LA FAMIGLIA TAORMINA

They were young and in love and had no way of knowing their union would produce progeny whose numbers today are in the hundreds. Franceso and Giuseppina Taormina began their lives and family in beautiful Sicily during the mid 1800's. Typical of many European families they came to America during the height of the immigration era and like so many before and after waved joyously and enthusiastically at the Lady in the Harbor. Although the streets were not paved in gold there were enough resources and opportunities that their children, Antonia, Guseppina, Felix, Andrew, Maria and Anna were able to carve out comfortable and even somewhat prosperous lives. Their children's lives were even better despite a war where one life was lost and just a few injured. Frankies, Jimmies, Josies, Angies and Phils grew up as cousins and then began scattering throughout the United States. Christmas cards were sent to Pennsylvania, Chicago, California, Florida, North Carolina, New Jersey and even as far as Guam in the Pacific...many miles from the little house up the hill on South Avenue in Youngstown, Ohio where Grandma knitted and made "pane" and Grandpop smoked his pipe.
Sadly, we, the many descendants of Grandpa and Grandma Taormina , separated by so many miles, can no longer get together for reunions at Mill Creek Park where we embraced, laughed, shared memories and ate and ate and ate! Most importantly we were one as a family -- La Famiglia Taormina.

Today the Josies, Frankies and Jimmies have given way to young urbanites whose children are in college and answer to Eric or Brittany or Rachel. We live in beautiful homes, drive expensive cars and fly to Italy to visit and experience "the country of our roots." We do not speak Italian and add a little fresh basil to a jar of spaghetti sauce and say it's just like they use to make in the old days. Many of us have not even seen pictures of our great-great-great-grandparents.

All of us owe our existence to Francesco and Giuseppina Taormina. And because the past is too precious to lose hopefully this Family Tree will enable us to preserve the names and help us recall the many lives that are all part of our "family."


I hope you enjoy viewing our tree. Every effort has been made to insure accuracy. However if names and dates are incorrect and some family members have been unintentionally excluded, please advise me so I can make necessary corrections.

I have worked on this project for more than a year. The experience is invaluable to a better understanding of the brave and hard working people that made it possible for me to be who and what I am. Hopefully all of you will reap similar rewards.


Paul Altobelli*



*First child of Pauline (nee Nittoli); first grandchild of Josephine Ann (nee Ferrante); second great-grandchild of Mary (nee Taormina); one of the many great-great-grandchildren of Francesco and Giuseppina Taormina and father of Rachel, Michael, and Joseph. This is dedicated to my children and their progeny.

Family Tree Maker Reports and Trees

• InterneTree: Paul D Altobell


• User Home Page Outline Descendant Tree: Descendants of Francesco Paolo Taormina


• User Home Page Genealogy Report: Descendants of Francesco Paolo Taormina