civitella - garzarella (guardiagrele - s. biase)

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bklynsg
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civitella - garzarella (guardiagrele - s. biase)

Post by bklynsg »

I'm working (again) on the family tree and am looking for information on my grandparents' families.

My grandmother's maiden name was Maria Civitella. She was born in Guardiagrele on 5 mar 1890 and went to Philadelphia around 1918-20. She lived in Berwyn PA until her death in Dec 1975.

My grandfather's name was Stefano Garzarella. He was born in Contrada di San Biase (just outside Guardiagrele) in 1891 and came to the US several times before serving in WWI (US Army), settling in Berwyn PA after the war. He passed away in Jun 1966.

I'm especially interested in Civitella information as I don't have all that much information before my grandmother's generation.

Thanks very much,
Stephanie
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Re: civitella - garzarella (guardiagrele - s. biase)

Post by vj »

Hi Stephanie,
and Welcome Back!
We'll all be happy to see what we can do to help.
Valarie
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Re: civitella - garzarella (guardiagrele - s. biase)

Post by vj »

For reference:
Is this the correct family?

1930 census
Home in 1930:
Walnut Avenue, owns $6000
Easttown, Chester, Pennsylvania

Head Stepano Garzarella 38 (abt 1892) IT
- married age 29 (abt 1921)
- immig 1915, Na
- laborer, nursery?
- military - served WWI
Wife Marie Garzarella 39 (abt 1891) IT
- immig 1920, Al
Son Antonio Garzarella 7 (abt 1923) PA
Son Stepano Garzarella 3 (abt 1927) PA
vj
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Re: civitella - garzarella (guardiagrele - s. biase)

Post by vj »

Maria & her father?
possible 1920 manifest
page 2

27 Oct 1920 SS Madonna, Naples to NY
Lines 1 & 2

Luigi Civitella 68 (abt 1852)
- widower
- tailor
- rejoining son
- last residence Guardiagrela
- in Guardiagrela, daughter Emilia
- destination Phila PA
- joining son Domenico at 509 65th Street
- notation that son? Is US citizen
- born in Guardiagrele

daughter Maria Domenica Civitella 30 (abt 1890)
- single
- born in Guardiagrele
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bklynsg
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Re: civitella - garzarella (guardiagrele - s. biase)

Post by bklynsg »

wow, valerie, you're a marvel! Thanks, yes, that's the correct family. I had seen the 1930 census, but hadn't seen the manifest from 1920.

I'm having a hard time figuring out my grandmother's siblings (I understand there were many . . . ). The only one I remember is "uncle dan", and I can probably find information on him, since he lived in Philadelphia, but the others, well . . .

Are there any italian ancestry.com or rootsweb.com sites you know of?

Thanks again!

Stephanie
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Re: civitella - garzarella (guardiagrele - s. biase)

Post by vj »

Brother Domenico’s WWI Card?
(1918 same address as manifest)

1918 WWI Draft Registration Card
Domenico Civitella 34
509 N 65th Street, Phila
19 Nov 1882 in Italy
Naturalized
Nearest Relative Jennie Civitella

edit: added
1942 WWII Draft Registartion Card
Domenico Civitella 58
940 Atwood Rd, Phila
19 Nov 1883 in Guardiagrele
Person who will always know address:
Mrs Mary Di Vincetis (at same address)
Employer US War Dept
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Re: civitella - garzarella (guardiagrele - s. biase)

Post by vj »

Are there any italian ancestry.com or rootsweb.com sites
you know of?
Stephanie,
What in particular were you looking for?
You may be able to find something of interest
by using google with your towns in Italy
Valarie
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bklynsg
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Re: civitella - garzarella (guardiagrele - s. biase)

Post by bklynsg »

thanks again, Valerie. I found domenico's wwII draft card, but not the wwI draft card.

My grandmother had a slew of brothers and sisters, some from her father's first marriage (to her mother) and some from his second marriage. I'm looking for information on her siblings (names, dob, residences, etc). I'd like to do the same for my grandfather (for example, we know he had two brothers, vito and another one, one came over to the states but didn't stay, and so on).

After I get their generation sorted out, I'd like to go back at least one more (luigi civitella and antonio garzarella's generation).

It's confusing because, as in a lot of families, given names are repeated quite a bit and first cousins are as close as siblings sometimes.

I searched on google and on virgilio.it for web sites, and have been using ancestry.com (which I find cumbersome at times, but I'm new to it). I didn't see a similar italian-based ancestry.com and doing a search on the towns didn't get me very far, though I've only just started. I know guardiagrele has a lot of vital-statistic type records going back ages.

Maybe it's time for another visit to Italy and do this research in person!

Thanks again for all your help,
Stephanie
vj
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Re: civitella - garzarella (guardiagrele - s. biase)

Post by vj »

Maybe it's time for another visit to Italy and do this research
in person
Since you have a great start on names &
birth dates. You may want to consider researching
your Italian records here in the US?

The Family History Library does have vital records
on microfilm that you can order and view at your
local Family History Center.

Topic:
Italy, Chieti, Guardiagrele - Civil registration
Titles:
Registri dello stato civile, 1809-1900
Guardiagrele (Chieti). Ufficio dello stato civile
---

A great place to start:

FamilySearch Home Page
Includes how to find your nearest local Family History Center
and a free genealogy program for downloading
to your computer (PAF) to organize your research.

Italian Record Research from the FamilySearch research guides:
Italy Research Outline
---

Three terrific books
to help you find, read & understand your records:

Italian Genealogical Records
How to Use Italian Civil, Ecclesiastical, &
Other Records in Family History Research

By Tafford R Cole
google book link

A Genealogist’s Guide to
Discovering Your Italian Ancestors
How to find and record your unique heritage
By Lynn Nelson
google book link

Finding Italian Roots
By John Philip Colletta, PhD
google book link
---

More on the Family History Center

Two very helpful essays from Trish, one of our forum members
(brujaojos):

What is FamilySearch.org
and
Steps for Finding Microfilm at the Family History Center
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BillieDeKid
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Re: civitella - garzarella (guardiagrele - s. biase)

Post by BillieDeKid »

Guardiagrele, province: Chieti - region: Abruzzo

The LDS has films for Guardiagrele

Civil records 1809 through 1900 - birth, death, marriage etc.
http://www.familysearch.org/eng/Library ... ato+civile++

Find your nearest Family History Center (FHC)
http://www.familysearch.org/eng/Library ... et_fhc.asp

Write down the film numbers and descriptions of the films you'd like to view, go to your FHC and order. Cost is approximately $5.50 USD per film and takes about 4 weeks to receive.

You should be able to find some great info on your family. Hope this helps.

Regards,
Elizabeth
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bklynsg
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Re: civitella - garzarella (guardiagrele - s. biase)

Post by bklynsg »

I'm always looking for an excuse to go back to the old country!

thanks for all your time and help, Valerie, very much appreciated. I'll check out these sites and the essays. I hadn't heard of some of them. I know they'll be helpful.

Stephanie
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bklynsg
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Re: civitella - garzarella (guardiagrele - s. biase)

Post by bklynsg »

Thanks, Elizabeth, help much appreciated!
Stephanie
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Re: civitella - garzarella (guardiagrele - s. biase)

Post by vj »

Stephanie,
We're all always happy to help out :D .
Are there any records on ancestry that you haven't been able
to find yet? We'd be happy to give it a shot.
By the way, I do have all 3 books myself - any excuse to buy
a book :wink: !
Researching in Italy can be a bit daunting, if you are planning
on doing research in your comunes, it's a good idea to write
to the church first...
article from the archives on research in Italy
Valarie
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civitello
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Re: civitella - garzarella (guardiagrele - s. biase)

Post by civitello »

hello my name is tom civitello,it's a long story but my name should be civitella, my great grandfather vincenzo civitella was from guardiagrele. My grandfather Nicolantonio left Italy for Philadelphia and where i am from. is it possible we are related. i do have the civitello/civitella tree in ancestery so if anyone would like to look to see if there is a conncetion and possibly get back with me at.

by the way i just returned from guardiagrele and palombaro,fantastic place

tom.civitello@sbcglobal.net
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raenick
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Re: civitella - garzarella (guardiagrele - s. biase)

Post by raenick »

I am aware that my mother-in-law was married to a Civitell. Her son is looking for information.
She lived at 413 n Simpson Street
Phila. Pa and had a daughter and a son Goia and Caesard
If we can help with info. write to Rachel Santoleri email raenick@verizon.net
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