Researching DiBlasi (San Mauro) and Merola (Centola)

[KennyD]

Hello, and thanks in advance for any assistance as I search for information regarding my ancestors:

John DiBlasi of San Mauro, and

Samuel Merola of Centola

...these are my great grandparents.

Again, thanks.

[nuccia]

Were you looking for American or Italian records? Do you have approximate year of births for either of you ancestors? Spouses maiden names (if known) and any children names? This will help us find your family easier.

[nuccia]

Could this be your John?

First Name: Giovanni
Last Name: DiBlasi
Ethnicity: Italy, Italian S.
Last Place of Residence: S. Mauro, Italy
Date of Arrival: Dec 22, 1920
Age at Arrival: 36y Gender: M Marital Status: M
Ship of Travel: Duca D'Aosta
Port of Departure: Napoli
Manifest Line Number: 0018

John Manifest Page 1

John Manifest Page 2

Off to 244 N. Main St in Yonkers to see his cousin, Giovanni D'Urso Leaves wife Clementina behind. Looks like its a second trip..the first in 1907/1910.

[nuccia]

Is this Samuel?

First Name: Salvatore
Last Name: Merola
Ethnicity: Italy, Italian South
Last Place of Residence: Centola
Date of Arrival: Nov 26, 1906
Age at Arrival: 15y Gender: M Marital Status: S
Ship of Travel: Florida
Port of Departure: Naples
Manifest Line Number: 0005

Salvatore Manifest

[nuccia]

If the above is your Samuel, here is his WW1 Draft Records.

World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
about Samuel Merola
Name: Samuel Merola
City: Not Stated
County: Luzerne
State: Pennsylvania
Birthplace: Italy
Birth Date: 18 Nov 1892
Race: Caucasian (White)
Roll: 1894015
DraftBoard: 11

Samuel WW1 Draft Card Registration Cards

I'll wait for further feedback from you since their are a few other Salvatore's living in New Jersey and in Ohio. Want to make sure we get the right relatives.

[KennyD]

Wow, thanks so much..

the Merola data looks correct (I'm checking with my mother, his granddaughter). His wife's name is Rosaria Stanziola and one of their children is Anna Merola, my grandmother, who was born June 1896 (Italy) and died May 17, 1968, Hazleton, PA. I believe Anna had 4 brothers, two of which are named Carmen and Alex and I do believe all were born in Italy and settled in Hazleton PA. Is there a way to go back further in ancestry to the Merola's and Stanziola's?

I'm not sure if the DiBlasi you indicated is my great-grandfather because, to my knowledge his wife's name is Anna Marisicano (and frankly I didnt even know he came to the US... I will attempt to verify). But I do think he is a relative. One of his children would be Tommaso DiBlasi and I have his passenger record from Ellis Island but don't know how to create a link as you did above. Hi arrived 7/29/12 and settled in Hazleton PA, was born Aug, 1895 (lived in San Mauro La Bruca) and died in Hazleton, PA 5/22/76.

I will forward additional data and again Thank You very much!

[KennyD]

The Samuel Merola (Jr) above is actually the son of whom I am trying to research. I am fairly certain that Samuel Merola Sr (married to Rosaria Stanziola) stayed in Italy, probably the Centola area.

[vj]

Kenny, is this possible?
Does this look like the correct family?
Thanks! Valarie

possible 1910 census
Home in 1910:
600 Garfield Street, rents house
Hazleton Ward 14, Luzerne, Pennsylvania

head Sabbat Merole 65 (abt 1845)
- second marriage
- married 22 years (abt 1888)
- immig 1904 Al
wife Rosie 50 (abt 1860)
- second marriage
- 8 children born, 4 children living
- immig 1908
son Salvadore 18 (abt 1892)
- immig 1906
- laborer, coal breaker
son Alexander 16 (abt 1894)
- immig 1908
- laborer, coal breaker
daughter Annie 13 (abt 1897)
- immig 1908

[KennyD]

Valarie, yes - thank you!

The Annie you mention appears to be my grandmother.

(Would you happen to know if Sabbat is some type of nickname for Samuel? ..or perhaps it's just poor spelling or ineligible penmanship)

Ken

[vj]

related 1908 manifest
page 2
edit added: special inquiry page
27 May 1908 SS Venezia
lines 20-22
Rosaria Stanziola, 50 (abt 1858)
- last residence Centola
- destination Wilkes Barre
- joining son Carmine Merola 25 E Northampton St Wilkes Barre
- (all) born in Centola
son Alexsandro Merola, 15 (abt 1893)
daughter Antonia Merola, 11 (abt 1897)

[vj]

Would you happen to know if Sabbat is some
type of nickname for Samuel?
..or perhaps it's just poor spelling or ineligible
penmanship

Ken, Sabato is an Italian name, possible he 'Americanized' it
We would need to see his manifest for perhaps the correct
spelling
Valarie

[KennyD]

Thank you again. This is my family.

It is difficult to go back further and delve into Italian records?

[vj]

Ken
It's generally recommended that you gather all the US records
you can before starting research in Italy. This is to make sure
the folks you find in your Italian records are part of your family...

For example, if this is your Samuel, there is a pretty big
discrepancy in his birth date between this manifest & the 1910
census (manifests are usually more accurate)
Valarie

possible 1905 manifest
special inquiry page
4 Aug 1905 SS Perugia Naples to NY
Line 26
Sabato Merola, 73 (abt 1832)
- married
- last residence Centola
- destination Hazleton
- joining son Nicola at 1578? - 580 Seyber St
- notation Dr Cert

[vj]

It is difficult to go back further and delve into Italian records?

Ken,
The Family History Library is a great resource for your research
Home Page
Free Computer Software bottom right side

Guide to Italian Research

Valarie

[KennyD]

You are correct about the discrepancy in the birthdate.. however, they appear to be the same people. Maybe the manual handwriting could account for this.