I have been researching the Siracusa's from the late 1800's to early 1900s.
They came over a few years apart. Vincenzo met his brother Salvatore who was listed as living in NY,NY.
Three years later when he picked his wife Florence Alfonsa Vaccaro up at Ellis Island he listed his address as Buffalo, NY.
Vincenzo and Alfonsa had about 27-35 years between them (he was initially married to her sister back in Italy, but she died and Alfonsa was forced into marriage). They divorced shortly after the 1930 census (my grandmother was their only child, Josephine).
A few years later Josephine was placed into the St. Joe's Orphan Asylum which I believe was in Hoboken, NJ
She said this was the happiest time of her life, her father would come get her and take her to an aunt's house (possibly staten island, via ferry). The visits stopped sometime between my grandmother being 11-14 years old. Vincenzo had passed away and the orphanage did not let her go to the funeral.
Vincenzo was a Shoemaker who came over in 1920. I don't know how long his brother was here prior or if the aunt in the city was actually related (grandma doesn't remember anything about her being married or having children).
I've hit a dead end with the one line on the family tree that started this quest about 20 years ago. I really want to find my grandfather's grave (which I believe may be in the Bergen county, NJ, Hoboken NJ or lodi or franklin, nj areas based on the location of the orphanage and my grandmother is certain he visited her EVERY weekend (he had to be close, they didn't have much money).
Any help would be appreciated.
firemedic015@twcny.rr.comThanks
Billi-Jo