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Palermo Province, Sicily
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Our Story, as I know it begins in Contessa Entellina, Sicily circa 1912. I have names and dates going back farther than 1912, but as of yet, don't have personal information on those ancestors other than their names and birth/death dates. You may view that information by clicking on the "Family Tree" button to the left. Contessa Entellina was founded in 1450 on the site of an ancient hamlet, the existence of which was recorded in the 14th C by Greek-Albanian immigrants coming from Bisiri, near Mazara. The inhabitants have maintained their Albanian dialect and traditional costumes. (Be sure to read more about our Albanian heritage by clicking here or the "Articles" link to the left). The village's is located 78 km from Palermo, altitude 571 M., on the N face of Monte Genuardo, in the upper basin of the Left Belice River. Originally the town was known as 'Contessa', possibly referring to the feudatory Caterina Cadorna, Countess of Chiusa in the 14th C; in 1875 the name 'Entellina' was added to recall the ancient Elymian city of Entellina, which stood nearby until it was destroyed by Frederick II in 1224. Excerpted from: Sicily and Its Islands |
 Contessa hillside  Street view. Door and balcony on the right is our Romano home |
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Our Tripolino and Romano ancestors left all they knew in Contessa behind in hopes that they would find a better way of life for themselves and their families in America. They began their emigration circa 1898. Our immigrant ancestor, Pietro Tripolino, left Contessa sometime around 1890 and entered the US thru New Orleans. I have yet to find the exact record of his passage, but am still hopeful that I'll find that record. He was married to a Maria (last name unknown) - possibly Restivo. Either she died, or they separated because he shows up in Ybor City, Tampa, FL in 1900 on a marriage record to his second wife, Francesca Rotolo. He had one son from his first marriage to Maria - our Antonino Tripolino. Life for the Siciliano in New Orleans was a struggle. Most of the immigrants found work in the fields of Louisiana. Our ancestors were made of strong stock, however, and quickly flourished in New Orleans. At one time, there were more Contessa natives in New Orleans than in Contessa! The Contessa natives banded together and on September 8, 1886, formed the Soc. Italiana di Ben. Contessa Entellina (Contessa Entellina Society). I have included more about the Contessa natives in this website. You can read more by clicking the "Articles" link in the navigation bar. I have included in this site, records I have found for Tripolinos I have yet to connect to our line. I'm positive that they do connect, since our Pietro Tripolino was in New Orleans, and these Tripolinos I found were all living in or around the New Orleans area. Seems that they stayed and didn't make the move to Tampa as our Pietro did. Click here to read about these un-connected Tripolinos. |
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Our Romano family patriarch is Filippo Romano. He was born in Contessa Entellina, Sicily. He married Antonina Marino in Contessa. (Click "Family Tree" link for dates). Together they had 8 children. Giovanni was the oldest son, and the first to immigrate to the US. He and his wife, Anna Giovingo sailed into Ellis Island on the ship San Guglielmo on Sept. 16, 1912. On the manifest, Giovanni states that he was coming to visit his uncle, Paolo Pirillo on 779 Main St., Tampa. I did find Paolo's immigration record also, and he stated he was coming to live with his brother inlaw in Driftwood, PA. Could'nt make out the brother inlaw's name, however, it looked like Domenic Leto. Anna stated that she was from Bisaquino. The next record I have is for Filippo and his eldest daughter, Andenzia (my g-Nana). Filippo must have come to the US at an earlier time, and gone back to Sicily to get Andenzia, because on his manifest record it states that he had been to the US before; however, I can't seem to find the record of his earlier travels. Filippo and Andenzia came over on the ship The Canada on Dec. 28, 1912; only 3 months after Giovanni. They stated their relative in the US as "son Giovanni, Main St., Tampa." Next to immigrate from the Romano family was Filippo's son Domenico. Domenico arrived in 1913 on the ship Venezia from Palermo. Finally, Filippo sent for his wife and the remaining children in Contessa. Antonina, along with children, Salvatore, Francesco, Rosa, Carmella and Vincenzo sailed from Palermo Feb. 14, 1914 on the ship America. This was nearly 2 years after Filippo came over with Andenzia. Also making the voyage on the ship with the family was Domenico's wife, Rosaria Cuggino and her 1-yr old son Filippo. From their entry into the US through Ellis Island, our Romano family made it's way to Tampa, FL, where they got jobs in the cigar factories in Ybor City. Most of them lived on 12th Avenue in Ybor. Ybor is now a historical section of Tampa, and has been extensively renovated. |
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