Romano - LaRuffa | Casino, Italy

[jeri71]

Gabriel Romano and Domenica LaRuffa (sp?) lived in Casino, Italy in the 1890's. They had two daughters, my great-grandmother, Maria Concetta (1893) and her sister. I don't know the sister's name.

At some point between 1895 and 1912, Gabriel travelled to Brazil on business (I don't know what business it was, any ideas?). He died while he was there and apparently his grave is in Brazil but I don't know where.

In 1913 Maria travelled alone to America to an arranged marriage. I ahve her ship's manifest. I don't know what happened to the sister. Domenica died on Christmas Day (don't know the year). After her death, the family home was given to the Catholic church and turned into an orphanage. I'm told that the building stands to this day and even has a plaque on the stone outside bearing the Romano name.

That's what I know about this family. Not much huh? If there's anyone out there with more information, I'd love to hear from you!

[fortunata]

I doubt this is much help, but I have an Eleanora Romano in my history. Unfortunatly a name is all I have. She married Martin Guglielmini, who was from either Palermo or Catania, Sicily. This was back in the mid 1700's.

Good luck and keep me posted!!

[BillieDeKid]

Hi Jeri

Can you post the manifest for reference please?

Regards,
Elizabeth

[BillieDeKid]

I believe that Casino became Castelsilano (KR) in 1916. You might be able to write to the registrars office and ask for help in finding out your great grandmothers siblings names.

Here is the link for Castelsilano. I checked LDS microfilms and they cover the years 1811 through 1879. Since you know the parents names and you know the year of your great grandmothers birth you may be able to compose a letter and give them a date range from 1880 to 1910 and ask if they can look for children born to your great great grandparents.

http://www.comune.castelsilano.kr.it/ilcomune.php

Write your letter in English and post to the translation forum to have someone translate.

Hope this is of some help.

Regards,
Elizabeth

[jeri71]

Hi Jeri

Can you post the manifest for reference please?

Regards,
Elizabeth

Here they are!

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj16 ... _page2.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj16 ... al1913.jpg

[MrsGiusto]

My parents are from Castelsilano. They are members of the Silano Club which is a club specifically to raise money for the orphanage in Castelsilano. I will call my mom and get more information if you would like. You may email me at babybjg@gmail.com

[jeri71]

Further information about this family:

Dominica LaRuffa was born 1873 in Trupia, Tropani, Sicily (father's name was Dominic). She died in 1845.

I still have had no luck finding anything about the father or sister.

[Romano1970]

Hello, My grandfathers name was Lorenzo Romano, His parents were Fillipo Salvatore Romano and Fillipa maria Ristagno all from Piazza Armerina Sicilia, he married Carmelena Nigrelli from Mussomeli Sicilia.

[jeri71]

So far I haven't traced any of our Romano's back to Sicily, but I know that Dominica LaRuffa was born in Trupani (Tropani?) Sicily. I am having a terrible time tracing this family! Her husband was Gabriel Romano and I have no idea where he was born, only that they eventually moved to Casino, Catanzaro where my great-grandmother was born. Somehow he worked in Brazil and died there.

[Domini1972]

I believe that Jeri71 is confusing Tropea in the province of Vibo Valentia in Calabrai for Trupani/Tropani in Sicily. There are many LaRuffa's in Tropea and in the hills overlooking Tropea, and also a great many LaRuffa's slightly further south in the plain of Gioia Tauro