MARIANO'S FAMILY

Rose Matrascia (Rosalia Iannarino)

Mariano's sister, Rosalia, was born on the 23rd of November, 1874 and was married to Francesco Matracia -- the correct Italian spelling. They were married on January 22, 1894. Francesco Matracia was born on March 8, 1868 in Termini Imerese. According to the 1920 census, they have 9 children. Their names are Thomas, Charles and Joseph who all worked as barbers. Then there are Augustina, Mary, Flora, Josephine, Salvadore, and Victor. All the children were born in Pennsylvania. Frank works as a fruit dealer in a store. Thomas, the oldest son and his wife Geneve live in the family home. The address in 1920 is 1020 Webster Avenue. The last name is now spelled Matrascia. The census data from 1930 shows no more children. No information is available about the death dates of Frank and Rosalia nor where they were buried.

Little is known of the other family members at this time. Joseph Matrascia married three times. His first wife Ann Costello is the mother of his infant son Frank, shown in the photo above. Frank died as an infant, though no cause is known at this time. Joseph Matrascia then married Victoria Walegorski. Then Joseph married Rose Marino. Rose had a daughter Rose Marie. Rose Marie is still living.(This information was supplied by Joe's granddaughter from his third marriage, Amanda.)

The photo - above left- is Frank Matrascia and his wife Rosalia Iannarino. The date is unknown. The photo - above right - is Joe Matrascia and his infant son Frank. The photo is from 1921. Joe was the son of Rosalia Iannarino and Francesco Matrascia. Both photos was shared with us by Melanie who is married to the great-grandson of Frank Matrascia and Rosalia Iannarino.

Frank Henry (Francesco Iannarino)

Francesco Iannarino, brother of Mariano Iannarino, was born on October 13, 1876. His death occured in 1940. Grandpa's brother, Frank, shows up on the census data in 1900, 1910 and 1920. In 1900 he was married but living in a boarding house without his wife. Another record has been found which shows Frank living with his father and brothers in 1900. Which record is correct is unknown at this time. Frank immigrated in 1890 and his wife Lucia in 1901. In 1900 Frank worked as a day laborer. In 1910 Frank was age 33. His wife Lucia was now living with him. The children are Charles, Sarah, Anna and Lucy. All were born in Pennsylvania. In 1910 Frank was a peddler of fruits and vegetables. In 1920 Frank and his wife have six children--Charles who works as a car repairman for the railroad, Sarah, Lucy, Rose, Anna and Christina who was nicknamed Queenie. Queenie is still living as of this writing. Their address in 1920 was 502 Lacock Street. Eventually Frank owns and operates a grocery store though he cannot read or write english.

Frank's wife Lucia has an interesting story. Lucia was born out of wedlock. As an infant she was given to another family to raise because her birth mother was ashamed that she had borne a child without a husband. As Lucia grows, the adoptive family offers an opportunity to Lucia to meet her birth mother. Lucia refuses to meet the woman who was ashamed of her, stating that the adoptive mother is her real mother. The marriage record which was just found of Frank and Lucia indicates that Lucia was born in Palermo and her parents are unknown. At this time it is believed that Lucia was raised by Gaetano Matracia and Ignazia Mercurio, the parents of Francesco Matracia who married Rosalia Iannarino, in Termini Imerese.

In the photo - above left - is Frank (Francesco Iannarino) eldest son of Saverio Agostino Iannarino. Above right - a photo of Lucia Vigli, mother of Queenie and wife of Francesco Iannarino. left.

Thomas Henry (Antonino Iannarino)

Antonino Iannarino was born on October 22, 1878 and died in 1917. Mariano's brother Thomas, age 32, is indicated on the 1910 census. He and his wife Augustina live at 517 West Robinson Street. Thomas is a merchant at a fruit store. They have one child Charles at this time. Thomas' birth date is listed as October 22, 1878 and he died on October 31, 1918. On his gravestone the family name is spelled "Anerino".

A manifest record has been found of Antonino Imarino (Antonino Iannarino), age 24, a fisherman, can read and write, going to Pittsburgh from Termini Imerese on July 7, 1903. He has been in the United States for 9 years and is traveling to Pittsburgh where his father resides at 225 Craig or Greig Street. He was born in 1879. He has $38 in his pocket. Traveling with him is Agostina Comella, age 16. She was born in the United States and can read and write. Agostina states on the manifest that she is going to her father-in-law Saverio's residence.

An interesting fact just uncovered is that the wife of Thomas and the wife of John are sisters. The mother of both Augustina Comella, Tom's wife, and Antonina Comella, John's wife, is Concetta Longo, daughter of Ignazio Comella and Concetta Longo. Concetta was the sister of Rosaria Longo, the mother of both John and Thomas. So it would appear that the two Iannarino men married their first cousins. I have been told that it was not uncommon.

Peter Henry (Pietro Iannarino)

Pietro Iannarino was born on December 18, 1880. Mariano's brother, Peter, immigrated in 1894, although some records indicate the date of 1898, and is living with his brother Frank and his wife in 1920 and has lived with them since immigrating to the United States. Peter is a laborer, working as a track repositioner on the railroad in 1920. Peter does not marry and has no known children. Peter dies in January 1933, reportedly in a nursing facility from pneumonia. Peter was buried on January 9, 1933 next to his brothers Charles and Thomas. No census record has been found for Peter in 1930; it is likely that by 1930 Peter was living in a nursing facility.

A ship's manifest from June 10, 1907 states that Peter is traveling to Pittsburgh with his brother John. The ship's name is "Nord America". Peter states that he has been in the United States from 1897 - 1905. Other records have been found to indicate that Peter traveled to the United States in both 1894 and 1898. Peter's height is 4'11". He has $10 in his pocket. He cannot read or write.

John Henry (Giovanni Iannarino)

Giovanni Iannarino was born on November 19, 1882 in Termini Imerese. Mariano's brother, John, is entered on the census records of both 1910 and 1920. In 1910 John and his wife Lena are living with older brother Thomas and his family. In 1910 John and Lena have three children--Charles, Sarah and Mary. Sarah and Mary appear to be twins. John is a huckster with a wagon.

A manifest record from June 10, 1907 states that John has been in the United States from 1899 - 1906. It also states that John's height is 5'2". He cannot read or write. John has $20 in his pocket.

Another manifest from October 20, 1900 is found for John (Giovanni Iannarino) arriving at Castle Garden aboard the ship "Werra". John is illiterate and is a fisherman.

In 1920 John and Lena have 4 children--Rose was born in 1918. Their address is Corry Street.

Robert Henry (Liborio Iannarino)

Liborio Iannarino was born on the 25th of June 1884. A previous record thought to be Robert Henry traveling to the Pittsburgh with the name of Michele Iannarino, age 19 is shown on a ship's manifest dated October 26, 1899. He gives his occupation as countryman. The record states that Michele Iannarino is visiting his brother in Pittsburgh. This may not be a record of our relative, so who is he?

Robert is shown on the census data of 1910 and 1920. Robert immigrated in 1895; his wife Josephine was born in Pennsylvania. Robert and his wife Josephine live at 604 Leacock (Lacock) Street. They have two children--Charles and Sarah--both born in Pennsylvania. Robert works as a fruit peddler. According to family stories, Robert was the shortest of all the Iannarino brothers, at approximately 4'8". Robert worked for the railroad and later on bridge construction.

In 1920 Robert and his wife Josephine have five children, all born in Pennsylvania. They are Charles, Samuel, Frank, Rose and Lucy. Sarah does not appear. It is possible that she died in the influenza epidemic of 1918. A record has been found of Josephine Palmisano on the FamilySearch.org site, which is hosted by the Mormon church, though I am uncertain if she was the wife of Michele Iannarino.

Morris Henry (Mariano Iannarino)

Mariano Iannarino was born December 8, 1891. Mariano is a peddler of fruit and vegetables in 1910 and living with his brother Frank and family. Mariano immigrated to the United States in 1904. In the fall of 1910 grandpa returned to Italy to visit his mother Rosaria Longo, and when he returned to the United States Mariano brought his new wife, Providenza with him. For a time Mariano and his wife lived in the home with Frank, Lucia and their family.We have found a copy of Mariano's draft registration card from 1917, although he never served in the war since he had a wife and 4 children at the time.

In 1920 Mariano and his family are living at 1300 Sandusky Street. My father, Frank, has not yet been born, so the census was taken at the beginning of January 1920. Living with Mariano at the time of the census was his mother-in-law, Jennie(Concetta)Bova as well as 4 children--Charles, 8 years of age, Sadie 6 years of age, Anthony at 4 and 1/2 years and Jennie at 2 and 1/2 years. Jennie (Concetta) Bova's age is given as 60. Mariano's occupation is listed as produce merchant. Mariano must have been working for the Spragalle Wholesale Fruit Company at that time.

Charles Henry (Saverio Iannarino)

Saverio Iannarino was born on January 13, 1897 and died on October 17, 1946. Mariano's brother Charles named Saverio Iannarino, enlisted in the Army during World War I. We have a copy of his draft registration card. Charles lost an eye in the conflict. His gravestone, supplied by the Veteran's Administration states that he was born on January 7, 1898 and died on October 17,1946. Saverio enlisted on June 27, 1918 and was discharged honorably February 22, 1919. He was a Private, Company E, 111th Infantry.

Charles married Thomas' wife Augustina after Thomas died in the influenza epidemic. Charles had been a boarder in Thomas' home.

Gravestones in Northside Catholic Cemetery

Frank and Lucia were buried in the Northside Catholic Cemetery -- now renamed Christ our Redeemer Cemetery on Cemetery Lane on the Northside of Pittsburgh. Francesco (Frank) according to the gravestone, was born in 1876 and died in 1940. His wife Lucia was born in 1881 and died in 1948. Frank's American name of "Henry" is listed on the gravestone.

The graves of Thomas, Charles and Peter have been located at Christ our Redeemer cemetery on the Northside of Pittsburgh. The wife of both Charles and Thomas, Augustina Comella, who called herself Christina, is buried with Charles while her first husband, Thomas is buried just to the right of him along with two children, Frank and Sarah who died during the epidemic. Thomas' stone lists the name Antonino Anerino. Charles stone was provided by the Veterans Administration and lists Saverio Iannarino, the name under which he was enlisted in the Army during World War I instead of Charles Henry, the name which he used in America.

Peter is buried to the left of Charles, his stone lovingly placed by three great nieces in 2006. Peter's stone lists his given name of Pietro Iannarino. To most of us Peter's life would seem a small one. According to family members, Peter was "slow". I assume that means that he was mentally challenged in some way. He was loved by his family who gave him a place to call "home", living most of his life with his older brother Frank. Peter worked for the railroad until he became too ill to work. We do not know why or when he entered a nursing facility. There are stories of many Italian immigrant laborers who were hurt "on the job". Perhaps Peter was one of them. Although Peter's gravestone lists his dates as 1881 - 1933, Peter's actual date of birth was December 18, 1880. When the stone was ordered, no birth date was available for Peter, so a guess had to be made based on documents which had been found.

Cemetery records list John's dates as 1882 - 1957 and his wife Lena's dates as 1888 - 1970. Their son Frank J. was born in 1923 and died in 1963. John and Lena's stone lists the "Henry" name though it is unlikely that the name was changed legally. Their daughter Rose is buried with them, near where Mariano and his wife Providenza are buried. Though Frank's name appears on the stone with his parents and sister, a separate stone had been provided by the Veterans Administration. Frank served in the armed forces during the Second World War and the Korean conflict and died in 1963.

Morris Henry and his wife Provvidenza are also buried in the Northside Catholic cemetery. Their burial stone lists the last name of "Henry". The name was not changed legally according to Mariano's daughter-in-law Mary.

Concetta La Manna, the mother of Provvidenza La Manna, is buried near her daughter Provvidenza and her husband Mariano. Concetta La Manna died in 1929.

Madeline Azzarello, the wife of Charles Henry (son of Frank and Lucy Henry), is buried in Northside Catholic cemetery. Her brother, Frank Azzarello, is also buried in Northside Catholic cemetery. Madeline's husband Charles Henry is buried there as well. Charles Henry worked in the produce yards and died of lung cancer, while Madeline Azzarello was hospitalized for depression many years later and died of sepsis.

Rose Henry, the daughter of Mariano Iannarino and Provvidenza La Manna, is placed just at the foot of her parent's stone. According to Rose, Provvidenza was buried deeper than her husband so that Rose's casket could be placed on top of her mother's casket.

Children and Grandchildren

A visit with Christina Henry, the youngest daughter of Frank and Lucy Henry occured in 2005. Christina was nicknamed "Queenie" and the name has remained with her throughout her life. Queenie now lives in a nursing facility. All of Queenie's siblings and her parents are deceased. Queenie was born in 1918.

The photo to the right shows -- Frank and Prudy , children of Antonio Iannarino (Tony Henry, son of Morris). Rose Marie Henry (daughter of Madeline Azzarello and Charles Henry, son of Frank and Lucia) and Madeline Azzarello, daughter of Frances. Nearer the front from the left are Nina (Lena), wife of Giovanni Iannarino, Providenza La Manna, Madeline Henry, wife of Charles who was the son of Frank and Lucia, and Frances Azzarello, the sister-in-law of Madeline Henry. The photo is from 1949 and is from Rose Henry's collection of "Historic Photographs". Madeline Henry's maiden name was Azzarello.

Madeline was brought to the United States to work as a maid or mother's helper in the household of Sam Spracale, her mother's brother. Sam Spracale had promised to bring the rest of Madeline's family if she would work for his wife. Sam Spracale never kept his promise, according to the daughters of Madeline and Charles Henry. After several years working for the Spracale's, Madeline met and married Charles Henry.

Madeline Azzarello and Charles Henry, son of Francesco Iannarino, had three children, all girls. Their names are Lucille, Madeline and Rose Marie.

Madeline Azzarello's brother, Francesco Azzarello came to Pittsburgh from Sicily with his uncle Sam Spracale on the ship "Providence" according to Madeline's daughter. Sam Spracale lived in a home at Perrysville Avenue and Charles Street.

The photo to the right is of Joe Matrascia in 1941. Joe was the son of Francesco Matracia and Rosalia Iannarino. He is shown in the photo with Victoria Walegorsky and Victoria's mother.

Castle Garden Records

Francesco Iannarino, Saverio's eldest son arrived at Castle Garden on the April 4, 1899 aboard the ship "Augusta Victoria". He reported his age as 23 and his occupation as fisherman, with final destination to be Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. On census documents Francesco Iannarino is reported to be older.

Mariano's Family Tree

To see a copy of the current family tree, please click on: Mariano's Family Tree. Your browser will open a new window. Close the window to return to this page.

Please remember that the names on this family tree beyond Mariano's name are based on the knowledge of naming conventions and remembered stories. I do have access to a database which lists birth and death records and have been working diligently to find our family's ancestors. All of the locations are Termini Imerese unless otherwise stated.

Return to the top of the page.

©2010 Franciene McDonald