Rosa Civitano Marries Domenico Simone

My last post was in memory of my Aunt Coletta on the 7 year anniversary of her passing. I am always excited about posting because I never know what door, what lead on an ancestor might be shared or found, who might comment, what friendship might be made, what new cousin might emerge and that is exactly what happened.

Through my cousin Peter Marino, I was connected to a 3rd cousin for the first time. Her name is Rose Nappi Naef and Rose helped with identifying a picture that had her grandmother Angelina Marvulli- Civitano in the photo. We were so lucky to have this confirmation along with Peter’s grandmother Julia (also her grandmother). Rose is the daughter of Mary Simone and Carmine Nappi. It’s been a real treat for me to begin sharing and getting to know her. Prior to the new year, I had been spending some time researching and writing about the children of Vito Luigi Civitano, brother to my great grandfather Vincenzo (who was murdered in 1909). This family line has so many branches of which Rose descends. So with this new year in full swing I would like to pick up with the family of ~

Vito Luigi (Louis) (1860 – 1945) and Angelina (1859 – 1958). Louis and Angelina were the parents of 7 children: Francesco (1884) Domenico (1885) Giuditta (1888) Rosa (1890-1892) Rosa (1893) Vincenzo (1897) Giuseppe (1899) All but one child would live to adulthood and along with the whole family, would eventually immigrate to the United States. Today I would like to concentrate on their daughter Rosa, grandmother of Rose Nappi Naef.

Rosa Civitano, was born on the 27th of August, 1893, Largo San Lorenzo 1, Grumo Appula, Italy.

Via Largo San Lorenzo 1, Grumo Appula, where Rosa was born according to her birth certificate. I just love google earth. It truly can take you just about anywhere you want to go. I believe the corner building is where Rosa Civitano – Simone was born. Also a very big thank you goes out to Peter Marino who meticulously has waded through many records to point out the fine points for us.

 

At the age of 15, December 8, 1908, Rosa boarded the ship The S.S. Luisiana leaving out of Naples and headed for New York to her father Vito Luigi. Traveling along with her was 21 other residents of Grumo so she was certainly not alone. Under ‘relative left behind’ was listed her mother Angelina. Rosa arrived on Dec, 24th, 1908.

 

Source InformationTitleNew York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957AuthorAncestry.com

Two years later in 1910, her mother Angelina, traveling under her maiden name of Marvulli with 2 of Rosa’s siblings arrived in time for Rosa’s marriage to Domenico Simone.

They were married at St Clare – Chiesa di Santa Chaira, New York City

 

St Clare – Chiesa di Santa Chaira, 436 West 36th St, held it’s first Mass in 1903, the church was later dedicated in 1907. Sadly this beauty was destroyed to make way for the Lincoln Tunnel.

Domenico Simone was born Apr 1, 1893, Via Gelso 6, Grumo Appula to Vito Rocco Simone ( 1851 -1911) and Maria Fanelli (1852 – 1914)

Domenico also arrived in 1908, traveling aboard the SS Nord America, leaving behind his father Vito Rocco and mother Maria. He was traveling to his brother Vito Simone, already here, living at 456 W. 29th St, NYC, married to Rosa’s sister Giuditta/Julia.

 

My first hint into the family of Domenico and Rosa Simone was the WWI June, 1917 draft registration record for Domenico. Listed as Domenico Simon they are living at 432 1/2 W. 25th St. He is working as a driver helper for the Knickerbocker Ice Co. located at W. 26th St. between 10th & 11th St.

Source InformationTitleWorld War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918AuthorAncestry.com

I was unable to find the family in the 1915 census but it is safe to assume that the family was close by to this address. In the 1920 census, listed as Dominic Semoni, they were  living at 351 W. 25th St., NYC. Next door were Rosa’s parents Vito Luigi, now Louis (60) and Angelina (60) with their son Giuseppe/Joseph (19)

Domenic (26) was still working in the ice industry, as many of our family members were at the time. Rosie (26) was at home with daughter Mary (1914), son Rocco had joined the family in 1918, and baby Louis was 1/12 (1919).

Source InformationTitle1920 United States Federal CensusAuthorAncestry.com

By 1930 the family had relocated to the Bronx putting down roots. Dominic must have been doing very well; they had bought a home located at 538 Beach Ave. This is the home (middle home) built in 1920, (possibly with a facelift – the 539 address is across the street) The home value was $7,500. It is the area known as Clason Point. (census actually recorded the home price as $2,500 but that is most likely a recording error as all other homes on the street are in the $7000 to $10,000 range)

Source InformationTitle1930 United States Federal CensusAuthorAncestry.com

 

1930 seems to be the turning point for the family. Dominick Simone (39) was working on his own as an ice dealer with his own route. His first papers had been submitted to become a citizen. This census tells us as well that he had not attended school and could neither read or write and the language spoken was Italian. Rosa (34) had not attended school either but she could read and write, language too was Italian but I suspect they both could speak English. Mary (16), Rocco (12), Louis (10), were joined by sister Angelina (7, born 1923) Vito (1/12, born 1930), nothing was listed for school or work for the children. We do know that Rosa had also given birth to a daughter, also named Angelina (1920 – 1921)

Their happiness was shattered in 1933 with the death of Rosa at age 39. Rosa passed away on Feb 7th, 1933.

Rosa was put to rest at St Raymond’s Cemetery, Bronx, New York

Along with her are her children Rosa #1, Louis and Rocco

This families story does not end here. Domenico went on to marry widow Teresa Colavito – Gierdano (unsure of the spelling of this last name. Colavito is a common surname and repeated many times in our family history)

The marriage took place September 1, 1934, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Bronx.

 

By 1940, the family was still living at the 538 Beach Ave, Bronx address. Domenico was no longer in the ice business. His occupation was listed as laborer, W.P.A. projects. The W.P.A. was the Works Projects Administration, the largest of the ‘New Deal’ agency. This was created under Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1935 to put the unemployed to work. I was so happy to learn that, possibly unemployed at some point he was working and they had not lost their home.

Teresa preceded Domenico in death passing in 1959 and Dominick in 1963.

May their memories be a blessing