Sixteen
The Life and Times of my
16 Great-Great Grandparents
She was known as Nona Sunta (Nona is Italian for grandmother), and she made a mean ravioli. Assunta is a Christian name that translates to Ascension, referring to the ascension of Christ into heaven. She was often referred to as Sunta for short, or less often by the Americanized name Susie. Assunta Badinelli was born 30 June 1867, in Genoa Italy to Antonio and Maria Fugazzi Badinelli. Antonio was originally from Austria and moved to Caselle Italy, a province of Genoa, where he ran a Post Office and Café. Sunta had an older sister Kate or Caterina, and a younger brother Luigi. Not much is known about Sunta's childhood, but she was very young when she met Giovanni.
Sunta Emanuel
Genoa Italy about 1886 (Instagram picture)
Photo credit: <a href="http://blog.dutildenim.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Genoa-Resize1.jpg">Dutildenim.com</a>
Unfortunately there is no picture of Giovanni Coari, and he remains somewhat of a mystery. He was sometimes referred to as John, and the little information we have was passed on from family members. There are no official documents (yet). I'm told he was born in 1867 and died in 1889, and his parents were Louis and Philamina Coari. I'm also told that he owned a cheese factory. Family rumor says he died when an accident occurred at the cheese factory. Family gossip says it was more like a Mafia hit job, but there is no proof of that. Research continues...
Assunta had 3 children with Giovanni. Her first child, Virgilio, was born in 1884 when Assunta was just 16 years old. Erminia was her second and the third child was my great grandmother, Tillie. Family legend said that Tillie was born in the New York harbor as her mother migrated to America; however, documents do not support that. We have a hand-written document in Italian that someone had copied from an official birth certificate indicating that she was born on 6 November 1889 in Genoa Italy, as Maria Rachel Attilia (Tillie) Coari. We also have the Arrival information for Assunta and Tillie, arriving in New York on 3 November 1890. Listed as passengers are Caterina Badinelli (Assunta’s sister Kate), Assunta Badinelli and Maria Badinelli (Tillie). It seems Assunta and Tillie’s last name should have been Coari, but Kate was listed first and quote marks were used for the other two. According to the time line, Assunta Would've been a very recent widow.
Passenger list for the SS La Champagne, leaving Le Havre France and arriving in Ellis Island New York on 3 November 1890.
La Champagne had a capacity to accommodate 1055 passengers — 390 in the first class, 65 in the second class, and 600 in the third class.
Sunta's sister Kate joined them on their journey to the United States.
Sunta's Brother, Luigi Badinelli
On 16 January 1892, Assunta married Louis Emanuel (originally named Luigi, also born in Italy). Tillie was 2 years old and they had been in America just a short time. This marriage certificate provides us with a wealth of information. It confirms who Sunta's parents are, even providing her mother's maiden name, Fugazzi. It also tells us that this is the second marriage for both bride and groom, each widowed at this point. The address listed shows that they were living in New York City, each with different addresses on Thompson Street.
Louis had his own artificial flower business. Sunta had three more children with him, Silvio, Mamie, and Violet Emanuel. They lived in New York City for a while and moved first to Jersey City, then Buena Vista NJ.
Beautiful picture even with the scratches. From the left: Tillie, Sunta, Eugene or Vergillio, Mamie, Louis, Sylvia, Erminia or Mill on her Confirmation Day.
Sunta with "Aunt Mill"
Sunta on the front porch, I believe this is Minitola New Jersey
Assunta's Children with Giovanni Coari
Virgillio Coari was born on 23 March, 1884 in Genoa Italy. His wife, Mary, was also born in Italy and they had three children together, Eleanor, John, and Flora. Virgillio was a farmer and he died on 5 June 1969.
Eleanor Coari
Flora Coari
With Flora's husband, Robert Marks and Eleanor's husband, Carl Collett
Erminia Coari was born on 7 February 1887 in Italy, presumably Genoa. She married Joseph Sbertoli, a farmer born in New York, but both his parents were born in Italy. They had four children together, Dorothy, Wilbert, Joseph and Violet.
Erminia Coari and husband Joseph Sbertoli
Wilbert with wife Inez
Erminia with her four children
Joseph and Violet
Joseph Jr. and wife, Helen Black Sbertoli
Attilia "Tillie" Coari, my great grandmother, was born on 6 November, 1889, in Genoa Italy. By all accounts, she was a bit of a tom boy. While her sisters were busy buying ribbons for their hair, Tillie would be out climbing a tree somewhere. She once told me a story of a neighbor boy that was chasing her around the house. She picked up a freshly baked potato and threw it at him. Amazingly it stuck right on the end of his nose. She would never forget that day, and she was in her 80s when she told me, and it still cracked her up after all those years. She had a terrific sense of humor. Later that same night, there was a storm and we lost power. After the power came back she said, "I like it when the lights go out, you can pick your nose and nobody knows it."
In 1911 she married John Kroelinger Young and they had 10 children together, Matilda, Johnny, Herbert, Norman, Walter, Doris, David, Verna, Bobby and Richard. John K. worked in a glass factory and later had his own moving company.
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Tillie was adored by all of her children. She was a very good cook and her children would all come home from school for lunch and she always made them a hot meal. Tillie could play the piano by ear and would play for her kids while they stood around singing. Whatever her children wanted to do in life, she was always on their side. They weren't always perfect children and got into trouble from time to time, but they loved their mother very much. John K. left her with five children still at home, but Tillie went on with her life, and you never heard her complain.
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Later in life, Tillie was able to enjoy herself. She had raised ten children, most of whom were wildly successful and were able to help her out. She was able to travel to Europe with her daughter, and also traveled on her own, to Alaska and other places, and quite often to see her children and grandchildren who were spread out all across the United States. I believe the success of her children can be credited almost entirely to their mother and her style of parenting. They were a working class family, living in Millville New Jersey, and yet they produced an artist, an owner of a radio station, entrepreneurs in the mining industry, cattle raising, real estate, and car dealership, and they spread out across America, living in Colorado, Texas, Delaware, Nebraska and of course New Jersey. Many of her children served in the Armed Forces including some of her daughters. They were a truly remarkable family.
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When she was ready to settle down, in her 80s, she moved in with her daughter, Matilda, in Ocean City New Jersey, where she rode her three wheeled bicycle on the boardwalk. Tillie died on 4 December, 1977. She went to bed that night and Matilda asked her if she'd taken her medicine, to which she replied, "no, and I'm not going to." Later Matilda walked by her bedroom and noticed the light on and went in to check on her. She was sitting peacefully in her chair and Matilda knew she was gone. Such a fitting end to a wonderful lady to go peacefully in your sleep after living an amazing life.
Tillie was buried at the Friendship Cemetery Buena New Jersey.
Tillie riding her bike in Ocean City New Jersey
Tillie Coari about 3 years old
Tillie in her teens
Tillie with her first born, Matilda
Wedding picture with husband John K. Young
First 4 children, Matilda, Johnny, Herb, and Norman
(6 more to come!)
Tillie with daughter Matilda and Granddaughter Dimity
Assunta's Children with Louis Emanuel
Sylvio Daniel Emanuel was born on 3 February 1893, in New York City, he was also known as "Sylvie." He married Marie or Mary Zapettini on 31 August 1910 and would later become a police officer in Queens New York. Silvio and Mary had four children together, Earseline, Estelle, Silvio James Jr., and Stanley. Silvio died in 1961.
Sylvie's WWII Registration Card
Interesting article about Sylvio's daughter, Estelle. From the Brooklyn Daily Eagle.
Mamie Emanuel was born in New York City on 29 March 1896. She married Anthony Louis Cardarel and together they had three children. First born was Louis who only lived to be two months old, then Anthony Emanuel, and finally Anita May Cardarel. Mamie died on 30 March, 1970, one day after her 74th birthday.
Mamie Emanuel and husband Anthony Cardarel
Anthony Cardarel Jr.
Anthony Jr. and wife Deloris Poggi Cardarel
Violet Emanuel born on 25 April, 1900, in New York City. She married John Ordille who became a Produce Broker. John was born in New Jersey, but both of his parents were born in Italy as were Violet's parents. They had a son, John Jr., and a daughter Lois. Violet died in 1948, only 48 years old.
Sunta's youngest, Violet Emanuel (The baby is Sunta's granddaughter, Matilda)
Nona Sunta, circa 1945
Sunta died 19 August 1952 at the age of 84. She was living in Minotola New Jersey at the time with her daughter Tillie. She was buried at the Our Lady of Victories Cemetery, Landisville NJ.
Extras
From Ancestry:
At the turn of the 20th century, millions of immigrants poured into the United States. Faced with the challenge of integrating the newcomers into the national fabric, the Americanization Movement sought “to change the unskilled inefficient immigrant into the skilled worker and efficient citizen” and to show them “the spirit of America, the knowledge of America, and the love of America.” Many government leaders felt that the best way to turn immigrants into Americans was through education. In response, local community centers and organizations like the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) offered free classes on everything from citizenship requirements and American history to sewing and hygiene. Many immigrants couldn’t speak English, which left them ill equipped for available jobs, so some businesses even taught their own language classes when the workday was over. In addition to education, the movement wanted to celebrate the American way of life. Americanization Days were used to promote patriotism in new immigrants, and parades were held to honor those who became citizens.
Parade picture from Ancestry.com
Parade picture from our family photos, showing Tillie and Matilda. Actually this picture was made into a post card and just happened to have these two included.
"Mommom"
With 7 of her children, from left, Bobby, Verna, Dave, Doris (Dot), Walt, Johnny and Matilda
Mommom cuts the cake and keeps everyone laughing, with four of her many, many grandchildren