Digging Up Your Family

Giacomo Pera Family

I have finally been able to pull Giacomo Pera’s family together, and I am so excited about it!

The information that I have includes all seven children that were claimed by Maria Pera. I want to thank everyone who helped me with this information!

Giacomo Pera was born on September 10, 1943 in Piana Crixia, Savona, Liguria, Italy. His parent’s names are Pietro Pera and Rosa Panzone. I am still looking for more information for them, and feel certain that I will find it!

Angelia Maria Chiarlone was born on April 11, 1845 in Piana Crixia, Savona, Liguria, Italy. Her parent’s names are Stefano Chiarlone, son of Antonio Chiarlone, and Maria Delpiazzo, daughter of Francesco Delpiazzo. I will be researching these parents, too.

The children of Giacomo (Jacob) and Maria (Mary):

-Pietro Antonio Pera, born April 19, 1868 in Piana Crixia, Savona, Liguria, Italy. I am still unsure when and where he died.

-Vittorio Steffano Pietro Pera, born March 23, 1871 in Piana Crixia, Savona, Liguria, Italy. This is my 2nd great-grandfather, Steven Victor Para. He died April 13, 1942 in Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tennessee.

-Antonio Mario Pera, born September 26, 1874 in Piana Crixia, Savona, Liguria, Italy. I am unsure when and where he died.

-Giuseppe Pera, born February 27, 1877 in Borgata Molina, Torino, Piedmonte, Italy (although his birth was recorded in Piana Crixia, Savona, Liguria, Italy. CLICK HERE for previous post). This is Joseph Para. He died April 25, 1958 in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee.

-Peter G Para, born April 4, 1882 in Tennessee (exact location unknown, could be Memphis). He died in October of 1867 in Olive Branch, De Soto County, Mississippi

-Rose Lena Para, born September 17, 1883 in Tennessee (exact location unknown, again could be Memphis). She died September 15, 1908 in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee.

-Mamie Para, born in April 1889 in Tennessee (probably Memphis, as this is close to the family first appearing in the city directories). She died October 3, 1969 in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee.

I was able to find the information from a cousin named Marlo when she began linking the Pera/Chiarlone marriage.If you feel like trying to find your Italian ancestors, click on this link: http://antenati.san.beniculturali.it/

More Para Family Information! UPDATE!

Update below record.

I have spent so long trying to find out where my Para family immigrated from in Italy, and I finally found them! It was through a birth record of a previously unknown child.

In the 1900 US census, Mary Para claimed that she had SEVEN children, with only FIVE still living.

Those five would be Steven, Joseph, Peter, Rose, and Mamie.

Who are the other two?

Well, I managed to find the birth record for a sixth child, with a confirmation of Mary/Maria’s surname: Chiarlone.

AND now I know Para was actually Pera prior. Which literally translates into Pear. It reminds me of the apples apples and oranges quote from “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”.

I have attempted to translate the actual handwriting, and my buddy Sarah in Italy has also attempted, but the handwriting is a little to stretchy to read well (at least to us!).

The information I was able to get from this document:

Giuseppe Pera was born on February 27, 1877 in Piana Crixia, Savona, Italy to parents Giacomo Pera and Maria Chiarlone.

Or maybe he was born in Borgata Molino, Torino, Italy.

Google Translate tells me (to a certain point):

The year eighteen hundred seventy-seven, this day four of March in the morning hours and ten minutes, in the Municipal House.
Ahead of me Destefanis Stefano ? elderly
Officer of the Civil State of the City Piana Crixia pel ? prevented appeared Pera James of thirty-two years old farmer domiciled in Piana Crixia, who said to me that or AM Nine and minutes, of the Twenty-seven of the last month February, in the house in a Borgata Molino at ?, by Chiarlone Maria ? wife housewife with him
He was born to cohabiting Masculine sex child he introduces me, and that by the names of Joseph.
To the above and this act were present as witnesses () Peter, aged thirty-two, owner, and ? Angel of twenty-five years, the owner, both residing in this municipality bed hereby to read he () the year and with me ? ? holy THE STATEMENT ?…

UPDATE:

My mom’s friend Lisa, who lives in the Province of Florence, translated the birth record for me:

“

In YEAR 1877 , on march 4 at the 10 o'clock a.m.in the town hall .
Before me Destefani Antonio senior councilor,
Registrar the town of Piana Crixia
Appeared Pera Giacomo of 32 years , Farmer, domiciled in Piana Crixia, who stated that at 9 o' clock a.m. of February 27 in the house in Borgata Molino , from Chiarlone Maria his wife , housewife and cohabitant
Is born a baby male named Giuseppe
During this act were present Leagro Pietro, of years 32, owner, Borio Angelo ,of years 25 , owner, both residents in this town
Read this note to all present and that signed with me except the registrant that signed with a cross.”

I cannot thank her enough!

The red question marks are what I couldn’t make out, and it continues after the last one.

I am actually hoping someone can help me translate this document. Otherwise, I will keep working on it (it seems that at different size, certain words become easier to read).

Now to find child number SEVEN!