Maggio Family history

One of the main reasons for me to visit Siciliy and especially Sambuca di Sicilia was to be able to research my Fathers family history.  My Uncle Sam (my mothers side of the family) had been on his own quest a number of years ago to learn about his side of the family.  He has pretty thoroughly researched and documented my mothers side of the the family.  I hope to do something similar with my fathers side.  We have hired a guide for a day to help me with this quest.  He has been incredibly helpful as has the Comune of Sambuca di Sicilia in helping us research my fathers family history.  The journey has been exciting and also disappointing.  I think when you undergo something like this you never know what you are going to find.  Your family could be rich land barons or murderers and thieves.  One of the interesting things that I have found is that of the population of Sambuca, approximately 30 to 40% of the inhabitants currently are Maggio's.  That's good but also bad.  Everywhere you go here and introduce yourself you run into a Maggio.  I'll spare you the dead cat analogies.  I did find out much more than I knew before but the disappointing part is it seems that most of my relatives immigrated to the US so there is not really anyone left here that I'm related to.  The one Ambrogio that I may be related to that is still here is according to the people at the commune, not very nice or has some other issues that they didn't want to introduce me to.  Ultimately I know more now than I did before.

Below is what I currently believe to be correct about my family history.  I will continue to refine this when I get back to San Diego or at such time as I get new information.

Matteo Maggio (my great great grandfather)

Born in Sambuca di Siclia in 1836

Married Angela Vinci originally listed as Fiorenza, but was

changed in an official proceeding in Sciacca

They gave birth to Salvatore Maggio

Salvatore Maggio (my great grandfather) was born on April 14, 1865

in the town of Sambuca di Sicilia

Married November 19, 1889 to Natalia Ambrogio

Died in Rockford Illinois on June 8 1943

He immigrated to New Orleans from Palermo on November 14, 1892 aboard the SS Montebello

Natalia Ambrogio was born on November 14, 1869 in

the town of Sambuca di Sicila

She died on October 26, 1955 in Rockford Illinois

She was the daughter of Francesco Ambrogio (who owned a mill) and Maria Becchina (the name of a very famous painter from Sambuca di Sicilia)

She immigrated to New Orleans from Palermo on October 30, 1897 with her son Matteo and daughter Angelina aboard the SS Montebello

Natalia Ambrogio brothers and sisters

·        Natalia Ambriogio had a brother Giuseppe who was born in 1866 in Santo Antinino district of Sambuca di Sicilia

·        Natalia had sister Antonina Ambrogio born November 19 1866 in Via Sant Antonino district of Sambuca di Sicilia

·        Natalia had a sister Giuseppa was born June 8 1876 in via Sant Antonino district of Sambuca di Sicilia

Matteo Maggio (my grandfather)

Born in Sambuca di Sicilia on May 4, 1892 of Salvatore Maggio and Natalia Maggio (Ambrogio)

He was married to Antonina Maggio

He died in Rockford Illinois on January 8, 1970

He immigrated to New Orleans from Palermo on October 30, 1897 with his mother Natalia Maggio (Ambrogio) and sister Angelina aboard the SS Montebello

Antonina Maggio (my grandmother)

Born in Sambuca di Sicilia

She was born of Peter Maggio and Mattia Arbisi on February 2, 1900

She died on Sept 30, 1978

She immigrated to New York, Ellis Island aboard the San Gulielmo on November 27, 1914 with her mother Mattia Maggio  (Arbisi) from Palermo

She immigrated with her brothers and sisters:
Antonino

Salvatore

Rosario

Angela