D'Onofrio or Denefrio from Dragoni?

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vicwargo
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D'Onofrio or Denefrio from Dragoni?

Post by vicwargo »

I don't even know where to look next. My great grandfather came here in 1907 according to the passenger manifest with Ellis Island. His name listed on the manifest is Ferdinando D'Onofrio and he is listed as coming from Dragoni. I do know he ended up in Schenectady, NY where he went under the name Fred Denefrio. I cant seem to search past the Ellis Island manifest. My great grandmother also travelled with him and she is listed on the manifest as Giovanna D'Orofrio. She lived with the name in Schenectady as Jennie Denefrio. Is this common for the names to change? I know that neither spoke english and I believe that is one reason we dont have much of our family history. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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Re: D'Onofrio or Denefrio from Dragoni?

Post by vj »

Hi and Welcome to the Forum!

Is this common for the names to change?

- Yes, either intentionally to 'fit-in' in their
new country.
- Or unintentionally by folks (census takers for one)
who may not understand an accent.

Quite a few names are 'sounded-out' on census
records whether or not the census taker understood
the person giving the information.

Yes, not being able to read/write in English could further
complicate matters.

Do you have all your family's US records?
(census, military, etc)
Thanks!
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vicwargo
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Re: D'Onofrio or Denefrio from Dragoni?

Post by vicwargo »

This is all I really know...Ferdinando left Italy to avoid joining the military. He first came in 1906 and then came back with his wife Giovanna Antanucci D'Onofrio in 1907 where they setteled in Schenectady. I know they had a son named John, Patsy, Fred and I know there was at least one more but I am still trying to come up with his name. I wish I knew more :cry:
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Re: D'Onofrio or Denefrio from Dragoni?

Post by vj »

Thanks for the update :D .
We'll all be happy to see if we can find some records
for you!
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Re: D'Onofrio or Denefrio from Dragoni?

Post by vj »

Does this census look correct?
possible 1930 census

Home in 1930:
11 Wilmarth? St, owns 1500
Scotia, Schenectady, New York

head Fred Denefrio 45 (abt 1885)
- married age 21 (abt 1906)
- immig 1906 Al
- laborer, locomotive shop
wife Jennie 40 (abt 1890)
- married age 16
- immig 1906 Al
children all born in NY
son Michael 19 (abt 1911)
son Ralph 17 (abt 1913)
son Patsy 13 (abt 1917)
son Tony 12 (abt 1918)
son John 9 (abt 1921)
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Re: D'Onofrio or Denefrio from Dragoni?

Post by vj »

possible 1920 census
Home in 1920:
32 Wilmarth St, owns with mortgage
Scotia, Schenectady, New York

head Fred Denotti 36 (abt 1884)
- immig 1907 Al
- laborer, American Locomotive Works?
wife Josephine 31 (abt 1889)
- immig 1907 Al
children born in NY
son Michael 9 (abt 1911)
son Raffaele 5 (abt 1915)
son Potsy 3 2/12 (abt 1916)
son Tony 2 1/12 (abt 1917)
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Re: D'Onofrio or Denefrio from Dragoni?

Post by vj »

possible 1918 WWI Draft Registration Card
Fred Donighio, 35
RFD #8 Box 32a
Sciota, Schenectady, New York
Born 27 June 1883 in Italy
Non-Declarant
Laborer, Locomotive Works
in Schenectady, Schenectady
Nearest Relative Josephine
(same address)
Card is Signed
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Re: D'Onofrio or Denefrio from Dragoni?

Post by Biff83 »

Possible 1910 Census

Glenville, Schenectady, New York
67 ? Street
Ferdinando Denntvis, age 26, place of birth Italy,laborer steam railroad
Jinnie, wife, age 22, place of birth Italy
Marriage year about 1906

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/7641 ... susrz1.jpg
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Re: D'Onofrio or Denefrio from Dragoni?

Post by vicwargo »

Home in 1930:
11 Wilmarth? St, owns 1500
Scotia, Schenectady, New York

head Fred Denefrio 45 (abt 1885)
- married age 21 (abt 1906)
- immig 1906 Al
- laborer, locomotive shop
wife Jennie 40 (abt 1890)
- married age 16
- immig 1906 Al
children all born in NY
son Michael 19 (abt 1911)
son Ralph 17 (abt 1913)
son Patsy 13 (abt 1917)
son Tony 12 (abt 1918)
son John 9 (abt 1921)

This census is correct. As far as I know all the children have passed away. Patsy was my grandfather. John was the only one that I know my grandfather had contact with and his family didnt know any more than I know.
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Re: D'Onofrio or Denefrio from Dragoni?

Post by vicwargo »

Just a thought...Is there a place in Dragoni where I can request birth certificates or marriage certificates? I know from the passenger manifest it states their last residence as Dragoni and I know they were married before coming to the states. It could be a shot in the dark but I dont know where else to look. I really appreciate any and all the help you have given.
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Re: D'Onofrio or Denefrio from Dragoni?

Post by Biff83 »

vicwargo wrote:Just a thought...Is there a place in Dragoni where I can request birth certificates or marriage certificates? I know from the passenger manifest it states their last residence as Dragoni and I know they were married before coming to the states. It could be a shot in the dark but I dont know where else to look. I really appreciate any and all the help you have given.
I haven't been able to locate the ship manifests to take a look. Is there any way you can link them? The last residence might not be the place of birth. However, on some manifests both last residence and birthplace are given. LDS shows microfilm records for two Dragonis. If that was the town of birth, you'll need to determine which one is correct.

http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library ... prePARTOF=
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Re: D'Onofrio or Denefrio from Dragoni?

Post by vj »

This appears to be the last manifest
1907 D'Onofrio
note: it has probable naturalization notations :wink:
2-629948 4/6/39 (505)
link to explanation of markings:
manifest markings
Valarie
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Re: D'Onofrio or Denefrio from Dragoni?

Post by vicwargo »

I am not sure if this will work or not but I found the manifest one ellisisland.org.

http://www.ellisisland.org/search/shipM ... 3&fromEI=1

Ferdinando D'Onofrio Mar 31, 1907 Napoli 0005

First Name: Ferdinando
Last Name: D'Onofrio
Ethnicity:
Last Place of Residence: Dragoni
Date of Arrival: Mar 31, 1907
Age at Arrival: 25y Gender: M Marital Status: M
Ship of Travel: Brasile
Port of Departure: Napoli
Manifest Line Number: 0005
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Re: D'Onofrio or Denefrio from Dragoni?

Post by vj »

Info on Naturalization Records:

Naturalization Records at the U.S. Immigration &
Naturalization Service

The U.S. Immigration & Naturalization Service holds
duplicate copies of naturalization documents filed
after September 26, 1906. Inquiries and requests
for a search form should be addressed to:
U.S. Immigration & Naturalization Service,
425 Eye Street NW, Washington, DC 20536;
telephone (800) 870- 3676.

How to:
Guide for Finding Naturalization Records
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Re: D'Onofrio or Denefrio from Dragoni?

Post by Biff83 »

Vj and vicmargo,

Thanks for linking the manifest; it confirms Dragoni as the birthplace. Although LDS shows records for Dragoni in both Lecce and Caserta, I'm only finding info on Dragoni in Caserta. I was trying to determine if the D'Onofrio name was a common surname in either or both towns.

Side bar for Valarie--I'm having a devil of a time locating Giuseppe Leo/Lio/DeLeo/DiLio's ship manifest and 1920 Family Census record on the Leo/Ciancio thread. Help!
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