My Brick Wall
My grandfather's father was abandoned at birth. He also died very young after leaving behind six children. No one knew anything about him, even his children couldn't tell you much. After months and months of researching only him, and writing countless letters, and seeking professional assistance, I have found the truth. This is an amazing story.
Carmeloni Ignazio was born in Pavia (PV) Lombardia, to an unwed mother and father that didn't want him. The midwife that delieverd him, Amalia Brambilla Rovati, at the address Via Jacopo Bossolaro No.3 in Pavia then took him to the town secretary to be registered. The secretary named him Ignazio Carmeloni and he was taken by the midwife to the home for waifs and strays at San Matteo hospital. He was later taken in by Louise Scarani and Antonio Della Valle who were the only family he ever knew. There are no further records of who his real parents were, but because of this, I have become involved with the wonderful Della Valle family who, although not blood, are wonderful cousins.
After serving in the army, Ignazio Carmeloni followed the Della Valle family to America in 1905 where he became Carmeloni Ignazio due to the language barrier. Thus the Ignazio family began. Carmeloni married Rosa Biani from Pecorara (PC) Emilia-Romagna and had six children, five of which survived. He passed away in 1925 when his children were very young, leaving behind unanswered questions and a growing mystery.....until now.....
I am proud to have brought him home to us again.
The Ignazio Family from Lombardia/Emilia-Romagna
THE IGNAZIO FAMILY
♫"Standing on a corner, watching all the girls go by..."♫
~Dean Martin.
For my grandfather, Joseph John Ignazio,
it was just one girl...Lucia Carmela Graziano.
As the song goes, he was standing there
on the corner of that same tenament
in Harlem in New York City,
and she walked by.
In that instant, the seminary was out
and ♥ love ♥ was in!
GENERATION 1
Giuseppe Giovanni Ignazio: born 3 AUG 1911 Manhattan, New York; died 18 APR 1981 Brooklyn, New York
Married: 12 SEP 1937 Bronx, New York
Lucia Carmela Graziano: born 15 JUL 1915 Manhattan, New York; died 10 FEB 1992 Brooklyn, New York
- Only child - still living
GENERATION 2
Carmeloni Ignazio (born Ignazio Carmeloni): born 10 FEB 1882 Pavia, Lombardia, Italy; died 14 JUN 1925 Manhattan, New York
Married: 12 APR 1908 Manhattan, New York
Arrival: 15 MAR 1905 Genoa
Rosa Biani: born 25 APR 1888 Pecorara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy; died 5 FEB 1972 Bronx, New York
- Carmeloni: born 19 DEC 1908 Manhattan, New York; died 29 JAN 1909 Manhattan, New York
- Frank: born 16 NOV 1909 Manhattan, New York; died 9 OCT 1982 Bronx, New York
- Giuseppe Giovanni: born 3 AUG 1911 Manhattan, New York; died 18 APR 1981 Brooklyn, New York
- Ernest: born 29 JAN 1913 Manhattan, New York; died 15 JAN 1989 Bronx, New York
- Ercolina [Valente]: born 11 AUG 1917 Manhattan, New York; died 7 FEB 1976 Bronx, New York
- Youngest child still living
GENERATION 3
*Carmeloni Ignazio was an abandoned baby. He was born on 10 FEB 1882 to an unwed mother and father. The address of the home he was born in was Via Jacopo Bossolaro No. 3, Pavia. The midwife, Amalia Brambilla, took the child to register the birth. The Secretary of Pavia named him Ignazio Carmeloni (but due to his lack of English, his name was switched upon entering Ellis Island). After registering his birth, the midwife took him to the adoption home connected to San Matteo Hospital in Pavia. From there he was placed in the custody of Louise and Antonio Della Valle with whom he remained with for the rest of his life. Following is the history of the Della Valle family as we do not know the blood family of Carmeloni.
*Antonio Della Valle: born 1839 unknown where in Italy; died 4 MAR 1917 Manhattan, New York
Married: In Italy prior to 1879 unknown at this time Arrival: 6 JAN 1896 Genoa
*Eugenia Luisa Scarani: born 14 MAY 1849 Pavia, Lombardia, Italy; died 14 AUG 1938 Manhattan, New York
- Rosa [Losi]: born 1879 unknown where in Italy; died unknown in New York
- Carmeloni Ignazio: born 10 FEB 1882 Pavia, Lombardia, Italy; died 14 JUN 1925 Manhattan, New York
- Giovanni: born 1888 unknown where in Italy; died unknown in New York
- Francesco: born 1889 unkown where in Italy; died unknown at this time
- Giuseppe: born 1890 unknown where in Italy; died unknown in New York
- Enrico: born 1895 unknown where in Italy; died unknown at this time
Girolamo Biani: born 24 OCT 1830 Pecoara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy; died unknown at this time (first wife was Serafina Frachione - there are believed to be children from this marriage)
Married: 20 AUG 1868 Pecoara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy (both were widowed)
Angela Olimpiati: born 1843 Pavia, Lombardia, Italy; died unknown at this time (first husband was Francesco Biani)
- Giovanni: born 8 APR 1870 Pecoara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy; died unknown at this time
- Teodolinda: born 11 MAY 1872 Pecoara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy; died unknown at this time
- Clementina [Ferri]: born 27 APR 1875 Pecoara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy; died unknown in New York
- Serafino: born 21 JUL 1879 Pecoara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy; died unknown at this time
- Luigia: born 26 APR 1884 Pecoara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy; died 1887 Pecoara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
- Rosa [Ignazio]: born 25 APR 1888 Pecoara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy; died 5 FEB 1972 Bronx, New York
GENERATION 4
*Giovanni Della Valle: born unknown in Italy; died unknown Italy at this time
Married: unknown at this time Italy
*Antonia Sartori: born unknown in Italy; died unknown Italy at this time
- Antonio: born 1839 unknown where in Italy; died 4 MAR 1917 Manhattan, New York
- Other children unknown at this time
*Domenico Scarani: born unknown in Italy; died unknown Italy at this time
Married: unknown at this time Italy
*Angelica Ferri: born unknown in Italy; died unknown Italy at this time
- Eugenia Luisa [Della Valle]: born 14 MAY 1849 Pavia, Lombardia, Italy; died 14 AUG 1938 Manhattan, New York
- Other children unknown at this time
Amodio Biani: born unknown in Italy; died unknown Italy at this time
Married: unknown at this time Italy
Rosa Quadrelli: born unknown in Italy; died unknown Italy at this time
- Girolamo: born 24 OCT 1830 Pecorara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy; died unknown at this time
- Other children unknown at this time