I'm starting a family tree on my father's side. My father's name is Joseph Mario Graziani. I'm looking for relatives in Italy that are related to my grandparents, Joseph Graziani and his wife Olga Cortapasi. They came here in the US around between 1900-1915 from Italy. Supposely my grandfather is from Bozzano or Bolzano? and my grandmother is from Lucca. I beleive my granfather's mother's maiden name was Benassini. If anyone knows anything please e-mail to me at jrtout@qwest.net. I'm very much interested in my italian family.

Risa,

Have you tried finding your grandparents in the 1920 U.S. Federal Census? The 1920 census will state the year of arrival in the U.S. Using the year of arrival, you can find the passenger manifest for your grandparents at the Ellis Island Database. The manifest may tell you the exact place of birth. You can then write to the Stato Civile office in that town to request birth and other records.

Ellis Island Database
http://home.pacbell.net/spmorse/ellis/ellis.html

Good luck,
Regina Gualco
Northern Italy Family History Research
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ItalyNW

I believe this is my family as well! My grandmother, Olga Cortapasi and my grandfather Joseph (Guiseppe) Graziani came from Bozzano Italy. My grandfather's mothers maiden name was Benassini. My grandfather was born 02/17/1891 and my grandmother was born 09/10/1892. They were married on Sept.13, 1913. I have more info to share if you would like.

Hi Gina

Risa who originally wrote the post about her father Joseph Mario Graziani is my aunt and Joe is my grandfather. I am trying to trace back his family and saw this post. I have a picture of my grandfather and his mother Olga if this helps pin down whether Olga is your grandmother and the relation is there for us. I hope this picture helps!! I would love to be able to trace back a bit!

I AM RELALTED TO THE GRAZIANI FAMILY FROM NORTHERN KY. MY GREAT, GREAT GRANDFATHER WAS FROM ITALY AND HIS WIFE WAS FROM ENGLAND (EMMA). HIS ORIGINAL LAST NAME WAS SCARELLA AND HE CHANGED IT TO GRAZIANI WHEN HE CAME TO AMERICA. WE MAY NOT BE RELATED BUT THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE THIS JUST IN CASE. I AM ALSO LOOKING FOR ANY AND ALL INFORMATION ON MY ANCESTORS IF YOU THINK WE MAY HAVE A CONNECTION.

LOOKING FOR INFORMATION IN REGARD TO LUIGI LORENZO SCARELLA, BORN JAN, 1, 1806 IN ONEGLIA ITALY NEAR THE CITY OF PORTO MAURIZIO. HE MARRIED EMMA SANHAM FROM DARFORT ENGLAND AND THEY CAME TO THE STATES. HIS FATHER WAS MARQUIS SCARELLA. I UNDERSTAND THAT THEY HAD A CASTLE IN ONEGLIA AND PART OF IT IS STILL IN TACT WITH SOME OF THE SCARELLA FAMILY LIVING IN IT. IF ANYONE HAS ANY INFO OR A PICTURE OF THE CASTLE, I WOULD BE MOST INTERESTED. HE WAS My GREAT GREAT GRANDFATHER AND I AM IN THE PROCESS OF PUTTING A BOOK TOGETHER ON OUR FAMILY TREE. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THANK YOU AUDREY KISSINGER abkissinger@neo.rr.com.