Dad’s 100th Birthday Part 1

 

1910 U. S. Federal Census for Josef Szczudlo (ZZudlo on form) address is 1741 18th Place, Ward 11, Chicago, Illinois Enumerated on 20-26 April 1910

Leo Joseph Szczudlo was born on Tuesday, July 22, 1913 at 1741 18th Place, Chicago, IL, the home of his parents.  Leo was the 4th child of Josef  (29 yrs.) and Mary Stuczka Szczudlo (28 yrs.), joining  sisters Francis (b 1909) and Bernice (b 1911).  Leo’s brother Anton (b 1907) died at age 3yrs 7mos. after a one-week bout of measles that turned into pneumonia. At the time of Leo’s birth, his father, Josef, worked as a bricklayer and mother, Mary, was a stay-at-home mom. Leo was Baptized at St Adalbert’s Church, 1650 W 17th Street in Chicago, on August 3, 1913.

 

 

 

 

 

                                      Anton Szczudlo Death Certificate

 

Mary Stuczka Wedding Photo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In February of 1913, Josef and Mary had purchased land in Section 27 of Juneau County, Wisconsin for the amount of $1,375. I remember being told that the decision to relocate to Wisconsin was because of Mary’s frail health.

See southwest corner of section 27.  Jozef Szczudlo 118.66 acres.

It is not known when the family made the move to Wisconsin, but by December 30, of 1915, when Leo’s brother Josef was born they were residents of Necedah.  On February 29 1916, Mary died of tuberculosis, leaving Josef with four children under the age of  7, one a two-month old infant. 

 

Birth Certificate of Josef, Jr 30 Dec 1915 and Death Certificate of Mary Szczudlo 29 Feb 1916

How did Josef, Sr. manage with 4 small children?  We will never know.  Did he have the help of neighbors, or the church?  Did he get help from his brother Julian (he lived with them in 1910, per the census)? Was Julian still in the USA? How much help could he have been?  Perhaps the children went to live Franciscous (Frank) and his wife Kasmira, who had five small children of their own.  That does seem a likely option, however, I have no way to prove that scenario.  

The next major event in the life of young Leo was the marriage of his father to Carolina on September 10, 1917. Where did Carolina come from?  I cannot find any immigration for her, but I must say that I don’t know if I have the correct spelling of her name.  I have two spellings for her surname. First was from the marriage certificate—Szynaszik.  Oddly, the surname of the priest that married Josef and Carolina was very similar to hers—Szynerzak.  Was she related to the priest or was this a coincidence?  Second was from Carolina’s death certificate—Szymaczski. 

Josef had three more children with Carolina:  Sophie born 22 Jan 1918, Theodore born 9 Jan 1919 and Mary born in 1920.

More to come in part 2.

Technorati Tags: Szczudlo,Josef Szczudlo,Mary Stuczka,Necedah,WI,Carolina Szynaszik,Frankcisek Szczudlo

The Old Homestead, Part 1

My parents (Leo and Julia Studlo) lovingly cared for their home on Midway Drive, in Willowbrook, Illinois for 18 years. Much has changed in the old neighborhood since the family sold it around 1973. There are now sidewalks, ditches along the street are gone (I assume there are now storm sewers) and the huge field where we spent countless hours playing, has been developed into a park.

The property has sold several times since. When last we saw it several years ago, we were in town for a multi-year high school reunion and Tom and I visited the old place with sister, Sharon. There was a man outside and, having safety in numbers, we boldly went where we hadn’t been in years.  The man had recently purchased the property and was planning to fix it up. (I found the purchase information on zillow.com and the now 1949 sq. ft., 3 bedroom, 1 bath home on 2.3 acres, was purchased for $550,000.  I’m sure most of the value was in the land itself.) The new owner kindly allowed us inside.

It was in a bad state of disrepair. Although a previous owner built a very large “great room” addition, nothing had changed in the original part of the house. The roof had leaked and the 3rd floor bedroom had water damage, the kitchen cabinets, while fine in 1955, looked shabby and the garage my dad built also was in bad shape.  Very, sad.

One of the interim owners installed a wooden picket-style fence with red brick uprights across the front of the property.

In light of recent storms here in southern Wisconsin, (There has been much flooding as the rainfall has been as much as 12” in a 24-hour period in some places. Yesterday, as we received 4.6” in about 6 hours) I am reminded a particular of a storm when I was a kid. We watched as the water edged closer and closer to our house on Midway. Much like it did here, yesterday.

We lived at the bottom of what seemed, at that time, a huge hill.  I remember the ditch in front of the house overflowing it’s banks.  The house was maybe 75 ft. from the ditch and I would say the water came within 20-25 ft. of the house, maybe closer. For an innocent kid, it was all very exciting.  Not so for my parents, Dad in particular.   I remember the family gathered in the living room looking out the big window and with each flash of lightening we could see the water encroaching on our home . . . and my Dad praying.

I can’t say for sure if we had water in the basement that time or not.  We relied on our sump pump to keep the water at bay. I know we did have water in the basement at least one time due to a power outage.

Technorati Tags: Studlo,Willowbrook IL

More on Vincenzo James Giunta

 

As you may remember from my last post, this photo of my Great-Grandfather, Vincenzo James Giunta and his daughter Mary was sent to me by my Cousin, Bette.

I was Skyping with brother, Jim, the other day. I was screen-sharing some of the photos and documents that I have collected, scanned and saved on my computer. 

We were discussing Vincenzo and his birth year.  As you can see below, in the various documents his birth year varies.  Without an actual birth certificate we will never know for sure.

7 Jun 1891 Marriage-age 24 (1867)

1910 US Census states age as 38 (1872)

1930 US Census states age as 63 (1867)

1940 US Census states age as 76 (1864)

Death certificate lists birthdate as June 5 1879-69 yrs, 8 mos, 6 days

Obituary states he was 83 1866

US Census taken on 11 Jun 1900

6719 S. Page St. Chicago, IL, Ward 31, Enumeration District: 982, Sheet:11A

Line 28--Junta, Jim, Head, White, Male, Date of birth-unknown, Age at last birthday -unknown, Married 10 years, Place of birth-Italy, Father's place of birth-Italy, Mother's place of birth-Italy, Immigration year-1886, 14 years in U. S. Occupation-Peddler, Months not employed-4, Cannot read, write or speak English, Rents home.

US Census taken on 29 Apr 1910

624 S. May Street, Chicago, IL, Ward 19 (part of Tract 52)

Line 76--Giunte, James, head, male, white, 38 yrs, married-18 yrs., immigration-1891-AL, speaks English, Occupation-peddler, Industry-wholesale fruit wagon, works on own account, rents-house.

1930 US Census taken on 15 Apr 1930

5918 S. Kenneth Avenue, Chicago, Cook, Illinois, Ward 15, Block 18. Sheet # 10A, Enumeration District: 16-578.

Line 1--Ganta, James, head, owns home valued at $5,000, owns a radio, male, white, 63 yrs., age at first marriage-20 yrs., not able to read or write, immigration year 1887, naturalized, speaks English, Occupation-common labor, Industry-can factory.

1940 US Census taken on  10 Apr 1940

Address 1230 S Kedzie Avenue, Chicago, Cook, Illinois, Ward 24, Block 1, Page 9A, Enumeration District: 103-1564.

Line 33, Ganta, James, Head, male, white 76 yrs, married, grade completed-8, naturalized citizen, rents home for $15.
*Line 34, Alvia, wife, female, white, 65 yrs, married, grade completed-8, naturalized citizen

*I have included the listing from the 1940 Census for “wife,” Alvia from Line 34 for “wife” Alvia, age 65. Who is Alvia?

Certificate of Death
Giunta (Ganta), Vincenzo, (James), Date of Death: 11 Feb 1949.
Place of death: Sisters of the poor 5148 S Prairie Avenue, Chicago, Cook, Illinois. 
Length of stay: 2 days.
In community where death occurred: 15 years.
Place of residence: 7324 S. Laflin Ave, Chicago, Cook, Illinois.
Widowed, white, male.
**Name of wife: Salvatora
Birthdate 5 Jun 1879; age of deceased: 69 yrs., 8 mos., 6 days
Birthplace of deceased: Termini, Italy
Usual occupation: labor
Industry or business: retired
Father's name: Angelo Giunta, Birthplace: Termini, Italy
Mother's name: Clara Scorta. Birthplace: Termini, Italy
Date of Death: 11 Feb 1949, 3:30 a.m.
Immediate cause of death: arteriosclerotic heart disease, duration: 1 yr.
Place of burial: Queen of Heaven, Location: Proviso, Cook, Ill; Burial date: 14 Feb 1949.
Funeral Director: Frank Granata, 900 S. Sacramento Ave, Chicago, IL

**Vincenzo’s Death Certificate indicated his wife was Salvatora, however, Salvatora seems to have been written in a different hand.

Obituary

GANTA, James Ganta, 83 late of 7324 S Laflin Street, husband of the late Salvatora, nee Scolaro, loving father of Pearl Petorella, Emily Cozzi, Mike, Frank Edward, Charles, James, Phillip, Rose Kolodziej, Josephine Cerceo and the late Mary Marchese, brother of Joseph. Funeral Monday 9 a.m. from chapel, 900 S Sacremento Blvd, to Our Lady of Sorrows Church.  Internment Mt. Carmel, Sacramento 2-4747.

Technorati Tags: Giunta,Ganta,Vincenzo Giunta,James V. PetorellaGanta

Vincenzo James Giunta

I received this photo, a copy of a copy, of my Great-Grandfather last week.  It was sent to me by cousin Bette.  It had a note with it that said “Grandpa Giunta and Aunt Mary.” 

Bette could not remember who sent it to her.  Hmmm.

Looking through some old correspondence I discovered a letter dated February 2000 from Gloria Klir.  In that letter Gloria mentions having sent Bette some photos and after checking the photo and letter handwriting, I determined they were written by the same hand.

What a find.  What are they up to in this photo, sampling some homemade hooch.  Could be.  Whatever they are up to, I am glad it was worth taking this photo. (c 1930s)

Technorati Tags: Giunta,Ganta,Vincenzo James Giunta,James Ganta,Mary Ganta,Mary Marchese

Pearl Giunta Petorella’s Siblings

 

Mary (Giunta) Marchese and husband David c 1930.

Mary, b 1894 and died 2 Nov 1943. Mary was the 2nd child of James and Salvatora.  Mary and David had three children.

 

 

 

 

 

Emma born 2 May 1911, died 14 Sep 2006.  Emma married Robert Marchi and they had one son Lucien born 1929

 

 

David, Jr. born 17 Sep 1913, died 8 Nov 1915

 

 

 

 

 

Melba Violet born 26 Feb 1920.  Melba is known as Violet.

 

 

 

 

 

She married Carmen J. Presco May 1940.  Violet and Carmen had two sons: Albert born 15 Dec 1943 and David born 27 Sep 1945, died Aug 1981.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This picture was taken at Albert Presco’s wedding. Left to right: David, Violet, Albert and Carmen Presco

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

---

Camille “Emily” was the 3rd child of James and Salvatora. (See post “Photos-Camille “Emily” Giunta b 1895”

---

Jenny Giunta,  born 6 Jan 1897 and died 21 Oct 1912, age 15 years, 9 months, 15 days of lobar pneumonia resulting in myocardial infarction.  Jenny was the 4th child of James and Salvatora Giunta.  This is here 1st Holy Communion photo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

---

Angelo “Mike” Giunta with John J. “James” Giunta on his lap.  Angelo went by Mike.  Mike was the 4th child of James and Salvatora Giunta and was born 13 Apr 1898 and died Feb 1970. Mike was married to Anna Pascente and had a daughter Jennie.

Julia states, “Uncle Mike had a coal & moving business.”

 

(John J.-see below)

 

 

---

Frank Giunta born abt Dec 1900 and died 1 Jul 1901 of bronchial pneumonia, contributing cause-measles. Frank was the 6th child of James and Salvatora.

---

Frank A. Giunta. was the 7th child of James and Salvarora Giunta and was born 1 June 1902 and died 29 Jul 1999.  Frank was married to Anna Anderson.  They had no children

 

 

 

 

 

---

Rose Giunta was born 27 Dec 1904 and died 24 Dec 1960. Rose was the 8th child of James and Salavatora Giunta. Rose married John Kolodziej and they had 4 children. 

Richard was born 15 Jul 1926. Richard married Grace Scogalione and they had a daughter Corine. 

Grace was born 2 Sep 1929.  Grace married Irving Hazard and they had two Children Gary and Bryant.

Gloria was born 15 Jun 1932 and married Harold Klir and had two children James born 1967 and Stephen born 1969.

Adrian born 15 Jun 1939 and married Linda Stengle

Rose Giunta Kolodziej and daughter Gloria Kolodziej Klir.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

James Giunta  was born 7 Mar 1906 and died 31 Jul 1910 at the age of 4 years , 4 months and 24 days of diptheria. James was the 9th chld of James and Salvatora.

---

Fillippe Phillip Giunta (Ganta) was born 27 Jun 1908 and died Jul 1970.  Phillip was the 10th child of James and Salvatora. 

Phillip was married to Doris Irene Madsen in 1933.  Phillip and Doris had four children: Phyllis born 1934, Doris b 1935, Glen born 1937 and Greg born 1939.

In 1949, Phillip married Beatrice. Phillip and Beatrice had eight children: Robert, Cynthia born 1951, Edward born 1953, Elizabeth born 1955, William born 1958, Frank born 1959, Caroline born 1963 and Dennis born 1966.

According to Julia’s notes, Phillip had a coal and moving business. (It is unknown if Mike and Phillip were co-owners or if they each had their own business.)

---

Vincenzo James born 24 Aug 1910 and died 5 Oct 1910. Vincenzo James was the 11th child of James and Salvatora.

Baptism Record Holy Guardian Angel Church 1910

 

 

---

Josephine was born 25 Sep 1911 and died 17 Occt 1987.  Josephine was the 12th child of James and Salvatora.  Josephine married Alfred Cerceo and they had three children:  Alfred born 1938, Thomas born 1931, died 1995, and John.

 

 

 

 

---

John James Giunta known as Jim Ganta was born 12 Oct 1913 and died 17 Oct 1987. Jim was the 13th Child of James and Salvatora.  Jim married Eva Geancouteri and they had two children, James and Theodora.

 

 

 

---

Charles Paul Giunta (Ganta) was born 20 Apr 1915. Charles was the 14th child of James and Salvatora. Charles married Leona Guthrie in 1941. After Leona’s death, Charles married Cleo May Hall on 30 Apr 1877.

Charles was a master sergeant in the Air Force during WWII. Charles remained state-side. Later Charles worked for the Space Center.

Charles had no children.

 

 

---

Edward Giunta (Ganta) born 29 Aug 1918, died 7 Jan 2012.  Edward was the 15th child of James and Salvatora.  Edward never married.

 

Technorati Tags: Giunta,Ganta,Marchese,Marchi,Presco,Cozzi,Kolodziej,Cerceo

Camille “Emily” Giunta born 1895

Camille was called Emily in all the records I have found except the 1900 U.S. Census. In the 1900 Census she was at the youngest child of James Vincenzo and Salvatora Giunta.  Her age is listed as 5, on 11 Jun 1900.  The Social Security Death Index indicates her birthday as 11 Oct 1895.

By 1910, James  and Salvatora’s family had grown even though Prudenzia and Mary had married and were no longer living in the home.  Six additional children were born between the 1900 and 1910 Census. Of those six, three died. 

With the household dealing with births and deaths, Emily was sent to live with her Uncle John and Aunt Prudentia Giunta Amadeo.  The 1910 Census shows 14-year old Emily living with her Uncle John, age 48 and Aunt Prudentia, age 43 at 6737 S. Hermitage Avenue, Chicago, IL.

Julia Studlo writes of Emily’s change of household, “Prudentia Amadeo I’m sure is the aunt that they gave Aunt Emily to because she couldn’t have children. I think she’s grandpa’s (James Vincenzo) sister.”

Ancestry.com, Illinois, Deaths and Stillbirths Index 1916-1947, notes Prudentia Amadeo’s death and other information shows she is the daughter of Angelo “Santo” Giunta or Ganta , she was born about 1868 and was married to “Jack”

 

 

This photo shows Emily with Prudentia and John Amadeo on the day of  her 1st Holy Communion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emily GIunta

Emily Giunta and Fred Cozzi were married 15 Sep 1912.

Her age listed on the Marriage License is 18 but according to the information I have found she was just shy of 17 years old.

Fred and Emily had four children: Joseph; John born 1915, died 1988; James and Anthony

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: Giunta,Ganta,Cozzi,Amadeo

Where Did You Live?

1916 Map of Chicago, Looking West from Lake Michigan.
Working with documents, if you can find them,  that are full of misspellings, name changes and illegibility, makes answering the title question difficult, if not impossible.
Starting with Francesco and Margherita (Azzarello) Scolaro: Records listed by date and all addresses are Chicago, IL unless otherwise noted.

• Giuseppe Scolaro birth 23 Feb 1895, residence 86 Tilden Ave.
• Joseph Scolaro death 11 Mar 1896, residence 112 or 117 Tilden Ave
• Ignazia Scolaro born 15 Aug 1896, residence 416 Tilden
• Anna Scolaro born 12 March 1898, residence 76 Tilden
• 1900 U. S. Census shows the Francesco Scolaro family living at 108 Tilden
• 1910 U. S. Census shows the Francesco Scolaro family living at 622 S. Aberdeen St.
• 1917 Francesco Scolaro (son-42 yrs) death 17 May 1917 residence 622 S Aberdeen

Next we have James Vincenzo and Salvatora (Scolaro) Giunta:

• 1900 U. S. Census shows James and Salvatora  Junta living at 6719 S Page St.
• Frank Ganta death 1 Jul 1901, residence 6719 S. Hermitage Ave
• James Guinto born, 7 Mar 1906, residence 6719 S Page St.
• James Ganta death 31 Jul 1906, residence 624 S May St.
• Fillippo Giunta, born 27 Jun 1908, residence 197 Aberdeen.
• 1910 U. S. Census shows James and Salvatora Guinte living at 624 S May St.
• James Gaunte, death 5 Oct 1910, residence 624 S May St.
• Josephine Guinte, birth 25 Sep 1911, residence 624 S May St.
• Jennie Giunta, death 21 Oct 1912, residence 622 S Aberdeen
• 1930 U. S. Census shows James and Salvatora Ganta living at 5918 S. Kenneth Ave.
• 1940 U. S. Census shows James Ganta with “wife” “Alvia” living at 1230 Kedzie Ave.
• James Ganta (Giunta) death 11 Feb 1949, residence 7324 S. Laflin Ave.

Finally, we have Domenio and Prudenza (Pearl) Petorella:

• 1910 U. S. Census Domenico and Pearl living at 622 S Aberdeen
• Innocenzo (James) Vincenzo Petorella born 14 Nov 1911, residence 408 S Roby St.
• Julia Petorella born 4 Nov 1914, residence 2556 W. Jackson Blvd.
• Lucy Petorell born 1 Apr 1916, residence 2556 W. Jackson Blvd.
• Domenico Petorella Social Security Application, residence 802 S. Western Ave
• 1940 U. S. Census Domenico and Pearl living at 802 S. Western Ave.

Street changes add to the confusion.  Page St. was changed to Hermitage.  The Roby St. is now Damen Ave and the 408 S. address is now a Westbound on ramp to the Eisenhower Expressway. The “Little Italy” neighborhood (described in a previous post) has been decimated by the building of the Eisenhower Expressway, the Dan Ryan Expressway, the University of Chicago and urban blight.
Try to find the approximate addresses in these old maps below.  Top map is east section, mostly Little Italy and the bottom map is west and includes Western Avenue and Hermitage although 6719 is much further south. Use your browsers zoom feature to enlarge.

Technorati Tags: Petorella,Scolaro,Giunta,Ganta,Azzarello,Chicago IL,Chicago Little Italy