Leoluca Cascio (1887 - 1965)

Born 13 Jan 1887 in Corleone, Palermo, Italy

Ancestors

Husband of Antonia Lucia Soldano — married 2 Jun 1918 in New York, New York

Descendants

Died 12 Aug 1965 at age 78 in Commack, Huntington Town, Suffolk, New York, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Geoffrey Cascio [send private message]

Biography

Leoluca Cascio is the son of Giuseppe Cascio and Angela Grizzaffi. He is born in Corleone on 13 January 1887 ^[1][2] and baptized 17 January ^[1], named after his paternal grandfather. His godparents are Gioachino Colletti and Rosaria, his unmarried sister. ^[1] Leoluca is a patron saint of Corleone, and a common name given in the town.

The oral history as told by Joseph and my grandfather’s father ^[3], contends that Louis, born Leoluca, arrived in this country when he was about nine or ten, most likely with his one brother, John, and two sisters, Tilly and Rose, leaving their parents and one sister in Corleone. Once the siblings were settled they sent for their mother to join them in America, but their father had to stay in Sicily in fear that he would not be allowed to pass through Ellis Island’s stringent medical tests. It is not known what specific health problem kept him from passing. A death record confirms the oral history, that Leoluca's father, Giuseppe, dies before Angela and her children immigrate^[4].

The ship manifest for the S.S. Citta di Torino, departing Naples and arriving New York 19 November 1901^[5]:

Leoluca's mother, Angela, is widowed when she immigrates. The others are all single. These five are from Corleone and all going to Angela's sister, Salvatrice, at 1460 1 Ave W 76 NY. (This address does not make total sense).

Rosa, 8, and Giovanni, 6, join her 19 November 1903, traveling with their uncle, Angela's brother Leoluca Grizzaffi, 43, and Biagia Grizzaffi, 11. The Grizzaffis are joining his nephew Giocchino Crescimanno, at the same address in New York as Angela Grizzaffi. Gioachino is a son of Salvatrice, Angela's sister, who is married to Leoluca Crescimanno.

In 1905 Louis is 18 (b. 1887) and at 418 E. 76th St. in New York City^[6]. I believe the head of household is actually Angela, his mother.

In 1910 Louis is 22 (b. 1888) and living with his mother, siblings, and a cousin in NYC^[7]. John Gritsafo is probably Giovanni Grizzaffi (b. 1884), who marries Bessie Crescimanno, Salvatrice's sister-in-law.

Louis (Leoluca) and his cousin John own and operate a fruit stand. Louis' sisters work in a cigarette factory.

Leoluca enlists in 1914 and serves during the First World War.

Marriage to Lucy Soldano

On June 2 1918, Leoluca marries Antonina "Lucy" Soldano in New York City^[8].^[9] Leoluca lives at 348 E. 76th St. He is 31, single, works in a laundry, was born in Corleone, Palermo, Italy, son of Giuseppe Cascio and Angelina Grizzaffi. Antonina lives at 153 E. 106th St. She is 26, single, born in the same town, daughter of Paolo Soldano and Maria Grazia Paparcuri. It is the first marriage for them both. They are married on 2 June 1918 at St. Ann's church, 312 E. 110th St., Manhattan. Witnesses are Antonino Soldano and Giovanna Soldano.^[10]

Lucy and Louis have four children: Giuseppe (1919), Paolo (1922), Angelino (1926), and Maria (1929).

Giuseppe is born 6 May 1919 in New York City.

When his children are young, circa 1920, Michelle reports^[3] that Louis is working in a store as a launderer and they are also importing olive oil from Louis' sister in Corleone. According to Dr. James Ragusa's unpublished family history, Louis/Leoluca is a laundry worker with a fair complexion, gray eyes and brown hair, 5'6" and 170 pounds ^[11].

The 1920 Census gives his immigration year as 1897, and in 1930, he says he immigrated in 1913. In fact he immigrates in 1900. In the US, his name is given as Louis, and this is the name that was passed down through his son, Paul, to his oldest son.

Louis, 33, Lucy, 27, and Joseph, eight months, appear in the 1920 census. In this record, Louis says he immigrated in 1897, and Lucy in 1908. Both are alien immigrants. Louis works in a laundry.

In the same census, Louis' brother in law, Charles Di Palermo, his wife Lena, and their children Lena (she is called Biagina), Philip, and Paul, live with his mother in law Mary Soldano, 58. Charles has filed his papers for citizenship.^[12]

Paolo/Paul is born 1 February 1922 in New York City.^[13]

Angeline is born 11 April 1926 in New York City.

Maria is born 19 August 1929 in New York City.

In 1930, the Cascio family is living in Manhattan. Louis Cascio is 42 (b. 1888), and he married at age 31. His wife, Lucy, is 37 (b. 1893)and was 25 at marriage. Both born in Italy, Louis immigrated in 1913, and Lucy in 1916. Louis is a laborer in a laundry. He is not a military veteran. Their rent is $40 a month. The children at home are Joseph, 10, Paul, 8, Angelo, 4, Mary, fourteen months. The children were all born in New York.^[14]

Leoluca Cascio declares his intention to petition for US citizenship in the Southern District of New York. He lives at 172 E. 107th St., NYC. HE does laundry work. He is 47 years old, of fair complexion, with gray eyes, brown hair. 5’6”, 170#. South Italian race. Born in Corleone Italy on 13 January 1887. Wife’s name is Antonina. Married 2 June 1918 IN New York City. She was born in Corleone 13 July 1892. She entered the US at NY on 13 July 1892 (this is an error) and now lives with him. They have 4 children. Giuseppe born 6 May 1919. Paolo born 31 January 1922, Angeline born 11 April 1926, Maria born 19 August 1929, all born in NY and live with their father. His last foreign residence was Corleone. He immigrated under the name Leoluca Cascio, arriving 19 November 1900 on the Citta Ditorino. His photo is attached. Leoluca swears this on 11 July 1934.^[15]

In 1934-43, the family live at 172 East 107th Street, between Lexington and third Avenues in Manhattan, New York.

In August 1936, Louis follows up his declaration of intention with a petition for naturalization. Most of the information is the same as he gave in 1934 but he corrects his wife's date of immigration to 2 November 1907. Witnesses are Anthony Ricca, dressmaker, at 1837 74th St. Brooklyn and Calogero Artale (it’s typed Antale but he signs it Artale), barber, at 211 East 106th St. NYC. Signed 28 August 1936.^[15]

Louis' citizenship petition is granted 8 February 1937.^[15]

In the 1940 census, there is a family living in Manhattan that appears to match my family, though Louis' age is wrong.

Louis Cascio, head, 45 (b. 1895), Laborer, made $720 last year

Lucy Cascio, wife, 40

Joseph Cascio, son, 21, Auto Mechanic, not working

Pauline Cascio, daughter, 17 (Supposing the census is in error and this is my grandfather, Paul, of around the same age.)

Angelo Cascio, son 14

Mary Cascio, daughter, 11^[16]

Louis Cascio registers for the draft for WWII on 26 April 1942. He lives at 172 E. 107th St., NYC. He is 54 years old, born 12 January 1887 in Corleone, Sicily, Italy. HIs contact is Lucy Cascio at the same address. He is employed by Cruikshank Co. 80 Broadway, NY. He works for them at 20 Park Ave, NY Louis is 5’5” and 155# with blue eyes, black hair and a ruddy complexion.^[17]

Paul registers for the draft for WWII on 30 June 1942. His address has been changed twice. First it’s 2059 First Av., NYC. Then 183 E. 104th St., and 225 East 105th St Apt 9. Paul is 20, born in New York, NY on 1 February 1922. HIs nearest contact is Lewis Cascio at 172 East 107th St., NYC. ^[13]

Death of Louis

Louis Cascio, age 77 (b. 1888) dies on 12 August 1965 in New York State. He lived in Commack, Suffolk, NY. ^[18][19]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Baptism of Leoluca Cascio, 17 January 1887, "Italia, Palermo, Diocesi di Monreale, Registri Parrocchiali, 1531-1998," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-12332-69262-34?cc=2046915&wc=MG34-SP6:351041801,351041802,351287601 : accessed 05 Apr 2014), Corleone > San Martino > Battesimi 1884-1888 > image 255 of 398; citing Archivio della Diocesi di Palermo.
2. ↑ "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-26583-2653-49?cc=1968530 : 14 May 2014), New York > New York City no 137; A-O > image 3146 of 4867; citing NARA microfilm publication M1509 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} Personal interview with Joseph Cascio, October 2001. Conducted by Michelle Cascio.
4. ↑ Death of Joseph Cascio, record no. 5, 7 January 1899, "Italia, Palermo, Diocesi di Monreale, Registri Parrocchiali, 1531-1998," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11742-44426-36?cc=2046915&wc=MG3W-JWP:351041801,351041802,351085401 : accessed 5 March 2015), Corleone > San Martino > Morti 1889-1910 > image 258 of 546; Archivio di Arcidiocesi di Palermo [Palermo ArchDiocese Archives, Palermo].
5. ↑ https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-details/czoxMjoiMTAyODE5MDQwMTkwIjs=/czo5OiJwYXNzZW5nZXIiOw== Image 0166 in the carousel. S.S. Citta di Torino ship manifest, departing from Naples, arriving New York 19 November 1901, Source Citation: Year: 1901; Arrival: New York, New York; Microfilm Serial: T715; Microfilm Roll: 237; Line: 14; Page Number: 180. Source Information: Ancestry.com. New York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.
6. ↑ 1905 New York State Census, "New York, State Census, 1905," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/SPFT-ZVB : accessed 27 Mar 2014), Tillie Cascio in household of Bridget Maher, Manhattan, A.D. 26, E.D. 19, New York, New York; citing p. , line ; FHL microfilm .
7. ↑ "United States Census, 1910," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M5MY-QT5 : accessed 27 Mar 2014), Louis Cassio in household of Angelina Cassio, Manhattan Ward 19, New York, New York, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 1049, sheet 4B, family 85, NARA microfilm publication T624, FHL microfilm 1375053.
8. ↑ Marriage of Antonina Soldano and Leo L Cascio, June 2 1918 in Manhattan CtfNum16213. Returned from Italian Genealogical Group NYC Brides Record Index http://www.italiangen.org/records-search/brides.php Accessed 24 March 2014.
9. ↑ "New York, New York City Marriage Records, 1829-1940," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:24QY-RJ9 : accessed 17 February 2016), Angelina Grizzaff in entry for Lesluca Cascio and Antonina Soldano, 02 Jun 1918; citing Marriage, Manhattan, New York, New York, United States, New York City Municipal Archives, New York; FHL microfilm 1,643,037.
10. ↑ Certificate of marriage no. 16213. Retrieved from https://a860-historicalvitalrecords.nyc.gov/view/4459561
11. ↑ Ragusa, James M. The Ancestors and Descendants of Vincenzo (James) Ragusa (1870-1952) and Related Sibling Families (Before 1676-Present). Unpublished review copy dated 2015 March.
12. ↑ "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MJ1W-DQV : accessed 10 April 2016), Louis Cascio, Manhattan Assembly District 18, New York, New York, United States; citing sheet 8B, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,821,219.
13. ↑ ^{13.0 13.1} Ancestry.com. U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
14. ↑ "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-22773-16362-34?cc=1810731 : accessed 10 April 2016), New York > New York > Manhattan (Districts 0751-1000) > ED 826 > image 37 of 44; citing NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002).
15. ↑ ^{15.0 15.1 15.2} The National Archives and Records Administration; Washington, D.C.; Petitions for Naturalization from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, 1897-1944; Series: M1972; Roll: 1048 Archive Roll Descriptions: (Roll 1048) Petition No· 280038 - Petition No· 280447 Ancestry.com. New York, U.S., Naturalization Records, 1882-1944 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.
16. ↑ "United States Census, 1940," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1961-27839-17019-95?cc=2000219 : accessed 16 Mar 2014), New York > New York > New York City, Manhattan, Assembly District 18 > 31-1619 New York City, Manhattan Borough Assembly District 18 (Tract 172 - part) > image 23 of 29; citing NARA digital publication of T627.
17. ↑ Ancestry.com. U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.
18. ↑ Ancestry.com. New York State, U.S., Death Index, 1957-1969 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2018.
19. ↑ "United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VMLQ-3P2 : accessed 11 April 2016), Louis Cascio, Aug 1965; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing). His SSN was 116-12-9261.