Joseph Messina

[Squigy]

Perhaps Girolamo came to the US and went back to Italy. You must remember, this was the plan for many immigrants, to come here, work for a little while, and go back. Although most ended up staying.

[LenaMessina]

I know I am trying to figure out what the WWI card says. It looks like "Crocfeve" , Trapani or something crazy, I am looking for something even close and I cant find anything that even remotely matches.

[vj]

Hi!
Just for reference
1930 census
http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/9401/1930.jpg
1920 census
http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/2461/1920e.jpg

[maestra36]

This is a list of all towns in the province of Trapani-

Alcamo
Buseto Palizzolo
Calatafimi-Segesta
Campobello di Mazara
Castellammare del Golfo
Castelvetrano
Custonaci
Erice
Favignana
Gibellina
Marsala
Mazara del Vallo
Paceco
Pantelleria
Partanna
Poggioreale
Salaparuta
Salemi
Santa Ninfa
San Vito Lo Capo
Trapani
Valderice
Vita
Petrosino

[LenaMessina]

Thanks Maestra. none seem to match up. What in the world?!

[maestra36]

do you have a WWII registration card? try that.

[Squigy]

Thanks Maestra. none seem to match up. What in the world?!

The immigration record found by Maestra says he was born in the Agrigento province (Sicilian Girgento), but lived in Trapani. Now the town it lists for his place of birth is also two words:

Look at line 8:

http://search. ancestry.com/iexec/?htx=View&r=an&dbid=7488&iid=NYT715_1631-0530&fn=Giuseppe&ln=Messina&st=r&ssrc=&pid=4036482175

Here is a list of comuni in Agrigento:

http://www.comuni-italiani.it/084/index.html

[Joannsalvo]

I found Crocevie, Valderice Trapani, Sicily.

I have been researching FHC microfilm for Saponara, Messina, Sicily.
And have seen Messina and Saponara surnames given to foundlings.

[maestra36]

I see the WWII draft registration card and it says Tropiny, Italy. The link you sent Squigy doesn't open to the image you are trying to show.

[Squigy]

Thanks Maestra. Here is a better link:

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/9066/imagexj.jpg

[maestra36]

I think the town of Crocevie could be it. Thank you, Joann. Lena, let's see if you can now locate a passenger list with that town on it.

[vj]

I found Crocevie, Valderice Trapani, Sicily...

Joann
That looks like a match
http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/6442/1917x.jpg

[LenaMessina]

Wow! Thank you all so much! IM starting a search with that birthplace now..

[maestra36]

actually Valderice is the town name in the province of Trapani. It seems that Crocevie is what is called a frazione or just a subdivision of the town.

[maestra36]

In the current Italian white pages www.paginebianche.it

there are 28 Messina in the town of Valderice. In the hamlet or surburb called Crocevie, there are 2 with the surname-

Messina Gaspare
91019 Crocevie (TP) Contrada Lentina, 12
tel:* 0923 576324

Messina Salvatore
91019 Crocevie (TP) Via Favignana, 12
tel: * 0923 576374