Looking for any Information On my Paternal Great-grandparent

[ItalianbellaSA]

I hope all is having a great day! It is cold here in New Jersey, but no snow so that is fine with me! I have been researching my family history. I visited my grandparents grave at Holy Name Cemetery in Jersey City, NJ. The names are Frank A Visaggio (1885-1971) and Susanna Visaggio (1887-1935). There is another name on the stone, Maria Sciancalepore 1851-1916. Susanna Visaggio's maiden name was Sciancalepore so I assumed Maria was a sister. I just found out through New Jersey Marriages that Susanna's mother name was Maria Anello (spelled Mariae Joannae Anelli on the document) and her father was Corrado Sciancalepore (spelled Conradi Sciancalopero on the document). So now I am thinking Maria is Susanna's mother. I didn't think she immigrated to the United States. My grandfather, Frank, immigrated from Molfetta and I know other Sciancalepore family members were also from that area. I placed a call to the cemetery and all they can tell me was her name is listed as Maria G. Anello. Can anyone help me find our more information about this.

Italianbella SA

[pink67]

For references, from Ancestry.com:

1920 United States Federal Census
about Frank Visaggi
Name: Frank Visaggi
Home in 1920: Hoboken Ward 4, Hudson, New Jersey
Age: 35
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1885
Birthplace: Italy
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
[Head]
Spouse's Name: Susie Visaggi
Father's Birth Place: Italy
Mother's Birth Place: Italy
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Sex: Male
Home owned: Rent
Year of Immigration: 1894
Able to read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members: Name Age
Frank Visaggi 35 head
Susie Visaggi 32 wife, immigr. year 1910
Andrew Visaggi 7
Corsado Visaggi 5
Mary Visaggi 3
[3 4/12]
Larione Visaggi 2
[2 6/12]
Michael Sciancapore 29 brother in law, immigr. year 1907

I believe the correct first name for Susan was Santa Sciancalepore

20 november 1910:

Santa Sciancalepore, age 24, single, from Molfetta to Hoboken NJ to join her brother Michele Sciancalepore. She was travelling with her sister Rosa Sciancalepore (married name De Frizio) , age 37 married and her children ... The two sisters stated that they were leaving in Italy (Molfetta) their mother Maria Giovanna..

page 1:
http://www.ellisisland.org/EIFile/popup ... &line=0001

page 2:
http://www.ellisisland.org/EIFile/popup ... &line=0001



Laura

[pink67]

There is another name on the stone, Maria Sciancalepore 1851-1916. Susanna Visaggio's maiden name was Sciancalepore so I assumed Maria was a sister.

Possibly she wasn't Susan's sister but Susan's mother.. look at this arrival manifest:

11 july 1911

Maria Anelli, age 61, widow, coming from Molfetta (leaving in Italy her son Giovanni) to Hoboken to join her son in law Di Trizio/Frizio...

page 1:
http://www.ellisisland.org/EIFile/popup ... &line=0023

page 2:
http://www.ellisisland.org/EIFile/popup ... &line=0023

It was common that she travelled under her maiden name because here in Italy women keep their maiden name for all their lifes even if married... Then she stayed just a few years in nJ and when she died she was buried under her married name...

Laura

[ItalianbellaSA]

Thank you very much for this information. I am starting to put all the pieces together like a puzzle. I have a cousin, Alex, in Illinois who is older than I am. He remembers many more family members than I do, so this information along with what he has is a tremendous help.

Thank you again, I do appreciate your time.

Italianbella SA
(Sue Visaggio Antista)

[ItalianbellaSA]

Hello Everyone:

I hope all is having a great day! I am on a quest to go back further in Molfetta, Italy to find out more information about the ancestors of my grandfather Francesco Visaggio. He was born in Molfetta, Italy to Andrea Visaggio and Maria Introna. Can anyone help me find out birth and death information about Andrea and Maria.

Francesco had one brother, Thomas and two sisters. Francesco immigrated to the U.S. in 1907 and Thomas was in the U.S. illegally. I was told that he jumped ship. I was also told that the two sisters remained in Italy and unfortunately, I do not have their names. I don't know what to do to go back this far. If anyone can help I would be very appreciative. Again, thank you for all your past time and assistance. This is all very fascinating to me. I am compiling all this information for my family.

All my best,
Italianbella SA
(Susanna Visaggio Antista)

[ddevirgilio]

Hi Sue,

My entire family is from Molfetta too, and with the invaluable guidance of another forum member, MauroMags, we've put together quite the collection of records from Molfetta at the Emerson Family History Center at 840 SOLDIER HILL RD, EMERSON, NEW JERSEY, 07630.

I'm always excited to encounters others researching roots in Molfetta. Best of luck!

Damian

[ItalianbellaSA]

Hi Damian: Thank you so much. I had heard about the LDS Church on Solidier Hill Road in Emerson. I actually drove past it and they were not open. Do they help you there or do you have to do the research yourself? How exactly did you work with MauroMags? I am going to Italy on May 8th, however, I am not going to Molfetta. After losing both my parents recently and with our trip planned, I became interested in researching both sides of my family history. My Mother's family (both of her parents) were from Patti, Messina, Sicily. And both of my father's parents were from Molfetta. I am interested in going back as far as I can. Are you from New Jersey?

Thanks for your help.
Sue

[ddevirgilio]

They are extremely helpful, but they won't do the work for you. However, the fun is in the hunt.

Mauro and I met on this board, and he's the one who really got things started with the records from Molfetta at the Emerson FHC. I suggest you take a peek at his website. Also, he's recently organized an informal Molfetta Heritage Club. You can read about the activities he helped organize on the club's blog.

Yes, I am a Hudson County, NJ, resident. As I'm sure you well know, Hudson County, namely Hoboken, was the mecca of Molfettesi in the US during the 20th century. Please feel free to PM me so we can communicate directly over email if you'd like.

All the best,
Damian

[MauroMags]

Hi Sue,

According to the previous posts, your grandfather Frank was born in 1885 and i'm almost positive we have that film on permanent loan in Emerson...

On Francesco Visaggio's birth record, you will find information about his parents,... their age, occupation, where they lived etc..

thanks,
Mauro

[clical]

Hi, We are compiling info for a timeline/family tree for my son as a school project and found the name Santa Sciancalepore, we think she is my great Grandmother husband to Frank Angelo Vasaggio, parents to my grandmother Jennie. I also found they both came from the town Molfetta.
We also were able to find her name in a ship log from Italy to America.
Do you know Susie and Sal?[married]

[ItalianbellaSA]

Yes, I am Susie - married to Sal. Are you Chris LiCalsi? I have been working on a family tree for months now. Santa Sciancalepore is the woman that was married to your great-grandfather. Jennie LiCalsi was my Aunt. Let me know if you need any facts for the time-line/family tree project as I have lots of information that may be helpful to you. I have a family tree online and have many in the family as site members. You can email me privately at suzayn3455@aol.com.

Susie Visaggio Antista