Hi, I have been researching our family and am happy to share it for everyone to see. Also, if anyone has something to add or correct feel free to get in touch with me. My grandparents were Stefano DeFrancesco and Rose Grace (Moreci).
Stefano or "Stevie" or Steve as we called him was born April 13th 1899 in Campofelice di Roccella, Italy on the island of Sicily. His father Santo and mother Francesca brought Stefano (Steve) at the age of 5 along with his uncle Giuseppe to America. They left Naples arriving at Ellis Island on the boat "Konig Albert" docking on March 2nd, 1905. They traveled to settle in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, their cousins were already there. On the manifest for the Konig the last name is mispelled "DiFrancesco", somewhere else along the way it was then changed to DeFrancesco, it is still debated as to why and how.
Both DiFrancesca and DeFrancesco are used by Steve's 11 children (Sam, Anthony, Sis, Lil, Joe, Dee, John, Larry, Joann, Grace and Jim), His other descendants include 38 grandchildren (I am the youngest!), over 60 2nd grandchildren and more... This two spellings can make things slightly confusing, some of their birth certificates have DeFrancesco some DiFrancesca. Of the 6 boys only Joe uses DiFrancesca, this may help. The rest of the family from Italy to america use the original DiFrancesca spelling. So far the family dates back to about 1789 to Gratteri, Sicily, (a stunning mountain town) where about 30 people still live with this surname. I would love to visit again and talk with them!!
Steve married Rose Grace Moreci who's family was from Altavilla Milicia, Sicily, Italy (only 15 miles from his home town in Sicily). Rose's family, came to America where Rose and her other siblings were born. Her family returned to Italy around 1922, where her father Antonio and mother Rosalia stayed. Her brothers, Angelo a Priest became a parish priest in Omaha Nebraska and retired to Chicago and Giovanni, a Doctor lived in Sicily with his family until his passing a few years ago, I believe June 2008. Her sisters have all moved to the US, California, Chicago and Florida.
Steve worked in his family's owned local grocerey,in Pittsburgh PA, where Rose met him. They were married on September 9, 1922 in West Virginia. Rose passed away right before her 100th birthday in June, 2007.
In summer 2006 150 people showed up for the 1st reunion in a long time! It was a great day, Thank you all for making it such a success. Lots of food and talking! I will be working on making pictures available. Clink on the link to see photos. We had a Steve and Rose descendants smaller reunion in 2007, she almost made her 100th, at my parents. I will put those photos on Snapfish soon.
Thank you for the recipes and pictures!
If you haven't done so yet send in your family recipes and pictures.
Since our family is so big I am hoping this site can help us keep in touch and share information and news. All information anyone wants to share please get in touch with me. Photographs are very much welcomed.
Please enjoy learning about our family!
Ciao!
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