Sciabarrasi Family
About the Sciabarrasi Family
Marianopoli, Sicily
Unfortunately, I haven’t found too much information on about my Sciabarrasi ancestors prior to arrival here in the U.S., but this side has some interesting stories.
Grandfather - Russell Sciabarrasi
1933
Russell Sciabarrasi was born on June 18, 1933, in New York to (Maria) Stella Cipolla, age 26, and Paulo Sciabbarasi, age 37.
1935
Russell was 2 years old and lived in Buffalo, New York at 105 Fourth Street.
1940
Russell was 6 years old and lived in Buffalo, New York at 105 Fourth Street.
1952
Russell’s (18) father Paulo passed away on March 24, 1952, in Buffalo, New York, at the age of 56.
In the same year, Russell married Annette (my grandmother). He was living at 6 19th Street and she was living at 292 14th Street, Buffalo, NY.
In Summer of 2017, my grandmother told me stories about my grandfather. She met him at a local bakery. She really wanted to be a nun and didn’t take an interest at first. He pursued and she finally married him. They had 6 children, and she could have had more. My grandfather asked about where she was buying peppers and told her my great-grandfather had the best peppers at his shop.
1955
Russell was featured in the paper for the birth of his son, John, my father. He was living at 425 7th Street (now a lot).
1969
At age 30, Russell applied to open a pizzeria (La Strada Restaurant) at 1503 Hertel Ave (near the now popular Lloyd’s Restaurant) with Peter Cefalu (probably a cousin). Russell was living at 211 Crestwood at the time.
1970
Russell applied to open a pizzeria (Brothers 3 Pizzeria) at 2491 Delaware Ave. with sons, Russell, Paul, and Frank. It is now the home of Frank’s Sunny Italy.
1974
Russell’s (41) mother (Maria) Stella passed away on October 30, 1974, in Buffalo, New York, at the age of 67.
1977
Russell died on March 24, 1977, in Buffalo, New York, when he was 43 years old and is buried in Mount Calvary Cemetery, in Buffalo, NY. He had onset diabetes and his doctor knew he would pass away before he did because he was experiencing so many signs of death. Later, the doctor told my grandmother that he knew but that he didn’t say anything because he didn’t want to upset my grandmother or the family. Back then, they didn’t really know how to treat diabetes.
Great-Grandmother – Maria Stella Cipolla
1906
Maria Stella Cipolla was born on December 2, 1906, in Marianopoli, Sicilia, Italy.
1928
Stella (21) arrives in New York June 24, 1928. She sailed from Palermo, Italy on The Providence and arrived in New York.
1930
Stella Cipolla (24) lived in Buffalo, New York, in 1930 at 313 Trenton Avenue.
1933
Stella Cipolla (27) lived in Buffalo, New York, in 1933 at 105 Fourth Street. The highest grade completed is 6th grade.
1935
Stella Cipolla (29) lived in Buffalo, New York, in 1935 at 105 Fourth Street.
1940
Stella Cipolla (33) lived in Buffalo, New York, on April 1, 1940 at 105 Fourth Street.
1974
Stella Cipolla (67) died on October 30, 1974, in Buffalo, New York, when she was 67 years old.
2nd Great-Grandmother – Calogera Ricottone
1873
Calogera Ricottone was born in 1873.
1902
Calagera (40) arrived in NY in 1902 with sons Salvatore (9) and Paolo (6) Sciabarrasi. They are listed as never visiting the U.S. before. Husband, Cataldo Sciabbarasi, is living at 17 Terrace St. The last residence is listed as Marianopoli.
1928
Calogera passed away in Buffalo, NY at the age of 55.
Cataldo and Calogera Sciabarasi headstone, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery Buffalo, NY
2nd Great-Grandfather – Cataldo Sciabbarasi
1871
Cataldo Sciabbarasi was born in 1871 in Sicily.
1900
Cataldo (29) arrived in New York.
1903-1905
Cataldo (32) lived in Buffalo, New York, in 1903-1905 at 13 and 15 Peacock and is a laborer. He is listed as Cataldo Scabaraza, Cattaldo Scabarozzo, and Cataldo Scabaraso.
Peacock St. was located in this zone. Cataldo (32) lived in Buffalo, New York, in 1903-1905 at 13 and 15 Peacock and is a laborer. He is listed as Cataldo Scabaraza, Cattaldo Scabarozzo, and Cataldo Scabaraso. Most likely he lived next to the Caniglio’s. “The whole neighborhood came to be known as Dante Place, and the Coniglio’s moved into 18 Peacock Street, a three-story brick tenement crowded with other other families.” While “The Charity Organization Society” clearly means to describe the living conditions in the slums, another article in The News in 1896 shows antipathy for the people as well their living conditions. The author is explaining “nicknames for different nationalities found in Buffalo.” Today, we’d call them slurs, but 110 years ago, they just wanted to be sure that readers were using the words properly. “The Italians, besides the generic name of Dagos, have no general name of their own. All are Dagos to the outsiders. However, the Sicilians, here as elsewhere, are called ‘Ginneys.’ Just why, no one seems to know. The ‘Ginneys’ are the people who are generally blotting out ‘The Hooks,’ and the tenements about Peacock and Canal Streets are inhabited almost entirely by ‘The Ginneys.’
1913
Cataldo (42) lived in Buffalo, New York, in 1913 at 41 Peacock. He is listed as Cataldo Scabaraso.
1916-1919
Cataldo (45) lived in Buffalo, New York, in 1916-1919 at 41 Peacock. He is listed as Cataldo Shabarasa, Cataldo Sciabarazza, Cataldo Sciambarrazza, and Cataldo Sciabarazzo.
1930
Cataldo (59) lived in Buffalo, New York, in 1930 at 41 Peacock with his daughters Josephine (24) and Jennie (17). He was a laborer and is widowed. He is listed as Cataldo Saiabarrasi.
1932
Cataldo (61) lived in Buffalo, New York, in 1930 at 35 Peacock and is listed asCataldo Sclabaressi.
1937
Cataldo (65) lived in Buffalo, New York, in 1930 at 336 Virginia. He is listed as Cataldo Sciabaresi and Cataldo Srlambarosl.
1940
Cataldo (69) lived in Buffalo, New York, in 1940 at 77 Maryland St. (rear) with his daughter Jennie (26). He was a laborer and is widowed. He is listed as Cataldo Sciambarosi and Cataldo Scrabbarosi.
1942
Cataldo (71) lived in Buffalo, New York, in 1940 at 460 Fargo and is listed as Cataldo Kclabarrasl.
1949
Cataldo disappeared on February 17, 1949, in Buffalo, New York, when he was 78 years old. His body was never found.
Great-Grandfather - Paolo Sciabarrasi
1896
Paolo Sciabbarasi was born on March 5, 1896, in Marianopoli, Sicilia, Italy, to Calogera Ricottone, age 23, and Cataldo Sciabbarasi, age 25.
1902
Paolo ‘Sciabarrasi’ travels from Naples to NY on the Calabria with his brother, Salvatore, and Calogera Ricottone, his mother. He is listed as being born in Marianopoli. Father, Cataldo ‘Sciabbarrasi’ paid the ticket. They will be going to a residence on Terrace Street.
1910
Paolo ‘Shabarrazo’ (12) is listed on the census as living at 182 Baker St. (no longer a street, First Ward 25) with parents, ‘Catarro’ and Calogera, brother, Sam, and sisters, Grazia, Pepina, Angela, and Vizenza. The immigration year is listed as 1901.
1927
Paolo (31) traveled on the Giuseppe Verdi from Palermo to NY on Feb 28. His occupation is a laborer and he is listed as being born in Marianopoli. Immigration visa number 934. He is heading to Buffalo, NY.
1930
Paolo (34) lived in Buffalo, New York, in 1930 at 313 Trenton Avenue with his wife, Stella, and children, Thomas and Carrie; he is a laborer in street construction.
1933
Paolo (37) lived in Buffalo, New York with his wife, Stella, at 132 Dante Place, in 1933; he is a polisher.
1935
Paolo (39) lived in Buffalo, New York, in 1935 at 105 Fourth Street; he is a laborer.
1940
Paolo (44) lived in Buffalo, New York, on April 1, 1940 at 105 Fourth Street with his wife, Stella, and children, Carol, Russell, and Carmi; he is a laborer and highest grade completed is Elementary school, 3rd grade.
1942
Paul Sciabarrasi (46) is living at 535 Fourth Street. He was born in Marianopoli and works at Shirley Herman, located on Elmwood in Buffalo as a laborer. Hair color and eye color is listed as brown. Height is listed as ‘5’. Complexion is ‘dark brown’.
1946
Paul is featured in the paper for having the birth of a son (possibly Paul Jr.).
In Summer of 2017, my grandmother told me stories about my great-grandfather. My grandfather asked about where she was buying peppers and told her my great-grandfather had the best peppers at his shop. When she arrived, he grabbed his coffee and doughnuts and told her to come chat. While they were chatting, my great-grandmother called. She asked if he was with the neighborhood ‘butera’, and he said in Italian that he was talking to a lovely local girl that Russell had just met, and he thought she was Italian. He was speaking in Italian, and didn’t know that my grandmother could understand Italian. My grandmother remembers going to their house for dinner. They lived on the West Side and didn’t have a lot of money. My great-grandmother would make raviolis, except my great-grandfather didn’t like raviolis. He said they sat like rocks in his stomach. She would make him spaghetti instead.
1952
Paolo died on March 24, 1952, in Buffalo, New York, when he was 56 years old. He was living at 6 19th Street. The name, Laraiso, is also listed as the last name in his obituary, possibly because his father, Cataldo, was remarried or it was an old family name and they changed their name upon arrival. He was survived by his wife, Stella, and children, Carol, Russell, Carmen, and Paul Jr., as well as siblings, Sam, Mrs. Pat Lo Patriello, Mrs. Josephine Inserra, Mrs. James Ricattone, and Jennie Sciabarrasi. He was a member of S. Benedetto Society and Club Avilglanese.
