Researching DiBlasi (San Mauro) and Merola (Centola)

[vj]

Father's name in S Mauro from 1910 & 1912 manifests:

Tommaso's manifest


Mauro's manifest

[KennyD]

Can't tell if they are the same name - first one looks like Giacomo. Second.. Giovanno??

[vj]

Ken, Now that they're blown-up, I can't tell either.
I thought the first looked like Giacomo, but
the second may be best viewed in the context
of the original manifest (to compare handwriting)?
Valarie

Mauro's manifest again
Line 3
possible 1910 manifest

edit added: nice site on Italian 1st names

[KennyD]

It's a bit odd because I was told that Tommaso's father's name is 'John' or perhaps 'Giovanni. Yet, according to the manifest, Mauro's father looks like it might be Giovanni and Tommaso's father looks like Giacomo.

I have to ask relatives about it.

[Biff83]

Ken,

Some Hazelton pictures and postcards.

http://home.epix.net/~captclint/local_scenes3.html

[procure95]

my name is Giovanni DiBlasi but everyone calls me John. I live in Hazleton PA and came here in 1968. I was born in San Mauro la Bruca. I went to school with a Sam Merola too.

[bbfuoco]

I have indexed all birth, marriage and death certificates of Merola, Stanziola, Vassallo and Basile from Centola during the years of 1866 - 1929. Happy to share info if you are specific who you are looking for.

[bbfuoco]

From records on microfilm at LDS

Sabato Merola, born approx 1831 of Nicola Merola e Giuseppa Ciotola in Centola Italy.
Married in 1886 in Centola
Publication of bans of marriage began 8/28/1886
Rosaria Stanziola, born approx 1858 of Francesco Stanziola e Caterina Ciccariello in Centola

They had the following children in Centola:
Francesco born in Centola 12/23/1884 died in Centola 10/6/1885
Alfonso born in Centola 9/5/1886 died in Centola 11/9/1888

[KennyD]

Thank you bbfuoco.

Did you happen to see any other children born of that marriage?
Anna, or perhaps Antonia, born approx 1896-7? She emigrated to the US in 1908.

[bbfuoco]

Thank you bbfuoco.

Did you happen to see any other children born of that marriage?
Anna, or perhaps Antonia, born approx 1896-7? She emigrated to the US in 1908.

Here is the scoop. Sabato Merola had several children (5 that I found) outside his marriages to Rosaria Stanziola and Maria Palumbo. I've found a total of 8 children for him.
Antonia Merola born 6/16/1896 to Sabato Merola (approx 65 yrs old) and "donna not my sposa".

[KennyD]

Thats interesting. I know Antonia (my grandmother, "Anna") lived in Pennsylvania and is listed in a census with Sabato and Rosaria as parents.

So.. it would seem that she was born out of wedlock but he apparently took her into his household? Do you happen to know if that was typically how these situations were handled back then?

Thanks,
Ken

[maple62]

Hi Ken,

I'm also researching San Mauro Forte, Matera and I too have Dibiase in my tree. Please note the slight spelling difference. It would have been easy to have the name mispelt at Ellis Island. Try some new searches spelt DIBIASE. I believe a Dibiase family still live in San Mauro Forte.

My paternal grandmother was Antonia Dibiase b1904-d1937. She was born to Francesco Dibiase, son of Nicola Dibiase. Any help or connection?

Would like to hear back if you have any other San Mauro Forte connections.

Kind regards

Michael

[maple62]

Hi Ken,

Just read an earlier posting from you, sorry but I may be talking about another San Mauro.

My apologies.

Michael