tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78704855304186122802023-07-18T23:03:36.969-07:00My Italian Ancestry ResearchKenny Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07218700181253021019noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870485530418612280.post-37037342060652804592013-09-11T19:20:00.002-07:002013-09-11T19:22:15.501-07:00My Tree<div style="text-align: center;">
Kenny Dee</div>
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B1972</div>
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James Dee Jr.</div>
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B1952</div>
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<a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=65491270" target="_blank">James Dee Sr.</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=65491270" target="_blank">B1920-D1973</a></div>
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Michele - Maria - <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=103776125" target="_blank">Vincenzo</a> - <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=103775715" target="_blank">Giacomo</a> - <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=71388383" target="_blank">Anthonino</a> - Francesco - Vincenza</div>
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Di Dia Di Dia <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=103776125" target="_blank">Di Dia</a> <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=103775715" target="_blank">Di Dia</a> <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=71388383" target="_blank">Di Dia</a> Di Dia Di Dia</div>
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B1880 ???? <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=103776125" target="_blank">B1878</a> <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=103775715" target="_blank">B1888 </a> <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=71388383" target="_blank">B1896</a> B1885 B1892</div>
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<a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=103776125" target="_blank">D1915</a> <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=103775715" target="_blank">D1953</a> <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=71388383" target="_blank">D1936</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=103776125" target="_blank">James Dee</a> - <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=103775715" target="_blank">Chris Dee</a> - <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=71388383" target="_blank">Tony Dee</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=109980789" target="_blank">GiovanBattista Di Dia</a> & <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=109980838" target="_blank">Maria Donato</a></div>
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1850-1892 1852-1933</div>
Kenny Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07218700181253021019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870485530418612280.post-36459916600051660342013-09-05T22:03:00.001-07:002013-09-05T22:04:14.212-07:00Made it to Sandusky!Well the family and I made our way to Sandusky, Ohio, where I have meet up with the other "Dee's" in our family. I have learn that there are only 3 living second cousins of the Dee. My father James Dee, his cousin James Dee in Sandusky, my aunt Margaret. There is 2 living Dee's first generation living in Knoxville, TN and San Jose, California. Marcella Dee and John Richard Dee. I have recently made contact with Marcella and she is 91 years old. I was surprise how well she sound for being 91 years old. She was a firecracker! Hope I can meet up with her soon too. Here's a small family reunion that we had at James Dee house in Sandusky.<br />
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Of course my son had to show out. But it was nice to met dependents of the Di Dia Family. James Dee has been to Marsala acouple of time, and he really wants me to make the trip there too. I just got to get the funds together to make it happen. Anyone got about 5K laying around? :)Kenny Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07218700181253021019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870485530418612280.post-39552764928264750932013-05-15T22:46:00.002-07:002013-05-15T22:46:41.197-07:00Di Dia in MarsalaWell I might have found distant relatives in Marsala. The research is still on going via Facebook. It seems that Di Dia is a common last name in and around Marsala, but all the Italian surname databases really doesn't detect that name, but don't be fooled by this though. Some database software out there has to have 3 or more letters before it will detect and since the name starts off as "Di" so you might have to take out the space and add it as one "DiDia".<br />
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I will be leaving to Sandusky, OH this coming July. I will be meeting my great-grandfather brother Vincenzo side of the family. I really need to get my records inline before my departure. I let you all know how it went, so stay tune!Kenny Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07218700181253021019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870485530418612280.post-21901995488266004652013-03-24T23:44:00.001-07:002013-03-24T23:44:35.176-07:00Well I have located another distant Italian family member Bertolino. The Bertolino's <a href="http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=nypl&h=4010260411&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt&ssrc=pt_t48652822_p13367489685_kpidz0q3d13367489685z0q26pgz0q3d32768z0q26pgplz0q3dpid" target="_blank">immigrated to the U.S. in 1906</a>. <a href="http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/48652822/person/13073000355" target="_blank">Michele Di Di (my great uncle)</a> married to a <a href="http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/48652822/person/13073182633" target="_blank">Maria Bertolino</a>. Now it's unknown why Maria and her husband came to either live or visited her brother <a href="http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/48652822/person/13367489685" target="_blank">Benadicto Bertolino</a>. Benadicto stayed in the Boston, Mass. area it seems that the men all worked in the fishery. I do know that Michele Di Dia did in fact enlisted into the <a href="http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=ww1draft&h=18084625&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt&ssrc=pt_t48652822_p13073000355_kpidz0q3d13073000355z0q26pgz0q3d32768z0q26pgplz0q3dpid" target="_blank">World War I Draft</a>. So this might mean that he did plan on living here, but he and his wife return back to Marsala, Sicilia, and this is known because of letters that have been written to my father James Dee after the passing of my grandfather <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=65491270" target="_blank">James Dee Sr., back in 1973</a>. So a new chapter has been written, and I am glad that I was able to find some living Bertolino's. The funny thing about this is that in my teen years, I have lived up in the New Hampshire area and could have ran into these folks with all the visit I have made to Boston. I have past this information onto my other family that currently live up there, hopefully one of them will drop by for a sweet Ciao!<br />
Kenny Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07218700181253021019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870485530418612280.post-3343182681734815672013-03-02T19:43:00.001-08:002013-03-02T19:43:08.941-08:00Facebook and your family treeI have started a Italian Family Tree <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Italian-Family-Tree/352652104847790" target="_blank">Facebook</a> check us out! Also want to mention this desert to you all. It so Ummmmmmmmy!<br />
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<a href="http://www.italianfoodforever.com/2008/05/pignoli-cookies/" target="_blank">Pignoli Cookies</a><br />
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Yield: 2 DozenPrep Time: 10 minsCook Time: 25 mins<br />
A perfect addition to any holiday cookie tray, these delicious traditional cookies will be a hit with family and friends alike.<br />
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Ingredients:<br />
1 (8 oz) Can Almond Paste<br />
1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar<br />
1/2 Cup Powdered Sugar<br />
1/4 Cup All-purpose Flour<br />
2 Medium Egg Whites, Lightly Beaten<br />
8 Ounces Pine Nuts<br />
Extra Powdered Sugar To Finish<br />
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Directions:<br />
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Prepare two baking sheets with parchment paper, or use silicone linings.<br />
Place the pine nuts in a bowl.<br />
In a food processor, break up the almond paste into small pieces, and pulse with the two sugars and the flour.<br />
Once the mixture is finely ground, begin to add the egg whites a little at a time, just until the dough comes together.<br />
Depending on the humidity, or the size of your egg whites, sometimes you may need all of the egg whites, while other times you won't.<br />
Using a spoon and slightly wet hands, scoop a small spoonful of the dough, and place this into the bowl of pignoli.<br />
Roll the cookie arround until it is lightly coated, and then place it on the prepared baking sheet.<br />
Continue forming the cookies in this manner, placing them 2 inches apart on the baking pan.<br />
Bake the cookies 20 to 25 minutes, and then cool.<br />
Dust lightly with powdered sugar before serving.Kenny Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07218700181253021019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870485530418612280.post-73903996419369391952013-02-10T15:41:00.003-08:002013-02-11T20:20:43.227-08:00My Family Tree UpdateEven though I haven't been working on my family tree lately, I just wanted to tell you all that I will still be updating my blog. So with that out of the way. I have decided to add a memorial page for my great-grandfather <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=103775715" target="_blank">Giacomo Di Dia aka Chris Dee</a> on FindAGrave.com, I've also added one for his brother <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=103776125" target="_blank">Vincenzo Di Dia aka James Dee</a>. A short bio has been added to Chris Dee, since I have the primary information on him. I have asked another family member to write the bio on James Dee. I hope to have more bio information on them both, once I heard back from a couple other folks related to the family. Check back soon!Kenny Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07218700181253021019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870485530418612280.post-41491573141315302612013-01-26T12:07:00.002-08:002013-02-10T15:32:28.647-08:00Not Related to Chef Boy-Ar-DeeBut wish I was! As a kid I loved eating <a href="http://www.chefboyardee.com/" target="_blank">Chef Boy-Ar-Dee</a>. I always wonder if I was related, but found out that Chef Boy-Ar-Dee was actually made from a man named <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ettore_Boiardi" target="_blank">Ettore "Hector" Boiardi</a>. He decided to name his product "Boy-Ar-Dee" to help Americans pronounce his name. The same must of happen with our last name Di Dia to Dee. I was also told it was due to Italian discrimination. It makes me think about the time when people were discriminated because of skin color, and sex discrimination. I couldn't believe that the nationality of a person would be a reason to discriminate. But I truly believe that there would even be reverse discrimination. I have known people that wouldn't even serve thier food to people of certian nationally, but Itilians loved to serve their food, and were very proud to show it off. Pasta was the main reason for this. Adding pasta to meats and vegitables dishes, was something new in America. Maybe that is why I am so addicted to pasta! Please visit <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Boiardi&GSbyrel=all&GSdy=1985&GSdyrel=in&GSob=n&GRid=11860910&df=all&" target="_blank">Hector Boiardi FindAGrave.com</a>. Kenny Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07218700181253021019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870485530418612280.post-23967959257095885852013-01-05T21:27:00.003-08:002013-01-05T21:27:53.523-08:00SanduskyIt's funny how I continue to work on my family tree and how many KINS I have in the Sandusky, Ohio area. The names are getting longer and longer every week I work on my family tree. I am getting to think that Ohio is the main area of Italian immigrants, you would think New York or New Jersey would be the main hub for Italians, but I am think that Ohio was the largest Italian immigrants. As I sit here I am watching Tommy Boy, a 1995 movie starting Chris Farley and David Spade. The movie is hosted in the city of Sandusky, Ohio. Ohio was the leading automotive parts and I have found records of some of our family members working in the automotive industry, even though most of them were barbers or shoe makers. The newest family member that has been added to the family tree "Farrar". In the next day or two I will list all those that have direct connection to the Italian Family Tree. Kenny Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07218700181253021019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870485530418612280.post-82397228675891798312012-12-28T09:56:00.002-08:002012-12-28T10:37:49.294-08:00My Italian Family Tree<h2>
The apple doesn't fall far from the family tree.</h2>
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Sorry that I haven't blog lately, and I'm kinda new at blogging, but I will try better. As a kid I didn't think my about "where I came from" much, and it wasn't talked about alot in the family. All I knew was that I was born and raised in Houston, Texas. I though that we all were just "Texans". Just over a year now I get a call from my daughter Ashley who tells me that she has to do a Family Tree for her history class. I didn't even know where to start, all I knew was my father and mother and my grandparents. So I decide to call my dad and ask about his parents, parents and so on. I found myself on a longer quest then I ever though, and even today I am still on the quest, but I am enjoying it. I found that on my father side of the tree that I am a third generation Italian! Here's what I do know now. In 1903 Giacomo & Vincenzo Di Dia (brothers) came to the United States of American from Marsala, Sicily, Italy. They stayed with a cousin named Gaspare Anastasi in Cleveland, Ohio. Some how Vincenzo (aka James Dee) ended up in the Sandusky, Ohio, and Giacomo (aka Chris Dee) ended up in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Vincenzo married Anna Rose Corso, and Giacomo married Maggie O'Brien. Vincenzo contracted some type of lung disease and return to Marsala, where he later past away. Giacomo and Maggie had two other children that past away early one at birth (girl) and the other 7 months old boy from measles. Some how they ended up in San Diego, California where a John W. Dee was born 1918, and later my grandfather James E. Dee Sr. born in Chattanooga, Tennessee 1920. Giacomo and Maggie who was pregnant at the time, and the two sons went to visit family in Marsala, Italy. Now I don't know the full story behind what happen next, but all I can do is report the facts. Maggie O'Brien and my grandfather who at the time was only 2 years old were the only two to return back to the U.S. from Marsala, Italy. Family story was that Giacomo didn't want to return to the U.S. and Maggie did. The two boys were split up between the two. Also remember Maggie was pregnant with their 5th child and her name was Mildred C. Dee 2 Apr 1923. And so the rest is history. I have been able to find living relatives all over the U.S. and most of them haven't moved far from where our great great grandparents started. Sandusky, Chattanooga, and Houston. I am making plans this coming summer 2013 to visit as much of them as I can. I am an addict now of genealogy, and will be for the rest of my life. </div>
Kenny Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07218700181253021019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870485530418612280.post-18064074589069300282012-07-29T12:10:00.004-07:002012-07-29T12:16:14.418-07:00All the tools at your hand for free!<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The #1 Greatest tool - Your Elders</b></span><br />
I've been doing ancestry research for over a year now, and I can't tell you how easy it has become to do your family tree these days, most of the time right from your computer. Don't get me wrong, a bit of research and looking still has to be done on your part, to make sure you have the right linkups in your family tree, and sometimes you'll have to call on the older generation of your family to see if they can recall some details, but get them quick, cause those that are 70+ years seem that their memory start slipping. You have to just listen, don't bum rush your elders with multiple questions. Take it nice and slow and listen to their words. Be sure to bring a type of recorder, and or notepad. I would also suggest a one on one approach. Try not to call them over the phone or uses the internet social media to communicate with the elders. Two simple reason - Most elders and not to insult, do not like the internet (to complicate for some), also to many typos or misunderstanding of what you are or what they are typing. Plus you ask more question these getting answer. Secondly it shows that you have more interest in the story if you were face to face. There are some downside to face to face, but I have a solution for you. In some cases that I have experience I have found long distant elders that were<span style="background-color: white;"> uncomfortable speaking to me (a stranger) to them. But I offer them a family tree print out and also I ask if there is someone in their close family that could join us in the discussion like a favorite grandchild, or someone else in the family that is also doing the family tree. You want to make your visit a pleasant as possible for them, and help bring back some great memories.</span><br />
<b style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">My greatest Online tools!</span></b><br />
With the information that I have gotten from my Elders, I'm able to goto websites like <a href="http://familysearch.org/" target="_blank">FamilySearch.org</a> and search for census records and event death records, all depending on the privates laws (for each state) on when the information is made public. For example: I can view my grandfather death record cause it's been over 20 years since his passing, but I can't live my aunt death record cause she just recently pass away acouple of years ago. Some States have a time frame, some could be 10 years other might be 20 years. In some cases I've seen 100 years. But the Federal Government for the United State is 70 years. So as you might have notices that the 1940 United State Census was just release. The National Archives 1940 Census Records and be found <a href="http://1940census.archives.gov/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. Another tool that I uses is <a href="http://findagrave.com/" target="_blank">FindAGrave.com</a>. I know the name might seem abit creepy to some, but what it is and what it does will amaze you on connecting your family tree together. FindAGrave.com is a memorial site for those that have gone to the other side from this life. The site is used by volenteers like myself, walk the cemeteries on this world. Yes I said this world. This site list most of all the interments, and some of family links. I also would suggest using the <a href="http://www.findagraveforums.com/ubbthreads.php" target="_blank">FindAGrave Forum</a> to get help from others there in your research. Many volunteers are happy to help in the <a href="http://www.findagraveforums.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=58&page=1" target="_blank">Genealogy Department Forum</a>, with services that charges like <a href="http://newspaperarchive.com/" target="_blank">NewsPaper Archives</a>, <a href="http://fold3.com/" target="_blank">Fold3</a>. Working directly through the newspapers company might also have obituary archives online, but charge a hefty price, plus you have to do the research yourself, or you can just simply visit the library where the "event" happens and uses the microfilm to get the information you want. Dallas Morning News Archives will charge you $10 for 50 downloads or 1 Day Pass which ever comes first and you might just need one article. Where if I went to the Dallas Library to look at the microfilm it would only cost me nothing to copy the image onto my UBS flash drive or $1.50 for a printout. I rather spent nothing to $1.50 instead of $10.00 for one article. So get to the library when you can.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Some great Immigration Records Online</span></b><br />
There are only two places I can suggest Immigration Records and that is: <a href="http://www.archives.gov/research/immigration/" target="_blank">National Archives Immigration Records</a> and the official <a href="http://www.ellisisland.org/" target="_blank">Ellis Island Website</a>. I have found lost of my relatives immigrated to the United States of America using these website. <b>FYI: </b>Not all immigration records were recorded at the time some of these immigrants landed. Some didn't get their Naturalization Record at all and some were destroy (weather, flood, fire, theft) at some of the federal buildings in the county were some of the immigrant resided. I still haven't found one for my Great-Great Grandfather Giacomo Di Dia aka Chriss Dee. He either didn't get his or it was lost or destroy.<br />
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<br />Kenny Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07218700181253021019noreply@blogger.com0