierro. They left Utica in 1908 and I have the passport. They went back to Missanello. When they arrived, my G.G Grandfather presented little Antonio's baptism record and registered his birth in Missanello at the commune and that record you provided to me previously. That said I could never find my G.G Grandparents coming back. This record of little Antonio passing away at age 7 means that when they went back to Missanello in 1908, he died shortly after. Now, in regards to Filomena, if this record states age 2 that would not be her. She would have been in her 50s at the time of the return to Missanello. I dont know if I can read the entire record though as it is difficult to translate.

[Tessa78]

Happy that the death act for Antonio ties to your family.

As to Filomena. She was 2 months old at death.
Here is her birth act.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... g=en&i=155

T.

[CaputoBruno]

Thanks so much for posting that birth record. It appears that this is not our Filomena. So now that I know what happened to Little Antonio, the only question remains is what happened to Antonio Caputo and Filomena Dipierro. Since Little Antonio passed away in December 1909 it is possible they remain in Missanello

[CaputoBruno]

Hey @Tessa78,

I just stumbled upon another record in that same book that Antonio's record is in.

So a little more details....Filomena DiPierro's parents are Vincenzo DiPierro and Maria Grasso....and look what I found:

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... g=en&i=619

So if this is accurate, Maria Grasso passes away in January 1909, and little Antonio passes away in late December 1909.

So Antonio, Filomena, and little Antonio head to Missanello in early 1909 from Utica. In January 1909 Maria Grasso passes away, then in August 1909 my G. Grandfather registered little Antonio's baptism record from Utica at the commune to get his birth certificate, then in December 1909 little Antonio passes away, This is just tragic and seriously heartbreaking to read. So I still don't know what happened to Antonio Maria Rocco Caputo and Filomena DiPierro??? I wonder if there was some disease or something wiping everyone out at that time.

[Tessa78]

Great find!

Maria Grasso was age 76 at her death in January 1909. (not 1910)
She was the widow of Vincenzo Di Pierro.
She was born in Armento to unknown father and deceased Angela Rosa Grasso who lived in Armento in her lifetime.
One of the declarants of the death was Antonio Caputo, age 56.

And just for reference:
Here is the record of Antonio Caputo's birth and baptism (11 December 1902 and 12 December 1902 respectively) in Utica, NY, and entered into the book of births in Missanello on 15 June 1909. Appearing and presenting the document was Antonio Caputo (the grandfather) who is identified as the son of Maddalena, and of father unknown.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... g=en&i=182

T.

[CaputoBruno]

Hey T,

That is correct. It should be 1909 not 1910. Also the record for Antonio Caputo's birth and baptism is also accurate based on my records, although I believe he was born in 1901 not 1902 and something was messed up with that. His mother Lucia got pregnant I believe in March of 1901 while still in Missanello before the trip to America. She gave birth in December 1901 after arrival. She was actually held at Ellis Island because she was sick, likely because she was pregnant. Lucia died in 1906 and is buried at St. Agnes Cemetery. All that said. everything else lines up....SO THE BIG QUESTION...What the heck happened to Antonio and Filomena. It says in all of these records that he was a resident of Missanello so he likely stated but I just cant find them.

[Tessa78]

I believe that your best bet would be to write directly to the comune of Missanello and request his death act.
Since he was age 56 in 1909 when he appeared to present the baptism record, he could have lived at least until 1929 or so, putting his age at about 76.
You could do the same for Filomena.

Provide as much information about Antonio and Filomena as you can, and give a 5 year search window. Be sure to send a copy of your photo ID along with your request, and an email address.

Ufficio dello Stato Civile
Via Bendini, 2
85010 MISSANELLO (PZ)
Italy

T.

[CaputoBruno]

That is a good point, I can certainly request them to do a search after 1909. IF you find anything else T, let me know. You are an absolute gem to this community. You have helped me connect so many dots. I have taken several trips and put all the pieces back together. I have visited and restored gravesites for Lucia, placed a headstone at my G.Grandfather Vincenzo's gravesite, had my Grandmothers ashes placed with her father, etc., etc. I will be in Missanello this August, and on one one hand it is extremely sad to see that so many died so young while they pursued their dreams, it is inspiring too! It is a miracle that I was even born...and to be here today. I owe them so much, and it is an honor to research their stories, connect the dots and put it all back together so they are never forgotten! THANK YOU SO MUCH TESSA for all that you do.

[Tessa78]

We here on the forum take great satisfaction in helping others with their journey...

It has been my pleasure to be of some help to you. You certainly work hard to be sure your ancestors are not forgotten Bravo!

Enjoy your return to Missanello. If you write to the parish before you return and explain to them that you are looking for the death/burial information about your relatives (and approximate dates,) perhaps they can be of some assistance when you arrive. Be sure to offer them a generous donation for their efforts.

BTW -- You said you have this birth act for Antonio Maria Rocco Caputo?
#36 - birth on 6 August 1851
https://antenati.cultura.gov.it/ark:/12 ... 71/5B16bvo

T.

[CaputoBruno]

Thank you so much Tess...and yes, I have my G.G Grandfathers record of birth.

[AngelaGrace56]

Have just been reading through all the amazing work conducted here!!!

In case you are interested, and have access to Ancestry.com, there are Death Records for the towns of both Missanello and Roccanova post 1910 and up to 1929 inclusive – the records you are needing for Missanello - available online at Ancestry. If you don’t have an Ancestry subscription then you should be able to search those documents at any library that has an “Institutional” subscrption to Ancestry. I’ve been able to do this in the past with the two towns or so that I have researched in the province of Potenza. (I hope this all makes sense.)

Angela

[CaputoBruno]

Good evening, @AngelaGrace56 -

Do you mind sending me the link to the ones in Missanello that you are referencing. I do have an ancestry account but I have not see the records for Missanello for 1910 - 1930 that you referring to. I have also checked https://antenati.cultura.gov.it but did not see them listed there as this resource is good for pre 1900 records.

[AngelaGrace56]

Hi there

Here's the link that you need: https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1886/

All you need to do if you get the right page is fill in the details on your right:

Province: Potenza
Locality: Missanello
Type: Atti di Morte
Then click on the year/s that you want.
It might be quicker to just go straight to "Indice Annuale Morti" (I noticed there was no index for 1928 but the 1928 Records are there under "atti di Morte" and it would be a case of going through them page by page.

In case the link doesn't work for you, try the following:

Click on Search
Click on Card Catalogue
On your left scroll down to "Europe"
Then scroll down to "Italy" and click there
Then click on Basilicata
Then on Potenza
Then click on "Potenza, Basilicata, Italy, Civil Registration Records, 1861-1938
You should get to a page saying Potenza, Basilicata, Italy, Civil Registration Records, 1861-1938
Go to the right side of the page and click on:
Province: Potenza
Locality: Missanello etc

Hopefully the link will work for you. (Sometimes they time out?)

Good luck.

Angela