missing cousins

[oilman19]

I have finally found some cousins who emigrated to U.S. I have attempted to track them down but they have disappeared. I don't believe they went back to Italy. I am assuming they probably changed their name (intentionally or otherwise).

Matteo Mattora/Martora was born 12 Aug 1879 in Santa Maria C.V. to Gennaro and Giuseppa Caserta. He married Marta Grauso on 2 Feb 1908 according to the annotation on his birth record. He initially came to U.S. in 1903 to visit a cousin in Philadelphia, PA. Marta came to U.S. on 3 Jun 1913 with 2 sons Salvatore & Gennaro to meet Matteo in PA.
I found them in 1920 census in Bridgeport, CT
Matha Matton 40 head
Martha Matton 35 wife
Genaro 11 son
Salvatore 9 son
James 6 son
Josephine 4 daughter
Alexander 2 son

I have not been able to find any of these people beyond 1920. Any suggestions?


Thank you,


Jim

[PeterTimber]

try telephone directory for the entire USA at www.numberway.com and se if there are any with similar male first names to your cousins. If there are not too many give them a call and see if they can help you... For Italy do the same for the town of origin...you never know or write to the Ufficio Anagrafe (census office) and see if they have a record of their return "home". =Peter=

[Tessa78]

Hi Jim

I also found Matteo on a manifest from 1910. Arriving Philadelphia, leaving wife Marta in S. Maria. Going to his brother Salvatore in Liberty, PA.

T.

[oilman19]

Hi Tessa,
I did see that manifest, but I missed the note about his brother. I haven't any siblings of Matteo in my family tree.
It continues to be the surname (Mattora/Martora) that is giving me grief. I simply have not been creative enough to figure out what direction this name has taken. However, I will persevere.
Your help is always very much appreciated.


Jim

[johnnyonthespot]

I am not sure how to tell you this, but they are right where you left them, at 93 Commercial Street!

I used an enumeration district finder and learned that Commercial Street, which was in ED 53 in 1920, was split between ED 55 and ED 56 for the 1930 census. I scrolled through both and, sure enough, there they are.

Here you go:

http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/zz12 ... on1930.jpg

[johnnyonthespot]

This is how they were indexed (and why you had such a hard time searching in the traditional manner):

Name: Michael Martire
Home in 1930: Bridgeport, Fairfield, Connecticut
Age: 50
Estimated birth year: abt 1880
Birthplace: Italy
Relation to Head of House: Head
Spouse's name: Martha
Race: White

Household Members: Name Age
Michael Martire 50
Martha Martire 40
Jean Martire 21
Salvadore Martire 20
Vincent Martire 16
Josephine Martire 14
Charles Martire 13
Frank Martire 11
Ralph Martire 6

[oilman19]

WOW!!!!
The ED was my only hope but I have not figured out how to search that way. Unfortunately, my knowledge of how these data bases can be massaged is limited. I am learning.
You definitely get the star this week. Many, many thanks for your perseverance. I now have more contemporary info to pursue this family of cousins.

Thank you very much,


Jim

[johnnyonthespot]

From early childhood, I have always loved the thrill of the hunt and of finding "lost" things, so believe me, I got as much out of finding this as you got out of receiving it!

I wish I could figure out a way to earn a living doing this type of research.

[Tessa78]

Kudos Carmine!
What a find!

Jim...here is what looks like Matteo's Connecticut death record

Connecticut Death Index, 1949-2001
about Matte Martire
Name: Matte Martire
Death Date: 21 Sep 1952
Death Place: Bridgeport, Fairfield, Connecticut
Age: 74 Years
Birth Date: abt 1878
Marital Status: Widowed
Spouse: Mart
State File #: 13536
Residence : Bridgeport, Fairfield, Connecticut
Gender: Male
Race: White

T.

[Tessa78]

And this looks like Salvatore's Death record - the date of birth is about 1911 which is right.

Connecticut Death Index, 1949-2001
about Salva Martire
Name: Salva Martire
Death Date: 10 Apr 1960
Death Place: Stratford, Fairfield, Connecticut
Age: 49 Years
Birth Date: abt 1911
Marital Status: Married
Spouse: Ther
State File #: 08026
Residence : Stratford, Fairfield, Connecticut
Gender: Male
Race: White

[Tessa78]

Son Vincent - born about 1914 according to the 1930 Census

Connecticut Death Index, 1949-2001
about Vince Martire
Name: Vince Martire
Death Date: 23 Aug 1968
Death Place: Bridgeport, Fairfield, Connecticut
Age: 54 Years
Birth Date: abt 1914
Marital Status: Widowed
Spouse: Carm
State File #: 15454
Residence : Fairfield, Fairfield, Connecticut
Gender: Male
Race: White

T.

[Tessa78]

Daughter Josephine...gives you another branch of the family to search DECARO

Connecticut Death Index, 1949-2001
about Josephine R Decaro
Name: Josephine R Decaro
Father's Surname: Martire
Death Date: 19 May 1994
Death Place: Bridgeport, Fairfield, Connecticut
Age: 78 Years
Birth Place: 999, Connecticut
Birth Date: 27 Sep 1915
Marital Status: Married
Spouse: Frank
State File #: 10218
Occupation: HOMEMAKER
Education: Primary/Secondary
Residence : Fairfield, Fairfield, Connecticut
Address: 29 Jenniford Rd
Gender: Female
Race: White
Hispanic Origin: No

T.

[Tessa78]

Jim,

It looks like from the 1930 Census on the name comes up as MARTIRE for these cousins...

T.

[oilman19]

I am flabbergasted! What a find. I should be able to find some living offspring with all of this information.
Thank you with all my heart. I will be busy for a while chasing these leads.
You folks are great.

Sincerely,

Jim

[johnnyonthespot]

I am flabbergasted! What a find. I should be able to find some living offspring with all of this information.

Jim, Whitepages . com shows a listing for Richard Matire in Trumbull. Might be a good place to begin.

Thank you with all my heart. I will be busy for a while chasing these leads.
You folks are great.

Sincerely,

Jim

You're welcome!