Calabritto - Looking for Magro family

[DrGregC]

I am looking for my Magro relatives in Calabritto, provincia di Avellino, Campania, Italy.

I have very little to go on. My grandfather Michael was born in 1881. His parents were Vito (b. 1851) and Christina (b. 1861). Vito and Christina brought their entire family to the US in the early 1900's. They lived above their grocery store at 1116 Mifflin Street in Philadelphia.

I have already checked Pagine Bianchi. No Magro's in Calabritto and just 2 in provincia di Avellino.

I was hoping that members on this board might have some specific knowledge of:

Calabritto

Magro

Thank you!

[pink67]

I have very little to go on. My grandfather Michael was born in 1881.

From the military enlistment for the first World War looks like he was born on December 6, 1888 in Calabritto:

World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 about Michele Magro
Name: Michele Magro
City: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia
State: Pennsylvania
Birthplace: Italy
Birth Date: 6 Dec 1888
Race: Caucasian (White)
FHL Roll Number: 1907763
DraftBoard: 40
address: 1116 Mifflin street

image:
http://postimage.org/image/1vmwa85l0/

same document for the WW2

U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 about Michael Magro
Name: Michael Magro
Birth Date: 6 Dec 1891
Birth Place: Calabritto
Residence: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Roll: WW2_2240861

image:
http://postimage.org/image/1vn2wdjk4/

I believe the correct italian lastname was MEGARO, look at this 1900 arrival manifest:

21 March 1900:

Megaro Vito fu Antonio (it means Megaro Vito son of the late Antonio) age 47, male, married, occupation porter, from Calabritto to Philadelphia to join his daughter Carmela.
travelling with his son Megaro Giovanni di Vito (it means Megaro Giovanni son of the living Vito), age 11.

image:
http://www.ellisisland.org/EIFile/popup ... &line=0020


Laura

[pink67]

His parents were Vito (b. 1851) and Christina (b. 1861).

Possible Christina's maiden name was Maria D'Alessio...
I found this interesting 1905 arrival manifest for:

17 July 1905:

Maria D'Alessio, age 47, married, from Calabritto to Philadelphia to join her husband Vito Megaro, she was travelling with her daughter Megaro Luisa age 6:

http://www.ellisisland.org/EIFile/popup ... &line=0004

Laura

[pink67]

For references, from Ancestry.com:

1910 United States Federal Census about Veta Magar
Name: Veta Magar
Age in 1910: 50
Estimated birth year: abt 1860
Birthplace: Italy
Relation to Head of House: Head
Father's Birth Place: Italy
Mother's Birth Place: Italy
Spouse's name: Christiana Magar
Home in 1910: Philadelphia Ward 39, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Gender: Male
Year of immigration: 1909
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members: Name Age
Veta Magar 50 head, born in IT, married since 20 years, immigr. year 1909, store keeper
Christiana Magar 49 wife, born in IT, married since 20 years, mother of 3 children all living, immigr. year 1909
Louisa Magar 10 daughter, born in Italy, immigr. year 1909

address: 1116 Mifflin Street

image:
http://postimage.org/image/1wt0u1ef8/

1920 United States Federal Census about Vito Magro
Name: Vito Magro
Home in 1920: Philadelphia Ward 39, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Age: 62
Estimated birth year: abt 1858
Birthplace: Italy
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
[Head]
Spouse's name: Cristina Magro
Father's Birth Place: Italy
Mother's Birth Place: Italy
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Sex: Male
Home owned: Own
Year of immigration: 1900
Able to read: No
Able to Write: No
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members: Name Age
Vito Magro 62 head, born in IT, immigr. year 1900
Cristina Magro 62
Luisa Magro 20

image:
http://postimage.org/image/1wtkohkck/

Michele and his wife Rose were living in the same house....

Laura

[DrGregC]

Laura,

You have solved the mystery that has been in our family for years. There was always a suspicion that Magro had been Americanized from some other name. Now we know our family name is Megaro. This is a stunning finding. I can't begin to thank you for your help.

Everything you wrote fits our basic knowledge of the family. Michael (apparently originally Michele) was born 12/06/1881. He was one of four children. Carmella, Louise, John and, Michael.

You have made this a special day in the lives of the Magro/Megaro family. Thanks again.

Greg

[pink67]

Greg,

I'm happy to help people on this forum searching for their italian roots and I'm glad I was able to help you to determine the correct lastname...

Laura