Family Facts

Here are some facts I've uncovered during my search of our family's roots:

Our surname is LANGIU -- An online friend who is fluent in Italian says it is pronounced Lahn-JOO. A search of the name indicates it is a common surname in Italy especially on the island of Sardegna. A high concentration of the Langiu name is in the province of Sassari which is where Santa Teresa Gallura is.

Our grandfather's name was Giovanni Antonio Langiu. I don't know when or why he became known as John Paul, but his marriage certificate and ship manifest clearly states Giovanni Antonio Langiu. Also, I found out that Pop-Pop's mother's name was Maria Giuseppa. (So, now we know that Aunt Jo and our cousin Maria were named after Pop-Pop's mother! An interesting fact I thought.)

Pop-Pop was 25 years old when he departed Genoa, Liguria, Italy on the ship Mendoza. When he arrived on Ellis Island June 1, 1911, he had $25 and according to the ship's manifest was 5'5" and in good health. There were four others from Santa Teresa Gallura traveling with him -- His sister, Domenica Langiu Floris, age 30; Domenica's children, Maria Floris age 13, Tomaso Floris age 9; and Giuseppe Corda, married male, age 29. Giuseppe Corda was a cousin of Domenica's husband, Tomaso Floris. All of them indicated they were staying with Tomaso who resided in Old Forge, Pennsylvania. (fyi: my Confirmation name happens to be Domenica!)

Our grandmother, Caterina Comiti Langiu, was 27 when she departed Naples, Campania, Italy, aboard the ship Canada and arrived at Ellis Island on June 25, 1912 with her two children Lorenzina, age 2 and Maria Guiseppa, age 1. There were four of them traveling together from Santa Teresa Gallura: Luigi Sposito, married male 32yrs. old, cousin of Guiseppe Corda; Dorateo Corda, Guiseppe Corda's wife 22yrs.; and her two daughters, Antonina Corda 5yrs. and Caterina Corda 3yrs. old. All gave the destination of Tomaso Floris's residence in Old Forge, Pennsylvania.

It did my heart good to know that at least they traveled with friends and/or family. It couldn't have been easy; Pop-Pop's ship carried 1,630 passengers -- 1,500 of them third class. The conditions must have been sub-standard at best. Mom-Mom's ship was much smaller: 560 passengers; however, 550 them were third class.

Our Uncle, Paolo Comiti (Mom-Mom's brother) came over on July 18, 1922 aboard the ship S.S. San Pietro which sailed from Naples, Campania, Italy. He was 35 years old and he was a member of the ship's crew and a Fireman. I thought it was interesting to find out he was a crew member and also a Fireman!

Tuscany - San Fabiano - Podernovo

Monteroni d'Arbia

The Island of Sardegna

Golfo Aranci - Hotel Margherita