Salute! Egregi Amici: My interest in the Abruzzo Region is derived from my maternal ancestry. My mother, Vittorina FANTI, was born in Brooklyn, New York, on 23 November 1918. Her parents were Abruzzese: Salvatore Felice FANTE/FANTI, a shoemaker (calzolaio) born in Vasto, Chieti, on 28 December 1878, and Giulia D'ADAMO, born in Vasto 29 July 1882. Giulia was the daughter of Cesario D'ADAMO, born 14 May 1845 in Vasto, a pasta-maker (pastaio) and Maria Custoda SURIANI, who was known as Custoda, born in Vasto 29 July 1850, a seamstress (cucitrice). They were married in Vasto on 27 July 1872. Salvatore was born FANTE. He was the son of Giuseppe FANTE, a shoemaker (calzolaio) born in Vasto, 15 September 1841, and Maria STIVALETTA, a seamstress (cucitrice) born in Vasto, 3 August 1840. It was the second marriage of both Giuseppe and Maria, and took place in Vasto on 7 August 1873. Salvatore was illiterate. He came to America on 20 September 1902, aboard the SS Calabria, and was unmarried at the time. The passenger list shows his name as Salvatore FANTE, which also reflects the spelling on his "ATTO DI NASCITA." He had been courting Giulia before he emigrated, and corresponded with her through the use of a scribe (letter writer/reader). The scribe must have signed the letters "Salvatore FANTI" because when Giulia came to America aboard the SS Citta di Milano on 9 May 1904, the passenger list indicated that she was coming to see Salvatore FANTI. Salvatore and Giulia were married at Most Precious Blood Church on Baxter Street in Manhattan on 11 June 1904. Their marriage certificate shows his name as FANTI; it also misspells the family names of their mothers, calling Salvatore's mother "Maria STUVALETTI" and Giulia's mother "Custoda SORIANO." The "ATTO DI NASCITA" of my grandfather, Salvatore Felice FANTE, indicates that he was born "...nella casa posta in Strada Sant'Antonio al numero dodici." Salvatore had a sister, Maria Nicola FANTE, who was born in Vasto on 2 September 1882, and whom I believe also died there. He also had a half-brother, Francesco Saverio Ignazio FANTE, who was born in Vasto on 1 February 1871, and died in Vasto on 15 July 1956. His other siblings either died as children or emigrated to America. Salvatore died 23 November 1962 in Brooklyn, New York. The "ATTO DI NASCITA" of my grandmother, Giulia D'ADAMO, indicates that she was born "...nella casa posta in Strada Santa Maria al numero quattro." Giulia had a brother, Angelo D'ADAMO, who was born in Vasto on 25 October 1872, and whom I believe also died there. Her other siblings either died as children or emigrated to America. Giulia died 6 November 1965 in Brooklyn, New York. I would like to contact any persons in Vasto who might be related to me. Please use my e-mail address. If you write in Italian, I will do my best to understand what you have written. Io legge, scrivo e parlo italiano solo un piccolo po. Ciao... Louis (Luigi) Alfano My mother's parents, Salvatore FANTE (son of Giuseppe FANTE and Maria STIVALETTA) and Giulia D'ADAMO (daughter of Cesario D'ADAMO and Maria Custoda SURIANI), came to the United States in 1902 and 1904, respectively. They were both born in Vasto, Chieti, Abruzzi. I would like to contact any family members presently livung in Vasto. Mille grazie!
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