Hello!
I am searching for the parents of a man named Frank (presumably birth name Francesco) Maffei. I know he was born between 1893-1896 in the town of Pisticci, Potenza. I am interested in finding the name of Frank’s parents. Frank’s first born son was called “Archie” so I thought it possible that Frank’s father had an Italian version of this name. He had no daughters so I have no clue to the mother’s name. He lists his birthday as 12 Nov 1894 on a WWI Draft Card. Very interested in finding a birth record or any record that shows the complete names of the parents. Thank you for any help, it would be so very appreciated.
Frank Maffei from Potenza
Re: Frank Maffei from Potenza
The town of Pisticci is in Matera Province. You would have to go to a family history center to view the following and locate the birth record. The record is not accessible online. The towns are in alphabetical order.
Nati 1893, San Giorgio L. - Tursi Nati 1894 Accettura - Tursi Nati 1895 Accettura - Calciano
Family History Library International Film 1660068 DGS 7861921
[This film is viewable with additional restrictions]
The only other option is to try to get a copy of the record from the town itself by writing to:
Dr.ssa Adele Esposito
Ufficio Anagrafe, Stato Civile, Elettorale
Comune di Pisticci
Piazza dei Caduti
75015 Pisticci (MT)
Italia
Nati 1893, San Giorgio L. - Tursi Nati 1894 Accettura - Tursi Nati 1895 Accettura - Calciano
Family History Library International Film 1660068 DGS 7861921
[This film is viewable with additional restrictions]
The only other option is to try to get a copy of the record from the town itself by writing to:
Dr.ssa Adele Esposito
Ufficio Anagrafe, Stato Civile, Elettorale
Comune di Pisticci
Piazza dei Caduti
75015 Pisticci (MT)
Italia
Re: Frank Maffei from Potenza
According to this arrival manifest in 1906 on the Bulgaria (this agrees with the census giving 1906 as arrival, and with the Declaration of Intent to Naturalize).
He is age 11, traveling with a cousin Antonio Viggiani.
Francesco Maffei is going to his father, Michele in New York (but then the destination is crossed out and "New Jersey" written over it.
Lines 2 and 3
https://s22.postimg.cc/bgrjqm4hd/Maffei_Arrival1906.jpg
Here is the link on ANcestry, as well
https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/74 ... 5_711-0060
1930 US Census
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... cc=1810731
Declaration of Intent at age 21
Birth 12 November 1894 in Pisticci
https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/61 ... PUBJs=true
T.
He is age 11, traveling with a cousin Antonio Viggiani.
Francesco Maffei is going to his father, Michele in New York (but then the destination is crossed out and "New Jersey" written over it.
Lines 2 and 3
https://s22.postimg.cc/bgrjqm4hd/Maffei_Arrival1906.jpg
Here is the link on ANcestry, as well
https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/74 ... 5_711-0060
1930 US Census
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... cc=1810731
Declaration of Intent at age 21
Birth 12 November 1894 in Pisticci
https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/61 ... PUBJs=true
T.
Re: Frank Maffei from Potenza
T., this is very interesting. Why do you think the firstborn son was called "Archie" if the paternal grandfather was Michele? Here is the 1920 Census for the Family:
https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse ... sePUB=true
What I believe to be the real Italian name of Archie is written. Whatever that says, it is clearly not "Archie," it is far too long. Can you read this name or does it look like an Italian name you know?
https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse ... sePUB=true
What I believe to be the real Italian name of Archie is written. Whatever that says, it is clearly not "Archie," it is far too long. Can you read this name or does it look like an Italian name you know?
Re: Frank Maffei from Potenza
The name COULD be Archimede - but as you know, the spellings of names in the US Census are often based on what the census taker "thinks" he hears - and the person providing the information in Italian families had an accent that was difficult for the census taker to understand. Illiteracy also contributed to the misspelled names.tom.pepe wrote: 27 Jun 2018, 22:32 T., this is very interesting. Why do you think the firstborn son was called "Archie" if the paternal grandfather was Michele? Here is the 1920 Census for the Family:
https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse ... sePUB=true
What I believe to be the real Italian name of Archie is written. Whatever that says, it is clearly not "Archie," it is far too long. Can you read this name or does it look like an Italian name you know?
Have you tried to get the New Jersey birth record for him? He was 4y 4m old at the time of this census on 7 & 8 January 1920. That should help you pinpoint a birthdate.
*** EDIT TO ADD***
Here is a POSSIBLE ship manifest for Frank's father, Michele Maffei (age 42 - shoemaker from Pisticci), in April 1904.
It appears he did not sail. Line 14 - going to a cousin Domenico Barbalinardo(?) in NYC
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... cc=1368704
Here is the same Michele - arrived NY in Jume 1904
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... cc=1368704
AND*** here is a curiosity - what appears to be the same Michele Maffei, 36, shoemaker, arriving in 1897 in NY.
But is listed from "Togiano" - (????)
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... cc=1368704
***AND*** This 1905 US Census shows the above Michele Maffei as a boarder in the house of Domenico Barbalinardo. Michele is a 44yo shoemaker (This would be the year before the immigration of Francesco/Frank)
ALSO in the household as a boarder with Michele is Peter Maffei, 15. If I am correct, while I was searching for your Frank, I think I located a Census that showed Frank Maffei, his wife Angelina, and Peter Maffei (also a barber) in the household.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... cc=1463113
T.
Re: Frank Maffei from Potenza
For future reference and perhaps a connection (cousin???)
Peter Maffei also appears with his family in the 1930 Census just below hat of Frank (looks like in the same building)
Here is a WWI Registration Card for Peter Maffei - barber - in Jersey City.
DOB 10 February 1892 - Pisticci
Naturalized.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... cc=1968530
Perhaps Frank did not name his first son after his father because he became estranged from his father (if Michele was his father).
They do not appear to live together - at least I have not found them together in the census. It would make sense that they would appear together in the 1910 Census... Frank would have been about 15.
T.
Peter Maffei also appears with his family in the 1930 Census just below hat of Frank (looks like in the same building)
Here is a WWI Registration Card for Peter Maffei - barber - in Jersey City.
DOB 10 February 1892 - Pisticci
Naturalized.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... cc=1968530
Perhaps Frank did not name his first son after his father because he became estranged from his father (if Michele was his father).
They do not appear to live together - at least I have not found them together in the census. It would make sense that they would appear together in the 1910 Census... Frank would have been about 15.
T.
Re: Frank Maffei from Potenza
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... cc=2061544
1915 census with Frank, Angelina, and Peter
*Possibly Michele Maffei returned to Italy. I found in the Pisticci records two marriages of children of a Michele Maffei and wife (Maria) Domenica D'Angella. The one was born on Nov 4, 1897-a son named Salvatore Rocco Maffei. He married on April 8, 1923 in Pisticci.
The other was a daughter named Rosa Stella (age 19) who married a Pietro Gemma on Sept 11, 1910-also in Pisticci.
Their father Michele Maffei appears to have been present for both marriages.
1915 census with Frank, Angelina, and Peter
*Possibly Michele Maffei returned to Italy. I found in the Pisticci records two marriages of children of a Michele Maffei and wife (Maria) Domenica D'Angella. The one was born on Nov 4, 1897-a son named Salvatore Rocco Maffei. He married on April 8, 1923 in Pisticci.
The other was a daughter named Rosa Stella (age 19) who married a Pietro Gemma on Sept 11, 1910-also in Pisticci.
Their father Michele Maffei appears to have been present for both marriages.
Re: Frank Maffei from Potenza
T. and erudita,
This is all great information. I am aware of multiple connections with the Maffei family and the Barbalinardo family. I know that Francesco's wife Angelina was in fact born to Giuseppe and Maria Comardo Barbalinardo.
The fact that Michele seems to be all over the place, back and forth between various households in Italy and the USA could maybe be why Francesco's son was not named Michele. Archimede seems to be a great guess! I know in English Archie would stand for "Archibald" however I have never encountered an Italian variant of this so Archimede is what I'll have to assume it to be for now. I'm very surprised though that the father and firstborn son's name do not match. The second born son should have been named Giuseppe after the mother's father but he was listed on all documents as "Francis Jr."
Thank you both for your help! I'll try to find a connection between Frank and this Peter Maffei and I'll look for confirmation of "Archie" being named Archimede.
This is all great information. I am aware of multiple connections with the Maffei family and the Barbalinardo family. I know that Francesco's wife Angelina was in fact born to Giuseppe and Maria Comardo Barbalinardo.
The fact that Michele seems to be all over the place, back and forth between various households in Italy and the USA could maybe be why Francesco's son was not named Michele. Archimede seems to be a great guess! I know in English Archie would stand for "Archibald" however I have never encountered an Italian variant of this so Archimede is what I'll have to assume it to be for now. I'm very surprised though that the father and firstborn son's name do not match. The second born son should have been named Giuseppe after the mother's father but he was listed on all documents as "Francis Jr."
Thank you both for your help! I'll try to find a connection between Frank and this Peter Maffei and I'll look for confirmation of "Archie" being named Archimede.
Re: Frank Maffei from Potenza
For your info-
I just located the allegati (supporting documents) for the 1910 marriage of Rosa Stella Maffei. With the package is an extract of her birth record from Oct 22, 1890. The declaration of the birth and presentation of the infant at the town hall were done by a peasant by the name of Rosa Stella Barbalinardo. The father Michele was a shoemaker but he didn't make the declaration and presentation himself, as the record says he was "impedito." That means that something prevented him from doing so himself, but the record doesn't specify what that something was. The birth took place in the house at #8 via Novarro.
Here's an obit for a son of Peter Maffei and wife Rose:
http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/jerseyjo ... =161145139
also found the post below:
http://www.italianside.com/basilicata/m ... genealogy/
Elaine says:
February 20, 2018 at 8:20 pm
I know of a Peter Maffei who was a barber and lived in Jersey City. He had a brother Frank Maffei who lived in jersey city also. They owned a two family house. They also had a brother who I only know as Doc. They had two brothers who immigrated to South America.
I just located the allegati (supporting documents) for the 1910 marriage of Rosa Stella Maffei. With the package is an extract of her birth record from Oct 22, 1890. The declaration of the birth and presentation of the infant at the town hall were done by a peasant by the name of Rosa Stella Barbalinardo. The father Michele was a shoemaker but he didn't make the declaration and presentation himself, as the record says he was "impedito." That means that something prevented him from doing so himself, but the record doesn't specify what that something was. The birth took place in the house at #8 via Novarro.
Here's an obit for a son of Peter Maffei and wife Rose:
http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/jerseyjo ... =161145139
also found the post below:
http://www.italianside.com/basilicata/m ... genealogy/
Elaine says:
February 20, 2018 at 8:20 pm
I know of a Peter Maffei who was a barber and lived in Jersey City. He had a brother Frank Maffei who lived in jersey city also. They owned a two family house. They also had a brother who I only know as Doc. They had two brothers who immigrated to South America.
Re: Frank Maffei from Potenza
some additional info I've been able to determine-
Rosa Stella Maffei born Oct 22, 1890 (Michele Maffei, the father was "impedito" and couldn’t announce the birth)-house #8 via Navario-Rosa Stella married Pietro Antonio Gemma on Sept 11, 1910 in Pisticci.
*I know that Rosa Maffei had a brother named Antonio and also a brother named Pietro. This info is from the passenger list of the two men:
Antonio Maffei is on a 1912 passenger list with Rosa’s husband Pietro Antonio Gemma-for the Sant’Anna. Gemma’s wife, Rosa Maffei, was in Pisticci. Antonio’s father, Michele Maffei, was in Pisticci. Destination in U.S. was to Pietro Maffei living at 361 Montgomery Street, in Jersey City-Antonio’s brother and Pietro Antonio Gemma’s BIL.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... cc=1368704 (images 825 and 826)
**In the 1915 census I previously gave you the link to, the Maffei family of Frank, Angelina, and Peter, were living on Montgomery Street. I think Peter’s age and year of birth are wrong in this census, and that he was Frank’s brother born in Feb of 1892.
There are WWI draft registration cards for both Antonio Maffei and Peter Maffei living in Jersey City at 52 Orchard St at the time
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... cc=1968530
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... cc=1968530
Recap: possibly all the same family-still need to prove this through additional info
Rosa Maffei born Oct 22, 1890 married Pietro Antonio Gemma in 1910-daughter of Michele Maffei and Domenica D'Angella.
Pietro Maffei born Feb 10, 1892); died in Hudson, NJ-parents Michele Maffei and possibly Maria Domenica or Domenica Maria D”Angella)
Francesco Maffei born Nov 11, 1894; died in NJ -
Antonio Maffei born April 29, 1896 Pisticci-father- Michele Maffei
Salvatore Rocco Maffei born Nov 4, 1897, son of Michele Maffei and Domenica Maria or Maria Domenica D”Angella. Married April 8, 1923 to a Rose (have to go back for further info)
Death of Vittoria Maria Maffei (born 1900), age 19, not completed, of Michele Maffei, shoemaker, and Domenica Maria D’Angella. In house on via Novario, #49. Michele was age 57 (first declarant in this record dated-Oct 13, 1919, so he was born about 1862.*
*1862 year of birth for Michele fits with the age on the 1904 passenger list found by T.
***The only other Michele Maffei I have found in the records so far is mentioned in a 1916 death record of an Antonio Vincenzo Maffei, a daylaborer, who died at the age of 66 (so born about 1850 and possibly an older brother of the Michele Maffei born about 1862). Antonio Vincenzo Maffei’s father was a deceased Michele Maffei and his mother a deceased Carmina Greco. Antonio Vincenzo Maffei had been the husband of Maria Rosaria Andriulli.
WWII draft registration cards for Frank and Anthony Maffei, same address and same phone number
Anthony Maffei and Frank Maffei 1942 WWII cards-at same address 87 Storm Avenue, Jersey City
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... cc=1861144
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... cc=1861144
Rosa Stella Maffei born Oct 22, 1890 (Michele Maffei, the father was "impedito" and couldn’t announce the birth)-house #8 via Navario-Rosa Stella married Pietro Antonio Gemma on Sept 11, 1910 in Pisticci.
*I know that Rosa Maffei had a brother named Antonio and also a brother named Pietro. This info is from the passenger list of the two men:
Antonio Maffei is on a 1912 passenger list with Rosa’s husband Pietro Antonio Gemma-for the Sant’Anna. Gemma’s wife, Rosa Maffei, was in Pisticci. Antonio’s father, Michele Maffei, was in Pisticci. Destination in U.S. was to Pietro Maffei living at 361 Montgomery Street, in Jersey City-Antonio’s brother and Pietro Antonio Gemma’s BIL.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... cc=1368704 (images 825 and 826)
**In the 1915 census I previously gave you the link to, the Maffei family of Frank, Angelina, and Peter, were living on Montgomery Street. I think Peter’s age and year of birth are wrong in this census, and that he was Frank’s brother born in Feb of 1892.
There are WWI draft registration cards for both Antonio Maffei and Peter Maffei living in Jersey City at 52 Orchard St at the time
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... cc=1968530
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... cc=1968530
Recap: possibly all the same family-still need to prove this through additional info
Rosa Maffei born Oct 22, 1890 married Pietro Antonio Gemma in 1910-daughter of Michele Maffei and Domenica D'Angella.
Pietro Maffei born Feb 10, 1892); died in Hudson, NJ-parents Michele Maffei and possibly Maria Domenica or Domenica Maria D”Angella)
Francesco Maffei born Nov 11, 1894; died in NJ -
Antonio Maffei born April 29, 1896 Pisticci-father- Michele Maffei
Salvatore Rocco Maffei born Nov 4, 1897, son of Michele Maffei and Domenica Maria or Maria Domenica D”Angella. Married April 8, 1923 to a Rose (have to go back for further info)
Death of Vittoria Maria Maffei (born 1900), age 19, not completed, of Michele Maffei, shoemaker, and Domenica Maria D’Angella. In house on via Novario, #49. Michele was age 57 (first declarant in this record dated-Oct 13, 1919, so he was born about 1862.*
*1862 year of birth for Michele fits with the age on the 1904 passenger list found by T.
***The only other Michele Maffei I have found in the records so far is mentioned in a 1916 death record of an Antonio Vincenzo Maffei, a daylaborer, who died at the age of 66 (so born about 1850 and possibly an older brother of the Michele Maffei born about 1862). Antonio Vincenzo Maffei’s father was a deceased Michele Maffei and his mother a deceased Carmina Greco. Antonio Vincenzo Maffei had been the husband of Maria Rosaria Andriulli.
WWII draft registration cards for Frank and Anthony Maffei, same address and same phone number
Anthony Maffei and Frank Maffei 1942 WWII cards-at same address 87 Storm Avenue, Jersey City
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... cc=1861144
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... cc=1861144
Re: Frank Maffei from Potenza
some more info-another child of Michele Maffei and Domenica Maria D"Angella named Giuseppe Maffei
Birth of Giuseppe Maffei-to Michele Maffei, age 41, a calzolaio (shoemaker) and Domenica Maria D’Angella in the house at #47 via Novario on 23rd of Jan 1903. Michele was the declarant on this record.
*again Michele’s age is consistent with an 1862 birth year.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... cat=464063
Death of Giuseppe Maffei (record #67)
Giuseppe died at age3 years and 4 months in the house at #8 via Sterbini on May 22, 1906 at 6:11 P.M. Michele was a declarant on the record, so was in Pisticci at the time
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... cat=464063
* I looked online to see if there was an email address for the town of Pisticci that we could use to inquire about the names of the parents of Frank born in 1894. Unfortunately, the only email address I have found is for official government business and won't work. I honestly believe that Michele Maffei and Domenica Maria D'Angella were Frank's parents, but we need to confirm this info and, unfortunately, the birth records prior to 1901 are not accessible online.
Birth of Giuseppe Maffei-to Michele Maffei, age 41, a calzolaio (shoemaker) and Domenica Maria D’Angella in the house at #47 via Novario on 23rd of Jan 1903. Michele was the declarant on this record.
*again Michele’s age is consistent with an 1862 birth year.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... cat=464063
Death of Giuseppe Maffei (record #67)
Giuseppe died at age3 years and 4 months in the house at #8 via Sterbini on May 22, 1906 at 6:11 P.M. Michele was a declarant on the record, so was in Pisticci at the time
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... cat=464063
* I looked online to see if there was an email address for the town of Pisticci that we could use to inquire about the names of the parents of Frank born in 1894. Unfortunately, the only email address I have found is for official government business and won't work. I honestly believe that Michele Maffei and Domenica Maria D'Angella were Frank's parents, but we need to confirm this info and, unfortunately, the birth records prior to 1901 are not accessible online.
Re: Frank Maffei from Potenza
Thank you so much for all this info erudita, I was able to make many connections in the family with this information!
Re: Frank Maffei from Potenza
Happy to help. You're very welcome.tom.pepe wrote: 13 Jul 2018, 03:10 Thank you so much for all this info erudita, I was able to make many connections in the family with this information!
Erudita