We all have those boxes of photographs…the ones that grandma left behind. The ones that no one knows anything about. Who are they? We recognize faces and expressions as if they are our own and see these lost souls in our children’s eyes.
Patricia DiNieri asked if I would share her forgotten ones. There are a few notations on the backs of her photographs but often the notations only provide more mystery.
Let us know if you recognize anyone. She feels that most of these photographs are of people related to the Scalzo or Critelli families and many of them were probably taken in Gimigliano, Italy. These people are most likely related to the Scalzos of Niagara Falls, New York.
And, please, send me JPEGs of your own “forgotten ones” to include on this blog. Maybe we can finally bring them back to life.
Cubello?
Joseph Critelli and Lena Cubello?
Possibly Fred Scalzo on right, his father on left. They last lived in Akron, Ohio.
Fred Scalzo?
Cornelia?
The Journal of the Dead Beats Society 
Can’t say I recognize the names or faces, but if they were from Gimigliano they must be related. In some of the old Scalzo pictures I can see some resemblance to me or my family members but not in these…
The picture is of Thomas Scalzo(left) at his wedding in 1913. He is the brother of my grandfather Frederick Gaeton Scalzo. Frederick moved to Gouvernour, New York, when he was 10, married Letitia and had 3 sons (including Joseph, my dad)
The old pictures are mine,& no one knows who they are. Thank you for the information on the wedding picture, I will try to look up information on them, they must be cousins in Gimigliano. I have Scalzo, Ciambrone, Trapasso, Critelli, Rotella,& Minervino, grandparents that all were born in Gimigliano,Catanzaro,Calabria, Italy….Patricia DiNieri
I would like to be connected with – Patricia DiNieri – If these are her photos. My Grandfather’s Aunt Mary and his Mom Angelina were Critelli’s- Mary married a Scalzo. and Angelina married a Scarpino. We are Scarpino’s – from the Niagara falls, ny area. My grandfathers family from Sersale, cantanzaro area. I really don’t have much on the Critelli side. One of his cousins was Dominic Critelli, Another Sammy Scalzo
This is wonderful! I will get you in touch with Patricia. She will be excited!
Dear Cyndi,
I don’t know whether this will help, but here’s the only information I know. In high school (1960) I dated a fellow named Joe Biamonte. His father’s aunt was named Mary Scalzo. Joe’s father, mother and sister were still living in Italy at that time. I don’t remember the name of the town, but it was definitely southern Italy. Joe worked as a baker at Critelli’s bakery on 19th and Ferry Streets. Mary Scalzo lived on the corner of 23rd St. and LaSalle Ave. Mary and her husband had 3 adult children. One was named Anne Scalzo Sbarbati. Her husband was Joseph Sbarbati, a prominent attorney. Mary Scalzo’s best friend was Teresa “Honey” Pacifico. She started Honey’s Pizzeria in Niagara Falls. I hope this will give you some leads.
Hi Cyndi
My paternal ancestors were from Gimigliano, Italy, and moved to US in late 1800s. They lived in Gouvernor, NY. at the same address as the Biamontes. My grandfather (Fred, Gaetano) and his family lived there until moving to California in about 1920 or so. My grandfather’s father was Gabriele Scalzo. I have more details if you think there is a connection.
-Susan Scalzo Jones
I have indexed most of Gimigliano, so anyone that needs help with those born before 1910, I can help. Ron Denardo
Thank you! What fantastic news!
Hi, Ron-
I visited Gimigliano last summer. I was searching for info about my grandparents and great grandparents. I was able to find the baptism of my grandfather and some certifications in the government office there.
I am searching for info on surname Scalzo, also Soluri, Ciambrone, and Mussera. My grandfather was Fredrick Gaetan Scalzo and my grandmother was Letitia Marie Soluri. My great grandfather was Gabriele Scalzo. Other close relatives on Letitia’s side are Mussera and Ciambrone. She once commented that she was from the north which may explain why I could find no info about her in the church archives. The priest there spent hours trying to help and also took me to the church in Gimigliano inferiore.
If anyone has info related to any of this, I would appreciate it! Anyone wanting info can reply to me.
Thank you—Susan Scalzo Jones
Hi Susan, I believe that your Letitia Maria Soluri was Letizia Soluri, born 20 Oct 1888 in Gimigliano, the daughter of Angelantonio Soluri and Maria Costantina Mussari. Call me at 2693844195. If you believe that I am in error, please give me a call anyway.
Regards,
Ron Denardo
Hi Ron, I have all my grandparents on my mother’s side that lived in Gimigliano, & I have trouble finding any information on them. Their last names are Ciambrone, Scalzo, Trapasso,Critelli,Rotella,Minervino. If you want to email me, I can give you the information I have……..pat7140@verizon.net…….Thank you,Patricia DiNieri
Hi, Patricia-
My great grandmother was a Ciambrone and my great grandfather was Gabriele Scalzo. My grandmother was a Soluri. She married Fred(Gaetano) Scalzo. Connecions?
Hi, Patricia-
I have a great grandparent with the last name Ciambrone who married Gabriel Scalzo, my great grandfather.
The Scalzo extended family lived with some of the Biamonte family at the same address in Gouvernour, NY in the late 1800s.
-Susan Scalzo Jones
Susan,
Also, I believe that your Fredrick Gaetan Scalzo was born, Gaetano Scalzo, born, 5 Oct 1877 in Gimigliano, the son of Gabriele Scalzo and Maria Stella Ciambrone.
Yes, those are correct. My grandfather’s first name was changed when he came through Ellis Island. His birth certificate and baptism have Maria Gaetano Scalzo. My grandmother must have also had a spelling change from Letizia Maria to Letitia Marie.
They moved with their parents to Governour, NY in the late 1800s, at 10 and 3 years old? They later moved to southern California.
In California my grandfather was one of the 4 in the Four S Bakery. I am pretty sure another S was Solury (changed from Soluri). They also had a coffee company called Major Coffee Co..
Hi Susan,
It sounds like you have all of the information you are looking for. I do have your families into the 1700’s if you do not have that. If you need that I would have to send to you in your supported format, just let me know.
Oh, wow! That is the info I do need. I haven’t been able to trace Gabriele’s earlier ancestors. And, I have really no info on Letitia other than her Suluri/Mussera parents. She is a mystery to me. She was a wonderful grandmother to me and she lived until I was 21. My ancestry.com results show no Italian heritage. The same happened to my female first cousins. However, our brothers’ DNA all showed Italian (all about 50% since our mothers were not Italian). It is as if the trail is cold on father-daughter transfer of DNA.
You are such a great asset. I appreciate your help. What caused you to index Gimigliano? I have current photos that I took there, even showing some Scalzos. Let me know if you would like to see them. Are you in USA? Thanks -Susan
Yes, I have been working on all the towns in Catanzaro. My dad was born in Settingiano. I have a data-base on Gimigliano and I am still working on marriages before 1865. When I am done with that I will be working on deaths before 1865, however, those death records are not very reliable. I can make a ged file of everyone that is connected to your family if you have a ged reader or any genealogy software, but I will need an e-mail of where to send it. I live in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Hi, Ron-
I would so appreciate that info (ged file of everyone that is connected to my family). I have an Ancestry.com account and believe I can add the info there. My email is castleofcatsmom@yahoo.com.
How can I reciprocate? I do have recent contacts and photos from my trip there.
Thanks-Susan
Hi my name is Antonette ..the first picture is my great grandmother Letterina (Lena) Cubello Critelli from Gimigliano, Catanzaro, Italy -born June 18, 1899 & died in Riverside Ca. 1984. Her daughter Marianna (Marionna) Critelli De Franco is my grandmother from Calabria Italy. I have many old pictures from italy & NY of their family. I posted some on Ancestry.com or if you would like me to send what I have just let me know. Thanks. 🙏☺️❤️
Hi Antonette. For more information you may email Pat DiNieri at pat7140@verizon.net. These are her photos. She would like to get in touch.
nettede– I would love to see your old pictures from Italy, they might match up with my old pictures of relatives, that I do not know who they are. Lena Cubello Critelli’s husband – Joseph Critelli is related to my mom’s family. Thank you, Patricia DiNieri—my email — pat7140@verizon.net