It was pretty fun having my DNA tested by Ancestory.com. I couldn't wait for the results to be posted online. My eldest son did his too and it was cool how Ancestory "linked" us together as "close relatives" :) Ya' think?
Early 1950's: my father, Jack, in his Air Force uniform
and my bio-mother, Eleanor.
Great step-Grandfather Dominic & Great Grandmother Anna Bernard
Florida (probably in the 40's)
Florida (probably in the 40's)
Another shot of Grandmother Bernard
Above is the only known 4 generation photo on the maternal side of my family.Aunt Lori is holding my 1st cousin, Cheryl; Seated is Great Grandma Bernard and standing is Grandma Lydia Arlene.
This is Giovanni Bernardo, my real great grandfather. Once he immigrated to the USA from Italy, he went by the name "John Bernard". They say this guy was a real mean piece of work! He's also the brother of Dominic, who was my great grandma's partner after she and John split up (not divorced?). Giovanni Bernardo was born sometime in 1886. His last residence in Italy was Collendanchise, Campobosso, Italy. He left Italy from the port of Naples at the age of 21 and arrived in the US on 12-07-1907 aboard the ship Re 'd Italia. I don't know when he died or where he's buried.
MATERNAL ANCESTORAL HISTORY
Cosenza, Italy. She came to the USA from Cosenza to Ellis Island when she was 24. Her name was Anna Panza but Customs spelled it "Pansa". She left Italy from the port of Naples and she arrived at Ellis Island on April 1, 1913. The name of the ship was The Stampalia. (shown left)
MATERNAL ANCESTORAL HISTORY
My great-grandmother was born on January 27th in 1889 in San Pietro, Guarano,
Below is a partial graphic of the actual ship's manifest. I've reprinted what the lines actually say. Immigrants from the steerage (not 1st or 2nd class) were actually asked 29 questions but I cannot yet locate
that questionnaire. You can click on this pic and see where my great-grandmother was "checked in" at Ellis Island. Anna first settled in Stubenville, Ohio and that's where my grandmother, Lydia Arlene, was born.
As for my step-great-grandfather, Giovanni's brother, Domenico Bernardo (Domenic Bernard), he was born on Feb. 19,1890. His last residence was Collendanchise, Campobosso, Italy. He left Italy from the port of Naples at the age of 17 and arrived in the US on 1-31-1907 aboard the ship Konigin Luise, Manifest Line Number 0012. He died on 4/13/61 at Kaiser Hospital in Fontana, CA and was entombed at Bellevue Mausoleum, Ontario, California, where my great grandmother Bernard is also entombed.
*Domenic's mother's first name was Nucci.
This is the ONLY photo I've ever seen of my great grandmother Bernardo SMILING! From what I've heard, after splitting with her husband, John, she and John's brother, Domenic, fell in love. I don't know if they ever married but they were buried together.
Thanks to my cousin, Cheryl, for the following pix!
The back of this photo says "Sis, Bud, Lena & Bernardo girls"
The 1st child is Audrey & the 3rd child is Eleanor, the 5th child is Lorelei.
The kids are all holding their Easter Baskets.
The 1st child is Audrey & the 3rd child is Eleanor, the 5th child is Lorelei.
The kids are all holding their Easter Baskets.
This is Great Grandma Bernardo & Step-Grandpa Bernardo
with Audrey, Lorelei & Eleanor. Wow, it's like looking at
a photo of myself at that age! This was taken at a house in
Sharpsburg, PA which I visited in the early 90s.
with Audrey, Lorelei & Eleanor. Wow, it's like looking at
a photo of myself at that age! This was taken at a house in
Sharpsburg, PA which I visited in the early 90s.
This photo was taken at St. Anthony's Orphanage, Oakmont, PA
where my bio-mother & her 2 sisters lived for awhile.
Far right is their mother, my grandmother, Lydia Arlene.
The child is Aunt Lori (Lorelei) and she was in the 8th grade.
where my bio-mother & her 2 sisters lived for awhile.
Far right is their mother, my grandmother, Lydia Arlene.
The child is Aunt Lori (Lorelei) and she was in the 8th grade.
