LaBarbera from Palermo

[johnlabarbera]

I am the descendent of Thomas (Gaetano) LaBarbera, who was born in 1874 in Sicily. He immigrated to the USA in about 1897 and lived the rest of his life in New Orleans Louisiana USA. He was a streetcar driver or motorman of the famous New Orleans streetcars.

I am trying to find out how to determine his birth place and eventually try to locate relatives in Sicily so I may make a trip to visit.

My Sicilian heritage is very special and I will do what it takes to finish this quest!

John LaBarbera

[pink67]

Hi John,

is this your ancestor's family??

1930 United States Federal Census
about Thomas Labarbera
Name: Thomas Labarbera
Home in 1930: New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana
Age: 62
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1868
Birthplace: Italy
Relation to Head of House: Head
Spouse's Name: Josephine
Race: White
Occupation: Motorman - Public service

Education:

Military service:

Rent/home value:

Age at first marriage:

Parents' birthplace: View Image
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members: Name Age
Thomas Labarbera 62
Josephine Labarbera 40
Bessie Labarbera 22
Mary Labarbera 30
John Labarbera 18
Josephine Labarbera 17
Salvador Labarbera 15
Agnes Labarbera 13
Edward Labarbera 8

[img=http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/5938 ... zs7.th.jpg]

WWI Draft Card:

[img=http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/81/l ... ro6.th.jpg]

If you can confirm we can search better for others documents...
Ciao!!
Laura

[vj]

Gaetano LaBarbera 1877

John
If this is your Gaetano, he may have been born in Bagheria
There's even an address in Bagheria for his sister in 1910
For this Gaetano it wasn't his first trip.
A terrific search engine for New York passenger lists is
at the bottom of this note
Valarie

Oct 1910 lined off manifest (did not sail)
page 2
line 13

Nov 1910 manifest
page 2
Line 5
Gaetano Labarbera b abt 1874
Non-immigrant alien
Last residence Bagheria
In Bagheria, sister Giuseppa at Via S.Teresa 24
Destination New Orleans
In New Orleans 1897-1910
Joining wife Giuseppa Gentile at 726 Hospital St
born in Palermo, Bagheria

source: ancestry.com
also: Ellis Island One Step Search Gold Form

[PeterTimber]

Dear John you also might wish to consider purchasing/borrow the book Italian Genealogical records by Trafford R. Cole which will enable you to trace your family to earlier times usually back to the early 1800 but oftimes to the early 1700's at your own pace. The book is an easy read and all of us here can be called upon to assist you if you hit a wall. =Peter=

[johnlabarbera]

pink67

you are correct, that is my great grandfather's info. I have also received same by searching ancestry.com

i am stuck at that point as i do not have his parents info, his exact birth info, etc.

vj

i am pretty sure he came in through New Orleans port, he had a brother named john who went to chicago, am not aware of a sister. it is intersting though that your info says his wife was a gentile, which is correct, however, her name was josephine , though i am not sure what her itaian name was...you may be on to something but does not appear to be exact match???

[Essgee]

Well they posted before I could get to it...baking cookies!

However, in 1930 census he is listed as arriving in 1890. Also in WWI registration, dated Sept of 1918, he had already declared a desire to become a citizen. By 1930 he is naturalized. Since he applied prior to 1918 for first papers and had to complete the process within 7 years, you can figure he was probably a citizen by 1925, but after 1920 (nor listed as citizen in 1920 census)

Look for this paperwork. It should confirm place of birth, name of parents most likely, the ship he sailed on, etc. Look for the Declaration of Intent, Petition for Naturalization...not just the final citizenship papers. The early papers offer more information.

You can check out the resources at the FHL : www.familysearch.org You don't need a professional...you can do this yourself. With a confirmation of the town of origin, you can probably access all the civil records...births, death, and marriages, for the town of birth in Sicily also at the FHL--family history library.

The info from VJ and Laura above appears to be accurate and they are both quite good at finding info and telling you where to go next.

Good luck.

[johnlabarbera]

More information....I just found some old notes from a conversation I had about 15 years ago with a older cousin who has since passed....she told me that...

Gaetano had the following siblings:

Anthony, John, Agnes, Josephine

His parents names were:

John and Bessie

Bessie's maiden name was Bestiana

She also told me something about Guhmilerri (?), I wrote this down maybe she was trying to give me the name of a town?

I'm getting excited!!! Looks like vj did locate his birthplace!!!

Thanks everyone I will keep searching and please keep posting!!!

John

[PeterTimber]

Dear John in further reference to Essgee's suggestions about the family history library microfilms, you might wish to also consider taking along with you the companion book to use while viewing the film Discovering Your Italian Ancestors by Lynn Nelson. =Peter=

[vj]

John,
a pretty nice first name translator
Valarie

Italian First Names

[pink67]

1903 Arrival for Antonio La Barbera

Name: Antonio La Barbera
Arrival Date: 14 May 1903
Age: 27
Gender: Male
Ethnic Background: Italian (South) (Italian)
Port of Departure: Palermo, Italy
Ship Name: Manilla
Port of Arrival: New Orleans, Louisiana
Friend's Name: going to his brother Gaetano La Barbera
Last Residence: Bagheria
National Archives' Series Number: T905_1

[img=http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/5507 ... wm8.th.jpg]

Laura

[vj]

Also, nice zoomable street map site
Mappy

[PeterTimber]

......and don't forget a magnifying glass since sometimes the script needs clarification.=Peter=

[vj]

Gaetano LaBarbera 1877

i am pretty sure he came in through New Orleans port

From ancestry.com: transcribed as La Barkera

Possible 1st or 2nd trip for Gaetano?
1897 manifest
Oct 1897 SS Montebello Palermo to New Orleans
Line 354
Geatano La Barbera 23 (abt 1874)
Last residence Sicily Bagheria
Destination New Orleans

[pink67]

1910 United States Federal Census
about Thomas Labarbara
Name: Thomas Labarbara
Age in 1910: 32
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1878
Birthplace: Italy
Relation to Head of House: Head
Father's Birth Place: Italy
Mother's Birth Place: Italy
Spouse's Name: Josephine
Home in 1910: New Orleans Ward 6, Orleans, Louisiana
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Gender: Male
Year of Immigration: 1895
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members: Name Age
Thomas Labarbara 32
Josephine Labarbara 20
Bessie Labarbara 2
Mary Labarbara 9/12

[img=http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/4428 ... mw1.th.jpg]


1920 United States Federal Census
about T Labarbera
Name: T Labarbera
Home in 1920: New Orleans Ward 16, Orleans, Louisiana
Age: 43 years
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1877
[abt 1875]
Birthplace: Italy
Relation to Head of House: Head
Spouse's Name: Josephine
Father's Birth Place: Italy
Mother's Birth Place: Italy
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Sex: Male
Home owned: Rent
Year of Immigration: 1909
Able to read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Image: 455
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members: Name Age
T Labarbera 43
Josephine Labarbera 29
Bessie Labarbera 12
Mary Labarbera 10
John Labarbera 8
Josephine Labarbera 7
Salvadore Labarbera 5
Agnes Labarbera 3 10/12

[img=http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/8049 ... ge8.th.jpg]

John,
Josephine can be the americanized version of Giuseppa/Giuseppina

[Essgee]

I am betting the father's name is Guglielmo...or the Italian for William. Pronounced like GEE-ELMO.

Oh. And I had not discovered prior that Peter had posted....he is excellent help.