There have been three different spellings of the surname. the most common being LETTERIE...the official spelling should be LETTERIO according to official records from Sulmona, Italy. The third spelling is indicated on the grave marker of Paul and Nancy which is spelled LETTERII There is no explanation for this spelling.He was born on July 1, 1877 in Sulmona, Italy to the parents of Carlo Alberto Letterio and Maria Vincenza "Francesa" (Mangiaqrelli) Letterio. He lived in the same town as his future wife Nancy. He went to America to find work and to make money for his family. According to family tales, he made 13 trips to America. In 1901, he married, had Felice and Thomas and moved to America. He initialed worked in the Pittsburgh Pa area and later moved to Philadelphia, because the Reading Railroad was hiring people at that time. They rented a house on Almond St. and later moved in to their home on 2645 E. Somerset St. in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia. He loved listen to opera music. He was a kind quiet man, enjoyed making wine and enjoyed his close friends. He passed away on 11/19/1946 and was buried at Holy Redeemer Cemetery in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia.
Born to the parents of Carlo Letterio and Maria Vincenza "Fancesa" (Mangiarlli) Letterio in a small farming town of Sulmona, Italy on July 1, 1877. Little is known of him during his young years while living in Sulmona. He first went to America at the age of twelve getting a job as a water boy in the coal mines of Dunbar, Pa. He returned to stay in Sulmona, at the age of nineteen. During this time, he had travelled to America a total of nine times, each time returning to his home town. Many people, due to economic conditions in Italy went to America to earn money for their families. At the age of 22, he then married Annunztia Centofanti of the same town on January 17, 1901. Their first child, Felice, was born while Paul was in America earning money for his family. He returned America, then having their second child, Thomas. The entire family moved to America in 1912. The family came though Ellis Island, NY initially settling in Dunbar, Pa. (Pittsburgh area). Annunztia didn't like the pollution in the area due to the steel mills and because there were jobs and friends in the Philadelphia area, the family moved to the Port Richmond area of the city. With the help of his brother-in-law, Christof Pandlofo, Paul got a job at the Reading Railroad located East Somerset Street He worked as a Fire Cleaner, working seven days a week cleaning out the coal ashes of the large locomotives that would come to the rail yard. When he was home, he enjoyed listening to opera, especially a famous Italian opera singer of the day, named Enrico Caruso. This popular opera singer was world famous from 1903 to his death in 1914. While the average U.S. worker salary was $12/ week, his was $2,500/week, paid in gold with no taxes. Paul also like listening to classical music, listening for hours at a time. He also enjoyed making wine for his family and friends. He was a quiet man who enjoyed his family. He only spoke for the most part in Italian and only a few words in English. The family first rented a house at 2868 Almond Street, then moved to 2612 E. Somerset Street. Later when the family got larger, they moved to 2546 E. Somerset Street which is what they used to call a "house and a half." These were homes generally were built with a building added on the rear of the house. The purpose of which was to room borders, and also added to the family income. He handed out discipline in a harsh and quick fashion. He and the family continued to lived their until he passed away on November 19, 1946 due to a stroke. He was buried at the Holy Redeemer Cemetery on Richmond Street in Philadelphia on November 23, 1923 (Lot# W-20-60). The actual grave yard has two sections, the family plot is located in the rear graveyard towards the back of it, on left side. The grave maker has the family name spelling as "LETTERII", after checking with the Italian government in 1950, the correct spelling was found to be "LETTERIO". No one in the family can explain the mistake in the misspelling of the name on the grave maker. In December 2002, a copy of his Certificate of Naturalization #2403145, dated 03/30/1927, was obtained. He was 49, when he signed this official document as Panfilo Letterii, thereby explaining the markings on the grave marker. Enclosed in this Scrapbook Section of this Genealogical Profile, is birth certificate documentation from the Consulate General of Italy, in Philadelphia indicating the correct spelling of the family name. Also a copy of his Certificate of Naturalization.
Paul Centofanti
June 1993
(rev.12/2002)
Born to the parents of Carlo Letterio and Maria Vincenza "Fancesa" (Mangiarlli) Letterio in a small farming town of Sulmona, Italy on July 1, 1877. Little is known of him during his young years while living in Sulmona. He first went to America at the age of twelve getting a job as a water boy in the coal mines of Dunbar, Pa. He returned to stay in Sulmona, at the age of nineteen. During this time, he had travelled to America a total of nine times, each time returning to his home town. Many people, due to economic conditions in Italy went to America to earn money for their families. At the age of 22, he then married Annunztia Centofanti of the same town on January 17, 1901. Their first child, Felice, was born while Paul was in America earning money for his family. He returned America, then having their second child, Thomas. The entire family moved to America in 1912. The family came though Ellis Island, NY initially settling in Dunbar, Pa. (Pittsburgh area). Annunztia didn't like the pollution in the area due to the steel mills and because there were jobs and friends in the Philadelphia area, the family moved to the Port Richmond area of the city. With the help of his brother-in-law, Christof Pandlofo, Paul got a job at the Reading Railroad located East Somerset Street He worked as a Fire Cleaner, working seven days a week cleaning out the coal ashes of the large locomotives that would come to the rail yard. When he was home, he enjoyed listening to opera, especially a famous Italian opera singer of the day, named Enrico Caruso. This popular opera singer was world famous from 1903 to his death in 1914. While the average U.S. worker salary was $12/ week, his was $2,500/week, paid in gold with no taxes. Paul also like listening to classical music, listening for hours at a time. He also enjoyed making wine for his family and friends. He was a quiet man who enjoyed his family. He only spoke for the most part in Italian and only a few words in English. The family first rented a house at 2868 Almond Street, then moved to 2612 E. Somerset Street. Later when the family got larger, they moved to 2546 E. Somerset Street which is what they used to call a "house and a half." These were homes generally were built with a building added on the rear of the house. The purpose of which was to room borders, and also added to the family income. He handed out discipline in a harsh and quick fashion. He and the family continued to lived their until he passed away on November 19, 1946 due to a stroke. He was buried at the Holy Redeemer Cemetery on Richmond Street in Philadelphia on November 23, 1923 (Lot# W-20-60). The actual grave yard has two sections, the family plot is located in the rear graveyard towards the back of it, on left side. The grave maker has the family name spelling as "LETTERII", after checking with the Italian government in 1950, the correct spelling was found to be "LETTERIO". No one in the family can explain the mistake in the misspelling of the name on the grave maker. In December 2002, a copy of his Certificate of Naturalization #2403145, dated 03/30/1927, was obtained. He was 49, when he signed this official document as Panfilo Letterii, thereby explaining the markings on the grave marker. Enclosed in this Scrapbook Section of this Genealogical Profile, is birth certificate documentation from the Consulate General of Italy, in Philadelphia indicating the correct spelling of the family name. Also a copy of his Certificate of Naturalization.
Paul Centofanti
June 1993
(rev.12/2002)
There have been three different spellings of the surname. the most common being LETTERIE...the official spelling should be LETTERIO according to official records from Sulmona, Italy. The third spelling is indicated on the grave marker of Paul and Nancy which is spelled LETTERII There is no explanation for this spelling.He was born on July 1, 1877 in Sulmona, Italy to the parents of Carlo Alberto Letterio and Maria Vincenza "Francesa" (Mangiaqrelli) Letterio. He lived in the same town as his future wife Nancy. He went to America to find work and to make money for his family. According to family tales, he made 13 trips to America. In 1901, he married, had Felice and Thomas and moved to America. He initialed worked in the Pittsburgh Pa area and later moved to Philadelphia, because the Reading Railroad was hiring people at that time. They rented a house on Almond St. and later moved in to their home on 2645 E. Somerset St. in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia. He loved listen to opera music. He was a kind quiet man, enjoyed making wine and enjoyed his close friends. He passed away on 11/19/1946 and was buried at Holy Redeemer Cemetery in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia.
Born to the parents of Carlo Letterio and Maria Vincenza "Fancesa" (Mangiarlli) Letterio in a small farming town of Sulmona, Italy on July 1, 1877. Little is known of him during his young years while living in Sulmona. He first went to America at the age of twelve getting a job as a water boy in the coal mines of Dunbar, Pa. He returned to stay in Sulmona, at the age of nineteen. During this time, he had travelled to America a total of nine times, each time returning to his home town. Many people, due to economic conditions in Italy went to America to earn money for their families. At the age of 22, he then married Annunztia Centofanti of the same town on January 17, 1901. Their first child, Felice, was born while Paul was in America earning money for his family. He returned America, then having their second child, Thomas. The entire family moved to America in 1912. The family came though Ellis Island, NY initially settling in Dunbar, Pa. (Pittsburgh area). Annunztia didn't like the pollution in the area due to the steel mills and because there were jobs and friends in the Philadelphia area, the family moved to the Port Richmond area of the city. With the help of his brother-in-law, Christof Pandlofo, Paul got a job at the Reading Railroad located East Somerset Street He worked as a Fire Cleaner, working seven days a week cleaning out the coal ashes of the large locomotives that would come to the rail yard. When he was home, he enjoyed listening to opera, especially a famous Italian opera singer of the day, named Enrico Caruso. This popular opera singer was world famous from 1903 to his death in 1914. While the average U.S. worker salary was $12/ week, his was $2,500/week, paid in gold with no taxes. Paul also like listening to classical music, listening for hours at a time. He also enjoyed making wine for his family and friends. He was a quiet man who enjoyed his family. He only spoke for the most part in Italian and only a few words in English. The family first rented a house at 2868 Almond Street, then moved to 2612 E. Somerset Street. Later when the family got larger, they moved to 2546 E. Somerset Street which is what they used to call a "house and a half." These were homes generally were built with a building added on the rear of the house. The purpose of which was to room borders, and also added to the family income. He handed out discipline in a harsh and quick fashion. He and the family continued to lived their until he passed away on November 19, 1946 due to a stroke. He was buried at the Holy Redeemer Cemetery on Richmond Street in Philadelphia on November 23, 1923 (Lot# W-20-60). The actual grave yard has two sections, the family plot is located in the rear graveyard towards the back of it, on left side. The grave maker has the family name spelling as "LETTERII", after checking with the Italian government in 1950, the correct spelling was found to be "LETTERIO". No one in the family can explain the mistake in the misspelling of the name on the grave maker. In December 2002, a copy of his Certificate of Naturalization #2403145, dated 03/30/1927, was obtained. He was 49, when he signed this official document as Panfilo Letterii, thereby explaining the markings on the grave marker. Enclosed in this Scrapbook Section of this Genealogical Profile, is birth certificate documentation from the Consulate General of Italy, in Philadelphia indicating the correct spelling of the family name. Also a copy of his Certificate of Naturalization.
Paul Centofanti
June 1993
(rev.12/2002)
Born to the parents of Carlo Letterio and Maria Vincenza "Fancesa" (Mangiarlli) Letterio in a small farming town of Sulmona, Italy on July 1, 1877. Little is known of him during his young years while living in Sulmona. He first went to America at the age of twelve getting a job as a water boy in the coal mines of Dunbar, Pa. He returned to stay in Sulmona, at the age of nineteen. During this time, he had travelled to America a total of nine times, each time returning to his home town. Many people, due to economic conditions in Italy went to America to earn money for their families. At the age of 22, he then married Annunztia Centofanti of the same town on January 17, 1901. Their first child, Felice, was born while Paul was in America earning money for his family. He returned America, then having their second child, Thomas. The entire family moved to America in 1912. The family came though Ellis Island, NY initially settling in Dunbar, Pa. (Pittsburgh area). Annunztia didn't like the pollution in the area due to the steel mills and because there were jobs and friends in the Philadelphia area, the family moved to the Port Richmond area of the city. With the help of his brother-in-law, Christof Pandlofo, Paul got a job at the Reading Railroad located East Somerset Street He worked as a Fire Cleaner, working seven days a week cleaning out the coal ashes of the large locomotives that would come to the rail yard. When he was home, he enjoyed listening to opera, especially a famous Italian opera singer of the day, named Enrico Caruso. This popular opera singer was world famous from 1903 to his death in 1914. While the average U.S. worker salary was $12/ week, his was $2,500/week, paid in gold with no taxes. Paul also like listening to classical music, listening for hours at a time. He also enjoyed making wine for his family and friends. He was a quiet man who enjoyed his family. He only spoke for the most part in Italian and only a few words in English. The family first rented a house at 2868 Almond Street, then moved to 2612 E. Somerset Street. Later when the family got larger, they moved to 2546 E. Somerset Street which is what they used to call a "house and a half." These were homes generally were built with a building added on the rear of the house. The purpose of which was to room borders, and also added to the family income. He handed out discipline in a harsh and quick fashion. He and the family continued to lived their until he passed away on November 19, 1946 due to a stroke. He was buried at the Holy Redeemer Cemetery on Richmond Street in Philadelphia on November 23, 1923 (Lot# W-20-60). The actual grave yard has two sections, the family plot is located in the rear graveyard towards the back of it, on left side. The grave maker has the family name spelling as "LETTERII", after checking with the Italian government in 1950, the correct spelling was found to be "LETTERIO". No one in the family can explain the mistake in the misspelling of the name on the grave maker. In December 2002, a copy of his Certificate of Naturalization #2403145, dated 03/30/1927, was obtained. He was 49, when he signed this official document as Panfilo Letterii, thereby explaining the markings on the grave marker. Enclosed in this Scrapbook Section of this Genealogical Profile, is birth certificate documentation from the Consulate General of Italy, in Philadelphia indicating the correct spelling of the family name. Also a copy of his Certificate of Naturalization.
Paul Centofanti
June 1993
(rev.12/2002)
Family Members
Children
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Felice "Phyllis" Letterio Centofanti
1905–1982
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Thomas Letterio
1909–1991
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Salvatore Letterie
1912–1912
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Angeline "Angie" Letterie Sciore
1913–1995
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Walter Joseph "BIFF" Letterie
1915–1976
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Frances Agnes "Francey" Letterie Anthony
1916–1993
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Carl Albert "Biff" Letterie
1918–2000
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Amadeo Letterie
1921–1922
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Omdelday Letterie
1923–1923
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Theodore "Teddy" Letterie
1925–2008
