Antonio Grassi

[caitlynnichols]

I was hoping if someone could provide me some information about the Grassi family, and if possible, about Antonio Grassi. He was my grandmother's father and an immigrant from Italy. She doesn't remember much about him as a child because she was put in an orphanage at a young age. I have a little info about him, and if this helps I also have a picture of his passport (this is the only evidence/picture my grandmother has of him.)


He was born on July 26, 1884 in Sangiovani Mariano, Italy. He died in 1943.
He was the son of Michael Grassi and Maria Grozatti.
When he arrived to the United States he resided in the Newmarket-Rockingham, NH area.
He only got a greencard.
My grandmother believed he arrived in the united states around 1907-1912. Exact date is uncertain.
He was the husband of Leona Vendasi. Her surname was Arcand.
My grandmother's name is Anita Nichols. Her surname is Grassi.

It would be great to get more info; I think this would be nice to "surprise" her with some information she never knew about her father.

Thank you

- Caitlyn

[Tessa78]

Hello Caitlyn! Welcome to the forum

Is this your grandmother's father?
Death Index of New Hampshire...

Gives names of his mother and father!

Name: Anthony Grassi
Gender: Male
Burial Date:
Burial Place:
Death Date: 29 Apr 1943
Death Place: Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire
Age:
Birth Date:
Birthplace:
Occupation:
Race:
Marital Status:
Spouse's Name:
Father's Name: Michael Grassi
Father's Birthplace:
Mother's Name: Maria Grozatti
Mother's Birthplace:
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: I09249-5
System Origin:
Source Film Number: 2295230

T.

[Tessa78]

It is possible from the image you posted that Antonio Grassi was born in
San Giovanni in Marignano, Rimini Province, Emilia-Romagna Region in the North of Italy.

Here is some information about the town...
http://en.comuni-italiani.it/099/017/

T.

[Tessa78]

I saw your family tree on Ancestry...

What records are you still looking for?

T.

[suanj]

Hi, seeming that your Antonio arrived around 1913; that by 1920 census:
1920 United States Federal Census about Antonio Grassi
Name: Antonio Grassi
Age: 36
Birth Year: abt 1884
Birthplace: Italy
Home in 1920: Manchester Ward 9, Hillsborough, New Hampshire
Race: White
Gender: Male
Immigration Year: 1913
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Single
Father's Birthplace: Italy
Mother's Birthplace: Italy
Home Owned: Rent
Able to Read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
Antonio Grassi 36

profession: finisher-paper mill; address: 1198 Elm st

and by:
WWI draft registration card

Name: Antonio Grassi
City: Manchester
County: Hillsborough
State: New Hampshire
Birth Date: 26 Jul 1884
Race: White
FHL Roll Number: 1711722
DraftBoard: 1

he lived in Manchester NH, address: 1198 Elm st;
next of kin: aunt Rosie Gentilli( maybe Gentili or Gentile) Shasta st, Manchester NH



U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 about Anthony Grassi
Name: Anthony Grassi
Birth Date: 26 Jul 1884
Birth Place: San Giovann Marina, Italy
Residence: Rockingham, New Hampshire
Race: White


San Giovanni in Marignano, as Tessa said, I believe that is the right birthplace...(hi Tessa!)
1930 United States Federal Census about Antonio Grassi
Name: Antonio Grassi
[Antonia Grassi]
Gender: Male
Birth Year: abt 1890
Birthplace: Italy
Race: White
Home in 1930: Newmarket, Rockingham, New Hampshire
View Map
Marital Status: Married
Immigration Year: 1912
Relation to Head of House: Head
Spouse's Name: Leona M Grassi
Father's Birthplace: Italy
Mother's Birthplace: Italy
Occupation:

Education:

Military Service:

Rent/home value:

Age at first marriage:

Parents' birthplace:

View image
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
Antonio Grassi 40
Leona M Grassi 28
Virginia Grassi 4
[4 3/12]
Alfred Vandasi 11
Robert Vandasi 7
Alex C Arcand 75

regards,
suanj

[caitlynnichols]

@Susan
Wow, that's so cool! I appreciate the help! I don't think my grandmother knew he worked at the paper mill.

@Tessa78
Glad to see you saw the family tree an ancestry! I'm looking in to see if I can find any more information about him. If it's possible, if someone can find an immigration file or something. I knew he went through Ellis Island, and I have been looking up on their site (http://www.ellisisland.org/default.asp) for any records. I did find an Antonio (using his birth year during the search) that arrived in 1909; however, I'm not sure if it is accurate or not.

I really appreciate the help from both of you!

[Tessa78]

Have not found his immigration record... have checked ship manifests and border crossings...

You may already have this WWII record. Identifies his place of employment as Rockingham Shoe Co. in Newmarket, NH

Interesting that his wife is not listed as person who would always know his address. He lists FRED EDGERLY on the same street. Probably a neighbor.



T. (Hi suanj! )

[caitlynnichols]

@ Tessa

Huh, I find that very interesting too. I am thinking it was around this time when my grandmother was put into the orphanage because they couldn't support her and her family, and I think what may have happened was Antonio went out to find work and moved away. Maybe that is why her name isn't listed.


Is it possible if someone could look up more into Antonio's family? I believe he has a brother or 2, but I am not quite sure. I also found out Antonio was previously married, so I don't know if there could be any more info into that.

[caitlynnichols]

EDIT:

Lol, apparently it was Leona's SECOND marriage and I don't think Antonio was married before. Whoops. Ignore that.

[suanj]

I found a ship's manifest abt a Enrico Grossi/Grassi [ both the spelling : Grassi and Grossi as a well Grasso also, they are in San Giovanni in Marignano; and Gentile also Antonio aunt: Rosa Gentile)]
born in San Giovanni in Marignano

First Name: Enrice
Last Name: Grossi
Ethnicity: Italy, Italian North
Last Place of Residence: S. Giov. Marignano, Italy
Date of Arrival: Dec 02, 1920
Age at Arrival: 22y Gender: M Marital Status: S
Ship of Travel: Dante Alighieri
Port of Departure: Genova
Manifest Line Number: 0021

http://www.ellisisland.org/search/shipM ... 0524%2ETIF

and another record:

First Name: Pietro
Last Name: Grossi
Ethnicity: Italy, Italian South
Last Place of Residence: S. Giovanni Mariguano, Italy
Date of Arrival: Oct 10, 1912
Age at Arrival: 26y Gender: M Marital Status: S
Ship of Travel: Prinzess Irene
Port of Departure: Genoa
Manifest Line Number: 0005

http://www.ellisisland.org/search/shipM ... 0762%2ETIF
so San Giovanni in Marignano could be the Antonio right birthplace.. I cannot find Antonio arrival...
suanj

[caitlynnichols]

Thank you Susan! Does there happen to be any more information on Rosa?

[suanj]

sorry, I no found records abt Rosa....
regards,
suanj

[caitlynnichols]

All of the information has been helpful! I appreciate the help from the both of you!
Does there happen to be any more information regarding Antonio? Maybe before he arrived to the United States? Or whatever is out there, haha.
I have tried looking up his parents but have been unsuccessful. Same for Rosa.