Francesco Englese

Frank (Francesco) Englese was born on July 24, 1885  in Rocchetta Sant' Antonia in Foggia, located in South East Italy.  He died in America on December 9, 1959.

His parents were  Joseph Englese (1863-1948) and Grace Englese (1866-1954). There are no records regarding his life in Italy.  There is no indication that his parents ever left Italy. Nor do I have any information at this point regarding any siblings Frank may have had. 

        

He emigrated on April 3, 1909 departing from Naples aboard the ship, Germania.   He left Italy with $8.00 and his occupation was listed simply as "Laborer". He was 24 years old at the time he arrived on Ellis Island on April 17, 1909. The document is difficult to read. I can not make out the name of the relative he is leaving in Italy. Below is the photograph of the ship he sailed on and the first page of the ship manifest. Frank is line 18.

Page two of the manifest document is below. Again, Frank is line 18. 

The handwriting is incredibly difficult to read.  It appears that he is sponsored by a relative (?) named Giovanni (?) who lived at 128 Mulberry Street. in Brooklyn. Who this person is, if a relative at all, is unknown at this time.

Through marriage records it is known Frank married Maria Paciello on November 2, 1913 in Brooklyn.  Marriage certificate # 11763.

Together they had 5 children:

Anthony (June 22, 1917 - February 8, 1999)

Louis/Luigi (June 17, 1919 - October 10, 1926)

Grace (February 6, 1921 - September 3, 1992)

Joseph (March 16, 1923 - June 13, 2009)

Frank (January 23, 1926 - June 13, 1981)

Through written documents the following is known about Frank and Maria's history in America.

On September 12, 1918 Frank enlisted in the military, though we have no record that he served in WWI.  His address was listed as 2230 Pacific Street in Brooklyn and his wife Maria is also listed on the document.  In addition, Frank is listed as a carpenter working for Turner construction located at 58th and 2nd Avenue in Brooklyn.

1920 Census records find the couple living at 2222 Pacific Street in Brooklyn at the time of the census dated January 8, 1920.  Notice the spelling of the last name, Englence.  The couple rented the dwelling and at the time had two sons, Tony (3 years) and Luigi (4 months). Both listed as born in America. Frank is listed as having the occupation of a carpenter.  Frank is listed as being able to read, but not write English; while, Maria is listed as unable to read or write.  

April 10, 1917 - his declaration of intention: 

On November 11, 1920 Frank petitioned for citizenship.  Below are the accompanying documents. 

A mixture of family stories and documents reveals a series of tragedies that struck the family starting in 1926.  This was the year their second oldest child, Luigi, died tragically. The story passed down the generations reveal he was playing in the street and was burned while jumping over a gas lamp, his official death certificate confirms this:

Just 4 years later, tragedy struck the family again.  From a death certificate I was able to learn that Maria became ill and received medical attention in their home (now listed as 130 Louisiana Avenue, Brooklyn) starting on January 15, 1930. She died 21 days later on February 6, 1930 in the family home. Her cause of death is listed as Capillary Bronchitis.  She was interred on February 10th at St John's Cemetery in Brooklyn.

Family stories revealed that following the untimely death of his wife, Frank was unable to care for his young family.  While he searched for a new wife, I have been told that he put his two middle children, Grace (age 9) and Joseph (age 7), in an orphanage; while his youngest, Frank (age 4) was taken care of by family members from his mother's side.   Anthony (age 13), the oldest was said to have remained with his father during this time. The only documentation I have to confirm this piece of family history is a 1930 census document from the Sorrowful Mother Orphan Home located at 27 Harrison Place in Brooklyn, NY dated April 2, 1930; where "Grace Englese" is listed.  She is said to be 9 years old (which matches her birth date) and was born in New York; whereas her mother and father were listed as being born in Italy. At this time, I have found no other evidence regrading the other children during this time.

Below is that document:

Due to a marriage certificate, it is known that Frank remarried on September 20, 1930 in Brooklyn and returned all four of his children to his home.  

This is an incredible history, one I am incredibly impacted by. It is incredible to think of how drastically different our family would have been, if for some reason, Frank was unable to put his family back together after such a incredibly traumatic year.

At this time I am unable to find the Englese family in any other census record (1930 or 1940).

However, the search continues. During this project I have found that pieces of the past come in slowly. It is best to be patient and wait for the next clue.