Antonio “Tony” Serrao was born in the hilltop village of Maida, Catanzaro, Italy, to Victoria Morasco and Domenico Serrao. Maida is located in the foot of southern Italy. His birth date is not certain. We have found documentation that states June 1889, others that claim July 15, 1888. It appears that July 15, 1888 was used throughout most of his life, though.
In 1905 Antonio made his way to Naples, Italy and boarded the S.S. Citta Di Torino for his journey to the USA. Tony traveled with two other 18 year old young men from Maida, but the other two went different directions after processing at Ellis Island. He had $10 in his pocket and was headed to Philadelphia to meet up with his uncle Domenico Morasco, who paid for his trip. It is unclear what he did or how long he stayed in the USA.
S.S. Citta Di Torino
Meanwhile, in Preci, Italy on January 28, 1898, Genegilda “Mary” Sgriccia was born to Ascanio Sgriccia and Venanza Arcangeli. She was their fifth child and second daughter. We do not know much about her younger years, except that the family survived WWI. In August of 1922, Mary and her younger brother Enrico (Henry) traveled to Naples to board the S.S. Taormina to sail to America and then on to Clymer, PA.
S.S. Taormina
Perhaps this is Mary’s passport photo – 1922 – 24 years old.
According to his WWI Draft Registration card, Antonio had spent 3 years in the Italian Army. We doubt he accomplished this before he was 17 and his first visit to the USA. So, we are pretty certain that he returned to Italy to join the Italian Army. (We know that Cherubino returned to Italy for his mandatory military service. So this practice was not uncommon for Italians.) It is unclear exactly when Tony returned to the USA, but by 1914 he was in Clymer, PA and working for Clymer Brick & Fire Clay Company. Clymer Brick was bought by Hiram Swank & Sons. Tony would eventually work there for over 36 years.
Sometime between 1922 and 1925, Tony and Mary met, fell in love and married in February 1926. Their courtship must have been tough – Mary’s four brothers probably followed them very closely.
Married February 8, 1926
Tony and Mary had four children: Victoria (1928), Anthony (1929), Henrietta Rita (1934) and Frances (1941). They have three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Tony died October 25, 1950. Mary died on November 15, 1991. They lived in Clymer the entire time, many years on Franklin Street and then moving to Morris Street.
My mother, Evelyn (Rowlett) Sgriccia and everyone’s favorite aunt – Aunt Mary.
Picture taken about 1998.
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Sgriccia 