Dear Jamie Capaldi
I have printed the 1901 actual census form for Sims Alley,(since demolished) St. James, Bristol. At No.3 and/or No.9 lived Johan Sposito(b. Italy) with wife(born Ireland) and 6 children (all b. Bristol),
At No.11 was, this has been transcribed in print as "Saues" but on original one can see it is handwritten as "Paolo" Velardo, 29 years, born: Spain, Spanish citizen, wife Lucia b. Bristol, and 2 children (b Bristol), and 3 sons b. Bristol and Guiseppe brother, 14 years, (b. Italy).
Still at No.11 were Michael d’Agostino and wife Rosa (both 34 and born Italy) and 3 children b. Bristol. Also at same address areAntonio D’agostino (45, b Italy) 2 sons and 1 daur all born Bristol. (no wife mentioned).
Also at No.11 were Andrea Cappucci 56 b.Italy and Nascence wife, b. Italy, and daur Geretta 11, b. Italy and Antonio, 14 born Plymouth, Luigi 9, Guiseppe 7, Federigo 3 last 3 born Bristol.
Still at No.11 were Benedetto Arpino b.Italy, daurs Guiseppa 14, Antonia 8 both born Italy (no wife mentioned)
You wrote me that our grandfather’s brother, Agositino Panetta and wife Maria were the witnesses at Guiseppe Velardo’s marriage. What year was that? And what church?
Since our last correspondence I have heard that our family folklore tells that our grandfather, Giovanni Cocozza, and Agostino Panetta were in fact brothers. Agostino fought with their father over an arranged marriage for their sister and the two brothers fled Vallegrande, and that Agostino changed his name to Panetta. If this is true, the Bristol Panettas should in fact all be of the Cocozza family.
Regards, Helen Lewis,
maenadpl@bigpond.com