Newbie here -Gentile/Colarusso. Vendetti family in Frosolone

[jbm02]

Hi all
I happily found your site today. I have been working on a family genealogy for the past several years and have hit a major stumbling block with my Italian relatives. I'd appreciate any assistance that you can provide.
My great grandfather, Cosimo Gentile emigrated to the US from Frosolone via Philadelphia PA approx 1899, ultimately settling in Troy NY. He then went back and forth thru Ellis Island several times. The Ellis Island records demonstrate that he was accompanied by various brother in laws and I have those records.
My great grandmother, Maria Carmina Colarusso Gentile (1878 - 1970)emigrated from Frosolone, accompanied by my great aunt Jennie (Giovanna, age 7) in 1906. I have these records from Ellis Island.
My great aunt told me that she had a brother named John. No one has any record of him. But, in searching the Ellis Island website, there is a "Giovanni Gentile", age 15, travelling with an Nicola Gentile, age 41(the name portion of the page is missing -however, it looks like the word "uncle" appears) arriving July 18, 1913. The location to which the two are travelling matches an address of a previous family home. However, both names are crossed out. Does anyone know if this means that they were denied entry into the US? Would there be a records repository at Ellis Island to find out what happened? Nicola Gentile returned to the US in Oct 1913, without Giovanni.

I would also like to begin researching the family from Frosolone. The parents of Maria Carmina Colarusso were Albert and Annunziatta Vendetti/Venditti (hard to read writing on an old document). I do not know the parents of Cosimo Gentile. I am not even sure where to start. Any assistance or direction that you can provide is greatly appreciated.

[vj]

Hi and Welcome to the Forum!

However, both names are crossed out

This usually means they did not sail.
Infrequently you'll find their names written somewhere else on the manifest.
Most often you'll find them on a ship that came later.

Do you have all of your US records? (census, military)

Thanks!
Valarie

[vj]

I would also like to begin researching the family from Frosolone. The parents of Maria Carmina Colarusso were Albert and Annunziatta Vendetti/Venditti (hard to read writing on an old document). I do not know the parents of Cosimo Gentile. I am not even sure where to start. Any assistance or direction that you can provide is greatly appreciated.

You can rent and view your family’s records (on microfilm) from Frosolone at your nearest Family History Library:

film notes
Topic Italy, Campobasso, Frosolone - Civil registration
Titles Registri dello stato civile, 1809-1899 Frosolone (Campobasso). Ufficio dello stato civile
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In case you aren’t familiar with the Famly History Center & Italian records

FamilySearch Home Page
Includes how to find your nearest local Family History Center

A helpful essay written by Trish, one of our forum members:
Steps for Finding Microfilm at the Family History Center

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Italian Record Research from the FamilySearch research guides:
Italy Research Outline
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Three terrific books
to help you find, read & understand your records:

Italian Genealogical Records
How to Use Italian Civil, Ecclesiastical, &
Other Records in Family History Research
By Tafford R Cole
google book link

A Genealogist’s Guide to
Discovering Your Italian Ancestors
How to find and record your unique heritage
By Lynn Nelson
google book link

Finding Italian Roots
By John Philip Colletta, PhD
google book link

[jbm02]

Thanks so much.
All of the research that I have done so far is from oral histories and family documents. I've never used the LDS records and appreciate the tutorial - it will be a huge help.
As for census records, no, I don't have any of those. No military records either because Cosimo only had daughters (excluding the mysterious John) and Cosimo did not serve. Is there a website to locate a census or should I head to the state museum in Albany to look at those (I'm in NYS). All of the addresses should be in Troy NY.
Thanks!!
Jude

[vj]

Jude ,
If you would like us to, many of us have subscriptions to ancestry.com. - we can look for your census & draft registration cards.

If you would like to do this yourself - many libraries have access to the ancestry.com library edition along with HeritageQuest (libraries usually list their databases on their websites.)

Just let us know!
Valarie

[jbm02]

Thanks, Valarie
I am currently away on military duty and don't have access to a library. If you have time, it would be great. But please don't pick up a huge pile of work for me.
My great grandfather was Cosimo Gentile and children were Jennie (Giovanna (1899 - abt 1985), Margaret (1901 - abt 1921), Theresa (1912 - 1995), Philomena (1914 - 2007) and Mary Carmen (1918- 1983)
By the way, is it worth it to subscribe to ancestry.com?

[vj]

Jude,
Here are a few possible records
Ancestry is a tough decision, I've subscribed since the late 90's - it saves hours of legwork .
They do have a trial period available, but I'm not sure what the acccess to the records looks like
Valarie

Note: names, ages etc all depended upon who gave the information to the enumerator, whether or not they knew certain ‘facts’ and whether or not the enumerator was diligent in doing his job. Misspellings can also happen if the transcriber wasn’t familiar with the names.
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possible 1930 census image

Home in 1930:
26 Spring Ave, owns $1800
Troy, Rensselaer, New York

Head Gosomo Gentile 57, abt 1873 IT
- age at 1st marriage 20, abt 1893
- immig 1905, Na (naturalized US citizen)
- salesman, spring? water
- has a radio
Wife Mary Gentile 58, abt 1872 IT
- immig 1910, Na
- age at 1st marriage, 21
Daughter Theresa Gentile 17, abt 1913 NY
Daughter Mildred Gentile 15, abt 1915 NY
Daughter Margaret Gentile 12, abt 1918 NY
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possible 1920 census image

Living with Colarusso family

Home in 1920:
edit: corrected address
1037 Fifth Ave, owns with mortgage
Troy Ward 11, Rensselaer, New York

Head Cosimo Gentile 45, abt 1875 IT
- immig 1891, Na
- merchant, groceries, working on his own account
Wife Mary Gentile 42, abt 1878 IT
- immig 1891, Na
Daughter Jennie Gentile 20, abt 1900 IT
- immig 1891, Na
Daughter Margareet Gentile 12, abt 1908 NY
Daughter Thelesa Gentile 9, abt 1911 NY
Daughter Mary Gentile 5, abt 1915 NY
Daughter Mary Gentile 1 4/12, abt 1918 NY

[vj]

Interesting WWI Draft Registration Card - filled out by daughter Genevieve
Not sure if she knew her father’s age

1918 WWI Draft Registration Card

Cassius John Gentile 45
1051 5th Ave Troy
Born March 1877?
Naturalized citizen
Storekeeper at 1012 5th ave
Nearest relative Mary Gentile 1051 5th Ave

[jbm02]

Wow. That was fast. And I am really surprised at all the different spellings and differet DOBs for each of the children
I never thought about WWI - I just assumed he would be too old.
If this is the info you can get from ancestry.com, I think I should consider taking out a subscription.
Thanks for all your work
Jude

[vj]

I never thought about WWI - I just assumed he would be too old.

You're very welcome Jude.
We're always happy to help.
WWI was a tough one - they registered everyone by the 3rd and final registration in Sep 1918:
It included all men born between 11 Sept 1872 and 12 Sept 1900.

Valarie

[vj]

In 1910 not many Italians were living in Troy.
I guess language was probably a real barrier to an accurate census...
If this is your family in 1910, it’s pretty mangled (but not uncommon)
It’s very possible that the surname was mistaken for Cosimo’s 1st name.

possible 1910 census

Home in 1910:
120 Ferry Street (near 5th), rents house
Troy Ward 1, Rensselaer, New York

Head Joseph Canno 30, abt 1880 IT
- married once, 12 yrs, abt 1898
- immig 1900, Na
- retail merchant, fruit store, own account
Wife Mary Canno 30, abt 1880 IT
- 5 children born, 2 children living
- immig 1900
Daughter Jennie Canno 11, abt 1899 IT
- immig 1900
Daughter Gentile Canno 2 6/12, abt 1907 NY

Boarder
Frank Bolton 35

[vj]

Pretty neat:

1947 Troy Directory

[jbm02]

Very, very cool. The 1947 directory also lists my other set of maternal great grandparents (John and Gisela Gerger)!!
How did you find this????

[vj]

Jude, they have 1932 & 1947 Troy directories on ancestry.
Valarie

[wldspirit]

If this is the info you can get from Ancestry, I think I should consider taking out a subscription.

It's well worth the money spent, especially if you are looking for multiple surnames. Bonus...they are always adding new content......
And this coming from someone who was very skeptical about a subscription in the beginning!!
wldspirit