Finding the Home Town of my Great Grandparents - Salvatore Schifano and Maria Pomello
Hello! I'm trying to locate the home town of my great grand parents who came from Sicily through Ellis Island.
I've attached the documents I have, which Google will not translate for me for some reason.
I believe they are both from Caltanissetta, Sicily, but want to be 100% sure since I am traveling there this summer. I also would love to find a home address of where they used to live within this region.
Hoping for some help. Please let me know if more documents or what else I can do. Thank you!
Answers
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First doc is an extract of a birth record from Scilla, in Reggio Calabria province, for Benedetta Polistena, born 3 May 1888. Parents Antonino Camillo Polistena, 48, fisherman, and Giovanna Romano. No. 118, top left: https://antenati.cultura.gov.it/ark:/12657/an_ua16601253/LDrpZPE
Second doc is an extract of a birth record from Mussomeli, in Caltanissetta province, for Maria Pomello. She was a foundling (abandoned at birth, parents unknown), found in the ruota (foundling wheel) on 10 May 1891. Middle of the page: https://antenati.cultura.gov.it/ark:/12657/an_ud18588938
The third doc says Salvatore Schifano son of Salvatore was born in Mussomeli on 18 Jan 1885. Here is his birth record. Parents are Salvatore Schifano, age 26, peasant, and his wife Maria Giannino. No address for the parents on the birth record. Top: https://antenati.cultura.gov.it/ark:/12657/an_ud18585634
The New York marriage certificate is for two people born in Scilla, Reggio Calabria (Antonino Moretllite and Benedetta Polistena).
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Salvatore and Maria married in Mussomeli on 7 May 1909: https://antenati.cultura.gov.it/ark:/12657/an_ua18562551/wby7m73
Here's the church marriage (upper left) on 8 May 1909: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS86-HZ48?i=427&cat=730190
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Salvatore's 1910 arrival says Maria was living in Mussomeli at #31 Cortile Catrona(?): https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9T3-R9XB-P?i=563&cc=1368704&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AJJN7-WMJ
Maria's 1912 arrival with her 2-year old daughter Maria doesn't list anyone back in Mussomeli: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9T4-QSQF-1?i=91&cc=1368704
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Maria was born 10 Mar 1910, baptized 13 Mar, upper right: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS8D-X9H6-T?i=719&cat=730190
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cousin vinny - thank you!
in this doc: Salvatore and Maria married in Mussomeli on 7 May 1909: https://antenati.cultura.gov.it/ark:/12657/an_ua18562551/wby7m73
Can you make out where they got married? In a church or a municipal building?
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Salvatore's 1910 arrival says Maria was living in Mussomeli at #31 Cortile Catrona(?): https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9T3-R9XB-P?i=563&cc=1368704&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AJJN7-WMJ
I cannot find #31 Cortile Catrona on a map in Mussomeli... could the street names have changed?
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That doc is a civil marriage record, it took place at the comune hall. Church marriages were separate events at the time. So they had a civil marriage in the comune hall on 7 May (first link) and a church marriage on 8 May (second link). The church marriage was at the parish church of San Giovanni Battista.
As far as the street names, yes very likely to change names since 1910. You would need to consult a local historial or the comune offices.
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