At Least it Wasn't the Titantic

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According to the ship’s manifest, Elizabetta arrived via Cherbourg France rather than directly from Naples. That the ship originally set out from Southampton in the UK sounds somewhat exotic.

Her occupation is listed as “domestic” and she could read and write Italian.

Her father -- Voila! A great grandfather! -- was “Giocomo.” Even an amateur genealogist can recognize a great-grandfather when he sees one.

Her U.S. contact was a brother -- “Michele” -- living at 105 East 3rd Street.

She was planning to stay in the U.S.

She was 5 foot 6. Dark hair. Dark eyes.

According to the manifest, Elisabetta was in good health, neither “deformed” nor “crippled” and without any identifying marks.

She was neither a polygamist nor an anarchist. And she did not advocate the overthrow of the government of the United States. Whew. Close call there.

As I delve a bit further, I discover that she was traveling with a brother -- Dominick -- and his new wife, also named Elizabeth. He apparently was a U.S. citizen. I wonder when HE came over?

Curiously enough, the S.S. Olympic turns out to be a pretty famous ship. She was part of the White Star Line and was a sister ship and virtual double to the Titanic. 

Not a good omen.

Meanwhile, on another ship, we find Frank, or rather Francesco. He came to the United States via Naples on 24 May 1921 aboard the S.S. Pannonia, which was built in 1904, and eventually scuttled in Hamburg in 1922.

His father’s name was Giuseppe; his point of contact in the US was his brother, also named Michele, eventually Anglicized to Michael.

He also shared his future wife’s predilections re anarchism and polygamy.

A good start for life in the United States.