Bernarda (Armato) Marsalisi (1912 - 1983)

Born 1 Aug 1912 in New York City, New York, United States

Ancestors

Wife of Francesco Marsalisi — married 29 Apr 1929 (to 30 Sep 1983) in The Bronx, New York City, New York, United States

Descendants

Died 30 Sep 1983 at age 71 in Tucson, Pima, Arizona, United States [uncertain]

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Biography

Bernarda Armato is the daughter of Giuseppe Armato and Bernarda Natoli, immigrants from Corleone, Sicily.

In the years before her birth, her father was a counterfeiter in Giuseppe Morello's gang. He was convicted in 1910 and may have served a prison sentence for his crimes.

She is born on 1 August 1912 in Manhattan, New York City.^[1]

Bernarda and her mother return to Corleone at an unknown date. Her father makes multiple return trips to New York City before bringing his wife and daughter with him.

On the SS Providence departing Palermo on 18 October 1924 and arriving in the port of New York on 31 October:

6. Giuseppe Armato, 49 (b. 1875), last permanent residence in New York, leaves his father-in-law Emanuele Natoli in Corleone. Destination New York, NY. Paid for his own ticket and those of his wife and daughter. He has $100. Was in the US previously, from 1900-1924. Going to his brother Giovanni Armato at 228 E. 91st St., NY. Intends to permanently reside in the US. 5’3”, chestnut hair and eyes, born in Corleone.

7. Bernarda Natoli, 47 (b. 1877), last permanent residence in Corleone, leaves her father as above. Same destination. 5’3”, chestnut hair and eyes, born in Corleone.

8. Bernarda Armato, 12 (b. 1912), last permanent residence in Corleone, grandfather as above. Same destination. Born in New York City.^[2]

Bernarda marries Francesco Marsalisi, the son of a couple from Corleone. Francesco's maternal uncles are the Vasi brothers with whom Bernarda's father worked closely in Morello's counterfeiting operation.

Francesco Marsalisi lives at 848 E. 213th St. He is 21, single, a plasterer, born in NYC, son of Bernardo Marsalisi and Biagia Vassi. Bernardina Armato lives at 854 E. 214th St. She is 16, single, born in NYC, daughter of Giuseppe Armato and Bernarda Natol. It is the first marriage for them both. They are wed in the Bronx on 29 April 1929. Witnesses are Giuseppe Armato and Salvator Vasi. The celebrants both sign their names.^[3]

Frank and Bernarda have four known children: Bernard (c. 1931), Joseph (c. 1932), Beatrice (c. 1934), and Carmine (1941).

In the 1930 federal census of the Bronx, taken 17 April, Frank Masalizzi (Frank Marsalisi), 23 (b. 1907), heads a household at 854 E. 214th St. He married a year ago to Bernedi, 18 (b. 1912). They have a son, Bernard, two months old. All born in New York, Frank and his wife to Italian parents. Frank is a baker in a bakery.

The next family, at the same address, are Bernarda's parents Joseph Armato, 54, and Bernarda, 53. Frank Marsalisi rents his home; Joseph Armato owns his, worth $12,000. Joseph is a baker with his own business.^[4]

In the 1940 federal census of the Bronx, taken 11 April, Frank Marsalisi, 32 (b. 1908), heads a household at 854 E. 214th St. with his wife Bernadine, 27 (b. 1913), and children Bernard, 9 (b. 1931), Joseph, 8 (b. 1932), and Beatrice, 6 (b. 1934). All born in NY. Frank is a milkman for Imperial.^[5]

Frank Marsalisi registers for the draft for WWII on 16 October 1940. He lives at 854 E 214th St., Bronx NY. His wife is Mrs. Bennardina Marsalisi, his nearest contact, at the same address. Frank is an unemployed plasterer.^[6]

Carmine Marsalisi dies in Fordham Hospital in the Bronx on 9 January 1942 at five months of age from primary bronchopneumonia and congenital heart disease. He was born on 7 August 1941 in Bronx, NY. Residence 854 E 214th St, resident of the city for life. Parents are Frank Marsalisi and Bernarda Armato, both born in the USA. Informant is Frank Marsalisi, father, at the same home address. He is buried 12 January 1942 in St. Raymond Cemetery.^[7]

In 1943, her father dies in the Bronx. Bernarda is married and lives at the same address as her parents have resided at since at least 1930: 854 E. 214th St., Bronx, NYC. She is the informant at his death.^[8]

Her husband, Frank Marsalisi, is the informant when Bernarda's mother dies in 1947. They still live at the same address as her parents in the Bronx.^[9]

On the Vulcania traveling second class departing Naples 22 October 1948, arriving in the port of New York on 1 November 1948:

16. Francesco Marsalisi, 41 (b. 1907), 854 E. 214th St., Bronx, NY

17. Joseph Marsalisi, 16 (b. 1932), 854 E. 214th St., Bronx, NY,

Both born in New York, both traveling on passport no. 140666^[10]

In the 1950 federal census of the Bronx, NY, taken 17 April, Frank Marsalisi, 42 (b. 1908), heads a household at 854 E. 214th St. Based on the families on this sheet, it is a four-family dwelling. Frank lives with his wife Bernarda, 37 (b. 1913), and children Bernard, 20 (b. 1930), Joseph, 18 (b. 1932), and Beatrice, 16 (b. 1934). Everyone in the family was born in New York. Frank is the proprietor of a pastry shop and his sons are bakers there.^[11]

Frank, Bernardina, and their three children move to Tucson, Arizona, around 1969.^[12]

Death of Bernarda

Bernarda dies in Tucson at age 71 on 30 September 1983.^[12]

Frank dies in Tucson at age 77 on 15 June 1985.^[13]

Sources

1. ↑ Ancestry.com. New York, New York, U.S., Birth Index, 1910-1965 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2017.
2. ↑ "New York Passenger Arrival Lists (Ellis Island), 1892-1924," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PT-K922-D?cc=1368704&wc=4FMB-WMP%3A1600312389 : 26 January 2018), Roll 3564, vol 8164-8166, 28 Oct 1924-31 Oct 1924 > image 970 of 1131; citing NARA microfilm publication T715 and M237 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
3. ↑ Marriage of Francesco Marsalisi and Bernardini Armato. (1929, April 29). Certificate and record of marriage, cert no. 2771. https://a860-historicalvitalrecords.nyc.gov/view/9188174
4. ↑ "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRC6-FTQ?cc=1810731&wc=QZF7-793%3A649437801%2C652307101%2C652307102%2C1589284910 : 8 December 2015), New York > Bronx > Bronx (Districts 501-750) > ED 501 > image 27 of 29; citing NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002).
5. ↑ "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9MY-FSPD?cc=2000219&wc=QZXR-9RV%3A790105101%2C791243401%2C795081801%2C795412701 : accessed 30 July 2022), New York > Bronx > New York City, Bronx, Assembly District 6 > 3-735 New York City, Bronx Borough Assembly District 6 (Tract 380 - part) > image 25 of 42; citing Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012.
6. ↑ National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards for New York City, 10/16/1940 - 03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147 Name Range: Marrone, Eugene-Martarella, Jerry Ancestry.com. U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
7. ↑ Certificate of death, Carmine Marsalisi. (1942, January 9). Cert no. 347. https://a860-historicalvitalrecords.nyc.gov/view/6993093
8. ↑ Certificate of death, Joseph Armato. (1943, August 21). Entry 8625. NYC DORIS https://a860-historicalvitalrecords.nyc.gov/view/7100433 Accessed 29 July 2022
9. ↑ Certificate of death, Bernarda Amato. (1947, July 5). Certificate no. 6852. https://a860-historicalvitalrecords.nyc.gov/view/7357467
10. ↑ "New York, New York Passenger and Crew Lists, 1909, 1925-1957," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-994V-BF8H?cc=1923888&wc=MFKH-5NR%3A1030182001 : 25 November 2014), 7673 - vol 16406-16408, Oct 30, 1948 > image 497 of 1462; citing NARA microfilm publication T715 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
11. ↑ United States of America, Bureau of the Census; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790-2007; Record Group Number: 29; Residence Date: 1950; Home in 1950: New York, Bronx, New York; Roll: 2499; Sheet Number: 20; Enumeration District: 3-1620 Enumeration District: 3-1620; Description: Bronx borough - That part of Assembly District 11 (Tract 380-part) Bounded by E. 215th; Bronxwood Ave.; Tilden; Barnes Ave. This Enumeration District consists of the following blocks: 1, 6, 7 Ancestry.com. 1950 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2022.
12. ↑ ^{12.0 12.1} Funeral Notices: Bernarda J. Armato Marsalisi. (1983, October 1). Arizona Daily Star (Tucson, AZ). P. 35. https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/163018178/
13. ↑ Frank Marsalisi (Obituary). (1985, June 17). Arizona Daily Star (Tucson, AZ). P. 18. https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/167129565/ accessed 29 July 2022.