Excerpts from my book “Farmers and Nobles” Shortly before the NY World’s Fair opened in 1964, my Uncle Frank and Aunt Dolly opened Frank’s Luncheonette on 108th Street in Corona, Queens. At the time I was thirteen and very excited, as they hired me to work there on weekends and summers while the World’s Fair was open. The Fair (as we called it) was only a few blocks away and we would often have tourists and bus drivers come in to eat. In fact, after the fair closed, bus drivers would drive 50 to 60 miles out of their way to dine at Frank’s Luncheonette and kibitz with Aunt Dolly. Uncle Frank drove trucks when he was young, and later worked as a baker at Leonard’s Up the Station, and ran a fish store in the Bronx for several years. Frank’s was a small place with only eight or ten stools and no tables. But we did good business and a lot of take-out. At the front there was a candy and cigarette counter and a place to hold the Daily Papers. Then the lunch counter and soda fountain with a back room with the stove and griddle. We also had the soda cooler that kept the bottles in cold water. My duties included stocking the candy and cigarettes, putting together the Sunday papers, making fountain sodas and malts (yeah real malts), egg creams (yum), and ice cream sundaes. As time went on, I would make the rice and chocolate pudding. I would also deliver orders to some of the local businesses. However, the very best thing about working at Frank’s Luncheonette was the perks. Aunt Dolly was a great cook, as was Uncle Frank. So I had my pick of menu items. My favorite was the eggplant parmigiana or the meatball hero. Uncle Frank would make onions on the grill with a load of butter and paprika that would smother your cheeseburger- always a great choice. On cold days, a nice bowl of chicken soup. Breakfast was a Pechter’s corn muffin, buttered and grilled, or one of their cheese danishes. And of course, anything from the fountain, whenever I liked! Click below to order through Janaway Click below to order through our website 5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing! Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2022 This book was a great read and so informative. I learned so much and hope the author continues to write more. Great work and recommend this An interesting story of a families journey. Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2022 Wonderful story of families and the journey to find where they all intersect. Great period pictures shows the true spirit of family. Incredible singular heritage Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2022 The genuine historical connection is long overdue. Believe me, we had some great characters. My aunt and uncle rented the place from “Butch”, who also happened to be my Aunt Ann’s cousin. Butch was a taxi driver, and his home was behind Frank’s Luncheonette, with an alley, where Butch would park his car. About once a week, we would hear a loud scraping sound as Butch would get a little too close to the wall of the store. “Rocky the Barber” (Pal Rocky) would come in for a chat and his Gini Stinkers (di Nobili cigars), quite aptly named. My cousin’s husband, Al, would deliver the bread from Leonard’s bakery every day and order a cup of coffee (10 cents) and leave me a 90-cent tip! Cousin Lou Mina (Mina’s Fuel Oil) would come in and say to me, “I’ll have a soda…. JERK,” and laugh. I later worked for Lou and boy, do I have some stories about that job. My dad, who worked for the NY Daily News at the time, would come in sometimes and if he ordered a tea, it had to be filled right to the very top of the cup. After my tenure, my cousin Cathy (Frank and Dolly’s daughter) worked there, and my sister Lori too. Eventually Frank’s son Lou took over for a while.

Corona, Queens Summers in Grandma’s Backyard Some of my fondest memories are the parties in my grandmother’s front yard in Corona, Queens.  Ever since I can remember, from about the mid 1950’s until 1971, every Nicoletti summer party was held in that yard.  Rain or shine, it did not matter, the 9 sons and daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren would gather. My dad would work on Sunday’s, so if mom was taking too long, I would walk the 5 blocks in College Point to Uncle Tom’s and hitch a ride with him.  Uncle Tom would let me drive the long stretch along College Point Blvd. to Roosevelt Ave., which was always fun!  I loved to be one of the first ones there, but that meant humping to the Cammeratti’s or to the soda warehouse, both about a block away. Typically one or more aunts would be in the kitchen making sauce or meatballs, and if you were lucky, you could grab one before it hit the sauce.  But more about the food later. Slowly, but surely, everyone would start to arrive, and as they did grandma would get happier.  We would have the aunts and uncles and cousins of course, and then the cousins of cousins, and sometimes the cousins of the cousins of cousins.  As we got older, the boyfriends and girlfriends would come too.  Pity the non-Itlians…, they needed to manage the names and the food. Yes, I will get to the food. But first, “go kiss your aunt”. The Food First, seating was at a premium in grandma’s backyard, there was very little around the table under the roof, and that was usually reserved for Grandma and Grandpa and the senior aunts and uncles, although, the aunts spent a lot of time in the kitchen.  You could then default to the aluminum table(s) set up in the sun ( older cousins ) but you might be able to squeeze in.  Next was the ledge along the grapevines, and finally the ledge leading to the basement stairs ( mom’s did not like that ledge ).  If you would ask where should I sit, Uncle Mike would raise is middle finger and say “sit on this.” While the aunt’s were making the “gravy and gravy meat”  ( I did say sauce earlier ) Uncle Tom was stoking the BBQ,  Uncle Tom would start with chicken livers and bacon.  OK I passed on that, then put on the chicken basted with Italian dressing using sprigs of basil as the brush.  I’m not a fan of lamb, but he would have skewers of lamb that we would squeeze on lemon juice, very nice.  But, the coup de gras, was the CHIVALET.  Thin sausage of lamb, parsley, and cheese.  We would line up, Bellaciccos roll in hand, waiting, and waiting and waiting.  Once you got your sausage, you got back on line with sandwich one, to get sandwich two. Of course we had some other Nicoletti specialties like Eggplant Parmigiana,  Lemon Chicken and Manicotti.  Click the links to see the recipes. Up until the mid 1960’s in August during grandma’s birthday, their was a feast on the block.  Right outside the gate, every year, was the Zeppole stand.  Three for a quarter.  Other desserts were the fruit and nuts, of course, but we would also get 5 gallons of Lemon Ice from the Lemon Ice King of Corona.  Or sometimes just walk there.   And cookies from Mangiapane’s. Depending on the occasion, and if we were lucky, there would be Pizza dolce or homemade crumb cake. Click here to join Italian Genealogy Group on Facebook Uncle Tom (sans beer) Grams smiling The Entertainment As I said earlier, for many years the entertainment was the feast right outside grandma’s backyard.  There were all the typical games, food ( not that we needed any ) the stage with Italian singers etc.  It was sad when the feast closed down. We also made our own entertainment.  One of my older “Lou” cousins, decided to knight the younger cousins and give us weird names that you could not remember.  He used grandma’s cane  as the sword, and bop you on the head if you did not remember your name.  Did I say this was entertainment! At some point, Aunt Mary would break into the standard Italian songs, and everyone would join in the singing.  Uncle Tony would plat the harmonica, or do his Charlie Chaplin imitation. Before he passed away, Uncle Nick Mina, would just make everyone crack up.  He was one of the funniest guys ever. But, the real fun would start with the kids “talent contest”  we would sing or dance and our uncles would throw change.   Zia Rachel, would play a fake piano for the dancers,  and slap her arm ( as in “F” you ).  One time, when my cousin John was dancing, Uncle Mike gave him a quarter and Zia Rachel ten bucks for her piano.  That was really a scream. So sad that these days are gone, but we all have our memories of Grandma’s backyard.

Bret Thoman discusses his early Italian Roots, becoming an Italian language scholar and eventually marrying his Italian wife and living in Italy. St. Francis Pilgrimages is owned and operated by Bret Thoman. Married since 2002, and professed Secular Franciscans (Third Order Franciscans) since 2006, they currently live in Loreto, Italy with their three children. They have organized over 125 pilgrimages and personally journeyed with 1,600 people of more than 20 different nationalities. Destinations include all of Italy, the Holy Land, Spain and Portugal, Medjugorje, Poland, and more. Groups have originated in the US, Canada, Ireland, Guam, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, and Malaysia; they have been large and small and consist of parishes, families, schools, youth groups, retreat centers, secular Franciscan fraternities/ regions, and more. Bret has a master’s degree in Italian and a certificate in Franciscan studies. He has worked as a teacher and translator of Italian, as a flight instructor and airline pilot, and has written and translated numerous books. Katia was born in Southern Italy. She lived in Assisi for 7 years where she graduated with a degree in tourism from the University of Perugia and worked in several hotels. In Assisi she developed lifelong friendships with the Franciscan friars and sisters. www.stfrancispilgrimages.com Podcast Click here to join our group on Facebook Video

The Sorrentino family history  was the toughest to track down in Italy.  I was not able to find my grandfather Ubaldo’s or his brother Riccardo’s birth on the Atenati.  They also had a sister, who was a nun in Naples, under the name Alfonsina.  Knowing that my oldest uncle’s name was Achille, it stood to reason that my great grandfather would be named the same.  I still could not find a record.  Finally, with the help of Bella Italian Genealogy, who came up with many records, I was able to piece a good part of the family back to the mid 1700’s.  Just yesterday, I found a few more records. While not noble, like my grandmother’s family, most had the title of Don or Donna.  As hit turns out, many were in the legal business, quite interesting to find out.  It also appears that they all lived in fairly well off neighborhood in Naples.   Elena Pedatella Death Record my 3rd Great Grandmother On December 24th 1848 Giuseppe ? age ? a ? living at ? and Luigi Fiero age 30 a ? Living at ? testified to the death of Donna Elena Pedatella age 51 Daughter of Antonio Pedatella a property owner and Mariangela Serrafini wife of Don Pasquale Princi Click here to join Italian Genealogy Blog on Facebook Son and Daughters of Vincenzo Sorrentino and Maria Michela Longo Birth of Maria Cristina 1838 On the 18th of January 1838 Don Vincenzo Sorrentino age 25 a lawyer from Naples testified that his legitimate wife Donna Maria Michela Longo age 25 bore a daughter names Maria Cristina Carolina. Presented by Don Luigi Longo age 54? a civil justice? living at  ? number 47 and Carlo ? a civil justice age 23 living at Vico Pergole al Borgo number 76 Birth of Emilia Elisabetta 1840 On the 2nd of March 1840 Don Vincenzo Sorrentino age 27 a lawyer from Naples living at Vico Loungo a Carbonara number 28 testified that is legitimate wife Maria Michela Longo bore a daughter named Emilia Elisabetta. Testified by Don ? Longo age 40 a lawyer living at Vico Loungo a Carbonara 28 and Antonio Di Maria age 60 a servant living at Vico Lammantoro 59 Birth of Achille 1842 On Dec 13 1842 Vincenzo Sorrentino age 28 and living at Vico Longo  28 in Naples presented a male named Achille Maria Luccio Aniello from his legitimate wife Maria Michela Longo. Witnessed by Don Giuseppe  ??? age 52 Doctor of Letters Living at number 78 Vico Luongo a Carbonara and Francesco Di Maria age 41 a servant living at Vico Giganti number 15 Birth of Maria Carmela 1845 On Sept 20 1845 Vincenzo Sorrentino age 31 and living at Vico Longo  28 in Naples presented a male named Achille Maria Luccio Aniello from his legitimate wife Maria Michela Longo. Witnessed by Don Agostino Lauri age 28 a lawyer  Living at ??  and Salvatore Baffo age 28 a property owner living at Vico Pergole number 2 Marianna Priscolo Death Record of My 3rd Great Grandmother 1815 On the 22nd of August 1815 Raffaele Guarino age 34 living at Strada ? #58 testified to the death of Marianna Priscolo age 78 living in the Vicaria district Strada Carbonara 87 daughter of Isai Priscolo and Orsola Cemanno.  First married to Salavatore Vecharelli and second marriage to Pasquale Scarufo.   Eleonora Scarfuro Death Record my 4th Great Grandmother 1844 On the 12th of November 1844 Rafaelle Baldino age 26 a writer living at Palazzo due Porte and Caperti #3 and Francesco Di Maria age 46 a writer living at Vico Gigante #15 testified to the death of Eleonora Scarufa age 79 living at Vico Longo a Carbonara 25 wife of Paolo Longo and daughter of Pasquale a property owner and Mariangela Priscolo. New Records added 7/19/2019 Maria Michele Longo Birth Record my Great Great Grandmother 1810 On the 12th ( I think ) of October 1810 Paolo Longo age 41 lawyer and counsel and living in the Vicaria district at Vico Pergole 73 presented a female baby from his legitimate wife Eleanora Scafuro.  Witnessed by Carmelo Giordano Orsini age 68 and Aniello Bonelli age 70.  Looks like they were both domestics.  The baby’s name  Maria Michela Francesca Saverio Vincenzo Sorrentino Birth Record my Great Great Grandfather 1813 On the 22 of Nov 1813 Angelo Sorrentino age 29 a pharmacist living at commune strada de San Pietro presented a male baby from his legitimate wife signora Carmela Genovese.  Witnessed by Luigi Contaldi age 30 a rich person and Vincenzo D’Andrea age 40 a ??? Giulia Domenica Princi Birth Record my Great Great Grandmother 1855 On the 21 of Feb 1845 Don Francesco Princi age 30 a Civil Clerk presented a female baby from his legitimate wife Donna Catarina Martre age 28 born on the 21st of this month named Giulia Domenica Luisa Arcangela Maria.  Baptized on the 25 of February at San Matteo.  Witnessed by Don Guglielmo Carafa of the Dukes of Andrea a property owner living at Strada San ?? 78 and Pasquale ?? a Civil Clerk living at Strada ?? number 9

Hi all.  I’ve decided to do a blog page for all the history and records that I have found so far.  I am going to start from the beginning and work my way back to all the aunts and uncles.  I’ll add photos, records eventually the old movies, whatever I have so far and may find later.  There are comment boxes, if you want to add a story or a memory. I am going to translate the records the best that I can, however, if anyone sees a mistake, let me know.  Several of us have done DNA and by golly, we actually are related!  If anyone has considered it please click one of my links, I make a small percentage, and it costs you the same.  I have done two Living DNA and Ancestry.com.  I have also put my data out to My Heritage, as did Cathy Murphy.  There is a tree out there, and it seems that site is the best to share charts and records.  If you have done 23 and me or any other DNA it’s pretty easy to transfer data over. If you have any photos from grandma’s yard, the aunts and uncles.  Please make a comment so we can figure out how to get them to so we can share with the group.  You can scan and send over to me, or send them to me and I will scan.  I know I can pull some from Facebook. To see grandma’s ancestors click the link below:  Marietta Nicoletti Fan Chart To see grandpa’s ancestors click the link below: Luigi Nicoletti Fan Chart Click here to join Italian Genealogy Group on Facebook The Story of St Nicholas of Bari The Nicoletti story going back centuries is that a group of people went to Turkey to appropriate the relics of St Nicholas.  There is now way to prove any of our ancestors participated, but you never know. How did the Bishop of Myra become ‘Saint in Bari‘? It’s a long way from Lycia to the eastern coast of Italy. St. Nicholas’ tomb in Myra was a popular place of pilgrimage. As Myra was a seaport, sailors heard the stories of the saint’s shrine and carried them to many distant places. If a town were fortunate enough to host such a significant religious site, it enjoyed considerable commercial benefit because pilgrims needed to be housed, fed, and otherwise provided for. After Myra fell under the control of the Seljuks, who were not sympathetic to Christian faith, Italian merchants in both Venice and Bari, saw an opportunity to bring such advantage to their cities. Their motives were opportunistic, but also spiritual, as there was real fear that pilgrimage could become difficult and dangerous or that the shrine might even be desecrated. St. Nicholas Church, Myra (Demre, Turkey) Photo: Anglican World/JMR Early in 1087, three ships with sailors and merchants from Bari stopped in Myra on their way home from Antioch. When they visited Nicholas’ tomb, the monks showed them where the manna was extracted. The sailors then asked where the saint’s body lay. The monks, perhaps naively, showed them. But the monks became suspicious and questioned the visitors about their intentions, “Surely you do not intend to take the saint’s remains to your own region? If so, we won’t allow it.” However, in the end the Barians prevailed and broke open the tomb with an iron bar. The sailors spirited the bones away to the ship, escaping just ahead of the townspeople coming in hot pursuit. The men of Bari sailed away on the long voyage back to the southeast coast of Italy. Before getting there, they stopped at a nearby port to make a beautiful box (casket) to hold the saint’s relics. When they arrived in Bari, May 9, 1087, the townspeople thronged to the harbor to welcome the saint’s remains. The returning men made a solemn vow to build a magnificent church to honor St. Nicholas. The crypt was completed by October 1089 and Pope Urban II laid the relics of St. Nicholas beneath the crypt’s altar, consecrating a shrine that became one of medieval Europe’s great pilgrimage centers. The main church was built in ten years, but it wasn’t until the middle of the 12th century that the imposing and majestic Basilica di San Nicola was complete. It is a particularly fine example of Romanesque architecture and served as a prototype for many other churches and cathedrals. Images from Church in Bari Vitantonio Solazzo and Maria Rosa Di Niello ( Maria Carnevale’s Grandparents Marriage 1808 ( added 7/20/2019) Record on the right.  There’s a lot here, but it basically says that on the 30th of Jan 1808 Vitantonio Solazzo age 27 son of Domenico Solazzo and Angela Bruno announced his intention to marry Maria Rosa Di Niello age 17 hmmmm,  daughter of Felice Di Niello and Maria Di Lisa in the church of Madre di Acquaviva. Giovanni Florio and Anna Toto ( Luigi Nicoletti’s paternal great grandparents) Death Record of Giovanni Florio 1827 On the 11th of July in 1827 Giuseppe ?? age 40 occupation ??  living in Toritto and Nicola Benedetto age 50 a farmhand testified to the death of Giovanni Florio age 57  son of Nicola in Toritto.   Death Record of Anna Toto On the 18th of Jan 1848 Francesco Madiero age 48 profession??  from Toritto and Nicola Caftoro age 42 a property owner living in Toritto testified to the death of Anna Toto age 78 a farmer daughter of Giovanni   Michele Nicoletti and Rachele Florio( Luigi Nicoletti’s paternal grandparents) Marriage Record 1831 On February 12 1831 Michele Nicoletti born in Toritto age 20 son of Carlo and Rachel Florio age 21 from Toritto daughter of Giovanni Florio and Anna Toto. Death of Carlo Nicoletti 1837 son of Michele and Rachele  ( added 7/20/2019) On this day the 21st of August 1837 in the commune of Toritto Province of Altamura Province of Bari came Antonio?? age 40 a fa farmer from Toritto and Dominic Scarangella a farmer to report the death Carlo Nicoletti son of Michele a farmer and Rachele a seamstress Death Record of Rachel Florio On the 11th of March 1884 Domenico Laforgia age a farmer from Toritto and Michele Antinori age 46 a shoemaker from Toritto witnessed the death of Rachel Florio age 78 a farmer from Toritto daughter of Michele Florio and Anna Toto.  Testified by Stefano Mirra a baker age 30 and Francesco Scarangella age 40 a farmer. Death Record of Michele Nicoletti 1871 Michele Chiarappa and Maria Lucia Chieco( Luigi Nicoletti’s maternal grandparents) Birth record of Michele 1826 ( added 7/21/1019) On this day May 11, 1826 in the commune of Toritto, District of Altamura, came Teresa Ciani age 53 ( I think the midwife ) and presented a male baby born to Antonia Lo Russo age 30 daughter of Carlo Lo Russo and Antonia Tarullo and Luigi Chiarappa son of Michele Chiarappa and Margherita Lamandola age 30 a farmer in Toritto.  The baby’s name is Michele. Pick up your copy of “Farmers and Nobles” Marriage record 1850 ( added 7/21/2019) On this day October 3 1850 in the commune of Toritto, District of Altamura, Province of Bari Michele Chiarappa age 24 farmer from Toritto, son of Luigi Chiarappa and Antonia Lorusso and Maria Lucia Chieco age  ?? a minor daughter of Savino Chieco and Angela Mirra to be married in the Church of San ?? Scarangella Giovanni Nicoletti and Antonia Chiarappa ( Luigi Nicoletti’s parents) Marriage record 1878 ( added 7/22/2019) Record on the left.  On this day October 12 1878 in the commune of Toritto,  Giovanni Nicoletti age 34 farmer from Toritto, son of Michele Nicoletti and Rachele Florio ( goes on to say that they presented all the documents required to be married ).  There were two witnesses Nicolantonio Centralli age 23 a tailor and Domenico Gagliardi age 22 a shoemaker.  There is more writing at the bottom, but my Italian is not good enough to read. Birth of Giovanni and Antonia’s son Domenico ( added 7/22/1019) Record on the upper left.  On this day September 4 1879 in the commune of Toritto,   Came Giovanni Nicoletti age 38 farmer from Toritto, living at Strada del Ponte #24 with his wife Antonia Chiarappa  presented a son Domenico.  Witnessed by Stephano Mirra age 37 a baker and Leonardo Lospoto age 54 a farmer.   Birth of Giovanni and Antonia’s son Carlo ( added 7/23/1019) Record on the upper left.  On this day February 28, 1886 in the commune of Toritto,   Came Giovanni Nicoletti age 42 farmer from Toritto, living at Strada del Ponte #40 with his wife Antonia Chiarappa  a seamstress presented a son Carlo.  Witnessed by Nunzio Cea age 42 a farmer and Francesco Scarangella age 42 a farmer. Birth of Giovanni and Antonia’s son Luigi ( added 7/23/1019) Record on the upper left.  On this day May 15, 1888  in the commune of Toritto,   Came Giovanni Nicoletti age 43 a farmer from Toritto, living at Strada del Ponte #2 with his wife Antonia Chiarappa  a seamstress presented a son Luigi.  Witnessed by Nicole Ferrante age 48 a farmer and Michelle Posinelli age 40 a farmer. Birth of Giovanni and Antonia’s daughter Rachele ( added 7/23/1019) Record on the lower right.  On this day July 18, 1991 in the commune of Toritto,   Came Giovanni Nicoletti age 46 a farmer from Toritto, living at Strada del Ponte #2 with his wife Antonia Chiarappa  a seamstress presented a daughter Rachele.  Witnessed by Giuseppe Macchia age 37 a farmer and Gaetano Paccione age 50 a farmer. Birth of Giovanni and Antonia’s first daughter Rachele ( added 7/23/1019) Record on the upper left.  On this day February 18 1882 in the commune of Toritto,   Came Giovanni Nicoletti age 46 a farmer from Toritto, living at Strada del Ponte #2 with his wife Antonia Chiarappa  a seamstress presented a daughter Rachele.  Witnessed by Domenico Paccione a farmer age 36 and Domenico Florio age 40 a farmer. Tomasso Carnevale and Maria Giovanna Solazzo ( Marietta Nicoletti’s maternal grandparents) Marriage Record added 7/28/2019 This record is very hard to read.  On this day January 22, 1848 in the commune of Acquaviva, District of Bari, Province of Bari Tomasso Carnevale age 24 Living at Strada ?? , son of Giuseppe Carnevale and Francesca Pietroforte farmers.  It then more or less says that he will marry Maria Giovanna Solazzo 22 a seamstress daughter of Vitantonio Solazzo who has died and Maria Rosa di Niello a seamstress.  They were married January 24, 1848 in the Regina Chiesa. Birth of Maria Giovanna Solazzo 1825( Added 7/29/2019 Record on the right.  On this day March 5 1825 in the commune of Acquaviva,   Came Vitantonio Solazzo age 32 a farmer living at Strada Labriota  with his legitimate wife Maria Rosa di Niello  age 25 presented a daughter Maria Giovanna.  Witnessed by Nicola de Marinas a tailor age 27 living at Strada ? and Pietro ? age 28 a Civil Servant.  She was baptized on the 8th of March at Mother of Acquaviva. Death of Vitantonio Solazzo 1848 ( Added 7/29/2019 Record on the right.  On this day August 5 1848  in the commune of Acquaviva,  District of Bari,  Came Felice di Niello age ?? a coachman and Michele Solazzo age 51 a farmer.  Announced the death of Tomasso Carnevale age 50 ( I think some sort of game keeper or game warden ) son of Domenico Solazzo and Angela Bruno.