Any assistance appreciated

[uther]

Hello,

I am a 38 year old, husband and father of two children residing
near Columbia, SC. I was born in Connecticut and lived there until
11 years of age, when my family relocated out of state. I found out
that I was adopted at 3 months of age. I have since then found both
of my biological parents and have a cordial relationship with them
both. Recently my biological mother informed me that her family had
Jewish ancestry, particularly on her maternal side. The last
observant Jewish matriarch was my great grandmother which immigrated
from Italy to Connecticut in 1904-1907, settled down and married
Joseph Bianchi I of New Haven, Ct. However, I am a person
that takes news with a grain of salt, and I seek proof that my
biological mother's statements are true. I embarked a few months back with
Geneological research of my maternal line, and DNA testing at Family
Tree DNA. While my DNA testing is currently being refined, I have
established several census, obituary and shipping manifest documents
that establishes my maternal ancestry back to my great grandmother.
My problem is that while I have her 1910 Census survey, I cannot
determine the spelling of her last name. Since I cannot determine
the exact spelling, I cannot establish her immigration point of
origin and such. I cannot even find her obituary, marriage records
or such, but I have most of her census records listing her children
and such. Her american name is listed as Josephine. I realize that this could also be Giusippina or Giuseppa in Italian. In 1910 she lived with her brother "Jerry", his
wife "Rose" and their 3 girls "Adelia, Clemendina, and Angellena".
The closest spellings I can ascertain of their last name is "Feybish,
Feylioh, Feylish, Feylioh". I am asking if anyone in this group that
has the interest and the time would take a look at this census and
help me determine the spelling of her last name. Whatever assistance
anyone is willing to give, I will very much appreciate. I can e-mail
and attach all relevant documents. I thank you in advance for your
time, and consideration concerning this matter.

p.s. I have attached just a small sample of the maiden name from the census. Please examine and post your thoughts. If you wish to help further, let me know and I will e-mail all relevant documents.

[uther]

I tried 3 times and cannot upload the attachments.

[JamesBianco]

Wow we have a lot in common! I am also 38, father of two and was adopted at 2 1/2 months of age! I also found my biological parents when I was 19, and I see them on and off. We were close for a number of years, but after I married and started having children things got tough. My biological paternal grandmother told me she had Jewish ancestry, yet I was never able to find it anywhere, they were catholics at least as far back as the mid 1700's. Your Jewish line appears to be considerably more recent.

I would be more than willing to help, as would many wonderful people here when you get the images up.

did you try Imageshack.com?

I could also host them for you on my domain, let me know and I will give you my email addy.

Jim Bianco

[vj]

for reference
1910 census pg1
1910 census pg2

[uther]

Thanks James. To add another twist to our similiarity, I will add that my biological father found me when I was 18, and we found my biological mother when I was 19, go figure those odds:) Check your e-mail.

Thanks,

Chris

[uther]

Thank you also Master VJ..didnt even notice the attachments, but there they are! The name in question is the surnames of Jerry, Rose, Adelia, Clemendina, Angellena and my great grandmother Josephine. All responses are very much welcome.

[vj]

might help decipher name
brother Jerry & family 1920
edit:added pg 2
brother Jerry 1920 pg 2 more children

edit:added
and another
brother Jerry WWI Draft Registration

[vj]

Chris & Jim,
finally, brother Jerry with a birth town
1942 brother Jerry WWII Draft Registration
1942 brother Jerry WWII Draft Registration pg 2
Picerno, Potenza, Basilicata
currently 114 people in Picerno with the name Figliuolo

edit:added
and matching 1904 manifest for brother Jerry
1904 Gerardo Figiuolo
Valarie

[uther]

Very interesting VJ, and so quick! A few questions. 1)1910 Census shows Jerry with a 1904 immigration date-1920 Census shows 1895 immigration date. 2)1910 Census shows wife name as Rose-1920 Census shows a wife named Filomena 3) 1910 Census shows Rose immigration date as 1905-1920 shows immigration at 1907. 4) Is the other daughter Clemendina listed on a second page?

You have obviously more expertise and experience in this arena. Can these differences be explained? Such as, Rose could have died, granted. The other twin daughter Clemendina could have also died, granted. What do you say about the dates?

Also, can we find Josephine's immigration manifest by chance?

BTW...great work!!

[vj]

Very interesting VJ, and so quick! A few questions.
census dates (& names) can be iffy - depended on who answered the
enumerators questions, how much they knew, and whether
or not they could make themselves understood
1)1910 Census shows Jerry with a 1904 immigration date-1920 Census shows 1895 immigration date.
Pretty sure the 1904 manifest indicates he was in US before
2)1910 Census shows wife name as Rose-1920 Census shows a wife named Filomena
one or the other could have been a middle name
3) 1910 Census shows Rose immigration date as 1905-1920 shows immigration at 1907.
approx dates, hoping she traveled with Jerry's sister
4) Is the other daughter Clemendina listed on a second page?
I'll check & post it
You have obviously more expertise and experience in this arena.
Just more practice
Can these differences be explained? Such as, Rose could have died, granted. The other twin daughter Clemendina could have also died, granted. What do you say about the dates?
census records are great for locations & family groups, dates
and names can be problematic. They are great for leads to
locating other records
Also, can we find Josephine's immigration manifest by chance?
Been looking w/o success - lot's of folks here to help!

BTW...great work!!

Chris, thanks. You had some excellent information
to go on. Great job on finding that 1910 census!
Valarie

[vj]

Chris, added page 2 for 1920 census on above post with
1920 for brother Jerry
Valarie

[uther]

Val, I believe you have found him. Clemendina and Adelia were twins in 1910 and in 1920 there ages correspond. That was pretty much the last detail in my mind. With all the information that does agree, the probability that it is NOT him is astronomical, would you agree? Good, I knew that you would. Now, can we find if in the town of Picerno, Potenza, Basilicata was there or is there any Figliuolo's of Jewish heritage. Or is that too difficult? Im searching myself with my limited resources.

[vj]

Chris, checked the 1904 manifest again, the dates
for being in US before could belong to the next
person on the manifest.
Valarie

[vj]

Chris, with a town, names and approx dates
it is possible . I agree, you're looking at the
same family.
Have you been to your local Family History
Center? FamilySearch Home Page
Chances are very good that they have vital
records for Picerno on microfilm
(cost to order only abt 5.50).
If you're interested we can link you up with
resources on how to go about this.

Jim, weren't you/aren't you a volunteer?

Valarie

FamilySearch Italy Research Outline

[uther]

Yes Im interested Valarie. Also I found a page with a bunch of italian links to towns and such that I translated into english. Im not sure if they are charging me though. What do you think I should do?