Wordless Wednesday -- a Grand-Uncle, Great-Great Grandmother, and a Great-Uncle

John Kristiansen (1904-1964), Randi Larsdatter (1836-1921), and Kristen Jonsen (1857-?).  Location: Baerum, Norway ca 1920.

Amanuensis Monday -- Nonno Enzo's Diary -- November 14, 1915

Continuation of the translation of my grandfather, Vincenzo Dibennardo's diary.  He was 15 at the time and attended a Salesian boarding school in San Gregorio, Sicily.  Previous posts may be found through the last post, found here.

                                                                                                                              November 14, 1915

Yesterday, we were walking when on the street I met a woman carrying a parcel to San Gregorio to give to me. I took it and saw it contained dried figs that I began to do away with -- partly in my stomach and partly in that of my schoolmate.  Then we sat on boulders at a crossroads and started an animated conversation.

We talked about boarding school, punishments, and teachers.

Later, we continued our stroll, and when we arrived at the road we prayed and then took the road of return.

Having arrived at a three-way crossroads, we stopped because there was a small chapel. It is said that here, below the church, a beautiful image of Saint Lucia is found.

We continued our return trip, and two cars flew by, raising a great dust.  Farther up, we saw a beautiful villa, and at first glance -- outside it -- was a beautiful dog made of terracotta with this written on it:

(In Sicilian dialect)

HERE IS A DOG
HE NO LONGER BITES
HE ONLY SURVEYS AND KEEPS VIGIL
AND WARNS HIS MASTER

Tombstone Tuesday -- Database Record of the Burial of Emil Georg Samuelsen Haugen

In the past, I have blogged about DIS Gravminer.  The Norwegian Genealogical Society gives free access to cemetery records in Norway.  The database is not complete yet, but one can find a record of many burials already.  Here is my great-great grandfather, Emil Georg Samuelsen Haugen, marked with a red star.  If one clicks on his name and number, then more information is provided about his burial.



Wordless Wednesday -- Haugen Family

Great-grandparents Thomas and Joergine and children -- Norvald, Eleonore, and Thorolf (my grandfather on his mother's lap).  This picture was taken circa 1917, and I believe it was upon their return to Norway from Finland, where they had been living for three years.

Amanuensis Monday -- Nonno Enzo's Diary -- November 9 and 11, 1915

Fourth installment of the translation of my grandfather's diary written in Sicily during the school year of 1915-1916.  He was nearly 15 when he wrote these entries.  Previous entries found here: one, two, and three.

To the left is a picture of my grandfather when he was somewhere between 18 and 20 years old.  He was a "novice" in the Salesian Order of the Priesthood.  He never took his final vows.  I guess that is obvious, since I exist:).

Translation below

                                                                                                                    November 9


This morning, Mass was officiated by Don Bartolo -- parish of San Gregorio -- a man about eighty or more. Altar-serving was performed by Riccieri, one of the novices who assisted the old man since he could not climb the steps of the altar by himself.

Mass was without communion because we'd had it earlier, and it lasted about 50 minutes.

                                                                                                                    November 11, Thursday

Today, we went for a walk.

The sky seemed clear enough, although a wind blew impetuously, raising dust into the air and banging it furiously against our faces. Our hats flew right and left along with our great laughter.

I talked with Putrino, a strong boy of excellent quality, and Torrisi -- also gifted with some virtues of his own. He isn't a bad person, but not that likeable either; in the eyes of society, he manages to fit in, however. He can do a sudden about-face and be generous when it is in his self-interest.

We talked about our families and the great sorrow this war has caused to every single one, as well as other discussions about family.  Finally, after three quarters of an hour walking, we came to a fountain where we drank its water.

Then began a great conversation about a famous bandit known by the name of Dionisio. There exists even now a cave where he used to hide to attack the poor travelers heading to Catania or Acireale.  He was never caught in the act of his major thefts, and he continued his disgraceful craft.

But then one evening, a poor traveler commended to Our Lady, went through the terrible path. Dionisio assaulted the poor man, who did not have even a penny to give, and the bandit brandished a knife, about to kill him, when as the blade glistened in the pale moonlight there appeared Our Lady of Valverde saying: Dionisio, what are you doing?

This apparition caused him to step back and leave the poor and unfortunate wayfarer in order to return to the cave. The words, "Dionisio, what are you doing?" replayed in his mind.

Little by little, the bandit reviewed his great faults until he gave up his life as a robber. Our Lady appeared to him a second time asking him to build a church, and the next day there was the form of a circle around the location.

A third time, she appeared to give him a rod from which to raise a fountain where water could be drawn. The fountain in front of the cave still exists, and it is where we had stopped to quench our thirst.

Dionisio fulfilled his mission and became a monk who died in God's grace.

We continued our walk for several more kilometers and then headed back to the boarding school.

Amanuensis Monday -- Nonno Enzo's Diary -- November 5,6, and 7, 1915

Continuation of the translation of my grandfather's diary written in 1915-1916 at age 14-15.  See the previous two Monday posts for previous pages.  Location: San Gregorio, Sicily.

Translation below.

                            

                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                      November 5


Yesterday evening, around 7, I saw my old advisor, Don Traina, coming from the house. He had left on October 20 to suffer a second visit to the military (recruiters).

But fortunately, he was among the few considered unfit for service and was sent home where he stayed for about a week, and now here he is, ready to resume his duties.

Just last night after dinner, during the short recreation time, I went to him, wanting to kiss his hand, but he shied away. Then, I congratulated him for being rejected (by the military), and I said, “We can stay one more year together.” Having revered him, I then began to walk with the Director.

                                                                                                                                       November 6

Today, two new pupils of the 4th gymnasium -- my class -- arrived; they are brothers.

The larger one -- stout, medium height, black hair, wide forehead, narrow mouth, with a forelock of hair -- was my classmate some time ago in Catania at the boarding school, San Francesco di Sales.

The smaller one -- of the right size, aquiline nose, black hair, closed mouth in the expression of a smile, lively eyes like those of a rooster -- also attends the 4th gymnasium, and today came to school.

I shook their hands and reminded them of all the tests we'd had together at the Hospital.

In the study, their place is in the front pew. Don Ercolini departed from us and will return in a few days.

Today, our new professor, Don Bologna, arrived -- medium height, features a bit rustic, flashing eyes, voice like thunder, calloused hands ...

He was my old advisor in the San Francesco (di Sales) dormitory.

Don Ercolini will now move on to being the professor of the 5th gymnasium.

                                                                                                                                        November 7

The boulders Polyphemus threw at Ulysses

Today, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, we went for a stroll. I enjoyed the walk, and we ended up on a hill opposite Aci Castello. From there, you could see a beautiful view -- the boulders the Cyclops, Polyphemus, threw against Ulysses, which now rises above the sea as peaks. On top of the larger rock there is a house. Later, we returned happily. I joined Messina and Ruggeri, and we began to speak of many things. Ruggeri, with the excuse of needing to take care of his needs (bathroom) remained behind us, and when he caught up to us, his pockets were full of lemons. He offered me a lemon, but I did not accept it, saying it was stolen. Before arriving in San Gregorio, we met a man with a small pig over his shoulders, who every once in a while let us hear his beautiful voice (squealing pig). Our laughter reached up to the stars, but then it all ended, and here I am already, at the table, describing this meeting.

Wordless Wednesday -- Burud Farm in Baerum

Burud Farm in Baerum, Norway.  Several generations of ancestors lived on this farm.  My third great-grandparents, Kristoffer Pedersen and Ellen Hansdatter, had several children while living here.  Martin, Hans, and Haakine Christopherson eventually emigrated to Salt Lake City.  Their sister, Jonette Kristoffersdatter (Norwegian spelling) stayed in Norway, and she was is my great-great grandmother.

Part of Burud Farm is now a lovely golf course.

Amanuensis Monday -- Nonno Enzo's Diary -- November 2 and 4, 1915

Continuation from last Monday's "Amanuensis Monday."




Translation below...



Click on the pictures to enlarge.

                                                                                                                   November 2, 1915

Today is the commemoration of the dead. At nine o'clock in the morning we went for a walk.
I had filled my pockets with chestnuts, and when we arrived in the countryside I distributed them to my friends who accepted them.

I will gladly walk with the Director, a good priest who truly cares for us, and from whom I learn so many little facts (and stories) he eagerly recounts to the young novices who are heading for an ecclesiastical career.

                                                                                                                    3 o'clock in the morning

About two and a half hours after midnight, I awoke to the sound of the wind flapping against the windows. Around a quarter after 3, the window before me opened in a furious burst of wind and the cold air entered the dormitory room, and I was forced to hide my head under the covers. Around four o'clock,  the wind having calmed down a little, I put socks on my feet, got out of bed to close the window, and then returned to bed to regain the lost sleep during the night.

                                                                                                                   November 4

After lunch, at 3:30, during the Italian class of Don Ercolini, a little incident occurred that made me die from laughter. We had all entered (the classroom), and I being the last one, closed the door behind me. I was about to take my seat when the bench suddenly fell apart with my two classmates -- Valenti, Agostino and Torrisi, Giuseppe, who both fell to the ground. Valenti hit hard against the back part of the bench, while Torrisi hit his head against the foot of the bench behind him.

The laughs were endless, and even Don Ercolini laughed heartily; but then we had to quiet down to begin Italian class.

I was called into the parlor, and a woman I did not recognize gave me a box with three eggs and some biscuits.  (This probably was sent to my grandfather from his family.)

Wordless Wednesday -- Løken Farm

Løken Farm in Baerum, Norway.  My great-great-great grandmother, Ellen Hansdatter (1822 - 1899), was born here.

Tombstone Tuesday -- Norwegian WWII Hero



This past summer I saw this grave in the cemetery of Borgund Stave Church located in Borgund, Lærdal, Norway.
Buried here is Kristian Johansen Kullerud from Royken.  He was born the 10th of December in 1909 in Nes, Romerike, and he "fell for Norway" in Borlaug, the 30th of April, 1940. Although I can translate the rest of the
epitaph, I am unsure of the actual meaning.  Help, Dad??? 



Amanuensis Monday -- Nonno Enzo's Diary -- November 1, 1915

Vincenzo Di Bennardo (1900 - 1982)
 during his Salesian boarding school
days as he approached the
priesthood. He was never fully
ordained.  Picture taken circa
1918 in Catania, Sicily

I have decided to start translating my grandfather's diary, written during the school year of 1915-1916. I have slowly been transcribing it in Italian into a Word document, and I am about half-way through it.  I may as well start translating the diary into English as well.  Amanuensis Mondays may help me accomplish the feat.

Some information for background:  My grandfather was born 15 November 1900 in Palagonia, Sicily.  His mother died when he was a boy, and, as was common at the time, he was sent to a boarding school (called a "college" in his diary).  His aunt Filomena was the Mother Superior at the school, so he wasn't completely without family, but it is clear that he missed his father and family dearly.  The diary begins November 1st, which would likely have been his first day of school.  The boarding school he went to was of the Salesian religious order and was located in San Gregorio, Catania, Sicily.

Note: Some oddities may exist since I am attempting as faithful a translation as possible.  This attempt also makes the grammar a bit difficult to apply as correctly as I would like.

See translation below...

See translation below...

1 November 1915

Today is the commemoration of All Saints’ Day.

A High Mass in song in the parish church.

Not too much studying and plenty of lunch.

After lunch, I along with my companions, headed by Don Gardarella, went for a walk along Via San Gregorio-Trecastagni-Via Grande-San Gregorio.

Some of my friends wanted to go Pedara, but the order of the Director was followed precisely by Don Gardarella. When we arrived at Via Grande, it was already 4:30 pm; therefore, it took us two and a half hours, which seems like a lot of time, but then saying we visited two cemeteries in San Gregorio and San Giovanni la Punta, the time it took seems relatively fair.

Messina, my classmate from the fourth gymnasium, a good and pious pearl, and I, with the consent of Don Gardarella, walked away from our companions: I did, so I could visit my old school friend Giuseppe Mirone d’Ignazio, a boy as good as bread, a scholar and a saint for religion. One small defect obscures his gifts: his temper; but calming down as he asks forgiveness from his antagonist ends in playing and chasing each other again.

Messina instead went home to visit his relatives and then returned to me in the house of Mirone, where at his father Mr. Ignazio’s insistence, I was forced to accept a small glass of Vermouth.  My friend (Messina) came by after his visit to the cemetery and gave me a handshake while insistently forcing chocolate candies into my pocket.

Giuseppe, knowing that my schoolmates were there, not far from his home, with kind words let my other friends in his home and offered everyone a small glass of Vermouth that my comrades did not refuse.

To me, he spoke of Bronte, where he would go on November 3rd to spend a year with my other old friends, such as Sebastiano Salafia, a one-of-a kind young man and the top student of our school.

His hometown is Sortino -- also the hometown of my stepmother, Vincenzina Tannelli -- a very beautiful town in the shape of a Citadel.

Then he (Giuseppe) took us to visit the cemetery where I admired many chapels, among which the first one was for the Mirone family. So I squeezed his hand affectionately, and together with my companions we returned to San Gregorio. While on the road back, as it became dark, we sang until we arrived back at the college.

At my arrival, there was not-so-great news awaiting me. The doorman, a young man of 18 years of age told me this:

“Di Bennardo, your relatives were here until a few minutes ago, but then not wanting to make the carriage for hire wait any longer, and being that it was becoming dark, they departed, leaving some packages here” – and in so saying, he presented me with wrapped presents that I took to my room. There, I found a bottle of Marsala, sweets, some apples, a basket of chestnuts, and a pair of scissors I had asked them for in a letter.

This news so disturbed me; I would have liked to see my dear family and tell them many things; what fortune could have distanced them from me? But what can be done about it?

I took my bundles and then went to my desk after placing them up high in my room. But I could not study because the distressing news of tonight had produced its effect on me.

Progen -- Month 4, Part 4 (Research Plan-- Italian Great-grandfather)

I have been posting my research plan for finding the birth date for my Italian great-grandfather, Pasquale Ursino, in a series (it is quite long).  To see the previous posts click here, here, and here.

Here is the fourth and final installment:

Future Research

1. Find Pasquale Ursino’s birth record in the civil records microfilms for Catania, Sicily, Italy.

Now that I have an actual date of birth, I can order six microfilms to find his birth record. I still don’t know the section of Catania he was born in, so I have no choice but to order all six; but I now have a definite year. I will order microfilms containing birth records that include the year 1863: film numbers 1339640, 1339694, 1339767, 1339770, 1339773, 1338981.

a. When I find the birth record for Pasquale Ursino, I will probably learn the age of his parents at his birth, which will help me find their records as well. I would want to find their birth, marriage, and death records.

b. Any new information would be added to the family group record with the appropriate citations included.

2. Find the birth records of Pasquale’s brothers and sisters.

I will search birth records before and after Pasquale’s birth to find any siblings. All information will be added to the family group record with citations.

3. Search for any death records for the siblings and parents.

4. Find the marriage records for Pasquale’s parents.

Finding the oldest sibling for Pasquale will help narrow down the year of marriage for the parents. Marriage records from Catania are available in the LDS Family History Library Catalogue. The appropriate years spanned will be ordered. If I cannot find the marriage record in the years before the birth of the oldest child, I will search later years and nearby towns.

a. All the information will be recorded on the family group record with appropriate citations.

b. The marriage record may include a list of documents submitted to the town hall personnel at the time of the wedding. I will look to see if there are any “Processetti” or “Allegati” available in the Family History Library Catalogue. I will order the microfilm.

c. The “allegati,” or supplemental records, may include handwritten copies from the civil and church records (note: I may be able to search a specific church’s records, too, with this information). The “allegati” records usually have information regarding the births of the bride and groom and their parents, and could also include information about the bride’s grandparents and great-grandparents (paternal line), as well as the marriage banns, and a handwritten copy of the marriage record.

“Allegati” or “supplemental” marriage records are a vital source of information for Italian genealogy research. If one is lucky, they are easy to read! (Note: Besides contending with handwriting issues, any supplemental church records included in the marriage record will be in Latin.)

More Future Plans

I intend to search for the two wives who left Pasquale widowed and any children from each marriage. I also wish to find all the details for the children he had with my great-grandmother, Francesca Scuderi. When I research my grandmother’s siblings, I will also search for the three half-siblings truly fathered by Pietro Napoli. I am particularly interested in my grandmother’s half-brother who died during WWI while trying to save another man’s life.

Wordless Wednesday -- Olav Kristiansen

Olav Kristiansen from Baerum, Norway, was brother to my grandmother.  I love this picture!

Tombstone Tuesday -- Cemetery of Palagonia

Picture by Kathy Kirkpatrick.  The cemetery of Palagonia does not seem to have tombs prior to 1925.  My great-grandfather, Carmelo Dibennardo, probably died in 1925.  I need to research the history of the cemetery.

Progen -- Month 4, Part 3 (Research Plan-- Italian Great-grandfather)

This is a continuation of a previous post.  I had just described the first step I took in finding the birth date of my great-grandfather, Pasquale Ursino, from Catania, Italy.  Below, I start with the second step...

2) Search for Pasquale’s birth date in the military records for Catania.

It is easier to search the military records first rather than the civil birth records. The city of Catania is divided into six sections of the city for civil records for the time period of interest, and I had no idea what area of the city pertained to Pasquale. Furthermore, the cutoff dates for some of the films straddle 1862-1864, which meant I would not only have to order all six sections of the city, I would have to order the films ending or starting in 1863 or 1864. Remember that years are often rounded in records depending on the month of birth and/or death.

a. On the online familysearch.org catalogue site, I searched for Catania, Italy, where Pasquale Ursino was born.

b. I found the film number 1962396 for the military “Liste di Leva” records for 1856-1869.

c. I drove to my local Family History Center and ordered the microfilm. It took about 3 weeks to arrive.

d. I searched the records until I found my great-grandfather.

The military record on microfilm said Pasquale Ursino was born in Catania on 10 April, 1863. His parents were Orazio Ursino and Maria Stabile. The record said his occupation was “ortolano” which refers to his orange groves, but it was later crossed out along with the entire record. There was a note that said he was now “marinaio” and that he was “inserito marittimo al numero 3443.” In other words, his draft placed him in the Navy, and he served as a sailor.

Now I know that at age 20, in 1883, my great-grandfather served his country. He would likely have finished his duty by age 22 and returned to his orange groves. Most military requirements were completed in 1-2 years, depending on the branch of service (the Navy required longer service).

One note about Pasquale’s birth date – Easter Day was on April 5th, 1863. The military record said his birth date was 10 April, 1863. This is not surprising. My grandmother could still be right that he was born on Easter Day because children were often born at home, and the birth dates on birth certificates were usually the dates that the child was declared at the town hall. Many of my relatives have incorrect birth dates on their birth certificates because of this reason.

e. The military record was scanned, and I also took a picture of it with my camera. The pictures often come out better with my camera than the microfilm scanner.

f. On the family group record I wrote:

a. Pasquale Ursino’s birth information.

b. Source information (city, film number, volume, years covered, and page number).

The pictures below show the military record for Pasquale Ursino. The number 3445 tells us there is information in a Navy record book and that his record number is 3445. To date, I do not know how to find this record or where it would be available. The LDS library does not have naval records on microfilm. This may be another item to search for on location in Sicily.

Pasquale Ursino: Parents are Orazio Ursino and Maria Stabile.  The birth date is 10 April, 1863.  He was born in Catania and works in the orchards (this is crossed out and below it says he is a sailor).  On the next page, it says he entered the navy, and it gives the record number to be found in what I presume is a Naval Register.

 

Ancestor Approved Award Winners

Thank you Tessa for nominating me for the Ancestor Approved Award.  I already had one, but it is nice to be thought of again! 

Tessa wrote on her blog: The Ancestor Approved Award was created in March 2010 by Leslie Ann Ballou at Ancestors Lived Here. It has traveled far and wide returning to some bloggers a few times while making its rounds. Leslie Ann asks two things of those who receive it (surprisingly more involved than one might think):

1) List 10 surprising, humbling, or enlightening aspects of your research; and 2) Pass the Award on to 10 other researchers whose family history blogs are "doing their ancestors proud."

Since I have received this award before, I will point you to my previous response.

Also, last time, these were the blogs I nominated:

1) Herstoryan http://herstoryan.blogspot.com/
2) Slekt og Slikt http://lailanc.blogspot.com/
3) A Multitude of Sens http://multitudeofsens.blogspot.com/
4) Nordic Blue http://nordicblue.blogspot.com/
5) Ginisology http://ginisology.blogspot.com/
6) Are You My Cousin? http://areyoumycousin-lisa.blogspot.com/
7) Swedish Thoughts http://swedenroots.blogspot.com/
8) A Tale of Two Ancestors http://ataleoftwoancestors.blogspot.com/
9) Lessons from my Ancestors http://www.lessonsfrommyancestors.com/
10) Kinfolk News http://kinfolknews.blogspot.com/

Here are ten new ones:
 
1) Claudia's Genealogy Blog http://claudiasgenealogyblog.blogspot.com/
2) Ancestor Hunting http://www.cherylsgenealogy.com/
3) Jirene's Genealogy Treasures http://jirenetreasures.blogspot.com/
4) Growing up in an Italian Family http://nucciasthoughts.blogspot.com/
5) Italy Gen http://www.italygen.info/
6) Random Relatives http://randomrelatives.blogspot.com/
7) Jessica's Genejournal http://jessicagenejournal.blogspot.com/
8) Carrow and Faunt Family Tales http://carrowandfauntfamilytales.blogspot.com/
9) Family Stories http://yourfamilystory-cmpointer.blogspot.com/
10) Itawamba Connections http://itawambaconnections.blogspot.com/
 
Enjoy, and good job. Oh, and don't forget to post the award picture on your blog!

Wordless Wednesday -- Kristiansen Siblings

The Kristiansen Siblings somewhere in Baerum, Norway -- Raghnild, Astrid, Gyda (my grandmother), Gunnar, and Oyvind.  I am not sure I have the latter two correct as there are other brothers not in the picture (and to me they look alike).  Dad -- please comment and let me know.

Tombstone Tuesday -- Pasquale Ursino's Wall

Until this past summer, no one in my family knew where my great-grandfather, Pasquale Ursino, was buried.  My mother found her grandfather when she visited the town hall in Catania, Sicily.  The cemetery is like a city, so there would have been no way to walk around and look for it.  For background on the grave's history, read here.

My great-grandfather is on the top row, second one from the right.



The epitaph says he is 80 years old and died the 27th of February 1944. 
Thanks to Kathy Kirkpatrick, who went to Sicily in November and sent me these photos.



Progen -- Month 4, Part 2 (Research Plan-- Italian Great-grandfather)

This is a continuation of my first post. 

Research Plan (cont.)

Research Process for Finding the Birth Date of Pasquale Ursino


1) Find Pasquale Ursino’s death record.

Normally, I would seek the birth record first if I have an idea of the ancestor’s age. If a census is available, I would search the ancestor there first to get a year of birth and then look for the birth certificate. In Catania, Italy, for this time period, this is not a possible method. Since Pasquale Ursino is male, the best place to search first is the military draft records. Starting with the year 1840, all males had to present themselves for possible military duty at age 20. The records are organized by year of birth. However, I had no idea what year Pasquale may have been born. My grandmother was the youngest child, and he was “old” for being a father. We did know that he died by accident; he was crossing the train tracks, when a stopped train suddenly rolled backward and hit his head. Different family sources had his age as anywhere between 80 and 92 years at death.

There are many records for the city of Catania, Sicily, available through the LDS Family History Library; however, one may have to request certain records in person, on location, or write a letter to the vital records department of the city of interest. This past summer, my mother went to Sicily to visit her siblings, and together they went to the “anagrafa” of Catania. At first, the vital records clerk was unable to find a death record for Pasquale Ursino. During their discussions, the circumstances of Pasquale’s accidental death on the train tracks were discussed, and the clerk suddenly understood the problem. Apparently, Catania has two sets of death records – “natural death” and “death by accident.” When they searched for Pasquale in the accident book, they found him. Pasquale died on 28 February, 1944, at age 80. The father listed was Orazio Ursino and the mother was Maria Stabile. My mother knew that Pasquale’s father was named Orazio so, between this information and the verified accident information, she felt sure this was the right Pasquale – her grandfather. She was also told where he was buried – the Cemetery of Catania, at the “deposito” on B/ 14 camp. 4 -- Fila 10 -- Number 18.

Pasquale Ursino’s epitaph had his age but no birth date. Pasquale’s death in 1944, at the age of 80, put his birth year around 1864. I say “around” because sometimes the ages are rounded up or down depending on the month of birth and death. That said, I believed his month of birth was April because my grandmother said her father was born on Easter Day – hence the name Pasquale (Easter in Italian is Pasqua).

Photos by Kathy Kirkpatrick, who was in Sicily this past fall -- thanks for taking them!

Stay tuned for the next installment!
 

Progen Study Group -- Month 4, Part 1 (Research Plan -- Italian Great-grandfather)

We didn't have an assignment in December due to the holidays, so I am jumping straight to month 4 for this blog post.  The January assignment was to read Chapter 14 in the Professional Genealogy text book - Problem Analysis and Research Plans by Helen F. M. Leary, CG, CGL, FASG - and then develop our own research plan.

The chapter discusses preliminary and detailed analyses. Preliminary analysis aids a genealogist in deciding whether a job proposal by a potential client is a good fit. Among the list of things to consider is one's level of expertise in the area required to complete the project.  On the other hand, the detailed analysis regards the creation of a research plan:  what are the goals of the client; what questions need answers; what is known by the client; what records are available etc...

For my research plan assignment, I did a preliminary analysis and detailed plan on my Italian great-grandfather, Pasquale Ursino.  My question was: When was my Italian great-grandfather, Pasquale Ursino, born?

This plan was rather long, so this post will be a series.

Research Plan -- Part 1

Background

According to my grandmother, my great-grandmother, Francesca Scuderi of Catania, Sicily, had a difficult childhood with a stepmother who was abusive. At age 15, in order to escape her unhappy home, she married a fisherman named Pietro Napoli. Unfortunately, her husband was also abusive. They had three children together before she “escaped” her unhappy marriage.

Francesca worked as a laundry-woman for Pasquale Ursino. He was affluent for Sicilian society at the time, owning many citrus orchards. One day, my great-grandmother showed up for work with a black eye, which deeply angered him. According to my grandmother, her father, Pasquale, was a true gentleman with a great sense of honor and chivalry. He dashed out of the house to seek out Francesca’s husband, Pietro, and defend her honor. When he spotted Pietro, he grabbed hold of him and dished out a bit of his own medicine, warning Pietro that Francesca better not appear in his home battered ever again. Stay tuned for the next installment and the process for finding Pasquale's birth date.

Pasquale Ursino -- my great-grandfather from Catania, Sicily, Italy

Pasquale Ursino was twice-widowed with children from both marriages. My grandmother said he raised them himself. This is very telling of the kind of man he was because most widowed men of his time would have depended on female relatives or a boarding school (often an orphanage). Francesca, on the other hand, was married but very unhappy. Pasquale and Francesca fell in love with each other but also needed each other. She needed a way out of her marriage with a man’s protection, and he needed help with his children.

Soon after the altercation between Pasquale and Pietro, Francesca left her husband to live with Pasquale. They had four children together, and my grandmother was the youngest. The problem was that Pasquale and Francesca were never able to marry because the Catholic Church did not allow divorce. Pasquale hoped until his dying day that Pietro would die before him so he could make an honest woman of Francesca. It did not happen as he hoped.

Illegitimate children and “living in sin” were no small matter for Sicilian society in those days. In order to protect their children from disdain, Pasquale paid off Francesca’s legal husband, Pietro, so he would declare each child as his own. All four of Pasquale’s children carried the surname of Francesca’s husband – Napoli – on their birth certificates.

My grandmother, being an old-fashioned Sicilian woman, found this history very embarrassing. She carried the true identity of her father with her for years before divulging the truth to her children – my mother included. For this reason, although we know her father’s name and have some information about him, many details are lacking, like date of birth, death, and where he was buried when he died. I believe my grandmother never brought her children to her father’s grave because she would have had to explain why his last name was different from hers. By the time she told her children the truth, his grave was long forgotten. In fact, she may no longer have remembered where to find it.

My mother had pictures of her grandfather, Pasquale, but he had died before her birth and she was unable to ask him any questions. She did know her grandmother well, but Francesca never spoke of the details of her marital situation. My mother learned the truth many years after her grandmother had died. My mother did learn from my grandmother’s brother, her Uncle Salvatore, that until he went to middle-school, he had always believed his name to be “Salvatore Ursino.” He found out his birth certificate surname was Napoli when, on the first day of 6th grade, the teacher did roll call and called out a name he did not recognize. The teacher told him “Napoli” was his name, and he went home crying, where he was finally told the truth by his parents. My grandmother hated being a Napoli her whole life, but she had no choice but to carry this surname until she died (note: Italian women do not change their names when they marry).