Hi there, me again.
Check out some postings by someone whose signature is maiteparte. They wrote this a few years ago and there was mention of someone named Francisco. I'm seriously wondering if he and Roque were related, as they came over from Corsica at about the same time:

Hello Primas and Primos:

I reply to this particular message, but this is directed to everyone on this Carattini Message Board. I am sending pretty much the same message to the private email addresses that are posted to ensure that we all get to see this. I have some info about Caratini and a couple of questions.

Origin: My Caratini ancestors came from Canari, Corsica (Corcega in Spanish, Corse in French). Corsica has been French since the 18th Century, even though right before the French annexed the island it was ruled by the Genoese. Genoa ruled Corsica from the middle ages up to the 18th century. At this point the Corsicans revolted against Genoese rule, obtained virtual independence, but were then annexed by France. Corsica is also the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte.

The family: At some point in the 19th Century, my tatarabuelo (great-great grandfather) Francisco Caratini came from Canari, Corsica to Puerto Rico. I don't know his DOB. He married Cesarea Zayas from Coamo, Puerto Rico. Celestino and Cesarea lived in Coamo and had a couple of kids (I don't know how many)including my geat-grandfather Celestino Caratini Zayas. Celestino was born in Coamo, on 6 April 1852. He married Encarnacion Bas, who was born in Coamo on 25 March 1860.

I'm told that Celestino and Encarnacion had five children (although I know of only four). They were Maria L., Luis Francisco, Sara M., and Armida. Armida was born 25 December 1896. All these folks were from Coamo.

Armida Caratini Bas, who much later became my grandmother, married by grandfather Jose Maria Aponte Pico, also from Coamo, Puerto Rico. Jose Maria was born 8 August 1894. These folks had children, one of whom is my father. All of the Aponte Caratinis are from Coamo are Zaida, Sylvia, Joseph, Jaime (mi papa) and Rene.

Rene Aponte Caratini was the owner of the basketball team mentioned by Mary Caratini (so we are definitely related, as Rene is my dad's brother). My family also droppred one "t" at some point, although I know forget when.

Coamo History: Celestino Carfatini and Juan Reyes had the first automobile in Coamo, in 1910. Ten years later, Celestino Caratini established a power system in Coamo.

This must sound familiar to some of you. Do you have any further information? I look forward to connecting with you.

Maite Aponte Parsi
in Boston a la orden