The Immigrant Story Collection

Immigrants from Poggioreale
to America

We know that many Sicilians immigrated to America during several time frames, but our own family histories show us that most of our Poggiorealesi ancestors came to the United States during the late 1890s and the early 1900s. This page is dedicated to telling a their stories, and we want to tell YOUR ancestor's story as well!

We are always collecting personal histories about these brave men and women who left their beloved Poggioreale, Sicily to start life anew in multiple areas of the United States.

Help our collection of personal histories grow! Contact us today!

We will help you record your ancestor's personal story to

share with your fellow descendants of Poggioreale in America.

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to view featured immigrants.
(Names are alphabetical)

CLICK ON PHOTO TO READ INDIVIDUAL'S STORY

Campisi, Girolamo

In 1883, he and his father Mariano, mother Anna Campione, and sister Maria (grandmother to Terry Scambray)left for America and settled in Bryan, Texas. They entered through Ellis Island. The Campise family left Poggioreale in hopes of a better life in Texas. Girolamo and his wife, Ignazia Schembri from Bivona, Sicily, had nine children in the Bryan area. In the 1930s, the entire family left for Fresno, California, where the majority of their great grandchildren and extended families live today.

Campisi, Vincenzo

Vincenzo Campisi was born in Poggioreale in 1892. He sailed for America with a ticket provided by the sugar industry who needed workers. He established a family there that continued farming in Louisiana for generations. His son, Joseph, continued the farming tradition; his grandson, Ross, was born in 1925 and continued sugarcane farming, but became an entrepreneur and international consultant for sugarcane farming. Read this Louisiana story by Vincenzo's great great grandson.

Chiappetta, Michele

Michele Chiappetta's story is unique. He didn't come to America until 1950 after he served in the Italian army, lost his love, and came to Kansas City to make a new life.

Corte, Gino

Gino Corte was born in Poggioreale in 1947. His father, Francisco left Poggioreale to make a better life, taking his oldest son with him to America. Gino stayed behind helping his mother Nunzia run their grocery store. By 1961, when Gino was only 13, he and his mother were called to Kansas City, MO where they joined his father and brother.

Greco, Carmelo

Ippolito, Giuseppe

Giuseppe Ippolito was born in Poggioreale in 1865, the son of Nicolo and Antonina Rizzuta Ipolito. He left for America in the fall of 1882 when he was 17 years old, leaving behind his parents and friends. He worked in the sugar cane fields south of New Orleans before he came to Texas. His story is written by lovingly by his Great Granddaughter, Robbie Morrison of Houston, who considers him "my hero".

Palazzotto, Giovanni (John)

Giovanni Palazzotto. or Palasota as his name came to be spelled in America, was known as the "Poet of Poggioreale." His St. Joseph Day poem is still recited today both in Poggioreale and here in America. He came here in 1910, working in New Orleans before joining his brother in Texas. He shared his life and love with his wife of 52 years, Annie Stratta Saladino. He is still known in the Bryan, TX area for his many accomplishments, poems,and stories. He died in 1978.

Spina, Nicolo

Nicolo Spina, an artist, was born in Palermo but came to Poggioreale with Agnese Piccione where they were married in 1886. There they raised their four children who eventually emigrated to America. Nicolo himself didn't leave Sicily until he was a widower to join his children in Chicago. His children were Rosa (Rose) Spina Todaro, Guiseppe (Joe) Spina, Rosaria (Sarah) Spina Butera, and Girolama (Mamie) Spina Butera; they all lived in Chicago. Search for their stories!