Giovanna (Cusimano) Peranio (1872 - 1962)

Ancestors

Biography

Giovanna Cusmano (or “Cusimano”), daughter of Giovanni Cusmano and Antonina Vutera, is born 13 December 1872 and baptized the next day in Corleone. Her godparents are Francesco Dragna and Anna Vutera, a married couple.^[1]

Her mother and godmother are first cousins. Her godparents are the parents of Los Angeles Mafia boss Ignazio “Jack” Dragna.

The following names appear in series on the manifest of the Kronprinz Friedrich Wilhelm, sailing from Palermo via Naples and arriving on 17 October 1894 in Ellis Island. Their hometowns/birthplaces are not recorded but several families have been positively identified as coming from Corleone. All passengers are going to New Orleans.

298 Maria Concetta Gutera, 41 (b. 1853), laborer

299 Antonina d’Anna, 49 (b. 1845) (her children are in lines 301-3)

300 Rosa Gennaro, 61 (b. 1833)

301 Clemenza Grimaldi, 12 (b. 1882) (future wife of Carlo Piranio)

302 Francesco Grimaldi, 8 (b. 1886)

303 Rosa Grimaldi, 6 (b. 1888)

304 Giovanna Cusimano, 22 (b. 1872), seamstress

305 Maria Morello, 47 (b. 1847) (Third cousin of the Castro sisters; see Calogera Colletti and Michele Parrino)

306 Giuseppe Oliveri, 16 (b. 1878)

307 Nicolina Oliveri, 9 (b. 1885) ^[2]

Giovannina "Jennie" Cusimano marries twice, first to Vincenzo Vutera on 30 Dec 1894 in Donaldsonville, Louisiana.^[3] Jennie and Vincenzo are first cousins.

Jennie and Vincent have four children: Mary Margherita (1896), Lena (1898), Luca (1900), and Lucy (1902).^[4]

Mary Margherita is born on 5 Apr 1896 in White Castle, Louisiana.^[4]

Lena is born on 18 April 1898 in White Castle.^[4][5]

Luca is born on19 May 1900 in White Castle.^[4]

Lucy is born on 7 February 1902 in White Castle.^[6]

Vincenzo is killed in a shootout dubbed the Macaroni Wars in New Orleans in June 1902.

Giovannina remarries to Charles Vincent Peranio. They have two children: Rosalie (c. 1907) and Dominic (c. 1908).^[7]

Dominic is born 28 September 1908 in White Castle, by self-report in 1940.^[8]

In 1910 Giovanna/Jennie lives with her 2nd husband and the father of her first husband, who is also her maternal uncle.

In the 1910 federal census taken 6 May of Police Jury Ward 1, Iberville Parish, Louisiana, on the Dorceyville road, Vincenzo Perano, 34 (b. 1876), heads a household with his wife of four years (m. 1906), Jennie, 35 (b. 1875), both born in Italy. It is his first marriage and her second. She has had two children, both living. At home are Vincenzo’s step-children: Mary "Ventro" (Vutera), 14 (b. 1896), Francesca, 13 (b. 1897), Luca, 10 (b. 1900), and Lucy, 8 (b. 1902); and children Rosalie, 3 (b. 1907), and Dominick, 1 yr 7 mos (b. Oct 1908). The children were all born in Louisiana. Also in the household is father-in-law Luca "Vutro", 63 (b. 1847), a widower, born in Italy. Vincenzo emigrated in 1898 and his FIL, Luca Vutera, in 1890; his FIL is naturalized. Vincenzo is a grocery store keeper working on his own account.^[9]

Mary marries Giuseppe "Joseph" Sagona in Ascension Parish, Louisiana, in 1913.^[10] They have ten children. Joseph leaves the family to meet relatives in New York and never returns. He dies in October 1960.^[4]

Lena marries Carlos Paternostro. They have three children.^[4][5]

Luca dies at age eighteen on 3 November 1918, during the influenza pandemic. He never married.^[4]

In the 1920 federal census of Ward 10, South and West Texas and Pacific R.R., in Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana, taken 2/3 February, Vincenzo Piranio, 43 (b. 1877), heads a household with his wife Jinnie, 47 (b. 1873), both born in Italy. He emigrated in 1900 and she in 1897. With them are his stepdaughter, Lucy Vutero, 17 (b. 1903), and Vincenzo’s children Rosalia, 13 (b. 1907), and Dominic, 11 (b. 1909). The children were born in Louisiana of Italian parents. Vincenzo is a general farmer working on his own account.^[11] Lena and Carlos are recorded on the next page of the census.

Lucy marries Charles Vincent Paternostro, Carlos' brother, in 1923 in Grosse Tete, Louisiana.^[4][6]

Rosalie marries Carmelo Ferraro.^[7]

Dominick marries Stella Gueho around 1929.^[12][13]

In the 1930 federal census of Ward 10, Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana, taken 2 April, Jennie lives on Jefferson Hwy/US-71:

Charlie Peranio, 43 (b. 1887), and wife Jennie, 57 (b. 1873), both born in Italy. He owns his home. Emigration date unknown for both. Charlie is a general farmer working on his own account.

Their close neighbors include Dominick and his new bride, two Paternostro families, and Stella Gueho's parents.^[14]

In the 1940 federal census of Fordoche Village, Police Jury Ward 10, Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana, taken 2-3 April, Charlie Peranio, 64 (b. 1876), and wife Janie, 67 (b. 1873), both born in Italy, live on the gravel road in Fordoche West J & R RR. Neither is employed. He owns his home, worth $400. Their next-door neighbors are their son Dominic on one side, and his mother-in-law on the other.^[15]

Giovannina's second husband, Charles V. Peranio dies on 12 April 1947 in Fordoche, LA, at age 65 (b. 1882). He was born 1882 in Italy, son of Dominic Peranio and Rosalie Peranio.^[16]

Death of Giovanna

Giovanna dies on 17 January 1962 in her daughter, Mrs. Charles Paternostro’s home in Fordoche. She is ninety years old. She is survived by a son, Dominick Peranio of Baton Rouge, and four daughters: Mrs. Joe Sagona of Lottie; Mrs. Carlo Paternostro and Mrs. Charles Paternostro, both of Fordoche; and Mrs. Carmello Ferraro of Norco. Giovanna is survived by one brother, Tony Cusimano of Baton Rouge.^[17]

Mary Margherita dies on 3 April 1979 in Lake Charles. She is 82.^[18][19]

Lena dies on 31 July 1982 in Baton Rouge. She was 94.^[4][5]

Lucy dies on 22 September 1998 in Baton Rouge. She was 96, a widow, and last resided in Fordoche.^[4][6]

Rosalie dies on 6 September 1992 at age 95. She lived in Norco, Louisiana, for 55 years. She is buried in St. John Memorial Gardens, LaPlace.^[7]

Dominic, a resident of Fordoche, Louisiana, dies at age 84 on 19 September 1992.^[13][20]

Sources

1. ↑ Baptism of Joannam Cusmano. (1872, December 14). "Italia, Palermo, Diocesi di Monreale, Registri Parrocchiali, 1531-1998," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DYMQ-BVY?cc=2046915&wc=MG37-K6D%3A351041801%2C351041802%2C351142201 : 20 May 2014), Corleone > San Martino > Battesimi 1872-1877 > image 119 of 419; Archivio di Arcidiocesi di Palermo (Palermo ArchDiocese Archives, Palermo).
2. ↑ Accessed manifest (page with 296-328) on EllisIsland via Steve Morse on 24 Oct 2018
3. ↑ Diocese of BR records, v. 19 (1892-1894) p. 662. Per Deadra Doucet Bourke on 30 Dec 2021 in email to Justin Cascio.
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9} Per Deadra Doucet Bourke on 30 Dec 2021 in email to Justin Cascio.
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2} Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/18730474/lena-paternostro : accessed 31 December 2021), memorial page for Lena Peranio Paternostro (18 Apr 1898–31 Jul 1982), Find a Grave Memorial ID 18730474, citing Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Cemetery, Maringouin, Iberville Parish, Louisiana, USA ; Maintained by skatoolaki (contributor 46887319) .
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2} (1998, Sep 23). DEATHS. Advocate, The (Baton Rouge, LA), pp. 6-a.. Retrieved from https://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/obit/14882F660E566CE8-14882F660E566CE8?p=OBIT
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2} (2002, Sep 13). Obituaries - September 11, 2002. L'Observateur (La Place, LA). Retrieved from https://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/obit/12F3C762B9079C00-12F3C762B9079C00?p=OBIT
8. ↑ National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards for Louisiana, 10/16/1940 - 03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 445 Name Range: Penn, Bernard-Perez, Dario Ancestry.com. U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
9. ↑ "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRVZ-Q18?cc=1727033&wc=QZZW-HS6%3A133638601%2C137159701%2C133721301%2C1589089035 : 24 June 2017), Louisiana > Iberville > Police Jury Ward 1 > ED 52 > image 41 of 56; citing NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
10. ↑ Louisiana, Ascension Parish, Index of Marriages, 1773-1963, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7QDG-ZYW2 : 14 August 2019), Mary Vutero in entry for Joseph Sagona, 1913; citing Marriage, Ascension, Louisiana, United States, Ark-La-Tex Genealogical Association, Bossier, Louisiana; FHL microfilm 007726083.
11. ↑ "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RX8-97Z?cc=1488411&wc=QZJ5-RHS%3A1036471301%2C1037901701%2C1036661601%2C1589332312 : 11 September 2019), Louisiana > Pointe Coupee > Police Jury Ward 10 > ED 91 > image 25 of 42; citing NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
12. ↑ "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRH9-6P6?cc=1810731&wc=QZF3-Q9P%3A648806801%2C649727101%2C649543701%2C1589282368 : 8 December 2015), Louisiana > Pointe Coupee > Police Jury Ward 10 > ED 14 > image 1 of 25; citing NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002).
13. ↑ ^{13.0 13.1} Obituary: Peranio, Dominic. (1992, September 20) The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA) P. 6-D.
14. ↑ "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRH9-6LT?cc=1810731&wc=QZF3-Q9P%3A648806801%2C649727101%2C649543701%2C1589282368 : 8 December 2015), Louisiana > Pointe Coupee > Police Jury Ward 10 > ED 14 > image 2 of 25; citing NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002).
15. ↑ "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9MR-26V?cc=2000219&wc=QZXP-4T8%3A790102701%2C793510201%2C790682201%2C793564401 : accessed 2 January 2022), Louisiana > Pointe Coupee > Police Jury Ward 10 > 39-14 Police Jury Ward 10 SW of Texas & Pacific Railway, Blank, Fordoche (part), Lottie > image 2 of 30; 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.
16. ↑ "Louisiana Deaths, 1850-1875, 1894-1960," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F37X-P54 : 4 March 2021), Jennie Peranio in entry for Charles V Peranio, 12 Apr 1947; citing Fordoche, Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, certificate number 030, State Archives, Baton Rouge; FHL microfilm 1,391,813.
17. ↑ Obituary: Mrs. Givano (Jennie) C. Peranio. (1962, January 18). The Morning Advocate (Baton Rouge) P. 14-A. Reprinted in her Find A Grave biography.
18. ↑ "United States, GenealogyBank Historical Newspaper Obituaries, 1815-2011", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q5Q4-PZRG : 18 July 2020), Mary V Sagona, 1979.
19. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/34893021/mary-sagona : accessed 31 December 2021), memorial page for Mary Veturo Sagona (5 Apr 1896–3 Apr 1979), Find a Grave Memorial ID 34893021, citing Consolata Cemetery, Lake Charles, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, USA ; Maintained by Tom Brady (contributor 47107461) .
20. ↑ "United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J1JQ-XJC : 10 January 2021), Dominick Peranio, 19 Sep 1992; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).