Family stories.

My grandfather, Francesco Tranquillino Smeriglio was born 18 Nov 1881 in Rose, Province of Cosenza, Italy. At the age of 22 (1904) he left Rose leaving behind his wife Luisa D'Andrea of Rose, age 23, whom he married on 25 Aug 1898 in Rose. My grandfather also left behind his sons, Michele Smeriglio, born on 3 April 1904 and his eldest son, Luigi, who was 4 years old at the time. Before Francesco left Rose he was a farmer and for a short time he was a shepherd.

Francesco sailed on the S.S. Sicilia on 11 May 1904 out of Naples and arrived in New York on 25 May 1904 at Ellis Island along with his younger brother Pasquale Smeriglio who was 18 years old. My grandfather Francesco and his brother Pasquale were reunited with Uncle Francesco Pirri on Morris Avenue in Riverside, Connecticut when they arrived from Ellis Island. The ship's manifest states that Francesco and Pasquale each came to America with $10, were listed as peasants, and stated this was their first voyage to America.

In Stamford, Connecticut homes were heated by coal. Francesco worked for Genovese and delivered coal to the private residences.

The following year my grandmother, Luisa D'Andrea who by now was 24, along with my Dad (Michele) age 1 year old, and his older brother Luigi age 5, were reunited with my grandfather Francesco in Stamford, Connecticut.

My grandparents had two more sons, Antonio and Giuseppe. Both boys were born in Stamford, Connecticut.

When it was time for my Dad and his older brother Luigi to go to school, they decided they would rip off their buttons from their shirts and play an old traditional game, Quatrettu, which was very well known in Rose. When my grandfather found out that they were skipping school he shipped my grandmother and their 4 children back to Rose knowing that the school system was more strict there than in the United States. At that time Michele was 8 years old and Luigi was about 12, younger Antonio, and Giuseppe. (ABT 1911)

In 1925 my grandmother finally left Rose for good leaving behind my Dad (Michele) because he was already 21 and was in love with my Mom, Giuseppina Pirri. Luisa took her two American born sons Antonio and Giuseppe, now teenagers, and Luigi who was now 25 years old. Luigi was a stowaway on the ship because he was older than the legal age to come with his mother legally. Luckily he didn't get caught on the ship.

Francisco and Luisa's son, Michele Smeriglio (my father), married Giuseppina Pirri in Rose on 18 April 1926. After my parents had a family of 8 children they were called to come to America. Michele was able to take along with him my brother Mario, age 19, and Luigi age 17. Giuseppe was sent to Montreal, Canada to be with my Dad's first cousins.

In 1956 I (Yolanda) along with my sister Concetta, and my brother Tony arrived on October 31 (Halloween night).

My Mom finally was able to come to the United States on 20 February 1960. Giuseppina couldn't come sooner due to an illness that she had.

The rest of the family, brother Francesco and his family (leaving behind one daughter) and Ida Smeriglio with her family arrived in 1969.

Francesco Tranquillino died in 1946, 20 years before his wife Luisa. They are buried together at the St. John's Catholic Cemetery in Darien, Connecticut.

Concetta Rosaria Imbrogno was born 9 Mar 1898 in Rose, CS, Italy. Her parents were Emmanuele Francisco Imbrogno and Maria Domenica Chiapetta, both of Rose. Concetta had brothers Carmine Imbrogno born in 1884, Giuseppe born in 1890, Pietro born in 1902, and a sister, Angiolina born in 1893. All were born in Rose. Giuseppe Imbrogno came to America on 23 Dec 1907 when he was 17 years old. He lived in the Riverside area of Greenwich, CT and married Rose Sella (1901–2001); he passed away Feb 1969 in CT.

Concetta married Rocco C. Murano on 13 March 1920 in Rose. Although Rocco was born on 25 Sept 1896 in Greenwich, CT, USA, he served in WW1 for the Italian Army as a Cavaliere from 22 November 1915 to 21 Dec 1919. Rocco served with his older brother Palmo Pasquale Murano; both served with honors. In 1968 Rocco received awards for his service from the President of Italy.

After the war, Concetta and Rocco emigrated to Greenwich, CT, USA with their sons Louis Natale and Giuseppe on 13 Aug 1929.

Concetta and Rocco had four children, Louis Natale and Giuseppe Francesco both born in Rose. Their children Mary and Rocco were born in Greenwich, CT.

Concetta spent her life caring for her husband and family as a housewife. Although she was not fluent in English she mastered the difficult language well enough for everyone to understand her very well. When Concetta moved to America and embraced her new culture she continued to share her Italian traditions throughout the holidays and in her home with her family. Concetta and Rocco had a very big garden and grew just about anything you could think of.

During the holidays Concetta would prepare every Italian dish you could think of for her family. The family continues to honor Christmas Eve with the Seven Fishes dinner with the memories of when they were younger.

As their family grew the grandchildren remember visiting their grandparents 3–4 times a week. Concetta made sure everyone had plenty of good Italian food when they visited. It is said that she was an amazing cook. It was common for the family to get together every Sunday, after church, for a big meal that would take all afternoon.

Joe, as the eldest grandson, remembers he would sit with her in the living room and listen to Concetta's stories about his father, Giuseppe and Natale growing up in Rose and the time when they got to ride the donkeys with their grandfathers. He said the great grandmothers would make good Italian food for the two boys.

On occasion Concetta and Rocco would babysit the grandchildren. The family welcomed Concetta and Rocco's dog 'Frisky' and felt he was a great addition to the family.

Concetta died on 1 Nov 1988 in Greenwich, 11 years after her husband Rocco passed on 9 Sept 1977.