Vincenzo Terranova (1885 - 1922)

Born 19 May 1885 in Corleone, Palermo, Sicily

Ancestors

Husband of Bernarda Reina — married 23 Jul 1913 in New York, New York, United States

Died 8 May 1922 at age 36 in New York, New York, United States

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

Biography

Vincenzo "Vincent" "The Tiger" Terranova is born 19 May 1885 in Corleone and baptized the next day. He is the son of Bernardo Terranova and Angela Piazza. His godparents are Giuseppe Morello and his sister, Maria^[1], his half-siblings. According to the handwritten note on the certificate of his birth received by Vivian Lima, Vincenzo was born in the vicolo Cortile, #2, the same address as his sister, in 1880.^[2]

Vincenzo and his younger brothers, Nicolo' and Ciro, immigrate with their parents and older sisters to New York on March 8, 1893.

Bernardo Terranova, age 40, his wife Angela Piazza, 44, and children Lucia, 16, Salvatrice, 12, Vincenzo, 7, Ciro, 6, and Nicolo', 3, immigrate together on the SS Alsatia from Naples, arriving in New York 8 March 1893. Bernardo is listed as a laborer, and literate: his wife and children are not. Unlike almost everyone else they travel with, who have one or two pieces of luggage with them, the Terranovas have sixteen bags with them. Bernardo has six, Angela has four, Lucia, two, and each of the younger children has a piece of luggage.^[3]

In the 1900 federal census of Manhattan, taken 12 June, Bernardo Terranova, 43, born in December 1856 (actually in July 1847), heads a household at 329 East 106th Street with his wife of 26 years, Angelina, 41, born in October 1858 (actually, May 1848). She has had 6 children, all living (actually 9). At home are Lizzie (actually Lucia), 22, born in December 1877 (born in Jan 1876); Teresa (actually Salvatrice), 17, born in April 1883 (actually in July 1880); James, 14, born in May 1886 (born in 1885); Jeremiah ( Ciro), 12, born in April 1888 (born July 1887); Nicholas, 10, born in February 1890 (Jan 1890); and [Terranova-35|Rosy]], 7, born in December 1892 (Aug 1892). Bernardo, Angelina, and their four oldest children were born in Italy and the two youngest were born in New York. They emigrated in 1890. Bernardo is a day laborer. Lizzie and Teresa are cigar makers. The next three children are in school.^[4]

Vincent works as an ice man in New York and is observed on his rounds, even while he’s active in the Mafia.^[5]

He and his gang are held responsible for a bombing at 231 E 107th St, in March 1909. His brothers Giuseppe Morello, Ciro and Nicolo' Terranova, and another associate, Stefano LaSalle, live at 207 E 107th St. ^[5]

In the 1910 Census, Angela Morello, age 60, lives in Manhattan, Ward 12, at 216 East 106th Street with her daughter, Dora (Salvatrice), 28, son-in-law Nazzio Lupo, 31, granddaughters Nufria, 4, and Angelina, 2, Rocco Lupo, her grandson, born that year, her son Joe Morello, age 42, daughter in law Lena Morello, 26, grandson Charles, 15, born in Texas, granddaughters Angelina, 5, and Carmela, 1, son Vincent Terranova, 23, and daughter Rose Terranova, 17. Nufria, Angelina, and Rocco Lupo, and Angelina and Carmela Morello, were all born in New York. Angelina and her children and in-laws were all born in Italy.^[6]

Vincenzo lives in a tenement at E 109th Street when his home is bombed in January 1913, in retaliation for the March 1909 bombing.^[5]

Vincenzo marries Bernarda Reina on 23 July 1913.^[7] Although sources call Bernarda the sister of Gaetano Reina, founder of the Lucchese crime family,^[8][5][9] they are in fact second cousins. Cascio-10 23:02, 2 August 2016 (EDT)

Vincenzo and Bernarda have three children: Angelina (1914), Giuseppa/Josephine (1916), and Vincent (1920).

Angelina is born 7 May 1914 in New York City, according to her father's sworn petition for naturalization in 1920. There is a birth index confirming Angelina Terranovo was born 10 May 1914 in Manhattan.^[10]

In 1915, Vincenzo Terranova, age 29, declares his intention to become a US citizen. He is a merchant, white, with a dark complexion, stands 5’6”, weighs 143#, and has brown hair and eyes. He was born in Sicily on 15 May 1886 (Note: Vincenzo's date of birth is 19 May 1885, according to the primary sources). He lives at 350 E. 116th St. Emigrated from Palermo on the Arata, arriving in NY on 10 May 1893. (Note: It was the Alsatia on 8 March.) Sworn 25 October 1915.^[11]

Giuseppa is born 20 September 1916 in New York City.

Vincent Terranova of 350 E. 116th St., NYC registers for the draft for WWI on 12 September 1918. He is 33, born 15 May 1886. He is an Italian national and declarant alien. He is a merchant employed by R. Violi of 2056 First Av., NYC. His contact is Bessie Terranova at the same address. He is of medium height and build with brown hair and eyes.^[12]

In the 1920 federal census, “Syrio Ternova” (Ciro Terranova) owns his home at 338 116th St. He is 31 (b. 1889) and immigrated in 1893. His wife Tessie is 26 (b. 1894). They were both naturalized in 1918. Their children Angelina, 7 (b. 1913), Bennie, 4 (b. 1916), and Anna, 2 yr 3 mos (b. 1917), all born in NY. The next head of household is Vincent Terranova (“Ternora”), 33 (b. 1887), Ciro's brother. He lives with his wife Bessie, 30 (b. 1890), both born in Italy. Their daughters Angelina, 5 yr 5 mo (b. 1914), and Josephine, 3 yr 5 mo (b. 1916), were both born in NY. The next head of household is their mother Angela Terranova, 70 (b. 1850), a widow, born in Italy. In her household is her daughter Rose, 27 (b. 1893), single, born in Italy. Ciro reports his father was born in NY. He is a plasterer working on his own account as a contractor. Vincent is a fruit dealer with his own business.^[13]

Their brother-in-law Ignazio Lupo and his family come to live with Ciro and Vincent on 116th Street when he is released from prison in 1920.

Note: The record of Vincenzo’s marriage and his wife's baptismal record both call her "Bernarda", but his naturalization petition calls her Biaggia.

Vincenzo Terranova of 338 East 116th St., a merchant, born 15 May 1886 (Note: He was born in 1885 but consistently reports being born in ‘86) in Palermo, emigrated from there 1 May 1893 on the Arata. He declared his intention to naturalize on 28 October 1915 in NYC in Supreme Court of NY. His wife, Biaggia, was born 18 October 1891 (off by 3 years minus two days) in Italy. She lives with him. They have two children, Angelina, born 7 May 1914 and Giuseppa, born 20 September 1916, both born in New York and reside there. Sworn 6 May 1920. Witnesses are Carmine Sucarato, blacksmith, lives at 415 E. 107th St., and Gaetano Ballista, manufacturer, living at 314 E. 112th St. Filed 6 May 1920.

Vincenzo and Bernarda's third child, Vincent Nicholas, is born 30 May 1920.^[14]

Vincenzo’s petition is denied 6 August 1920 because he was found not to be of good moral character.^[15]

Death of Vincenzo

According to Wikipedia, "On May 8, 1922, Vincenzo Terranova was gunned down in a drive-by shooting near his home on East 116th Street in Manhattan. Terranova's murder is generally attributed to Umberto Valenti, a notorious hitman for the D'Aquila crime family who was trying to seize control over the family."^[16] Humbert S. Nelli says that both Valenti and D'Aquila were Morello family allies, and that Vincent was killed by associates of Joe "the Boss" Masseria.^[17] Nelli does not offer any sources for this version of events. David Critchley, citing Nicola Gentile, says that D'Aquila had hits out on several Morello family members and Valenti, in 1921. Valenti, in an effort to win D'Aquila's confidence back, shot at Masseria, but failed to injure him. The killing of Vincent Terranova the following day, near his home, is considered a retaliation for the attack on Masseria.^[5]

He dies at the age of 35.^[18] He is buried at Calvary Cemetery.^[19][20]

Bernarda dies on 11 March 1924 in New York.^[21]

In the 1925 New York state census, taken 1 June, at 338 East 116th St., Ciro Terranova, 36 (b. 1889), heads a household with his wife, children, BIL Ignazio Lupo and his wife Dora, their children, Ciro’s mother Angela Terranova, and Angelina Terranova, 11 (b. 1914), niece; Josephine Terranova, (nephew, male), 8 (b. 1917); and Vincent Terranova, nephew, 5 (b. 1920).^[22]

In the 1930 federal census of Pelham Manor, in Westchester County, New York, Ciro Terranova, age 40 (b. 1890), heads a household with his wife and children. It appears that Vincent and Bernarda's children are listed among Ciro and Tessie's as their own: Angie, 17 (b. 1913), Angelie (one of Vincent's children), 16 (b. 1914), Vernon (actually, Bernard), 14 (b. 1916), Josephine (another of Vincent's children), 13 (b. 1917), Anna, 12 (b. 1918), Vincent (nephew, son of the late Vincent), 9 (b. 1921), Norma, 6 (b. 1924), and Bessie, 2 (b. 1938). Ciro is an artichokes importer.^[23][24]

Josephine marries Salvatore Ciccone in the Bronx on 30 September 1934.^[25]

Angela marries Salvatore La Scala on 26 July 1936 in the Bronx.^[26]

Ciro dies of a stroke in 1938.

Vincent lives with Angela and her new husband in the 1940 census and as late as 1951.

Vincent marries Immaculatta P. Ciccone, Salvatore's sister, in Manhattan on 3 January 1948.^[27][28] She is called Margaret or Margie in later records.

Josephine (Jay) Ciccone, 50 (b. 1916), of Kenilworth House, Bal Harbour, Florida, passes away on 6 November 1966 at her home.^[29]

Sources

1. ↑ Baptism of Vincentium Terranova, record no. 261, 20 May 1885, "Italia, Palermo, Diocesi di Monreale, Registri Parrocchiali, 1531-1998," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-12332-68649-15?cc=2046915 : accessed 16 November 2015), Corleone > San Martino > Battesimi 1884-1888 > image 121 of 398; Archivio di Arcidiocesi di Palermo (Palermo ArchDiocese Archives, Palermo).
2. ↑ Certificato di nascita, part I, record no. 273, Vincenzo Terranova. Stamped and dated by the municipality of Corleone on 13 January 1998. Received by Justin Cascio from Vivian Lima on 1 September 2016.
3. ↑ Ship manifest, SS Alsatia, arriving 8 March 1893. Accessed online 31 January 2016.
4. ↑ "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6S7W-S88?cc=1325221&wc=9B7R-HZG%3A1030551901%2C1035804001%2C1036212201 : 5 August 2014), New York > New York County > ED 907 Borough of Manhattan, Election District 21 New York City Ward 32 > image 56 of 92; citing NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4} Critchley, David. The origin of organized crime in America: the New York City mafia, 1891-1931. Routlege Publishing, 2009
6. ↑ "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M5ZC-TD4 : 29 October 2015), Rocco Lupo in household of Angela Morello, Manhattan Ward 12, New York, New York, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 345, sheet 5A, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,375,028.
7. ↑ "New York, New York City Marriage Records, 1829-1940," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:243R-PDC : accessed 16 February 2016), Vincenzo Terranova and Bernarda Reina, 23 Jul 1913; citing Marriage, Manhattan, New York, New York, United States, New York City Municipal Archives, New York; FHL microfilm 1,613,796.
8. ↑ Gaetano Reina. Accessed online 29 November 2015.
9. ↑ Certificate Number 18591. http://italiangen.org/records-search/grooms.php Accessed 7 January 2016.
10. ↑ Ancestry.com. New York, New York, U.S., Birth Index, 1910-1965 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2017.
11. ↑ "New York, County Naturalization Records, 1791-1980," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9M8-P93S-4?cc=1999177&wc=MDSP-ZTL%3A326209701%2C327761201 : 7 November 2018), New York > Declarations of intention 1915 vol 245, no 119736-120235 > image 219 of 278; Citing multiple County Clerk offices of New York.
12. ↑ "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-G1N7-PG?cc=1968530&wc=9FZ1-JWL%3A928312401%2C929064201 : 15 October 2019), New York > New York City no 165; Derose, Anthony-Z > image 4460 of 4992; citing NARA microfilm publication M1509 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
13. ↑ Year: 1920; Census Place: Manhattan Assembly District 20, New York, New York; Roll: T625_1222; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 1362 Enumeration District: 1362; Description: Manhattan borough, Assembly District 20, Tract 188 (part) bounded by E 116th, 1st Ave, E 115th, 2nd Ave Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.
14. ↑ Ancestry.com. U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
15. ↑ "New York, County Naturalization Records, 1791-1980," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89M8-29QY-8?cc=1999177&wc=MDSY-Y3D%3A326209701%2C329898501 : 24 April 2020), New York > Petitions for naturalization and petition evidence 1920 vol 424, no 105101-105350 > image 442 of 624; Citing multiple County Clerk offices of New York.
16. ↑ Vincenzo Terranova entry on Wikipedia. Accessed 8 May 2020.
17. ↑ Nelli, H. S. (1976). The Business of Crime: Italians and Syndicate Crime in the United States. The University of Chicago Press.
18. ↑ "New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2W19-QWD : accessed 16 February 2016), Vincent Terranova, 08 May 1922; citing Death, Manhattan, New York, New York, United States, New York Municipal Archives, New York; FHL microfilm 2,028,151.
19. ↑ "BillionGraves Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QL1S-3FB1 : 31 October 2017), Vincenzo Terranova, died 09 May 1922; citing BillionGraves (http://www.billiongraves.com : 2012), Burial at Calvary Cemetery (Third), Queens, Queens, New York, United States.
20. ↑ "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVVW-H553 : 26 July 2019), Vincenzo (Morello) Terranova, 1922; Burial, Woodside, Queens, New York, United States of America, Calvary Cemetery; citing record ID 6246140, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.
21. ↑ "New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2W15-GVY : accessed 17 February 2016), Bessie Terranova, 11 Mar 1924; citing Death, Manhattan, New York, New York, United States, New York Municipal Archives, New York; FHL microfilm 2,031,421.
22. ↑ New York State Archives; Albany, New York; State Population Census Schedules, 1925; Election District: 25; Assembly District: 20; City: New York; County: New York; Page: 81
23. ↑ (1st page) "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RCS-QCP?cc=1810731&wc=QZFQ-K1T%3A649437801%2C651860701%2C651901701%2C1589286545 : 8 December 2015), New York > Westchester > Pelham Manor > image 29 of 38; citing NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002).
24. ↑ (2nd page) "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RCS-QNQ?cc=1810731&wc=QZFQ-K1T%3A649437801%2C651860701%2C651901701%2C1589286545 : 8 December 2015), New York > Westchester > Pelham Manor > image 30 of 38; citing NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002).
25. ↑ Cert no. 7845. Ancestry.com. New York, New York, U.S., Extracted Marriage Index, 1866-1937 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.
26. ↑ Cert no. 6349. Ancestry.com. New York, New York, U.S., Extracted Marriage Index, 1866-1937 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.
27. ↑ Lic. No. 143. Ancestry.com. New York, New York, U.S., Marriage License Indexes, 1907-2018 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2017.
28. ↑ Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.
29. ↑ Deaths. (1966, November 7). The New York Times. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1966/11/07/82947207.html?pageNumber=47 Retrieved 15 March 2021.