Help finding Sofia (Mayo) Ciccarelli records in NJ

[JCM]

Hello Researchers.....have hit a brick wall trying to find any records for my grandmother Sofia Mayo, married to Onofrio Ciccarelli born in Montemaggiore Belsito, Palermo in 1876, who lived and died in Jersey City, NJ.

Only records I could find for her are US census records for 1905,1915,1920. 1940 census shows Onofrio a widower. No 1930 census records found for Jersey City, NJ. Census shows she was born 1882 in NJ but another says born Italy which a cousin has confirmed is not true. She was born in NJ..maybe Jersey City, NJ. Can’t find birth, marriage or death records. She died of stroke circa 1931 in Jersey City and buried in Holy Name Cemetery there.

I have posted this request also in the topic “looking for search advice”. Below are the records I have found for her.

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KM4J-Z61

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... f=GWLR-W39

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... f=GWLR-68M

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... f=GWLR-W39

Thx so very much if anyone can solve this mystery.

JCM

[rlw254]

1930
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... 3AX46Y-15M

This census indicates she immigrated in 1900 and was an alien. In my experience, if this column has information in it, then it is usually not incorrect as far as that person being born out of the country. Certainly possible though.

[ffusiak]

She appears to be buried in a large family plot at Holy Name. I suspect her name in the burial records is Serafina.

https://www.rcancem.org/find-a-loved-on ... 0026129684

You could also look at the interment records but you will need to be a FHC or affiliate library to see details - you may be able to see funeral home and cause of death.
https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/3016198

I would also search for her obituary in genealogybank.com. I no longer have an active subscription but hopefully another board member may have access.

You can also contact the NJ Room at the Jersey City Public library. There are typically very helpful - https://www.jclibrary.org/locations-a-h ... ersey-room

[ffusiak]

On her husband WW! Draft Registration card, it list him as naturalized. The card is dated 1918; thus she problem became naturalized by her husband. Since they lived in Jersey City, you can request a search via th Hudson County Clerk Office for $3. If they find something there is an additional fee per page but reasonable.

https://www.hudsoncountyclerk.org/passp ... n-records/

005218887_01705.jpg

[ffusiak]

Here is possibly her daughter's obituary - https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/wicke ... =147120004

[JCM]

Ffusiak......thx soooo much for this info. You are a fountain of knowledge!

I know Onofrio has a large family plot in Holy Name Cemetery in JC where he, Sofia and several of his 10 children n spouses r buried....but...when I searched their records online I didn’t find Serafina or Sophia or Onofrio. I did find their first child, Crucifixa, (who no living family member even knew about) and a child cousin, Edward. Their names are listed as plot owners, Onofrio and Sophia.
I will certainly look into your other suggestions since finding Sophia records has become an enigma for me!

Rose was their daughter and my Aunt....I found the same obit for her you found. I will keep you posted about what I find. Wish me luck!

JCM

[rlw254]

Do you already have Onofrio's information?

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... cat=469797
#88 Onofrio Ciccarelli born 6 May 1873 in Montemaggiore to parents Salvatore Ciccarelli, 31, and Genoveffa Lucca, 22, daughter of Giacomo Lucca.

This might be their marriage.

Name:
Joseph Chicerella
Event Type:
Marriage
Event Date:
3 Dec 1896
Event Place:
Jersey City, Hudson, New Jersey, United States
Event Place (Original):
Jersey City, Hudson, New Jersey, United States
Gender:
Male
Age:
21
Birth Year (Estimated):
1875
Spouse's Name:
Sophie May
Spouse's Gender:
Female
Spouse's Age:
18
Spouse's Birth Year (Estimated):
1878

[JCM]

Rlw254......I can’t thank you enough for this info....I had the wrong Onofrio Ciccarelli as my grandfather! Another Onofrio Ciccarelli born to Francesco And Crucifixa Militello in 1876 in same town. Yikes!
I knew something was wrong yesterday when I found a NYC 1902 marriage record for the wrong Onofrio, born to Also my Onofrio emigrated to USA in 1892 at age 19 which didn’t match up with the 1876 birth year I had.
Now it all makes sense....since in 1892 he would have been age 19 and born in 1873 per his draft registration card that Ffusiak found for me. Now I can fix my tree!
The marriage record you found is a goldmine for me. I knew that Onofrio used Joseph as his first name in JC and was pretty sure they married in JC. I just am soooo grateful for your help.
So the census records I found are wrong when it says Sophia emigrated in 1900 to USA if she was married in US in 1896. It also says Onofrio came in 1895 not 1892. They lied to the census taker!!!! LOL
You just don’t know how important you experienced researchers are to us newbies. Your generous and kind help aids so many of us in our ancestor search. We all are eternally grateful.

JCM

[ffusiak]

You can order the death and marriage record from the State of New Jersey at the following:

Pre-1919: https://www.nj.gov/state/archives/referenceFees.html or https://wwwnet-dos.state.nj.us/DOS_Arch ... ex.aspx#VS

After 1930: https://www.state.nj.us/health/vital/order-vital/

[JCM]

Ffusiak.....wish you were standing next to me....I would give you a BIG hug for this info.

JCM

[rlw254]

Chances are it wasn't a lie but they just forgot or estimated. Or they were took trips back and forth and misunderstood and just told them the last time they entered the country. Who knows.

I haven't looked very hard but if you say that there was a couple Francesco Ciccarelli and Crocifissa (Crucifixa) Militello in the same town then I would consider again if the daughter you found with this mother's name truly belongs to your Onofrio.

[JCM]

Rlw254....the Onofrio birth record for 1873 stating Genoveffa as his mother really is Crucifissa I’m sure. It makes sense cause Onofrio first child with Sophia was named Crucifissa and died as child in 1899, born 1898 per burial records in JC.
Now according to Italian baby naming....Sophia second daughter was named Anna....soooo can I assume her mother first name was also Anna??? First daughter named after baby’s paternal GM and second named after maternal GM????
Will now try to find Salvatore and Crucifissa birth records since you provided me with their ages in Onofrio birth record. Wish me luck!
Will yell help if I can’t find them tho. LOL

JCM

[rlw254]

I see, I misunderstood. Why is it you think his mother's name is Crocifissa? The record definitely states Genoveffa.

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... cat=469797
26 Feb 1870 #23 Marriage
Salvatore Ciccarelli, son of Onofrio Ciccarelli and Carmela Mesi (deceased)
Genoveffa Lucca, daughter of Giacomo Lucca and Giuseppa Mangiafridda

[JCM]

Hmmmm....I see your point about Crucifissa vs Genoveffa first name....I will have to look at Holy Name Cemetery record showing her burial again....if I recall....the name they had in record was something like Genifa so I think you are correct that Genoveffa is real name. I have never seen that name in any antenati records I have searched tho...a strange name.

Thx so much for the marriage record...I’ve been searching antenati in Montemaggiore area for Genoveffa birth record but no luck yet. I did find her sister, Angela, born to same parents in feb 1851 and another Angela, born in 10/1852. First Angela maybe died?????. If Genoveffa was really 22 when Onofrio born then birth year should be 1851...but no Lucca born that year to Giacomo. Does the marriage record show birth dates? I’m sooo bad at deciphering Italian numbers.

Also...the Francesco Ciccarello, born 1839, I had incorrectly as Onofrio father is actually his uncle who named his son, born 1876, Onofrio also. Francesco was Salvatore brother...same parents.

Now I understand why my large Italian family has 7! Anthonys.

Thx again for your help...you are so kind.

JCM....Joyce

[JCM]

Rlw254...forgot to tell you that the wrong Onofrio, born 1876, to Francesco and Militello was first cousin to correct Onofrio, born 1873, to Salvatore and Lucca.....Francesco and Salvatore were brothers with same parents...Onofrio and Carmela Mesi.

Your research helped me figure that out.

JCM...Joyce