Garibaldi Club

A very important part of the Italian life was spending time with other family members and friends.  It was quite common for immigrants to join together in their US communities.

The photo attached to this update dates back to 1954 and includes a group of men from the Follansbee, West Virginia Garibaldi Club.

Kneeling in the middle is my grandfather John "Chico" Ciccolella.  He spent many days with his friends at the club.  He also performed music at many special events.  The Ciccolella's were active in the organization with John's wife Christina serving as president of the Sisters of the Garibaldi on several occasions.

That's Entertainment

In the late 1920's and early 1930's Christina Lamonica was very active in several activities including participating in a local production of Carmen.  Here she poses in costume for the muscial.  This photo was taken about 1931 in Steubenville, Ohio. In March, 1934 she co-directed the play "Little Nell" for the Yerne Girls Society. 

Iaquiele

This is a photo of my great grandmother Mary Michelle Iaquiele.  She was born December 6, 1879 to Biaggio Iaquiele and Antonetta Colabello in Potenza, Italy.  On May 5, 1900 she married Michele Archangelo Lamonaca (Mike Lamonica).

The couple had three children - Grace Lamonica, Dan Lamonica and Christina Lamonica.

This photo was taken in Steubenville, Ohio sometime in the 1910s or 1920s.

A tie into the Pierro family

Researching family history has been a great deal of fun and along the way I am never amazed at what items can be discovered.  The November 26, 1918 Steubenville Herald Star, contained a story about private Antonio Pierro who was reported killed in action in France.  Two weeks following his reported death, his half-brother, Mike Lamonica received an offical war telegraph informing him that Private Pierro was actually alive. 

I could not let this go without some additional research.  The obit's of Antonio (Tony) Pierro and his brother Vito Pierro both make mention to his brother Mike Lamonica.  It seems that the half-brothers shared the same mother - Christina Fiore.  Fiore was married to Antonio Lamonica when Mike was born in Forenza, Italy.  Just four years later Fiore and husband Raffale Angelo Pierro welcomed Antonio and then Vito a few years later.  I am now looking for some Pierro family members to see if I can get some additional information.

In the photo are Tony Pierro to the left and Mike Lamonica to the right.  The photo was likely taken in Steubenville, Ohio.

Photos

I have had a lot of fun going though old family photos.  This particular photo is from Follansbee, West Virginia.  Up front are Mary Ann Ciccolella and Pauline Ciccolella.  In the back: Maria "Gigi" Ciccolella and Mike Ciccolella.  They are the children of John Ciccolella and Christina Lamonica Ciccolella.  I am not sure what year this if from, maybe 1955?  The photo was taken off of Virginia Avenue.

Cemetery Find

During my family research, I came accross some new information, well it is new to me anyway.  I actually found photos of the head stone for my great grandfather Mike Lamonica and his wife Mary Michelle.  This confirms a few things.  first, we are able to confirm birthdates and death dates.  It also let's me know that they did not return to Italy.  They are buried next to each other in Steubenville, Ohio at the Mount Calvary Cemetery.  Also, buried here is Regina Santucci, the first wife of John Ciccolella, my grandfather.  Santucci died at an early age.  I hope to visit the grave sites on a trip back to the area.

Mom

It has been a while since I have posted anything. I am still in the process of updating our family history. This past June, 2009 my mother Maria "Gigi" Bennett died in her home in Fairmont, West Virgina. I was in Italy at the time with my son. We were able to have a great memorial for her back in Weirton. I hope I can honor her and the rest of my family who have pasted away. Family is important and should always be honored and never forgotten. So, here's to all the great mom's out there - may Gold bless you.