Contrary to the year on her headstone, the ship's list of her arrival and her marriage application both show she was born in 1885. She arrived in the U.S. Jun 18, 1902, at New York, on a ship named Trave. She traveled with her sisters, Palma (b. abt. 1880), and Elisabeth (b. abt. 1882). They were accompanied by a relative of the man who would become her husband. The ship's list states they were going to Pittsburgh, to stay with their brother, Michele Rizzuto. The ship's list, Grace's marriage license, and her husband's application for the Sons of Italy all confirm her name was Maria Grazia Rizzuto. She was the second wife of Rafaele Cerminara, a tailor in Pittsburgh. In all probability this was at least a partially arranged marriage. After about 6 years of marriage to a non-Italian, (Eva Owesney 1873-1903, married 24th Dec 1896) with only two sons, Angelo and James Vincent, from it and the death of his first wife, it appears the family took matters into their own hands, sending for three sisters, three eligible, Italian brides for Rafaele. Grace was not able to speak English, read or write, a quality not needed in a wife at the time. This is confirmed by the marriage license application of her son, Albert, as in giving her consent to his marriage in 1943, she was only able to mark an "x"...this did not, however, prevent her from being a beloved wife to Rafaele and beloved mother of 11 children and 2 stepchildren.
Contrary to the year on her headstone, the ship's list of her arrival and her marriage application both show she was born in 1885. She arrived in the U.S. Jun 18, 1902, at New York, on a ship named Trave. She traveled with her sisters, Palma (b. abt. 1880), and Elisabeth (b. abt. 1882). They were accompanied by a relative of the man who would become her husband. The ship's list states they were going to Pittsburgh, to stay with their brother, Michele Rizzuto. The ship's list, Grace's marriage license, and her husband's application for the Sons of Italy all confirm her name was Maria Grazia Rizzuto. She was the second wife of Rafaele Cerminara, a tailor in Pittsburgh. In all probability this was at least a partially arranged marriage. After about 6 years of marriage to a non-Italian, (Eva Owesney 1873-1903, married 24th Dec 1896) with only two sons, Angelo and James Vincent, from it and the death of his first wife, it appears the family took matters into their own hands, sending for three sisters, three eligible, Italian brides for Rafaele. Grace was not able to speak English, read or write, a quality not needed in a wife at the time. This is confirmed by the marriage license application of her son, Albert, as in giving her consent to his marriage in 1943, she was only able to mark an "x"...this did not, however, prevent her from being a beloved wife to Rafaele and beloved mother of 11 children and 2 stepchildren.
Inscription
Mothers
Family Members
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Samuel Santo "Sam" Cerminara
1906–1989
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Mary Cerminara
1907–1926
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Angeline "Ange" Cerminara Berglass
1908–1951
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Patricia Agnes Cerminara
1910–1992
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Della A Cerminara Cibrone
1911–1985
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Ralph J Cerminara
1913–1975
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Alfred George "Fred" Cerminara
1915–1982
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Elizabeth "Betty" Cerminara Maffie
1919–2002
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Arthur George Cerminara
1921–2009
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Albert William Cerminara Sr
1923–2013
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Edward Cerminara
1924–2008
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