Maria Calabrese Bonitati

The obit of Maria Calabrese Bonitati appeared in the Weirton Daily Times August 6, 1970.
Mrs. Maria Bonitati (Boniti), 89, of 110 North 21st Street, died at 1:15 am today in the Weirton Convalescent Center after an illness of four months.  Daughter of the late Cesidio and Flora Calabrese, she was born August 24, 1880 in Pettorano sul Gizio, Italy,and came to Weirton in 1925 from Midland, Pa.  She was married in Italy in 1904 to Cesidio Bonitati, who died August 28, 1950.  Also preceding her in death were one daughter, Mrs.Margaret Bernardi in 1965, and one son, Daniel Boniti in 1966.  Surviving are two sons, Elmer and Alfred Boniti, both of Weirton; five daughters, Mrs. Emma Collo, Mrs. Louis (Laura) Julian and Mrs. Cost (Marie) DeCollo, all of Weirton, Mrs. Mike (Viola) D'Agostino of Norwalk, California, and Mrs. Joseph (Rose) Ciccolella of Follansbee; one sister, Mrs. Marguerite Panza of Weirton; 35 grandchildren and 55 great grandchildren.

From Naples to Ellis Island

Most second and third generation Italians have an understanding that one of the more common arrival points in the United States was Ellis Island, New York.  However, pictured here is the building located in Naples, Italy.  For many leaving Italy back in the day, this building was the launching off place.  Many of the descendants of Pettorano sul Gizio left this very place.  The photo was take in the summer of 2009 when I got the chance to visit.  If you would like more information, check the Ellis Island web site.  There you may find the dates and time of your families arrival.  If they were listed as leaving from Naples, then you can view a little history.