TBA

May 03, 2011

Hello Mr. Romano. I am conducting genealogical research on my family and my search has lead me to your site. I am excited to find information regarding Dante school on your site. It seems that my great uncles attended the school back in 1926. I am wondering if you have any year books for the years 1920-1926 and if so if I could have a look at them or if I could have them searched for a picture of my great uncle.

This is what I know:

Francis Lewis 1-25-1916

John Lewis 5-3-1913

They lived at 609 Farquer Street

Any information would be helpful.

Thank you for your time and have a great Day!

Jacquelynn Q. Puckett

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May 03, 2011

Hi Jackie,

We get many inquiries such as this. I have been accumulating them pending the revamped website, which will include a “Lost and Found” section, being completed. Probably by summer’s end. Meanwhile, many of the members of the Blue boys’ Club, on Polk and Aberdeen, just one block south of the Vernon Park Tap, Tufano’s or Pipisico’s–(depending upon your age, you will call the restaurant one of those 3 names)–were born and raised on Forquer Street(later called Arthington Street). For the time being, I will post your email there. I’ll notify you of any responses.

Vincent J. Romano

March 16, 2011

Hi Vince. My husband and I have a condo in Acapulco as does another couple from Chicago, Don Cowen and his wife. Don was a police detective from the Belmont area. The other day, we were talking about a Chicago newspaper article that was written not too long ago regarding the old Taylor and Halsted area and the clubs that still exist. Don Cowen remembered a policeman we worked with by the name of JR Valente (not too sure of the spelling) who still belonged to one of the clubs in the old neighborhood. In the newspaper article they mentioned a JR who used to be a policeman. We were both wondering if that was the same JR Valente who worked with Don0-if so, please give him a big hello for us. If it is the same JR, I was friends with him when we were both very young. We won’t return to Chicago until May. My husband and I stay in Acapulco 6 months and Chicago 6 months. All of the men in my husband’s family were policemen except for my husband. He played pro basketball for years until he owned his own busines – vending machines……Thanks you…..wishing you good health and happiness and a good St. Joseph’s Day……..Angie Lahey

June 17, 2009

Hi Vince,

Came across the Taylor Street Archives and your writings about life in the old neighborhood. My grandmother grew up there in the 1890′s. Her name was Anna D’Amore. She married a fellow called Salvatore Palmisano who I believe was also from the neighborhood, then moved to the parish of Santa Maria Incoronata on the South Side. That’s where my mother was born in 1920. I was born there in 1946. My Dad was another Sicilian-American from the Near-North Side.

If you happen to have any information about the D’Amore family or their descendants, I’d love to have the reference or links. After my father and mother both passed away in April 2009, I began a book of short stories (30 stories so far) on our life in the Chicago neighborhoods. I quite enjoyed the pieces you wrote of your experiences in the neighborhood in the Archives.

Kind Regards,

Frank Rizzuto

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June 20, 2009

Email me the stories. Also send a TSA applicaton for your family members who are eligible.

Editor’s Note:

If you have any information for Frank regarding the D’Amore family,  please leave a comment below, or contact Taylor Street Archives.

June 24, 2011

Hello Mr. Romano,

I am a family researcher looking for information about my husband’s great grandfather, Michele (Michael) Marino.

Michele (Michael) Marino originated from Brindisi, Italy and was born about 1857 to Nicola Marino and Moddalena LaRocco.

Michael Marino lived in Chicago from about 1890 to 1927.

He resided at:

In 1900 – 122 Austin Ave., Chicago and was a laborer working on the streets.

In 1910 – 946 Grand Ave., Chicago and worked as a teamster (wagon).

Are these locations part of the Little Italy neighborhood?

He also had an Italian import store. I do not know the year or the location.

I am attaching a photograph with the hope that you might be able to give me some ideas about the store.

Michele (Michael) died in June of 1927.

Thank you in advance for any insight you might proved.

Regards,

Linda Dooley

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June 25, 2011

Your husband’s name is?

Many IA who settled into the Grand Ave neighborhood, (just north of Taylor Street’s Little Italy) originally came to Taylor Street’s Little Italy first. I will put your email in our “Lost and Found” section which will be in operatoin shortly.

Editor’s Note:

If you have any information for Linda regarding Michele (Michael) Marino,  please leave a comment below, or contact Taylor Street Archives.

March 27, 2011

Vince,

I sent a request for help finding my great grandparent Anthony August Campagna’s brothers & sister, I hope that you can help. We all lived on Taylor St. at one time or another.

I’m also looking for our best friend’s father’s info.

He was shot & killed outside a candy & newspaper store at 1064 Taylor on Jan 8 1937. There’s a large article written in the Police Gazette at the time.

Ben J. Greco married to Mary Greco both from Colabria, Italy.

Sons:

Jimmy 1928-1930

Ben 1931,

Fred 1932

Thanks for any help you can give, send info to me please

Midge Mader

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March 27, 2011

Midge,

Thank you for sending your family history to the Taylor Street Archives. It will be an asset to the history of the neighborhood.

We will also begin to check out the Campagna Family. We did know a Ralph Campagna who was a teacher. Could he be a relative?

We are developing a part of the Archives titled Lost and Found so people can ask about relatives and others can repond. Hope to hear from you soon.

Tommie Romano

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March 28, 2011

I don’t know about a Ralph Campagna at all, but who knows.

The other info I was asking about was on a shooting on Taylor St. 1064, it was Jan 8 1937.

Ben J. Greco was shot outside the candy & newspaper store, he lived next door to it. Ben & Mary Greco had 3 sons.

Jimmy 1928-1930

Ben 1931

Fred 1932 who is my close friend & he asked me to see what you could find out about the murder of his father. Ben was 4 at the time & knows that there was a big article in the Police Gazette at the time. So I tried to find something on the internet but couldn’t find a thing.

Thanks for you help.

Midge Mader

Editor’s Note:

If you have any information for Midge regarding the Campagna family,  or the murder of Ben J. Greco, please leave a comment below, or contact Taylor Street Archives.

February 4, 2011

I am trying to do some research on my family. I remember hearing that my uncle, George Braccio, had one of the last blacksmith shops in the city located somewhere on Morgan Street, and that it was torn down for the UIC campus. Does anyone remember anything about that?

Thank you,

Linda Allegretti

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February 7, 2011

Hi Linda,

The Corvinos are the ones I knew as the blacksmiths from Morgan St. I grew up with George and Joey. Their older brother died from his WWII wounds soon after he came home. Tell me more about Braccio. The TSA would welcome a story about the Corvinos, etc. who were blacksmiths. Take a look at the Morgan Fads membership list. That would be helpful. A member of the TSA had provided info about the Corvino blacksmith and that they started on Newberry St. Later raised pit bulls, etc. Both Corvino bros I knew inherited a hotel from an uncil in Wisc. Jackie was a Golden Gloves champion Boxer. You come from some great DNA. It seems that your complete story would include the Braccios as well as the Corvinos. Surely they must be related.

The TSA will soon have a section called “Lost and Found.” Inquiries like yours will be posted there.

Vince

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February 7, 2011

Just found out from my mother (Rose Romano Allegretti) that the Corvinos were the original owners of the blacksmith shop that years later my uncle George Braccio bought.

Linda

December 19, 2010

Dear Vince,

I recently came across your website > Taylor Street Archives.

I have been searching for information about my mother’s father’s family. GRANATA that lived on Taylor Street in the early 1900s.

My grandfather was Frank Granata and worked for Hart Schaffner & Marx, as a tailor. His father, named Raphael (Ralph) Granata was married to Giuseppina Granata (Sparra).

My grandfather had brothers: Salvatore Granata and Anthony Granata.

My cousin hired a genealogist to find out when my grandmother (Frances Raschillo) and grandfather were married and no one knows, nor can we find any public record.

If you have any tips you can help me uncover the mystery, I would be so grateful.

Thank you for your time and happy holidays to you and your family!

Maria

Editor’s Note:

If you have any information for Maria regarding the Granata family,  please leave a comment below, or contact Taylor Street Archives.

Hello,
My name is Mary Ann(Isadore) Monno. I lived on Taylor Street during the years of 1957 until 1967. I lived at 1112 S. Sagamon. I attended Holy Guardian Angel School from kindergarten to fifth grade. Myself and another classmate (Rosa Chieco) have kept friends all these years would like to find our former classmates from Holy Guardian Angels to have a get together. Is there any information you can give us to how we can find people. We have found a few over face book. I would appreciate any help you may be able to give me.
Thank you
Mary Ann (Isadore) Monno

Editor’s Note:

If you have any information for Mary Ann regarding classmates at Holy Guardian Angels School, please leave a comment below, or contact Taylor Street Archives.

May 12, 2011

Good Thursday Afternoon, Vince R. —— May 12:

Just a follow up note to say that I’m glad we talked and got to know another fellow that lived in the “old neighborhood.”
Vince, as I mentioned my grandfather, Leopoldo Tarsitano and Rosie lived at 180 Forquer (later, 729 Arthington), an empty lot away from the Garippo building. Leo came in late 1890′s and Rosie thereafter a couple of years later.
After a few years here, they saved their money and bought the 180 Forquer Bldg. and opened a local grocery business in 1908, raised 6 children, 5 passed away at very early in life, after several months of life…
As you certainly know, the neighborhood was bought by the City for the Dan Ryan. I’m sure you know the rest of the story. In the late 40′s and early 50′s, we all moved in to the suburbs, mostly West.
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Yes, I have been very close to Uncle Emil and Aunt Jessie Tarsitano Garippo, especially while they were living in Elmhurst. And, I have a great deal of admiration for them and especially their three children, Mike, Emil Jr. and Tommie Garippo Hoffman.
I am in touch with Emil Jr. who has helped enormously with the Tarsitano Novel as well as help from Thomasine G. Hoffman.
In any event, Let’s stay in touch and tell Jimmy Tars we spoke.
Thanks for your work on the Taylor Street Archives. It’s a marvelous history that has to be told.
Vince Romano and family —— “The Best to you and your family”!!!
Bob and Betty Tarsitano

P.S. We’ll stay in touch and very glad we got to speak with each other.