Francesco Castellana (1886 - 1959)

Born 30 Oct 1886 in Palermo, Palermo, Sicily, Italy

Ancestors

Husband of Provvidenza (Guglielmino) Castellana — married 18 Jun 1911 in Manhattan, New York County, New York, United States

Died 17 Nov 1959 at age 73 in Manhattan, New York County, New York, United States

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

Biography

Francesco emigrates from Palermo on the Re D'Italia, arriving at the port of New York, NY on 28 April 1907.^[2] Primary records of the ship manifest available on NARA are in poor shape. Cascio-10 23:12, 11 February 2023 (UTC) A certificate of arrival confirms on 16 September 1918 that Giuseppe Castellana entered the US at the port of New York, NY, on 28 April 1907, arriving on the Re d'Italia.^[3]

Francesco marries his maternal first cousin, Provvidenza Guglielmini.

Francesco Castellana, of 340 E. 105th St., age 24 (b. 1887), single, butcher, born in Palermo, Italy, son of Paolo Castellana and Caterina Vella; and Provvidenza Guglielmini, of 338 E. 105th St., age 20 (b. 1891), single, born in Palermo, Italy, daughter of Pietro Guglielmini and Nunzia Vella, are married at the Church of St. Ann, 307 E. 112th St., in the presence of Gaetano Messina and Anna Cordone. They all sign their own names.^[4]

Francesco and Providenza have three children: Caterina/Catherine (1912), Adela/Adelina (1913), and Emilia (c. 1914).

Caterina is born 6 April 1912 in Manhattan.^[5][3]

Adelina is born 18 June 1913 in Manhattan.^[3]

Giuseppe Francesco Castellana, age 28, declares his intention to naturalize in the Supreme Court of New York County. He is a butcher, white, with a dark complexion, 5’9”, 165#, with brown hair and eyes, and a scar under his chin. He was born in Palermo, Italy, on 28 December 1886. He lives at 344 E. 105th St. Emigrated from Palermo on the Re D'Italia, arriving at the port of New York, NY on 28 April 1907. Sworn 27 July 1915. Giuseppe Francesco Castellano signs with a neat hand.^[2]

Emilia is reportedly born 10 September 1915 in Manhattan.^[3] However, she appears in the 1915 census as "Alveria," already a year old.

In the 1915 NYS census of Manhattan, at 344 E. 105th St., Batholeu Castalino [Francesco Castellano], 28 (b. 1887), lives with his wife Provedence, 26 (b. 1889), and children Catherine, 3 (b. 1912), Adela, 2 (b. 1913), and Alveria, 1 (b. 1914). The HOH and his wife were born in Italy and have been in the US 8 years (since 1907). He is employed as a saloon keeper. The children were born in the US.^[6]

Frank Castellana registers for the draft for WWI. He is 30 years old, lives at 347 E. 105th St, NYC. He was born 30 October 1886. He is a declarant alien, Italian national, works as a bartender for Joseph Castellana at 340 E. 105th St. He supports a wife and 3 children. Married. Does not claim exemption. Signs his own name. Frank is tall and of medium build with brown eyes and black hair.^[7]

Giuseppe Francesco Castellana files a petition for naturalization. He lives at 300 East 105th St, New York. He is a butcher. He was born 28 December 1886 in Palermo, Italy. He emigrated from Palermo 14 April 1907 and arrived in the port of New York on 28 April 1907, on the Re d Italia. Declared his intention to naturalize on 27 July 1915 in the Supreme Court of 1JDS of NY. He is married to Providenza Guglimi. She was born 10 December 1890 in Palermo, Italy and now lives with him. He has three children. Caterina, born 6 April 1912; Adelina, born 18 June 1913; and Emilia, born 10 September 1915. All were born and reside in New York.

Witnesses. Lorenzo Mattiolo, importer, lives at 2059 Second Ave, NYC, and Antonino Guzzetta, merchant, lives at 130 E. 105th St., NYC. Sworn 2 October 1918.^[3]

Giuseppe Francesco Castellana is admitted on 7 January 1919.^[8]

Adelina Castellano, age 5, dies on 31 January 1919 in Manhattan. She was born in the US, daughter of Frank Castellano and Providenza Guylielmini, both of Italy. She is buried in Calvary Cemetery on 1 February.^[9]

In the 1920 federal census of Manhattan taken 3 January, Frank Castellana, 32 (b. 1888), heads a household at 300 E. 105th St. with his wife Providenza, 30 (b. 1890), and daughters Katie, 8 (b. 1912), and Millie, 4 yrs 6 mos. (b. Jul 1915) Frank emigrated in 1908 from Italy and naturalized in 1919. His wife emigrated in 1911. The girls were born in NY. Frank is the proprietor of a grocery.^[10]

In the 1925 New York state census of Brooklyn, Frank Castellano, 39 (b. 1886), born in Italy, heads a household at 8124 17th Ave with his wife Providence, 35 (b. 1890), born in Italy, and children Catherine, 13 (b. 1912), and Amelia, 8 (b. 1917), both born in the US. Frank has been in the US for 20 years (since 1905) and his wife for 15 (since 1910). He runs a grocery, she does housework and the kids are at school.^[11]

Bill Feather names Frank Castellano as active in the Gambino crime family in the 1930-60s, and attaining the rank of capo. He describes him with years of life (1895-1959) and an emigration year (1915) that are only a partial match.^[12]

Catherine Castellano, of 706 E. 182nd St, age 18 (b. 1912), born in NYC, daughter of Frank Castellano and Provvidenza Guglielmina, marries Paolo Gambino of 1716 Bogart Ave, age 26 (b. 1904), a butcher, son of Tommaso Gambino and Felicia Castellana, at Mt. Carmel Church at 627 E. 187th St. in the Bronx on 9 November 1930 before witnesses Carlo Gambino and Catherine Castellano. The celebrants and witnesses all sign their names.^[13]

Paolo Gambino is active in the Gambino Family from his arrival around 1920-22. He becomes a capo when his brother, Carlo, becomes its boss and namesake in 1957.^[14]

On the SS Rex departing Naples 25 August 1937 and arriving on 2 September 1937 in the port of New York, the manifest of US citizens includes these passengers:

22. Costantino Castellano, 37 (b. 1900), married, naturalized in Brooklyn October 1928. Lives at 1645 Bath Ave (typed as “Both”), Brooklyn

23. Caterina Gambino, 25, married, born in NYC 6 April 1912, Lives at 1716 Bogart Av, NYC

24. Felician Gambino (was Filippo), 2, born in NYC 30 August 1934, same address

25. Thomas Gambino, 5, born in NYC 23 April 1932, same address

26. Giuseppe Castellano, 59 (b. 1878), married, naturalized in Brooklyn in 1923. Lives at 2230 Ocean Parkway, Brooklyn

27. Felicia Gambina, 9, born in Brooklyn 22 September 1927, same address

28. Emilia Castellana, 22, single, born in NYC 26 August 1915, lives at 1716 Bogart Ave, NYC

29. Giuseppe F. Castellana, 51 (b. 1886), married, naturalized in NYC 7 January 1919, same address

30. Provvidenza Castellana, 46 (b. 1891), married, naturalized in NYC 7 January 1919, same address^[15]

In the 1940 federal census of the Bronx, AD 6, Frank Castellano, 54 (b. 1886), born in Italy, heads a household at 1716 Bogart Ave with his wife Providence, 49 (b. 1891), born in Italy, and daughter Amelia, 24 (b. 1916), born in NY. Frank owns his home, worth $10K. He is a salesman for a wine wholesaler, working on his own account.^[16]

Frank G. Castellana registers for the draft for WWII on 27 April 1942. He lives at 1716 Bogart Ave Bronx, NY. He is 55 years old, born 28 October 1886 in Palermo, Italy. Contact is Providence Castellana at the same address. Frank is self-employed in real estate at 2196 Matthews Av, Bronx, NY. He signs his own name. He is 5’10” and 180# with brown eyes, gray hair, and a ruddy complexion.^[17]

Frank makes a claim on his Social Security in October 1955, at his 69th birthday.^[18]

Death of Frank

Frank dies at age 73 on 17 November 1959 in Manhattan.^[19]

Frank Castellana, born 1886, dies in November 1959, and is interred in Saint John Cemetery and Mausoleum in Middle Village, Queens, NY. His Find a Grave profile links him to his wife Providenza Castellana (1890-1969, m. 1911), and daughter Catherine Castellana Gambino (1912-2005).^[20]

Sources

1. ↑ v. 225. n. 341. Archivio di Stato di Palermo > Stato civile della restaurazione > Palermo > 1886-1895 https://antenati.cultura.gov.it/ark:/12657/an_ua877234/5gr7eN9 Img 139 of 388
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} "New York, County Naturalization Records, 1791-1980," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89M8-KH7P?cc=1999177&wc=MDSY-XWL%3A326209701%2C329765301 : 7 November 2018), New York > Petitions for naturalization and petition evidence 1918 vol 321, no 79251-79500 > image 394 of 629; Citing multiple County Clerk offices of New York.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4} "New York, County Naturalization Records, 1791-1980," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9M8-KC66?cc=1999177&wc=MDSY-XWL%3A326209701%2C329765301 : 7 November 2018), New York > Petitions for naturalization and petition evidence 1918 vol 321, no 79251-79500 > image 395 of 629; Citing multiple County Clerk offices of New York.
4. ↑ Certificate and record of marriage, Francesco Castellana and Provvidenza Guglielmini. (1911, June 18). Certificate number 13946. https://a860-historicalvitalrecords.nyc.gov/view/8604869
5. ↑ Ancestry.com. New York, New York, U.S., Birth Index, 1910-1965 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2017.
6. ↑ New York State Archives; Albany, New York; State Population Census Schedules, 1915; Election District: 17; Assembly District: 24; City: New York; County: New York; Page: 71 District: A·D· 24 E·D· 17 Ancestry.com. New York, U.S., State Census, 1915 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.
7. ↑ Registration State: New York; Registration County: New York Draft Card: C Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005.
8. ↑ "New York, County Naturalization Records, 1791-1980," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9M8-KHLL?cc=1999177&wc=MDSY-XWL%3A326209701%2C329765301 : 21 May 2014), New York > Petitions for naturalization and petition evidence 1918 vol 321, no 79251-79500 > image 397 of 629; Citing multiple County Clerk offices of New York.
9. ↑ "New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2WZW-9LH : 3 June 2020), Adelina Castellano, 1919.
10. ↑ "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRXG-6FW?cc=1488411&wc=QZJR-F5L%3A1036473601%2C1039156701%2C1040167501%2C1589341097 : 12 September 2019), New York > New York > Manhattan Assembly District 18 > ED 1259 > image 9 of 47; citing NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
11. ↑ New York State Archives; Albany, New York; State Population Census Schedules, 1925; Election District: 22; Assembly District: 16; City: Brooklyn; County: Kings; Page: 32 Ancestry.com. New York, U.S., State Census, 1925 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.
12. ↑ Feather, B. (2017, November 11). Gambino Family membership chart 1960-70's. Mafia Membership Charts. http://mafiamembershipcharts.blogspot.com/2017/11/gambino-family-membership-chart-1960-70s.html
13. ↑ Certificate and record of marriage, Paolo Gambino and Catherine Castellano. (1930, November 9). Cert no. 8507. Bronx. DORIS. https://a860-historicalvitalrecords.nyc.gov/view/9582429
14. ↑ Feather, B. (2016, February 12). Bios. of early Gambino members [1930-50’s]. Mafia Membership Charts [Website]. http://mafiamembershipcharts.blogspot.com/2016/02/bios-of-early-gambino-members-1930-50s.html
15. ↑ Year: 1937; Arrival: New York, New York, USA; Microfilm Serial: T715, 1897-1957; Line: 25; Page Number: 48 Ship or Roll Number: Rex Ancestry.com. New York, U.S., Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists (including Castle Garden and Ellis Island), 1820-1957 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.
16. ↑ "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9MY-NWN?cc=2000219&wc=QZXR-QFB%3A790105101%2C791243401%2C795081801%2C795994901 : accessed 11 February 2023), New York > Bronx > New York City, Bronx, Assembly District 6 > 3-853 New York City, Bronx Borough Assembly District 6 (Tract 244) > image 36 of 46; 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.
17. ↑ The National Archives At St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; Record Group Title: Records of the Selective Service System; Record Group Number: 147 Name Range: Cardillo, Louis - Chillis, Themis 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. U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.
19. ↑ Year: 1959 Ancestry.com. New York, New York, U.S., Death Index, 1949-1965 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2017.
20. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/161192360/frank-castellana: accessed 11 February 2023), memorial page for Frank Castellana (1886–Nov 1959), Find a Grave Memorial ID 161192360, citing Saint John Cemetery and Mausoleum, Middle Village, Queens County, New York, USA; Maintained by Athanatos (contributor 46907585).