Serafina Curcio 1844 - 1907

Back on track after taking my own journey the last 18 months or so.  As many of you know, I've been under cancer treatment but am now beginning to feel more myself.  As I reflected on starting up again on my writing and research, it occurred to me that my recent experiences might reflect some of the fear and anxiety that our ancestors faced leaving home for America.  I suppose they left knowing it might never be the same again; that a bright future was not guaranteed; and that there would be painful and scary times ahead.  Perhaps it doesn't compare at all and I've just painted this picture with the uncertain strokes of recovery.  Regardless, I like to think that giving the lives our ancestors lived some time in the spotlight grants them some renewal.

I believe this death record is for Sarah (Serafina) Curcio, the Dalpiaz/Manzelli/Coffarelli children's great great great grandmother.  Serafina and her husband Raphael (Ralph) were parents to Antonia Curcio who married Graziano Isoldi.  I am sure the Isoldi name is familiar to you.  Sarah and Raphael were living in the same househould with Antonia and Graziano in the 1892 New York State census.  At that time, "Annie" (your great grandmother) was about 12.

This death record indicates Sarah was 63 in 1907 when she died....the same age listed for her in the 1892 census.  This may lead you to wonder why I believe this is "your" Sarah.  Other clues lead me to believe the incorrect age was given at the time of her death, which seems to have occurred in a private home at 463 14th St. Long Island City.  A few years later, at this same address is a man named Frank Curcio with his wife and family.  Frank is also listed in 1892 as Antonia's brother, so I suspect Frank was living in the same house he'd been living in for several years.  Unfortunately I cannot find Sarah or Ralph in 1900 but I'll keep looking!  The address is a pretty strong indicator that this is the correct Sarah.

A passenger list from 1877 from the steamship Utopia lists Serafina Curcio (47 years old) accompanied by Antonia (18) and Francisco Paolo (Frank? age 8).  I believe this is your family.  It seems a good possibility from Sarah's age in 1877 that Antonia and Frank were younger children from the family and that perhaps there are other older siblings who did not make this trip with their mother.  Antonia is married soon after her arrival.  Ralph is listed as a carpenter in 1892! (Robert???)

There is no indication yet where in Italy the Curcio family called home, and I suspect that Ralph came first followed by the family.  What the factors were that pushed them out of Italy are not known, it seems likely poverty and the opportunity for a better life were the major factors in uprooting entire families to settle in a whole new world.  These Italians came to the United States a few years before the major influx and that may have worked in their favor.  Nevertheless, I'm sure it wasn't an easy life. I suppose they left knowing it might never be the same again; that a bright future was not guaranteed; and that there would be painful and scary times ahead.