The birth records from Italy arrived in the mail several weeks ago and probably leave more questions than answers, but I was excited to receive them.
Birth Record for Gregorio Vincenzo Mannina, born August 14, 1892. [Film #2015713 Entry #159] (this date is closer to the December 19, 1894 date that is listed on my great-grandfather's world war II draft registration card). 2 possibilities come to mind, either this record is not my great-grandfather or he deliberately gave a different birth date.
The birth was reported on August 18, 1892, to Gaspare Cavalia, an official of Sambuca by Giuseppe Mannina.
Giuseppe Mannina, age 38 living at V. Oddo #10, a shoe maker, reports that on August 14, 1892 his wife Calogera Mandina, gave birth to a male child, who will go by the name Gregorio Vincenzo. (none of the documents that I have seen for my great grandfather include the middle name Vincenzo, however he named one of his sons James Vincent, so this leads me to think that it could be him.
The birth was witnessed by Giuseppe Vaccaro age 46, and Felice Ferrara age 35.
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Birth record for Giuseppe Mannina born July 20, 1865. [ Film #2015655 Entry #195] (No one in the family that I have spoken to knew the name of Gregorio's father. However, Gregorio named his youngest son Joseph, the English equivalent of Giuseppe, so this makes me lean toward thinking I have the right records)
The birth was reported on July 21, 1865, to Giuseppe Mangiaracina, an official of Sambuca by Paolo Mannina.
Paolo Mannina, age 45, a shoemaker, reports that on July 20, 1865 his wife Antonina Bivona, age 30, gave birth to a male child, who will go by the name of Giuseppe.
The birth was witnessed by Calogero Armato, age 57, a farmer who lives in Sambuca and Giuseppe Armato age 37, a farmer.
In the church of Sambuca
Recorded on July 31, 1865
The baby named Giuseppe Mannina born on July 20, 1865 was baptized on July 21, 1865.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Gregorio Mannina/Mannino documents
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| Line 24 shows Gregorio Mannina |
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| see line 24 |
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| US Naturalization Certificate |
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| World War II Draft Registration |
Friday, July 22, 2011
Gregorio Mannina
Mystery surrounds the arrival of my great-grandfather, Gregorio Mannino to America. Several family members have searched throughout the years and have had no luck in locating any records.
I recently searched on the Ellis Island website and happened to find a record for a "Gregorio Mammima" - Upon closer look whoever typed in the name made a mistake and the name is actually "Mannina".
The ship name is the Patria and it arrived to Ellis Island on September 21, 1921. The Gregorio Mannina on board was born in Sambuca, Sicily, was approximately 18 years old, occupation shoemaker, nearest relative in Italy was father Giusseppe Mannina, had $25 to his name, and was headed to Brooklyn where his brother, Paolo Mannina lived at 348 Smith Street. He had a scar on the left eyebrow, was 5ft 4inches tall, with a rosy complexion and chestnut hair. This was his first trip to America and planned to stay forever.
Several elements to this record seem to indicate that this was my great-grandfather however other facts seem to contradict the stories I have heard about him.
My understanding from family stories is that my great grandfather came to America to avenge the death of his father who was shot by an acquaintance who afterward fled to America. If this is true then I wonder why the record indicates that his closest relative was his father.
I know that my great grandfather's children were born in Illinois. My grandfather was born in Rockford, Illinois. I found a connection between Sambuca, Sicily and Rockford, Illinois - this gives me hope that the man who arrived aboard the Patria in 1921 was my great grandfather.
I have a naturalization record for my great-grandfather that indicates he was 52 years old in 1945 which would place his birth year around 1893 where the man on the Patria was around 18 years old in 1921 placing the birth year at 1903. A 10 year time span is really not that much considering that record keeping was not as precise, there were language barriers and not everyone had birth certificates.
Just below the line in the ship record for Gregorio Mannina is a man named "Vincenzo Fontana" who was headed to Alabama to visit his brother, Antonio Fontana. My grandfather married a woman named "Vincenza Fontana" who definitely had a brother named "Antonio Fontana". I dont know anything about a connection to Alabama - but it seems like an interesting coincidence. The man on the ship named "Vincenzo Fontana" was deported back to Italy due to bad health.
My great-grandfather's first son was born in 1922 - this could match up well with the date of the arrival of the ship in 1921.
I am awaiting the arrival of birth records from the town of Sambuca for Gregoria Mannina and his father Giusseppe Mannina. Perhaps the records will shed light on the mystery of when my grandfather came here, where he went and whether the man who arrived on the Patria is in fact him.
I recently searched on the Ellis Island website and happened to find a record for a "Gregorio Mammima" - Upon closer look whoever typed in the name made a mistake and the name is actually "Mannina".
The ship name is the Patria and it arrived to Ellis Island on September 21, 1921. The Gregorio Mannina on board was born in Sambuca, Sicily, was approximately 18 years old, occupation shoemaker, nearest relative in Italy was father Giusseppe Mannina, had $25 to his name, and was headed to Brooklyn where his brother, Paolo Mannina lived at 348 Smith Street. He had a scar on the left eyebrow, was 5ft 4inches tall, with a rosy complexion and chestnut hair. This was his first trip to America and planned to stay forever.
Several elements to this record seem to indicate that this was my great-grandfather however other facts seem to contradict the stories I have heard about him.
My understanding from family stories is that my great grandfather came to America to avenge the death of his father who was shot by an acquaintance who afterward fled to America. If this is true then I wonder why the record indicates that his closest relative was his father.
I know that my great grandfather's children were born in Illinois. My grandfather was born in Rockford, Illinois. I found a connection between Sambuca, Sicily and Rockford, Illinois - this gives me hope that the man who arrived aboard the Patria in 1921 was my great grandfather.
I have a naturalization record for my great-grandfather that indicates he was 52 years old in 1945 which would place his birth year around 1893 where the man on the Patria was around 18 years old in 1921 placing the birth year at 1903. A 10 year time span is really not that much considering that record keeping was not as precise, there were language barriers and not everyone had birth certificates.
Just below the line in the ship record for Gregorio Mannina is a man named "Vincenzo Fontana" who was headed to Alabama to visit his brother, Antonio Fontana. My grandfather married a woman named "Vincenza Fontana" who definitely had a brother named "Antonio Fontana". I dont know anything about a connection to Alabama - but it seems like an interesting coincidence. The man on the ship named "Vincenzo Fontana" was deported back to Italy due to bad health.
My great-grandfather's first son was born in 1922 - this could match up well with the date of the arrival of the ship in 1921.
I am awaiting the arrival of birth records from the town of Sambuca for Gregoria Mannina and his father Giusseppe Mannina. Perhaps the records will shed light on the mystery of when my grandfather came here, where he went and whether the man who arrived on the Patria is in fact him.
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