"A family tree can wither if nobody tends its roots."

Dec28th2014

Enrico (Henry) Ciolli

by  Phyllis Zeck

Robert Ciolli

This photo was sent to me from Val, thank you so much for sharing.  Left is Robert R Ciolli 1911 – 1962.  Center is John Serritella (Val’s godfather).  Right is Robert P. Amabile Ciolli 1910 – 2000.

Robert R.’s father was Enrico (Henry) Ciolli.  Robert P.’s father was Carmino (Charles) J. Ciolli.  Enrico and Carmino were the brothers of my great grandmother Elvira.  You can read more about the Charles Ciolli by clicking here and by clicking here.

Enrico (Henry) Ciolli was born 01 Jan 1876 in Italy. Henry married Carmela Petrella (1888-1954) and they had six children.  Frank (born in Italy), Phyllis, Mary, Robert R., Josephine (Gigi), and Nancy.

I can’t find a record of his immigration but you can click here to read his Naturalization Record dated 13 Dec 1893. The record shows he was living at 165 Forquer St in Chicago.  That must have been a huge apartment, many Ciolli’s lived at that residence!

The 1920 census lists the family’s address at 1023 Peoria in Chicago and says Henry immigrated in 1895 however that doesn’t match his Naturalization date.  It also lists his occupation as Plasterer and states he owns his home but has a mortgage.  His children are listed as Fred, Philamena, Mary, Abraham, Josephine, and Nancy.  This census taker has made several mistakes, in fact he spells the family’s last name Ciole.

Henry passed away 15 Jun 1958 at the age of 82 and is buried at the Queen of Heaven Cemetery.  I think it’s time for me to dig deeper into researching Enrico’s family.  So many relatives, so little time!

 
 

Dec21st2014

Digging Into My Father’s Lineage

by  Phyllis Zeck

In May 2014 I received the results of my DNA test through Ancestry.com.  I was surprised to find that I am 33% Scandinavian.  I wondered how much of this percentage was due to my paternal ancestors.  My paternal great grandparents were Edward Norder born Sep 1880 in Monroe Wisconsin and Matilda (Tillie) Frey born Jul 1880 in Monroe Wisconsin.  It was time to ask Kathy from GenTracer to work her magic with some research on my father’s ancestors.  Thank you Kathy for your hard work!

Grace Norder and her sisters

Grace Norder and her sisters

The first few paragraphs of Kathy’s research gave me many new clues to help in my investigation.  I thought my great grandfather’s first name was Edwin, but it was Edward.  I didn’t know my great grandmother Tillie’s maiden name which I now have.  It is Frey.

My great grandmother Tillie’s parents were Charles Frey born Jan 1842 in Germany (died 17 May 1901) and Anna Rinehart born Jun 1848 in New York. They were married in 1866.  Charles and Anna had five children: Edward, Albert, George, Matilda, and Magdalena.

My great grandfather Edward’s parents were Richard Norder born Mar 1848 in New York and Fannie Blum aka Blumer born Dec 1854 in Wisconsin. They were married in 1874.   Fannie’s father was Rudolph Blum born in Switzerland in Apr 1809.  Richard and Fannie had six children: Ida, Edward, John, George, Alice, and Harry.

The photo below is Grace with her three sisters. From left to right:  my grandmother Grace (far left) born 1908, Irene (in the white hat) born 1902, and Grace’s husband Joseph Rachor.  Gladys (Frannie) born 1905, and Agnes born 1913 are also in the picture but I’m not sure which woman is in the light coat and which one is in the dark coat.

Joe and Grace Rachor 1

I had hoped to uncover some information about my grandfather but Kathy hit a brick wall.  Dad’s mother was Grace Norder and she married Frank Winike. My father’s death certificate has his parents names.  In an effort to find out more about my grandfather I have written to both the state of Illinois and the state of Wisconsin for dad’s birth certificate.  No record of birth was found in either state.  Recently I applied for dad’s social security application in the hopes there will be information on the form about my grandfather.  We were told that Frank abandoned Grace and my father when dad was 2 years old.  Soon after Grace moved to Chicago to be near her sisters Irene, Gladys (Frannie), and Agnes thus setting the stage for mom and dad to meet, fall in love, and marry.  Click this link to view my father’s Ancestor Report.

Click this link to view Pedigree Charts and Family Group Records. Below are some excerpts from Kathy’s research project. Wishing you all a joyous Christmas!

Christmas 4

RESEARCH REPORT #6

The research goal was to extend ancestral lines in Chicago for parents of Robert Thomas Winike (1928-1970).

The search began with the Wisconsin births and Christenings 1826-1926 (FHL #1302876 and found at www.familysearch.org). They included the birth of a female Norder on 8 October 1905 in Monroe, Green, Wisconsin. She was born to Edward Norder (born in Monroe) and to Tillie Frey (born in Monroe).

The Wisconsin births and Christenings 1826-1926 (FHL #1305129 and found at www.familysearch.org) included the birth of Ralph Norder on 3 May 1904 in Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was born to Edward Norder (born in Wisconsin) and Tillie Frey (born in Wisconsin).

The Wisconsin marriages 1836-1930 (FHL #1266671 and found at www.familyserch.org) included:

a) The marriage of Edward Norder to Matilda Frey on 1 January 1902 in Monroe, Green, Wisconsin. The groom was born in Monroe to Richard Norder and Fannie Blumer. The bride was born in Monroe to Charles Frey and Anna Rinehart.

b) The marriage of Albert Frey to Ida Norder on 15 December 1897 in Monroe. The groom was born in Monroe to Charles Frey and Anna Reynhart. The bride was born in Monroe to Richard Norder and Fanny Bloom.

c) The marriage of Geo (George) Frey to Rosa Ruegger in June 1902 in Monroe. The groom was born in Monroe to Charles Frey and Anna Rhinehardt. The bride was born in New Glarus, Wisconsin to Martin Disch and Katharine Zeutner.

The 1910 census was also searched for these families at www.ancestry.com, but we could only positively identify the Norder family in Monroe in ED 12, sheet 2A. Richard Norder was 63 years old, married once for 36 years, born in the United States to parents born in Switzerland (someone wrote a descriptor on all the Swiss entries on this page, but I can’t equate it with known sections of Switzerland. The implication is that there’s a large Swiss population in this area of Monroe). He worked as a laborer for a teamster and could read and write. His wife, Fannie, was 55 years old, married once for 36 years. She had borne 9 children, 7 still living. She was born in Wisconsin to parents born in Switzerland. Their daughter, Alice B., was 20 years old, single, born in Wisconsin in and a typesetter in a printing office. Their son, Harry, was 15 years old, single, and born in Wisconsin. He worked as a laborer in a butcher shop. Note that there’s another Frey family on the second page. Source #15

The 1905 state census of Wisconsin at www.ancestry.com included your Norder family in Monroe. Richard was 57 years old, married, born in New York to parents born in Germany. He was a teamster. His wife, Fanny, was 50 years old and married. She was born in Wisconsin to parents born in Germany. Their daughter, Alice, was 15 years old and single, born in Wisconsin. Their son, Harry, was 9 years old and born in Wisconsin. Source #16

In 1905, we also located the Frey family in Monroe. Anna was head of household, 51 years old, widowed, born in New York to parents born in Germany. Her son, Edward C., is 37 years old, married, born in Wisconsin and a carpenter. Edward’s wife, Anna M., is 33 years old, married, born in Illinois to parents born in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Edward’s son, Ralph G., was 5/12 year old, born in Wisconsin. Anna’s daughter, Lena F., was 17 years old and born in Wisconsin. Source #10

The 1900 census of Monroe, Green, Wisconsin at www.familysearch.org, contained your Norder family in ED 125, sheet 5B. Richard was born in March 1848, married 28 years, born in New York to parents born in Switzerland and a teamster. His wife, Fannie, was born December 1854 in Wisconsin to parents born in Switzerland. Their son, Edward, was born September 1880 in Wisconsin, He was single, and a printer. Their son, John, was born September 1882 in Wisconsin. He was single and a day laborer. Their son, George, was born in January or June 1885 in Wisconsin. He was single and a day laborer. Their daughter, Alice, was born in April 1890 in Wisconsin. She was single and attended school. Their son, Harry, was born November 1895 in Wisconsin. He was single and at school. His father-in-law, Rudolph Blum, was born April 1809 in Switzerland to parents born in Switzerland. He arrived in 1850 and was a retired farmer. Source #14

In the process of locating the above documents on your Norder family, we located a possible cousin who posted a tree on Ancestry called the Jones Family Tree. His sources were the 1900, 1910 and 1905 census records. Source #13

We also located two family trees for your Frey family on Ancestry. The first shows Charles Frey and Anna unknown and is called T Treuthardt Reynolds Tree. Source #17

The other Fry family on Ancestry was called Bruce Sexton-Sexton/DeFouw. It shows Charles Frey married to Ellen Reinman, but the Edward born in 1866 matches Matilda’s brother. Their sources were the 1900, 1920, and 1870 census. Source #18

The 1900 census of Monroe, Green, Wisconsin, ED 125, sheet 5B at www.familysearch.org included the family of Charles Frey. He was born January 1842 in Germany to German parents, married 34 years, arrived 1854, naturalized, was a carpenter. His wife, Anna, was born June 1848 in Wisconsin to German parents. Their son, Edward, was born November 1866 in Wisconsin and worked as a carpenter. Their son, George, was born November 1872 in Wisconsin and worked as a carpenter. Their daughter, Matilda M., was born July 1880 in Wisconsin. Their daughter, Magdalena F., was born May 1887 in Wisconsin and attending school. Source #4

The 1890 veterans census of Monroe at www.familysearch.org included Charles Frey. He was a corporal and served from 14 October 1861 to 10 July 1865. The note at the bottom states that he was kicked by a horse in his left side. Source #5

The Military Pension files for 1861-1934 at www.familysearch.org included Charles Frey. It shows his wife as Anna Frey. He was in the 2nd … Battery, Wisconsin, light artillery. It was filed 24 February 1890 in Wisconsin as an invalid. He died on 17 May 1901 and his widow received the benefits. Source #6

The Military Pension Index for 1861-1917 at www.familysearch.org included Charles Frey. It shows company 2, Wisconsin Light Artillery Pension dated 24 February 1890. Source #7

 
 

Aug29th2014

“C” Is For Ciolli

by  Phyllis Zeck

Pizzelle Recipe Card FBarbara has graceously shared Charles Ciolli’s Pizzelle pastry recipe.  The recipe is not Charles’ original recipe, but it’s pretty close.  Barbara made the cookies this year at Easter. Carmino (Charles) Ciolli is Barbara’s grandfather and is the brother of my great grandmother Elvira.  You can read a blog post about Charles by clicking here or by clicking on his name in the category section on the right side of the page.  Barbara sent me the photo below of Charles’ press and it’s handle.  The press was used over an open flame on a gas stove.  Barbara said “it weighs a ton and dates back to 1923”.  Click on recipe card above or the photo below to see enlargements.

Press_Final_edited-1The following is some information I found about these cookies. Pizzelle pastries were originally made in Ortona, in the Abruzzo region of south central Italy.  The name comes from the Italian word for “round” and “flat”. The Pizzelle iron was held by hand over a hot burner on the stove top.  The iron stamps a snowflake pattern onto both sides of the thin golden brown cookie.  Pizzelle are popular during Christmas and Easter and are often found at Italian weddings.  It is also common for two pizzelle’s to be sandwiched with cannoli cream (ricotta blended with sugar) or hazelnut spread.  Pizzelle can also be rolled while still warm using a wooden dowel to create cannoli shells.

So I ordered a Pizzelle Press.  It does not have my initials in it and does not weight a ton and it plugs into the wall.  I bought it on Amazon.com.  Yesterday Ashley, Abby, and I made our own Pizzelle cookie memories and started a new tradition.  Next up – Ashley wants to make Cannolis.

Barbara also shared photos of the Lamb cake that she made at Easter.  The mold is her mother’s and is at least 60 years old.  I love that Barbara continues these family memories with her children and grandchildren.  Thank you for sharing with us Barb!

 
 

Aug21st2014

Turning Family Recipes into Memories

by  Phyllis Zeck

Gilbert Del Principe

My Grandfather Gilbert

My cousin Gina emailed me a few days ago to see if I had her mother’s (my Aunt Phyllis’) recipe for Pasta Fagioli. I told her that I didn’t and she replied that it made her sad that the recipe is now lost forever. That is sad!

Auntie Phyllis told me that she remembered visiting her Grandmother Elvira as a young child. She’d sit in the kitchen and watch Elvira cook.  Auntie Phyl said her grandmother knew very little English. Auntie told me “I didn’t speak much Italian, but it didn’t matter, we understood each other perfectly”.

So come on cousins, let’s share some recipes. Email me your favorite family recipe and I will copy and paste it into a blog post. Let’s spice up our heritage by turning delicious family recipes into memories.

 
 

Jun7th2014

Who Do You Think You Are?

by  Phyllis Zeck

WDYTYA
One of my favorite summer shows returns for a 5th season on TLC Wednesday July 23rd!  This season the series spotlights Valerie Bertinelli, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Lauren Graham, Kelsey Grammar, Rachel McAdams, and Cynthia Nixon.

Check out the new season highlights at TLC with Cynthia Nixon by clicking here.