I have the dates and page numbers for declarations of intention and naturalizations for several of my relatives who came from northern Italy to Michigan. Is there anyone there in Gogebic county who could look these up and get copies of them for me? I would sure appreciate it!

Here are the names and information:

1.) Luigi Dapra [or Dapra], first papers 25 Aug 1919, book 8, p. 261; second papers 5 June 1926, book 10, 179.

2.) Gaudenzio Dapra, first papers 4 Dec 1922, book 10, p. 380; second papers 5 June 1926, book 10, p. 175. For this person, I would be extremely interested in seeing the papers of cancellation, US District Court, Northern Division, 10 October 1933, if those are available.

3.) Marino Carlo Dapra, and Alma Dapra (a married couple). The index has no first papers for either of them, but the second papers for each are from 17 May 1962, book 29, pages 121 and 120, respectively.

4.) If someone is able to do this, I would also be grateful for a "reverse" look-up, to see if there is a Luigi Dapra on 12 May 1952, book 29, page 17.

5.) And another "reverse" look-up: Is Marino Dapra also found on 9 May 1957, book 29, page 80? If so, a copy of that would also be highly appreciated.

Thank you very much for your help in this matter! (And if I can help with the costs of copying and postage, please let me know.)

Miriam Dapra

Hi,
I didn't notice the date you put in your message. I was told that you can write to : Michigan Tech Un. Archives for naturalization papers. 103 J.R. Van Pelt Library
1400 Townsend Dr.
Houghton, MI. 49931-1295 or fax 906/487-2357 or email at copper@mtu.edu
hope this helps. I'm from Ironwood but that name isn't familiar. Italian too, on the Wisconsin side of the river.
Lillian

Thanks very much, Lillian! I have sent an email already, asking if that is indeed the place to send such inquiries.

I would be surprised indeed if the DAPRA surname still appears in Gogebic County. (My names were all from 1919 to 1962). Some of my relatives known to have lived there are dead; one went back to Italy years and years ago; and one lives in the southwest USA. My grandfather went back there and died, but I am not sure exactly when or where, so I'm having trouble locating his information.

The only other name I have on that side of the family who might possibly have come to that part of Michigan is a cousin of some kind -- John PEDRAZOLLI. And I'm not even sure of his name. I'm wondering if it could have been John Pietro ZOLLI... All my Italian ancestors were from the north of Italy.

Regards,

Miriam

Wow, Lillian, the gentleman at the email address you gave me was a terrific help!

Among other things, he sent a list of the holdings at the MTU archives. . . .it's amazing!

Thanks again for your help; I think I'm a little closer to getting one of my genealogical puzzles answered!

Regards, Miriam

Hi Miriam,
Just for fun I looked up Dapra in the Ironwood obits. Shock!
Sisto d.1923, Louis d. 1924, Gabriel d. 1930, Frank d. 1931, Alla d. 1933, Querino d. 1933, Florian d. 1934, Joe d. 1938, Conrad d. 1940, Louis d. 1942, Mrs. Louis d. 1948, Mrs. Valentine d. 1949, Louise De Meio d. 1954, Mrs. Angelo d. 1956, Pearl d. 1957, Louis d. 1970, Angelo d. 1983, Peter d. 1991, Katherine d. 1999, Elizabeth d. 1999.
Lillian

Hi, Lillian,

I got the same sort of shock when I tried to find the ship manifest for my grand-uncle Gaudenzio DAPRA -- and a couple of others. There are lots and lots of DAPRAs! Too bad they aren't all mine! Then my research would be a little easier -- but I'd be buried in copies.

I think the Louis DAPRA on your list who died in 1970 was Gaudenzio's son. Oh, if you have access to the actual obituaries, could you let me know, please? I'd love to have at least this one -- actually, I'd be willing to have all of them; this branch of the family is turning into something of a "one-name study." And if their roots are in the region of Trent in northern Italy. . . then eventually we may be related, once I get back far enough!

Thanks again! (And say, if you have any research I could do for you in Platte County, Wyoming, let me know!)

Miriam

Miriam,
Source of obits: www.mattsonworks.com, then scroll down the left side to Gogebic Range Genealogy Society. Click services, click obituaries. Sign in as a guest, then click name and they will give you a long order # and address to send $2.00 for each obit. It usually takes 10 days to two weeks to come.
How I wish some Sullivans I'm looking for were there in Wyoming Good Luck.
Lillian!

Dear Miriam,

I was visited by whom I presume is your cousin, Daprà Paolo.
His father was Enrico born 1918 and died in 2000. He told me to write to you the following message:

Gaudenzio is his grandfather, married to Casanova Adele
They had three sons Luigi 1911, died in the USA, Marino born in 1915, died in 1972 USA and Enrico born in 1918 and died in Preghena in 2000.
Paolo is one of 10 brothers, born from Enrico and TheodoraErnesta (born 1924 Cis, Trento, died in 1998). His siblings are the following: Adele 1947, Alberto, 1948, Emma 1952, Luigi 1953, Rinaldo 1955, Lina 1958, Maria Pia 1959, Anna 1961, Pio 1962 and Paolo 1963.

If there is anything else you would like to know please feel free to contact me at sarahrigotti@yahoo.it. Paolo is a very good friend of our and I will be able to ask him any question you might have. Warmest regards, Sarah Rigotti