Searching for grandfather's home

[starmaker]

My grandfather left home when he was about 13. He never talked much about his family in Italy. He came to USA in 1913. All I know is he was from Roccoviva (spelling) in Northern Italy. His name was Benedetto Di Battista. Any help would be great as I cannot find even where he was from on any maps. I'm new at this and appreciate all help. Thanks!

[BillieDeKid]

hi starmaker,

This might be him

page 1 manifest

http://www.ellisisland.org/EIFile/popup ... &line=0021



page 2 manifest

http://www.ellisisland.org/EIFile/popup ... &line=0021

Check it out and see what you think.

Elizabeth

[BillieDeKid]

Looks like his wife was still in Italy when he came and her name looks like Maria Di Nardo or Di Vardo. Does that sound familiar?

[Biff83]

Elizabeth,

Nice find on the manifest. I believe his wife's name was Santa Colone in Roccavivi and that the Maria Di Nardo(a) is for the person on line 22.

Roccavivi is a hamlet in the comune of San Vincenzo Valle Roveto in the province of L'Aquila, region of Abruzzo.

Biff

[Biff83]

Website in Italian with information on San Vincenzo Valle Roveto
http://www.valleroveto.it/sanvincenzo.htm

Map showing location of San Vincenzo Valle Roveto
http://www.comuni-italiani.it/066/092/mappa.html

[BillieDeKid]

Thanks for the correction on the wife Biff. Great find on the map.

Elizabeth

[vj]

Related?
These two records appear to match some of the
information on the manifest that Elizabeth found:
Paolo DiBattista in Berwick, Columbia, PA
living with Colone family, single, born in
Roccavivi (also a Rolf DiBattista)
Valarie

1917 WWI Draft Registration Card
1920 census

[BillieDeKid]

Bingo!!!!!

Nice find vj.

[BillieDeKid]

Starmaker -

Maybe you can give us more information. Do you know if your grandfather had any brothers or sisters? If so what were their names and ages. What was your grandmothers name (maiden)? Do you know if any of them came to the USA, if they did do you know the year (about). How many kids did your grandfather and grandmother have and what are their names and ages.

Any additional info would be helpful.

Elizabeth

[starmaker]

Wow! All this information is amazing so my head is spinning. He was only 17 when he came to US and met my grandmother here. She is Giovanna Rizzo and she came over later (1919) with her sister and brother. I have seen the manifest. I know my grandfather had a sister. He ran away so young and my mother and uncles said he wouldn't really talk about it. One uncle told me that he had a cousin in New Jersey that was a contractor and he was called Charlie?

Thanks for any help!!

[starmaker]

Oh, my mother was named Santa and I know she mentioned Colone as family. I lost her a couple of years ago and now have pictures that I'm trying to sort and that is what got me started on my grandfather's family. I have a picture of his mother (I think) but no others. Such a shame...

[starmaker]

My grandfather was born 7/12/97 and my grandmother 10/24/00. They had four children, Santa Eva, Angelo, Benedict and Nancy.

[starmaker]

And one more important thing, my grandfather dropped the Di from his name after a few years and lived in Oneonta, NY until he passed away. He served in WWI in the US Army. Thanks again!

[Biff83]

I should have looked at the manifest more closely. Benedetto is single and the notation showing Santa Colone as his wife is incorrect; she's likely his mother.

Biff

[Biff83]

1930 Census for Bennie Battista and Family in Oneonta NY

Edited to add larger image

1930 Census