Brick wall: Yennelli

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spencerhahn
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Brick wall: Yennelli

Post by spencerhahn »

I am looking for information on my great-grandfather who, at his death in Kalamazoo, Michigan on November 8, 1954, was known as Joseph Yennelli. He was born somewhere in Italy (by legend it was somewhere in Sicily) on February 11, 1876 (or 1877).

According to the census records from 1910 and 1920, he emigrated in 1899; the 1930 census says 1900. I have been unable to find him in the 1900 census, but have heard that he has cousins (named D'Allesandro) in the Philadelphia / eastern New Jersey area.

From at least 1910, he resided with his wife, Josephine, in Allegan County, Michigan. Josephine was purportedly a mail-order bride whose surname was apparently Catalina.

Here are his names in the various census records:

1910: Joseph Vanelle
1920: Joeseph Vanelli
1930: Joe Venella
1940: Joseph Yanilla

Supposedly, the Yennelli name emerged after my grandfather located the passenger manifest for his father. It was probably in Philadelphia, but I don't know much else, as my grandfather died in his 30s and had no siblings.

Does anyone have any tips / info / suggestions?

I have attempted to find out about Italian mail-order brides at the turn of the century, but haven't found anything (except modern websites). Does anyone know anything about this subject?

Thanks.
spencerhahn
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Re: Brick wall: Yennelli

Post by spencerhahn »

The D'Allesandro cousins lived in Vineland, Cumberland County, New Jersey.
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Re: Brick wall: Yennelli

Post by suanj »

Hi the surname could be Iannelli or Iannello( in the past also spelled Jannelli or Jannello); Giuseppe is Joseph in english Language, so:

Guiseppe Jaunelle ( Giuseppe Iannelli/Iannello aka Jannelli/Jannello)

United States World War I Draft Registration Cards

Name: Guiseppe Jaunelle
Event Type: Draft Registration
Event Date: 1917-1918
Event Place: Allegan County, Michigan, United States
Gender: Male
Nationality: Italy
Birth Date: 11 Feb 1877
Birthplace: , ,

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/T ... cc=1968530
hoping helpful,
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Re: Brick wall: Yennelli

Post by suanj »

the D'Alessandro in Vineland, Cumberland County, New Jersey coming from Monteodorisio, Chieti, Abruzzo, IT and from Frosolone, Isernia, Molise, Italy
so no Sicily region, but Abruzzo region, and the Molise region...
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Re: Brick wall: Yennelli

Post by spencerhahn »

That is his WW I draft registration. The name changed so many times over the decades. It makes Soundex nearly impossible. I appreciate all the help and suggestions.
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Re: Brick wall: Yennelli

Post by OrangeBlossom44 »

Have you tried Stevemorse<dot>org One-Step Ellis Island search? Here is the link to the search results using "sounds like" Yennelli immigration date between 1898 and 1901.

To use, input/select your search criteria (initially, the fewer the better to get a larger pool of possible ancestors), enter your Ellis Island Foundation username and password at the bottom (only need to do this one time), then submit. Go to the Ellis Island Foundation Internet page to create your account there (username and password). When you use Stevemorse with the Ellis username and password, it will permit you to see the ship's manifest, etc.

http://www.jewishgen.org/databases/EIDB ... 9014090081
Castell'Alfero, Frinco, Faicchio. Cognome: Biondi, Lovisone, Cantino, Goia, Lavorgna, Fassio, Dezani, Mussetto, Negro, Gaspardone, Giannotta, SanGiovanni, Porto, Fiorentino, Gavello, Morra, DiMeo, Ferracane, Rampone, Dalu.
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Re: Brick wall: Yennelli

Post by OrangeBlossom44 »

Here is link to FamilySearch records for PA. Scroll down to passenger lists. Search there; also can browse records.

https://familysearch.org/search/collect ... %20America
Castell'Alfero, Frinco, Faicchio. Cognome: Biondi, Lovisone, Cantino, Goia, Lavorgna, Fassio, Dezani, Mussetto, Negro, Gaspardone, Giannotta, SanGiovanni, Porto, Fiorentino, Gavello, Morra, DiMeo, Ferracane, Rampone, Dalu.
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Re: Brick wall: Yennelli

Post by Filmways »

I think you got is wrong from the start.
This is the correct name: 1920: Joeseph Vanelli
The family Vanelli goes back over 600 years.
I know Isabella Vanelli born 1585 married Scipione Pappacoda (born 1581) son of Muzio Pappacoda and Aurelia Pignatelli.

Assuming your spelling with two "N" is correct, than you as Sicilian of Greek descent and the name is Giannelli.
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Re: Brick wall: Yennelli

Post by Filmways »

I meant to say: You are Sicilian.
Sicily was a Greek province, sometimes control by Spanish Arabs, taken over by the French (Hautevilles), than by the Spanish (Kingdom of Two sicklies) and finally by the Italians.
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Re: Brick wall: Yennelli

Post by Andy »

Have you attempted a search for Iannelli?
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Re: Brick wall: Yennelli

Post by spencerhahn »

I'm certain that I've found the marriage record for my great-grandparents (awesome!), and have ordered it from the city archives (I hope it has more information than the index). Here's what the index entry shows:

Name: Giuseppe Jannelli
Spouse's Name: Giuseppa Catelano
Event Date: 14 Dec 1901
Event Place: Manhattan, New York, New York
Father's Name: Santo
Mother's Name: Pandina Candolfe
Spouse's Father's Name: Giuseppe
Spouse's Mother's Name: Angela Lamensa

Does anyone know anything about the two new surnames (Lamensa and Candolfe) that I've found?

Thanks,

Spencer
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Re: Brick wall: Yennelli

Post by Tessa78 »

The surname you see as Candolfe, may be Gandolfi which is widespread in Italy :-)

Giuseppa/Josephine's surname could be Catalano :-)

POSSIBLE arrival manifest for Giuseppe in 1899?

Unfortunately there is no image... will see if I can find it at Ellis Island site :-)

Giuseppe Iannelli
United States Italians to America Index
Name: Giuseppe Iannelli
Event Type: Immigration
Event Date: 09 Aug 1899
Event Place: New York, New York, New York, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 22
Birthplace: Italy
Occupation: Country Man
Ship Name: Aller
Birth Year (Estimated): 1877
Departure Port: Genoa
Literacy: No
Residence Place: Ventimig[possibly Ventimiglia, Liguria Region - in the northwest coast adjacent to France - 4 miles from th border]
Destination Place: NEW YORK
Transit or Travel Compartment: Staying in the USA [Transit]; Steerage [Travel]
Affiliate Manifest ID: 00083242
Affiliate ARC Identifier: 1746097
Affiliate Publication Title: Italians to America Passenger Data File, 1855-1900

T.
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Re: Brick wall: Yennelli

Post by suanj »

Hi Tessa, great find..!
More probable birthplace..: Ventimiglia di Sicilia (Palermo province).. I am a bit positive abt that...
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Re: Brick wall: Yennelli

Post by spencerhahn »

Thanks for all the suggestions and help. I will update when I find more information.
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Re: Brick wall: Yennelli

Post by Filmways »

I think you got it wrong. It is a Greek-Italian name that derives from Ioannis.

The name was Ioannelis and did become in Greek dialect Giannelis, In Italy, a second "l" was added, Giannellis.
In USA the Greek "i" in most cases becomes "e" and "Gi" becomes "Y".
Giannelis becomes Yannellis and because "a" sound "e" finishes up "Yennellis".
It all started from Ioannellis - Giannellis.
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