The DeGirolamo Story

by Michael DeGirolamo

My grandfather, Giuseppe DeGirolamo, was born in Faeto, Foggia, in 1892. At the age of 13, he left Italy to find work in America.


His first job was as a laborer on the railroad in Ohio. In 1913 he met fellow railroader and paisan, Gerardo Montanaro, in Cleveland. Gerardo told him that he had just sent for his daughter,Isolina Montanaro, and she was living in Bridgeport, Connecticut.


Giuseppe went to Connecticut and asked Isolina to marry him. They were married and settled in Alliance, Ohio, were Giuseppe was a blacksmith in a forge shop. They were parents of seven children, my father Anthony, being one of them. Giuseppe died in 1956 and Isolina died in 1976.


I could write volumes about these two beautiful people, their courage, strength, and love was unending.

- Michael DeGirolamo


Thank you Michael for a great story. Faeto is a small town of around 800 people in the province of Foggia in the region of Puglia. For more information on the region of Puglia you can visit Italian Visits.com.
- Phillip J. Speciale

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Jul 30, 2018
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starstarstarstarstar 		DeGirolamo NEW
by: Robert Mangia

My grandmother was born a DeGirolamo in Faeto. She married a Melfi from Celle San Vito.
Love to see if we are related.
May 22, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		Sons of Fedele De Girolamo and Vincenza Petitti NEW
by: Michael DeGirolamo

Fulvio, Yes there are many people named Michael or Michele De Girolamo! The Michael De Girolamo born in Faeto in 1886 is not your grandfather. That was a comment by someone in response to my original post regarding my grandparents, Giuseppe De Girolamo and Isolina Montanaro. Of course your grandfather, Michele (born in Faeto on 1 February 1887), and my grandfather, Giuseppe, (born in Faeto on 26 May 1892, died 31 May 1956 in Alliance, Ohio) were brothers. They were sons of Fedele De Girolamo and Vincenza Petitti.
The other children of Fedele and Vincenza were Antonio (1884-1886), Giovannina (1889-1969), Maria (1894-1975), Alberigo (1897-1953), and Nicola (1902-1934)
Hope you are in good health, my dear cousin, and hugs to you and all our family members in Italy! Your cousin, Mike
May 21, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		Ciao Michael NEW
by: Fulvio De Girolamo

just a question, Michele De Girolamo, my grandfather was born in Faeto 1 february 1887 and died the 4 october 1930, is the same person that you write is born in 1886? There is another Michele or Michael? a big hug from your cousin
Feb 04, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		Reply to Tina NEW
by: Michael DeGirolamo

Tina, My great grandfather, Gerardo Montanaro, was born was born September 19, 1865 but don't believe he had a brother, Michele. However the name Michele (Michael) Montanaro is very prominent in my family tree. Gerardo named his son Michele (born Faeto 1909/died Bridgeport, CT 1980). Also Gerardo's father was Michele Arcangelo Montanaro, born April 4, 1829. So I would not rule out some relationship. If you have any further info I would be very interested. Thank you, Mike DeGirolamo February 4, 2017
Oct 31, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		Montanaro NEW
by: Anonymous

Hello,

Thank-you for your great story! Do you know if Gerardo Montanaro is related to Michael Montanaro (born on May 11, 1858, in Faeto, Puglia)?

Thank-you,
Tina
Aug 28, 2015
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starstarstar 		More DeGirolamos in CT NEW
by: Cynthia DeGirolamo

Hi,
My husband is Victor,his siblings are Frank and Silvia.His parents are Victor and Maria from Faeto.His father was Nicola DeGirolamo and her maiden name was Gallucci.
Jul 25, 2014
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starstarstarstarstar 		My Grandparents NEW
by: Cindy DeGirolamo

What a great love story Mike. Your knowledge of our family history amazes me. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't know these beautiful stories. Thank you so much. I wish I would have known my grandfather.
Dec 31, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		Looking for cousins Michael and John Degirolamo NEW
by: Gianna deGirolamo-Gaudio

Ihe sons of Carmela and John Degirolamo, I met you at the Crestview address in Cleveland when I was 19. Later when Michael was 19 you visited me in Tucson Arizona with your mother, carmy. I have pictures of the family but taken during those visits but no contact since the 60's, I know its very late but I would like to reconnect.
Costa Rica 8417-3065
Dec 31, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		Looking for cousins Michael and John Degirolamo NEW
by: Gianna deGirolamo-Gaudio

Ihe sons of Carmela and John Degirolamo, I met you at the Crestview address in Cleveland when I was 19. Later when Michael was 19 you visited me in Tucson Arizona with your mother, carmy. I have pictures of the family but taken during those visits but no contact since the 60's, I know its very late but I would like to reconnect.
Costa Rica 8417-3065
Oct 11, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		Finding my roots NEW
by: Peggy

Loved reading everyone's stories. Mine, however is not complete. My grandmother's name was Elisena DeGirolamo. She came from the town of Faeto, Italy. She came to America in 1921 at the age of 18. Her mother's name was Filomena and her brother's name was Attlio. This information was on the Ellis Island web-site. Her birth date and any other family members from Italy I have not been able to find. Wish me luck
Nov 29, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		DeGirolamo family from Chicago
by: Nicoletta

Hello, my father is Luigi DeGirolamo, son of Giovanna and Nicola DeGirolamo and lived in Faeto, Foggia. My dad moved to Chicago in 1975 but his whole family is still in the Faeto region and Torino. Nice to have read your blog!
Nov 03, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		More Family!
by: Jenn

Surely we are all related! I am the granddaughter of Helen DeGirolamo Schultz Woodward of Alliance, Ohio. My grandmother's parents were Emily and Frank DeGirolamo of Alliance,Ohio. Would love to get in touch!

schultz43231@hotmail.com
Oct 20, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Sounds like my family?
by: Michael DeGirolamo

My grand father Michael DeGirolamo was born in 1886 in Faeto. He came to the U.S. and went to Bridgeport because of family. He went to Ohio to work for the railroad which he did for 50 years. He was in Malvern when my dad was born and they moved to Cleveland till he retired in 1952 or 1953 then to Canton till he passed in 1970. I know we had relatives in Malvern and Alliance.
Thank You
Michael DeGirolamo Sr

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