Notes from Grandmother Venanza

We have translated two more notes from Venanza Arcangeli (the mother of the Sgriccia brothers and sisters). She is my great-grandmother and probably yours, too – or you can add or subtract a “great”. The first is a prayer card to Anna Sgriccia.

prayer card prayer card back

On the front: “To my dear Anna”. On the back: “Take care of you and all the family. Your affectionate grandmother Venanza”.

One thing I have noticed while trying to translate and understand all these cards, notes and letters is that they are not dated. We can establish a window of time. For instance, Cherubino, Augusta and Anna arrived in the USA in October 1919. We know that Venanza died in 1937 and Augusta died in November 1940. So, I would date the card above between 1924 and 1937. A very large window.

I wish we could date this next card.

To Augusta from Venanza

“For Augusta Sgriccia. U.S.A.” “I remember your mother Maria. With affection your mother Venanza”.

Well, I am guessing here, but I think that Venanza wrote this after Augusta’s mother (Maria) died. We do not know when Maria died, I had hoped that a letter like this would help, but it is not dated.

Here is the front of the postcard used for the above message.

Preci Church interior

Preci, Italy. Interior of the Church. The Church of Santa Maria.

An incredibly ornate church in the early 1900s. Devastated by at least three major earthquakes in the last 100 years. Coupled with population loss and lack of funds for upkeep, it has lost a lot of its beauty, but it is still very unique. We visited the church first in 2007. It is used on a daily basis. In fact, the 6:45 a.m. bell ringing, calling people to mass, was about 300 feet from our hotel window. No sleeping in late in Preci.

The church contains many frescoes that they were trying to restore. Someday, we hope we can visit the village and the church again.

. . . . . . . . .

BTW – Dear Readers: I see by the amount of viewers of the Photobomb or Selfie post that you guys really like the old photos. Please, email me any old photos that you have. I could use more from the other branches of the Sgriccia Family Tree. My supply is limited.

Photobomb or Selfie?

Uncovered this photo and I just had to share it. It is a full size “press” photo 8 x 10. I find it funny because only one guy is looking at the camera. Photobomb or Selfie?

1950 shuffle board league

On the back is written: “The Old Gang at the “C S” Restaurant. 73 Franklin Street, Clymer, PA. 1950. C.S. Shuffleboard Teams”.

The one guy looking at the camera is, of course, C.S. – Cherubino Sgriccia – Bar Owner.

I do not recognize anyone else in the photo. Of course, in 1950, I was only 2 years old and I did not grow up in Clymer.

Twins

The Sgriccia Family Tree that I have developed at Ancestry.com has approximately 750 people listed. Out of all those, I only know of one set of twins – daughters of The Sgriccia Brothers youngest sister: Liberata.

98360014

~~Left to right: Rosetta, Adriana, Liberata and Wanda Antonelli.~~

April 27, 2019. CORRECTION. Left to right: Luciana B-1927, Adriana B-1933, Liberata B-1904 D-1986, Wanda B-1928 D-2009. Rosetta is not in the picture.

Liberata had four girls and then two boys: Carlo B-1935 & Guido B-1940 D-2016.

The twins are Rosetta and Adriana. Born in 1933. Today they live in the same apartment building in Livorno, Italy. Each married. Rosetta has one son; Adriana has one daughter and one son.

Does anyone know of other twins?

Antonio Serrao & Mary Sgriccia – A Brief Bio

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.

citta_di_torino

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.

Taormina

S.S. Taormina

mary

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.

wedding

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.

wmary2 tony 2

ev and mary2

My mother, Evelyn (Rowlett) Sgriccia and everyone’s favorite aunt – Aunt Mary.

Picture taken about 1998.

++++++++++++++++++++++

Do you have anything to add to this story? Any pictures to add?

Do you have a request for another “Brief Bio” on someone?

Buona Pasqua

Our trip to Italy in 2011 gave Nina & I an emotionally uplifting and terror filled experience – an Italian Family Easter Dinner. We were invited to join our Livorno cousins at the ancestral home of Liberata Sgriccia, the youngest of the seven Sgriccia children. This was the house where Liberata first lived after she married Armando Antonelli in about 1920. The house is in the small village of Sant’ Angelo – about 15 miles south of Preci and 15 miles north of Norcia.

98360017

The Antonelli House in Sant’ Angelo – circa 1940. Adriana and Carlo Antonelli and their grandparents – the parents of Armando Antonelli.

At some point in time, Liberata, Armando and their children moved north to Livorno, Italy (on the northwest coast of Italy near Pisa). They had a total of six children – all still live in Livorno today. Counting the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren – I would guess that we have about 40+ “cousins” in the Livorno area. The family retained the old house in Sant’ Angelo and renovated it to be used as a summer “get away”. It contains a very large kitchen/dining room – an Italian tradition for large family gatherings. The house also has many bedrooms for numerous family members to visit.

On this Easter Sunday in 2011 we met Uncle Piero and Uncle Guido in Preci. They showed us what they believe is the original Sgriccia family home in Preci and Venanza’s grave at the cemetery.

Believed to be the Sgriccia Family house in Preci from 1880 until 1935.

Then we followed them to the house in Sant’ Angelo.

Their house is the tan house on the left with the 3 or 4 windows.

The kitchen was in full swing with Uncle Carlo roasting a pig using an open fire and the aunts preparing countless other dishes. The house was full – most of the people we had met, many more we had not. One of the funniest memories was the younger people hanging out the window trying desperately to get internet service!

My lack of skill with the Italian language coupled with 20+ people talking at once (not to mention the football match on TV) led to a nervous and sometimes total vacuum on what the heck was going on.

ad9a

On the right: Nina, Piero and Adriana

In short, the meal was great. The people better. Overall it reminded me of an American family gathering at Thanksgiving – with football on the telly. An experience we will not soon forget.

Unfortunately, the year 2016 saw one of the worst earthquakes in the area. Preci, Norcia and many other towns and villages are having a very difficult time rebuilding. The family house in Sant’ Angelo is still not usable in 2019.

earthquake 1

The front of the house is saved, but the side and rear are destroyed.

earthquake 2

The above two pictures thanks to Google Maps

back

The rear of the house. The window on the second floor where the boys were trying to connect to the internet is gone. The kitchen exposed to the elements.

Happy Easter to all of you…and, please, turn down the TV.

What “cards”? Which “Mr. Sgriccia”?

I found this little classified ad in the September 14, 1939 issue of The Indiana Gazette. Page 27 of 31.

The_Indiana_Gazette_Thu__Sep_14__1939_

It raises many questions. Who? What? and Why?

In 1939 in Clymer, PA there were a number of men that could be called “Mr. Sgriccia”. Nine by my count.

UPDATE: Readers are identifying H.J. Dunegan as a dentist in Clymer.

World War I Draft Registration

At the time of World War I, the US Army was small compared with the mobilized armies of the European powers. As late as 1914, the Regular Army had under 100,000 men. The National Defense Act of 1916 authorized the growth of the Army to 165,000, but by 1917 the Army had only expanded to around 121,000.

By 1916, it had become clear that any participation by the United States in the conflict in Europe would require a far larger army. While President Wilson at first wished to use only volunteer troops, it soon became clear that this would be impossible. When war was declared, Wilson asked for the Army to increase to a force of one million. But by six weeks after war was declared, only 73,000 men had volunteered for service. Wilson accepted the recommendation of Secretary of War for a draft.

On May 18, 1917, the Selective Service Act was passed authorizing the President to increase temporarily the military establishment of the United States. The Selective Service System, under the office of the Provost Marshal General, was responsible for the process of selecting men for induction into the military service, from the initial registration to the actual delivery of men to military training camps.

During World War I there were three registrations.

The first, on June 5, 1917, was for all men between the ages of 21 and 30.
The second, on June 5, 1918, registered those who attained age 21 after June 5, 1917.
A supplemental registration, included in the second registration, was held on August 24, 1918, for those becoming 21 years old after June 5, 1918.
The third registration was held on September 12, 1918, for men age 18 through 45.

Copies of these registration cards can be found on many web sites on the internet. I personally find them one of the most interesting bits of information about our ancestors. They are a true “snap-shot” of personal information on a particular day in their lives. Most cards were filled out by the person not a stranger.

Ship Passenger information when an immigrant arrived at Ellis Island was written by a stranger who may not have understood the language of the person entering the country. Misspelled names, towns and other information ran rampant.

US Census forms were filled out by strangers relying on the information supplied by one person in the household. The informant may have been a 14 year old son or daughter who only guessed at information about their parents or other household members.

The registration cards contain detailed information about the person that can help genealogists determine correct birth dates, birth towns, occupations, etc.

Have you ever wondered what color eyes your grandfather had? How much he weighed? How tall he was….etc? Below I have printed the WWI Registration cards for many of our ancestors. If you do not see someone, please let me know and I will try to locate their card and add it to the list.

Remember, you can right-click on any image to download it to your computer and then you can enlarge, crop, print and store the image. There are two images for each person – front and back of their card.

In no particular order:

Wm Piccioni frt Wm Piccioni back

Tony Serrao frt Tony Serrao back

Romeo Foresi frt Romeo Foresi back

Mariano Sgriccia frt Mariano Sgriccia back

Joe foresi frt Joe Foresi back

Giuseppe Bianco frt Giuseppe Bianco back

Gaspare Zaffutto frt Gaspare Zaffutto back

Domenik Bonarrigo frt Domenik Bonarrigo back

Cherubino Sgriccia frt Cherubino Sgriccia bck

Antonio Sgriccia frt Antonio Sgriccia back

Andrew Seamn frt Andrew Seman back

WWII Draft Registration Card database also exist. We shall publish those in the future.

Ciao

Hard Work but We Get New Information

Trying to translate these old postcards and letters is driving me crazy. But, I am also uncovering new family members and a few new mysteries. Here we will show you six postcards.

Anerio card to Ann

Simple and straight forward. To Anna Sgriccia (1914-2003) from Anerio Petrini (1922-1979). “Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas. From your cousin.” Anerio is the son of Francesca; she is Cherubino’s oldest sister. I sent a copy of this card to Francesca’s grandson, my second cousin, Davide Petrini, in Tarquinia, Italy for conformation. He confirmed that this is from his father. We are guessing it was written in about 1935.

Antonio from Mother Antonio from Mother back

A very pretty and delicate holy card. “My dear son Antonio. …of taking care of your year and good time for you. Mother.” Simple: from Venanza to Antonio Sgriccia. A word of encouragement from home and his mother.

From Matilde Foresi

Here is where the confusion starts. First this card is not addressed to anyone. On the right side it reads: “Remembering affectionately and sending best wishes. Your cousin Matilde Foresi”.

The left side reads: “Greeting from all of us to all of you. The mother Matilde”.

A cousin and a mother?? First of all we have never had a Matilde Foresi in our tree. If she is Ann’s cousin then I think I know where she fits into the tree. But, not mother and cousin at the same time.

The mother of the two Foresi brothers in Clymer in the 1920s to 30s was Emma Arcangeli…for sure. Matilde must have been their sister. The next adds to the mystery…

Memorial card Matilde Foresi

This item appears to be a Memorial mass card. The church is the Parish of St. Maria in Preci. It is Sunday May 30, 1926. Five names below…including: Matilde Foresi. Her brothers were born in 1893 and 1899. I am assuming she is younger…so let’s say she was born in 1901 or 1902. She apparently died at an age of less than 25 or 26. So, this card is not contradictory, but the “cousin vs. mother” in the last card is still very confusing.

One thing these last two cards accomplish is to solidify the connection between the Sgriccia family and the Foresi family.

Ascanio postcard from Conti

Another mystery. The card is addressed from Rome to Preci. To Ascanio Sgriccia. 3 Feb 1930. But above Ascanio’s name it says: “For Anna from her grandmother”. Anna has two grandmothers: Venanza Arcangeli and Maria Rosa Piermattei (married to Vincenzo Cordella). So, signed by Maria is close – but not Conti. And who is Ersilia?

On the left side it simply says: “Rome, 3 Feb 1930. Cordial greetings.” And it is signed by Maria Conti (or perhaps Cinti) & Erselia. These are unrecognized people as how they are related to the Sgriccia Family Tree.

from Antonia Messi

A very hard postcard to interpret. The writing goes around and around…. Here is what we got… “To Anna Sgriccia” “Dear niece…your sixth year and I don’t want to miss it. Your wishes…best to your mother and father and to your little brothers (this would be Vince and Mario). …Antonio and Lucia and Mariano… Kiss the children…kisses to Vitoria (who is Vitoria? A girl.) and kisses to Midico (?). signed: “your aunt Antonia Messi”.

If this card is about 1920 it makes sense. Aunt Lucy and Uncle Marian are just married, Uncle Tony is not. The biggest news is that this is a new person…Antonia Messi.

I have often felt that the Sgriccia family is related to the Messi family. This sorta proves it. I have theorized that Ascanio had a sister (unnamed) who married a Messi in Preci. They had two boys – Domenico Messi and AgosItino Messi. Both boys traveled to the USA and worked in coal mines in PA or WVa. But, I do not think either stayed in the USA more than a few years. This new person – Antonia – would be their sister. A new connection in the overall Family Tree.

So, now you can see how difficult this is to translate and comprehend…but the rewards are the new discoveries in the family tree.

I have been asked how I find the time to do this…well, this week we have been Up North at the lake house north of Elk Rapids, Michigan. Though sunny, it is still cold and lots of snow on the ground. So, I am not able to do much outside.

Ciao – until next time. BTW – I like the way this blog is growing in content. I appreciate the positive feedback from you – dear readers. But, I would like to see more family members sign-up to receive the notifications and read the blog. The more family readers we have…the more feedback…the more we all learn. Try to get someone to sign up. Some more distant cousins. Spread the word. Thanks.

The New Littlest Angels

The other day we talked about the Archangels connection; my Great-great-grandparents: Antonio & Liberata Arcangeli. They now have two new great-great-great-great-granddaughters.

My two little sisters are now grandmothers.

We welcome Ellie born March 19, 2019 and Meadow born March 20, 2019.

Ellie Lynn March 19, 2019 Meadow March 20, 2019

A bunch of pictures

I am still trying to translate some letters and postcards. Very slow going. I decided to scan a bunch of photos and paste them here for your enjoyment and give you the opportunity to download them.

I need help…some people are unidentified. Let’s start with an old picture of Clymer. I am not sure what we are looking at. I see a line pointing down to an ‘x’ – anyone know who’s house is being highlighted?

The original Sgriccia Brothers – L-R – Cherubino, Mariano, Antonio and Enrico about 1923

L-R Lucia Lillian Patrcia & Maria 'Oda' (Carsetti) Sgriccia

1940 L-R Lucia, Lillian, Patricia and Maria “Oda” (Carsetti) Sgriccia

truck and kids

Unknown. Please help. About 1940s

C. Dishong (?) and Aunt Irene R. (Seman) Sgriccia. Uncle Henry on the right.

Not sure what year. Wedding photos? About 1919.

The first batch of Clymer Sgriccia cousins. Help needed….

Standing L-R: Marcia (Chapman) Sgriccia, Rita (Stasky) Sgriccia, Mario, Vincent, Samuel Sgriccia

Sitting: Anthony & Victoria Serrao, Joe Sgriccia

If you have any photos that you would like to share, please email them to me. Ciao.

Descended from the Angels

You have all seen the TV ads for Ancestry.Com where a new member just starting their family tree discovers they are related to George Washington or descendants of the Mayflower or whatever. Well, trust me, we have them beat. We are all descendants of the Angels or more accurately the Archangels.

The Sgriccia brothers and sister who immigrated to the U.S.A. left behind two sisters and their parents. The oldest sister, Francesca, married Eliseo Petrini and eventually moved to Tarquinia, Italy – where we have cousins today. The youngest sister, Liberata, married Armando Antonelli and they moved to Livorno – where we also have cousins. We will write more about those families in the future.

The parents – Ascanio (1856 – 1938) and Venanza (1862 – 1937) stayed in Preci, Italy until they died. In December 1936 Venanza had applied for, and received, her passport. She planned to travel to America to visit her children in the spring of 1937. Unfortunately, she died suddenly January 16, 1937.

A&V

Ascanio Sgriccia and Venanza Arcangeli

Venanza’s parents were Antonio Arcangeli and Liberata Viola. Arcangeli is Italian for Archangels. So, you thought you were cool being a Screechie, huh. Well, now you can be considered Super Cool and an Angel.

The Arcangeli’s had other daughters. This means that we have many more cousins than we had thought. One daughter married a Piccioni and one of the Piccioni sons moved to the USA. Another daughter, Ermengilda (Emma), married Ottavio Foresi. Two of their sons, Romolo (Romeo) and Giuseppe (Joe), moved to Clymer and lived with Mariano and Cherubino for awhile. Eventually the two of them moved to Detroit and raised families.

The third son, Antonio, moved to Orvieto, Italy and opened a wine bar. The Cantina Foresi (http://www.cantinaforesi.it/eng/) is in the shadow of the Orvieto Duomo. If you have been to Orvieto you have walked right passed the Cantina. Today it is owned and operated by his grandson, Allessandro Foresi. Allessandro is my third cousin. More stories on the Foresi family later.

In 1993 we made our first trip to Italy. While prepping for the trip I was hoping we could meet some of our relatives in Italy. I contacted Uncle Vince since I knew he had been there once or twice. He told me to contact his cousin Adriana Antonelli, daughter of Liberata Sgriccia. I typed a letter in English. Ran it through a translation program I found on-line (this was before Google Translate) and sent both to Italy. A couple weeks later I received a reply in English – Wow! They speak English! A few days before we left Rome for Livorno I called them to let them know which train we would be arriving on. They only spoke Italian!! Oops.

Thoughts of the Chevy Chase movie – European Vacation – and the visit he had at the wrong house in Germany began to play over and over in my mind. Long story short – at Adriana’s house on a wall in a large antique bubble glass frame I saw this picture:

A&V oval

Please imagine the above photo as oval shaped and in an antique frame. Point is: their picture though cropped was the same picture I had owned.

My fears abated. We had a marvelous 4 day visit.

Sgriccia Sign Update

While rummaging through an old file of family “stuff” I found this photo:

Store 1934

The SGRICCIA’S sign in front, between the windows, looks like it could have been the one we talked about in an earlier post. The photo can be dated between 1933 and 1935. I think the car is a 1933 Plymouth. Secondly, the “Blue Eagle-NRA” sign in the window dates from 1933-1935. The only years that the National Recovery Administration existed.

As a kid I remember sleeping in one of the front bedrooms upstairs. Of course, the business by then was the C&S Bar/Restaurant. Below is the same building in August 2018 – thanks to Google Maps.

store 2018 (2)

And for fun, here is a newspaper advertisement from March 1933. I would be in heaven: 19 cents for 2 lbs of peanut butter. In the words of Homer Simpson: “Mmm… Peanut Butter”.

The_Indiana_Gazette_Thu__Mar_9__1933_

Maria Rosa Piermattei

I took all the items out of Aunt Ann’s tin box and sorted them by the person that appeared to have written them. One big disappointment is that none of the items are dated. Neither are they postmarked. It seems has though the Italian relatives put a large envelope together to ship a bunch of things to the family in Clymer.

Two postcards appear to be from Maria Rosa Piermattei – Augusta’s mother – Ann’s grandmother. Here is the first card.

card 1 frt card 1

All’ Signorina – To the young lady – Anna Sgriccia

Via curo tante buone e belle case per il vostro o nomo tuo e compleannoali anno dalla vostra Nonna Maria

We care a lot. Good and beautiful things for you and your name and birthday year from year. Your Grandmother Maria.

Well, that did not translate real well. Primarily because I have trouble reading the handwriting. But, it is obviously a birthday card and well wishes from grandmother Maria to Ann.

The second card:

card 2 frt card 2

Per Anna Sgriccia. For Anna Sgriccia.

Per la tuo festa. Gli owy un liu fesvid- e mi cui baci affett. Tuo zio Mario.

For your party. ?something, something? and me and kisses affection. Your uncle Mario.

What? This is not from Maria. Who is Uncle Mario? This is definitely another birthday card. But, I had never heard about an “Uncle Mario”…we have no information about Augusta having a brother. In Augusta’s obituary there was mention of a sister in Italy, but this is new family information.

It now appears to me that Uncle Vincent G. Sgriccia was named after Auguta’s father (Vingenzo Cordella) and that Uncle Mario T. Sgriccia was named after Augusta’s brother (Mario Cordella). Hhhmm… perhaps we will uncover a Salvatore.

This tin box is starting to give me headaches and we have only just begun. Next I will try to translate a longer letter from her paternal grandmother.

The Ciamarra-Sgriccia Family

Our first Italian ancestors who came to America found jobs in the coal mines. Giusto, Cherubino, Mariano and Antonio all worked in the coal mines near Connellsville, Dubois and Clymer, PA. Other Italian immigrants found work in the coal mines of West Virginia and others in the copper mines in the upper peninsula of Michigan.

Today in the upper peninsula of Michigan we find many families named SGRECCIA. We will save their story for another day. Today we will talk about Marianna Sgriccia (30) and her three sons – Carlo (13), Luigi (10) and Domenico (7). They arrived in the US on May 2, 1909. But the story begins earlier.

Enrico Ciamarra was born 15 May 1865 in Spoleto, Italy. North of Spoleto the village of Preci is only 25 miles and Norcia is 25 miles to the east. Both of these villages had Sgriccia families living in or nearby in the late 1800s. In about 1884 Enrico married Marianna Sgriccia (B-1879). Her father was Venanzio Sgriccia, he lived in Spoleto. The couple had three sons: Carlo in 1886, Luigi in 1889 and Domenico in 1902.

In late December 1902 Enrico traveled to the United States and then to the coal mines in Marion County West Virginia about 100 miles south of Pittsburgh. We do not know why Enrico went to Marion County, but we can assume he knew others who had traveled from Italy to West Virginia before him.

By 1909 he had saved enough money for his wife and three boys to travel to America. They sailed from Naples on April 19, 1909 on the S.S. Hamburg arriving at Ellis Island on May 2^nd. They were detained on Ellis Island for one day until arrangements could be made with an Italian assistance group at a New York city church to pick them up and care for them until they could travel. At some point Enrico retrieved his family and they all traveled to West Virginia.

A year later their first daughter – Julia – was born. The family lived near Morgantown, West Virginia until 1915 when they moved about 50 miles east to Masontown WV. Here three more children were born: Angelina (1916) and the twins: Riziero and Nazzareno (1918).

We lose track of the family from 1920 to 1930. It would appear that all but Domenico have moved back to Italy. Domenico had married; had a daughter and moved to Baltimore. He left the mines and is now a tailor.

The family is partially reunited when Rizerio and Nazzareno move back to the USA in 1935 and 36. Angelina moves back the USA in 1937. Each of them marries and has 3 or 4 children.

Today the Ciamarra family has spread throughout Maryland, New Jersey and Delaware. As far as we can determine no one in the family has taken an ancestry.com DNA test. If they do, I think there is a high probability of a connection between our families. The DNA tests at ancestry.com have proven connections between our Sgriccia family and other families living in the U.S. whose family roots are in Italy – the Foresi family and the Amici family. We shall tell those stories in time.

The Unknown Soldiers

Out of Aunt Ann’s tin we found three picture postcards of Italian soldiers.

Aldo Amerigo anonimo

Aldo, Amerigo and Vuoto

Aldo back Amerigo back

The third card was blank. The card of the left: “Con affetto alla came zio e tutti. Aldo” – “With affection to uncle and all. Aldo”. If the word “zio” is actually “zia” then this would mean he was writing to his aunt. The other: “Tuo nipote. Amerigo.” – “Your nephew. Amerigo”. Apparently, Vuoto was not big on writing.

Printed on Aldo’s card is: “Premiata Fotografia, Valentino Jacob, Via Piave N. 3, Vicino Cinema Cecchini. Udine.” The photographer’s studio is locate on Piave Street near the movie theater in Udine.

From this I am assuming it was easy to find the movie house. Secondly, searching around Udine today I have found a number of Military installations.

Are they brothers? Probably.

Aldo face Amerigo face anonimo face

Zooming in on the photos and looking at details: Aldo is an officer in the artillery, married and has a fancy watch. Amerigo I think is an enlisted man, his uniform a little rumpled and I am guessing his military outfit is a motorized unit. Vuoto also seems to be an officer; his uniform and hat is totally different from the first two. I could not find a source on the internet that helped to identify their military units, their ranks or possible time-frame. I think it is obvious these pictures were taken after WWI and before WWII…so, 1920 – 1940. Let’s guess that their ages range from 18 – 25. Which would put their birth years between 1895 – 1922.

I have sent copies of these pictures to our cousins in Italy…the Antonelli family in Livorno (these are the descendants of Liberata – the youngest sister to the Sgriccia brothers) and the Petrini family in Tarquina (descendants of Francesca – the oldest sister of the Sgriccia brothers). No one recognized these gentlemen.

If any of you have ideas please send them my way. If you would like to do more research to find more clues…go for it.

If these guys are not Sgriccia family and they were in Ann’s mementos: until we get new info, I am guessing these fellows are brothers; they are from the Cordella family and nephews to Cherubino Sgriccia & Augusta Cordella; sons of a sibling to Augusta back in Italy. The only knowledge I have of a sibling of Augusta is the possibility of a sister…no name, no more information.

Bottom line: These three photos bring up more questions than they answer.

BTW – Vuoto is Italian for unknown. Not his real name – I do not know the name of the third soldier – so, I have tried to make a joke.

PS – We made an addition to the end of post #1 thanks to reader input. You should go back and see the changes.

Sgriccia Family Tree Blog

Thanks for joining me! The plan for this blog is to share information, photographs, stories and biographies connected to the Sgriccia Family Tree. We will also explore our connection to other families in Italy, in the USA and other parts of the world.

I recently acquired from cousin William Sgriccia a tin can full of old photos and memorabilia that had belonged to Aunt Anna Sgriccia. Most of the items appear to be sent from Italy. The handwriting on many items is difficult to read and harder to translate. I have made some progress on a few items and I felt that I needed a method to share or store the knowledge with all who may be interested. I will start posting my findings in the next blog.

Please send your comments, questions, ideas or items you would like to share. Secondly, I hope you share this webpage with others in the Famiglia. I encourage you to sign up to Follow this blog – look on the right side of this page and click-on the FOLLOW button. That way you will receive an email each time we post a new article.

Additional tools on the right side of the home page is a Search box; a Categories list (here you can find a topic that has been discussed); an Archive of past blogs; and Recent Comments.

Our first blog will start with a Sign-of-the-Times. The first picture is Mario Thomas Sgriccia in Clymer, PA – June 1977. The sign was mounted on the back of the pool house at Cherubino’s Christmas Tree Farm or more commonly known as The Farm. I wonder if anyone saved the sign. Perhaps one of our cousins in Clymer can answer that question.

Was this the sign used on the old Sgriccia’s Market? Here is a photo from 1947.

It does not appear to be the same sign, but perhaps, a re-creation.

Until next time, thanks for stopping by.

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UPDATE: 3/9/2019 – Information received from cousin Tom in Clymer, PA. He thinks the sign at The Farm have been located on the side of the building. Secondly he supplied the names of the people in the above photo:

From left to right: Cherubino Sgriccia, John Myers (worker), Vincent Sgriccia, Joe Sgriccia, Henry Sgriccia, Marion Sgriccia, Victoria Serrao, Jane Zaffuto, Jim Morabito (worker) Bill Kopzyck (worker), and the rest are salesman from the Swift company.