Searching for information about great grandfather (De Palma)

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Biff83
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Re: Searching for information about great grandfather (De Pa

Post by Biff83 »

Hello Mat and Welcome!

Is this your great grandfather and family in 1930
1930 census, page 1
page 2

Name: Ernesto Depalma
Home in 1930: New Kensington, Westmoreland, Pennsylvania
Age: 52
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1878
Birthplace: Italy
Relation to Head of House: Head
Spouse's Name: Marie
Household Members: Name Age
Ernesto Depalma 52, immigration 1901 or 1905, naturalized
Marie Depalma 47, immigration 1906, naturalized
Arthur Depalma 14
Nick Depalma 12
Mike Depalma 10
Josephine Depalma 5
All children born Pennsylvania

Biff
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misbris
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Re: Searching for information about great grandfather (De Pa

Post by misbris »

A possible manifest for the Ernesto Biff found? Hi Biff :lol: :lol:


http://www.ellisisland.org/EIFile/popup ... &line=0001
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Biff83
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Re: Searching for information about great grandfather (De Pa

Post by Biff83 »

Hi MJ, nice find on the manifest! :D

Although he states not in US before, I also found this 1900 manifest with approx year of birth and last residence the same.
http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/4073/z ... 900jc6.jpg

Name: Ernesto Depalma
Arrival Date: 3 Oct 1900
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1878
Age: 22
Gender: Male
Ethnicity/Race­/Nationality: Italian
Ship Name: Ems

Looks like destination is Westmoreland PA
Last residence for both manifests appears to be
Pratola Serra, province: Avellino - region: Campania

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matei
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Re: Searching for information about great grandfather (De Pa

Post by matei »

Wow... you are fast - I believe that you've located him! I'm amazed the records were so well kept.

Is there an earlier census record out there? I'm curious because my aunt doesn't appear on the 1930 census. She was born in Italy, but I surmise that she doesn't appear in the 1930 census because she was married at that point.

Thanks again!
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Re: Searching for information about great grandfather (De Pa

Post by matei »

Wow - twice? That is surprising!
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Re: Searching for information about great grandfather (De Pa

Post by vj »

Hi Mat,
Just checking, is this your grandfather?
Thanks! Valarie

Name: Michael Depalma
SSN: 190-01-xxxx
Last Residence:
33552 New Port Richey, Pasco, Florida
Born: 25 Dec 1919
Last Benefit: 33552 New Port Richey, Pasco
Died: Apr 1986
State (Year) SSN issued: Pennsylvania (Before 1951 )
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matei
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Re: Searching for information about great grandfather (De Pa

Post by matei »

Yes indeed - that is him.
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Re: Searching for information about great grandfather (De Pa

Post by vj »

Hi guys!
There are several manifests for folks joining an Ernesto DePalma,
but in Pittsburgh…
Want to make we have the correct family.
Looks like the same folks from Biff’s :D 1930 census
Thanks!

possible 1920 census
Home in 1920:
Stone Ave
Pine, Armstrong, Pennsylvania
head Ernest D Palma 40, abt 1880 IT
- immig 1913, Pa (filed 1st papers for naturalization)
- laborer, brickyard
wife Maria D Palma 30, abt 1890 IT
- immig 1913
daughter Louisa Palma 12, abt 1908 IT
- immig 1913
son Artwa Palma 6, abt 1914 PA
son Nicola Palma 4, abt 1916 PA
son Michela Palma 1/12, abt 1919 PA
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Biff83
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Re: Searching for information about great grandfather (De Pa

Post by Biff83 »

Hi, Valarie! :D

Great find on the 1920 census. I'm also not sure if either of the above posted manifests are for the correct Ernesto. Still looking for a WWI Draft card to see if anything verifies. Have you checked footnote for possible naturalization info?

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Re: Searching for information about great grandfather (De Pa

Post by vj »

Hey Biff :D
Not sure if these are the correct folks…
interesting 1913 manifest
page 2
Lines 14-16

Transcription from Ellis Island:
0014. Contiella, Domenica F 25y M Italian South Montennletti, Italy
0015. De Palma, Carmela F 9y S Italian South Montennletti, Italy
0016. De Palma, Luiza F 5y S Italian South Montennletti, Italy

Best guess transcription:
7 Dec 1913, SS Stampalia, Napoli to NY
Domenica Contiella? 25, abt 1888
- last residence Montemiletto
- in Italy, father Antonio
- joining husband Ernesto De Palma at 605 Webster St
(note 605 & 801 Webster are addresses found on a lot of maniests)
- born in Montemiletto (Province of Avellino?, Region Campania?)
Carmela de Palma 9, abt 1904 (or is it 19 yrs old?)
Luisa de Palma 5, abt 1908
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Biff83
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Re: Searching for information about great grandfather (De Pa

Post by Biff83 »

Nice find, Valarie. A contender for sure.
Surname looks like Contrella
Last residence and place of birth looks to be
Montemiletto, province: Avellino - region: Campania

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Re: Searching for information about great grandfather (De Pa

Post by matei »

Wow... amazing stuff. That is my aunt Louise. She was my grandfather's half-sister, by Ernesto's first wife...

One of the reasons that I was curious to find out more about Ernesto is that my grandmother told us that he was of Jewish (?) descent. De Palma doesn't sound like a particularly Jewish surname, however my grandfather maintained this as well.

In light of the records you came up with, I did some research on Pratola Serra, and it doesn't seem like a region particularly rich in Jewish heritage! Well... perhaps in the 1500s, but not at the time my great-grandfather left.

Thanks again for all of your help!
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Re: Searching for information about great grandfather (De Pa

Post by vj »

Hey Biff & Mat!
How about maiden name Centrella?
Valarie

edit to correct Mat's name
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Re: Searching for information about great grandfather (De Pa

Post by Biff83 »

Or possibly Contrella?

Biff
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Re: Searching for information about great grandfather (De Pa

Post by matei »

You guys have good eyes in order to read that tiny script!

I seem to remember that Domenica's maiden name was Centrella.

We were told that Ernesto had a previous marriage, however his wife passed away (drowned) and he remarried - with Domenica.

However the manifest shows her travelling with his two girls from his previous marriage, and she still has her maiden name. Interesting stuff indeed!
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