Caraffa

[jcsm400]

Hi Sharon,

Yes, the above "thank you" got to me.

Thank you for comfirming! I'm glad we were able to find the correct family.

In genealogy, you always trace from the present backwards.....this way you know how each individual is connected to your family. And in order to trace "your" family, you need to know the town of origin in Italy, since records are kept in the town of origin. Do you have this information? There maybe films of the civil records for the town that you can order.......If you don't know the exact town, we need to determine (hopefully) this before you do anymore research.

Hope this anwsers your question....Let us know how we can assist you.


jcsm

[mg153]

Hi Sharon,

I haven't seen anyone mention the Ellis Island records. There is a record for a Domenico Carafa, age 18, coming through Ellis Island on Jan 3, 1914. The manifest lists his place of birth as Pollutri (in the Chieti province of Abruzzo). It lists his place of residence as Montecilfone (in Campobasso province of Molise) and says his closest relative is "wife Mariannina", who's living in Montecilfone. It also indicates he's travelling to a brother-in-law in Philadelphia.

Is this your Domenico? If so, it gives you some places in Italy to search.

Mike.

[nuccia]

I did see this Domenico's record on Ellis yesterday but haven't had the time to link yet so thanks for mentioning it.

First Name: Domenico
Last Name: Carafa
Ethnicity: Italy, Italian South
Last Place of Residence: Montecilfione, Italy
Date of Arrival: Jan 03, 1914
Age at Arrival: 18y Gender: M Marital Status: M
Ship of Travel: Adriatic
Port of Departure: Naples
Manifest Line Number: 0010

Page 1

Page 2

Maybe Sharon can look it over and tell us what she thinks...I still can't find my glasses!

nuccia

[jcsm400]

Hi Mike & Nuccia,

Nuccia, The large print is for you!.....Are they on the top of your head? I actually did that once

According to the 1930 census record that has been confirmed, Dominick was born in Pennsylvania.


jcsm

[vj]

California Death Index, 1940-1997
Name: CARAFFA, ALBERT DOMINIC
Social Security #: 197075682
Sex: MALE
Birth Date: 22 Feb 1921
Birth Place: PENNSYLVANIA
Death Date: 25 Feb 1956
Death Place: SAN FRANCISCO
Mother's Maiden Name: PIETROSEMALA
Father's Surname: CARAFFA

[rfornal]

Glasses: on head ...

Like that idea

[nuccia]

Bob and Nonna J,

Thanks...You two are true pals!!!!!



nuccia

[vj]

Grandmother Mary Pietrosemoli?

California Death Index, 1940-1997
Name: CARAFFA, MARY P
Social Security #: 207125903
Sex: FEMALE
Birth Date: 29 Nov 1893
BirthPlace: OTHER COUNTRY
Death Date: 10 May 1977
Death Place: SAN FRANCISCO

same info as jcsm's earlier post for ssdi

[vj]

possible WWI Draft Registration Card
ww1 Dom. Carafa

matches Mike's manifest find from 1914
matches WWII card find by jcsm
but, discrepancies w/1930 census find by jcsm
- b in Italy (already pointed out by jcsm), in PA on census
- already married by 1918
- had at least one child by 1918, not on census

Domonic Carafa
7210 Hexxxx St, Phila
23 yrs old, b 13 Mar 1894
b in Pollutri, Chieti
wife, 1 child under 12
(didn't sign, made his mark)

and Nuccia, thanks for all the links, they really help!

[vj]

another 1914 Carafa manifest
pg 1 1914 Nicola Carafa manifest
pg 2 1914 Nicola Carafa manifest
possible brother or cousin?

SS Taormina 22 Apr 1914 Naples to NY
Nicola Carafa, 32 (abt 1882)
last residence also Montecolpne (Montecilfone)
also joining b-i-l Bernardo Berandino??
at 20xx Indiana Ave

[mg153]

Nobody has found an earlier census record yet? It's always possible that the census taker got it wrong in 1930...

Nuccia, you're doing better than I would. I'm not sure I could find my computer without my glasses!

Mike.

[vj]

Mike, been looking in Phila in 1920 (was in Phila on WW1 card)
Can't him yet... vj

[Caraffa]

Thanks to all you guys for your interest and help.

As for Albert Caraffa's death info: this was my father and I was there, so know all about that. Ditto for Mary's death, my grandmother.

As for the Domenico on Mike's manifest, some of the facts seem possible but others do not.

As for the other Caraffa names suggested, all I can say is "Whew!!!" The more you look the more confusing it gets. These names don't ring a bell. Cousins probably.

Another thing I'm learning: not only were there some honest mistakes made in those days of handwritten records, but (at least in MY family) sometimes misrepresentations were given for who-knows-what reasons.

I looked up the town where Marianna was born and her maiden name is listed there in their city directory. Hmmm. Wish I could just blink myself over to Italy in person to do all the legwork.

Thanks again, you all.

Sharon.

[Caraffa]

SUANJ found my grandmother's arrival in 1920 at Ellis Island. I have searched and searched ellisisland.org for that record and I keep getting no match.

Is there something special I should be doing? I'm searching on their passenger search, filling in all the blanks, and getting 0 match.

Sorry to be such a nuisance, but I know it's there, I just can't get to it!

[nuccia]

SUANJ found my grandmother's arrival in 1920 at Ellis Island. I have searched and searched ellisisland.org for that record and I keep getting no match.

Is there something special I should be doing? I'm searching on their passenger search, filling in all the blanks, and getting 0 match.

Sorry to be such a nuisance, but I know it's there, I just can't get to it!

Sharon,

Why not post the manifest here then so we can all have a look at it. Sometimes people will see something on it that we missed ourselves.

Besides, curious to see the spelling and such.

nuccia