Foundling Messina Family

Famiglia Messina

Rosaria Signorina - Born: about 22 Oct 1871
Found: 22 Oct 1871, Serradifalco, Caltanissetta, Sicilia
Died: 3 September 1955, Buffalo, New York

Meaning of Signorina [seen-yor-EEN-uh]: young lady

Michele Fieramosca - Born: about 8 May 1880
Found: 8 May 1880, Serradifalco, Caltanissetta, Sicilia
Died: about 1918 - 1921. Buffalo, New York

Meaning of Fieramosca [f'yair-uh-MOH-skuh]: horsefly

Giusto Dubreville - Born: about 16 February, 1885
Found: 16 February, 1885, Serradifalco, Caltanissetta, Sicilia
Died: 18 July, 1967, Buffalo, New York

Meaning of Dubreville [doo-behr-VEE-lleh]: a fictional character

Alessandra Possini - Born: about 6 February, 1890
Found: 26 February, 1890, Serradifalco, Caltanissetta, Sicilia
Died: 3 October, 1972, Buffalo, New York

Meaning of Possini [poh-SEE-nee]: having potential

Cesira Celso - Born: about 12 February 1895
Found: 13 February 1895, Serradifalco, Caltanissetta, Sicilia
Died: 13 October, 1978, Buffalo, New York

Meaning of Celso [CHEHL-soh]: short

The above-named foundlings were all left in the wheel, born of parents unknown. However, later records indicated that there was a family bond among them.

Rosaria Signorina:

Record number 249 Rosaria Signorina	Year eighteen hundred seventy-one, day twe- ty-two of the month of October at hour 15 It- alian time, in the Town Hall. Before me Doctor Emmanuele Misuraca, Mayor and Official of the Civil Status of the Town of Serradifalco, Environs and Province of Cal- tanissetta has appeared Concetta Digiugno daughter of Michele, age 45 years profession Receiver of castoffs, domi- ciled in Serradifalco, who has declar- ed that at hour ten Italian time of today was placed in the wheel of castoffs of this Town located in Strada Sferrazza, an in- fant of feminine sex who she has presented to me wrapped in a sash of coffee-colored cloth and a tan hat of wool, without any marks apparent, daughter of unknown parents to whom was given the name Rosaria and the surname Signorina This declaration was made in the pres- ence of Giuseppe Dipalermo, son of the late Gioachino, age forty years, occupation

. townsman, and Calogero Montante, son of Luigi, age twenty-five years, occupation sulfur miner, both domici- led in Serradifalco, witnesses chosen by the declarant herself, and after having been given a reading of this record made contemporaneously in two original registers it was signed by me alone, the declarant and the witnesses stating they don't know how to write. [Signed] Dr. Emmanuele Misuraca

From Serradifalco Registri Stato Civile Film 1964309
1871 Births, No. 249, Rosaria Signorina, Antenati image 164 and 165 of 213


302 Rosaria Signorina 245	Day 22 October 1871 I, Priest Don Salvator Ferro baptized an infant born today at hour 15 of unknown parents to whom was given the name Rosaria. The godmother was Maria Tumminello, wife of Marianus Difrancesco.
From Serradifalco Registri Ecclesiastici Film 2012919 1871 Baptisms, Page 302 No. 245, Rosaria Signorina, FamillySearch image 523 of 2917

The last line (30) of Rosaria's passenger manifest states she is travelling to her 'cousin' Michele Fieramosca at 68 Efner Street in Buffalo.

The 1930 census shows a Rose Messina, born in 'Italy' in about 1873, immigrated about 1911, living at 513 West Avenue in Buffalo with her sister, Mrs. Ida Morreale.

This 4 September 1955 Buffalo Courier Express death notice states that Rosaria Messina was the daughter of John and Petrina Messina and names four siblings. However, her two brothers did not have the surname Messina, but Dubreville and "Fieramusco".

Michele Fieramosca:

Number 6
MicheleFieramosca
On 4 October 1904 in Serradifalco
contracted marriage with
Carmela Morreale
[signed] the Clerk

Year eighteen hundred eighty, day 8 May at hour ante
meridian ten , in the Town Hall.
Before me Doctor Vincenzo Sesta, Councilman delegated
by the Mayor, Official of Civil Status of the Town of Serradifalco, has
appeared Carmela Defide, age 30, receiver of castoffs,
domiciled in this town, who has presented me an
infant of masculine sex of apparent age of four hours
on whom were found a blouse of white muslin,
a bonnet of white muslin, and another of red wool,
a tan woolen vest, a white muslin jacket, sashes
of white linen, without apparent marks, and she declared that this morning at one AM, in the public wheel
of this Town, located at Via Piconotti number 43, she found said infant, with the clothes above describ-
ed, peacefully supine with both hands covered, to whom
she gave the name Michele and surname Fieramosca.
The declarant then requested that I leave the infant
with her, promising to assume its nurturing and custody,
until she provides the needed wet-nurse, and to give me
account of all the Authority's requests; and not objecting
to her request I have consented, and left with the dec-
larant the aforesaid infant.
To the above have been present the witness-
es Salvatore Lombardo, age 32, a villager, and Giuseppe
Ristagno, age 50, a villager, both residing in this Town.
I read this record to those assembled: it is signed by me
alone, they having said they don't know how to write.
[signed] Dr. Vincenzo Sesta

From Serradifalco Registri Stato Civile Film 1964310
1880 Births, Part II No.6, Michele Fieramosca, Antenati image 199 of 212


Michael Fieramosca	Day 8 May 1880 I, Priest Brother Joannes Leonardi Sacramental Chaplain baptized an infant born today at hour 7 of Unknown Paren- ts. To whom was given the name Michael Fieramosca. The godparents were Salvator Schifano, and Paulina Vaccari
From Serradifalco Registri Ecclesiastici Film 2012919 1880 Baptisms, Page 32, Michael Fieramosca, FamilySearch image 817 of 2917

.
RECORDS OF CIVIL MARRIAGES
.

.
   Year one thousand nine hundred three, day eleven of October,
at hour eleven and fifteen minutes , in the Town Hall
of Serradifalco.

   Before me Crescenzio Guttila Councilman delegated by act of the May-
or dated nineteen of last November, duly approved
   Official of the Civil Status dressed in official garb, have appeared:

1. Michele Fieramosca, bachelor, age twenty-three, sulfur miner,
born in Serradifalco, living in Serradifalco, son of an unknown
father who resides in __________ and of an unknown mother
residing in __________; 2. Carmela Morreale, maiden,
age eighteen, homemaker, born in Serradifalco, living in
Serradifalco, daughter of the late Calogero, who resided in Serradifalco,
and of Raimonda Migliore, who resides in Serradifalco, who
have requested that I join them in matrimony; to this effect they presented the document
described below: and on its examination as well as those previously produced in the request,
of the banns, all of which, confirmed by me, are inscribed in the attachments
to the register, with no objections to the marriage, I have read to the
betrothed articles 130, 131 and 132 of the Civil Code, and therefore I
have asked the groom if he intends to take as wife the here-present Carmela
Morreale, and of her if she jntends to take as husband the here present
Michele Fieramusca, and having replied affirmatively
with full knowledge of the present witnesses, I pronounced in the name
of the law that the stated couple is united in marriage. Present at this act
are Salvatore Mangione, age 23, a sulfur miner, and
Calogero Calabrese, age 22, a sulfur miner,
both residents of this town. The presented document is the certification
of the banns by me as follows, the first on 30 August, the sec-
ond on 6 September of the current year nineteen hundred and three.
To the above marriage, the consent that was able to be given was only that of the mother of the bride, not being able to
obtain that of her father, as is specified in the request for the banns.
I read this record to those assembled; they have
signed below with me, with the exception of the betrothed, who dec-
clared they are illiterate.
[signed] Salvatore Mangione
             Calogero Calabrese
            Crescenzio Guttila

Number 70
MicheleFieramosca
Carmela Morreale

From Serradifalco Registri Stato Civile Film 1964312
1903 Marriages, No. 70, Michele Fieramosca and Carmela Morreale, Antenati Image 73 of 113


Michele 'Ferramosca' (line 22) emigrated from Serradifalco to Buffalo in 1909. His closest relative in Serradifalco was listed as his wife Carmela Morreale, and the person he was travelling to was shown as his brother-in-law Salvatore Nicosia.

In these naturalization papers, Michele's surname was spelled Fieramosco, Fieramoco, and Framosco. It lists his daughter Petrina (mis-spelled as "Petrino"), named after his presumed mother Petrina Castaldi; son Giovanni (normally the first son is named after the paternal grandfather); and sons Raymond, Calogero, and Gaetano, the youngest born in 1915.

The last record found showing Michele Feramosca's status was his 1918 U. S. Military Draft Registration.

Michael Fieramosca sometimes went by the name Salvatore, and family members stated that he also sometimes used the surname Messina. Records referring to his family and him indicate that he died sometime between 1918 and 1921; it is unknown exactly when or where.

Giusto Francesco Dubreville:

Number 6
Giusto Dubreville
On 23 February 1909
he married Gaetana Giumento

Year eighteen hundred eighty-five, day 16 Feb-
ruary at hour ante
meridian nine twenty-five,
in the Town Hall.
Before me Attorney Gerlando Maida, Mayor, Official of Civil Status of the Town of Serradifalco, has
appeared Rosa Scamacca, age thirty-six, receiver
of castoffs, domiciled in this town, who has
presented me an infant of masculine sex apparently
born five hours ago on whom were found
a bonnet and blouse of white muslin, ribbons
and sash of white linen, a beige muslin vest
and a woolen kerchief colored beige and red,
without apparent marks, and she declared that this morning at one ante meridiem, in the public
wheel of this Town, located at Via Piconotti
number 43, she found said infant,
with the clothes and items above described,
peacefully supine with both hands entwined in the sash, to whom she gave the name Giusto and the sur-
name Dubreville.
The declarant then requested that I leave the infant
with her, promising to assume its nurturing and custody,
until she provides the needed wet-nurse, and to give me
account of all the Authority's requests; and not objecting
to her request I have consented, and left with the dec-
larant the aforesaid infant.
To the above have been present the witness-
es Giuseppe Capizzi, age 37, a shoemaker, and Isidoro Sorce, age 32, a shoemaker, both residing in this Town.
I read this record to those assembled: it is signed by me
alone, they having said they don't know how to write.
[signed] G. Maida

From Serradifalco Registri Stato Civile Film 1964310
1885 Births, Part II, No. 6, Giusto Dubreville

Because of high infant mortality, newborns were usually baptized within a day or two of their birth, For unknown reasons, Giusto, born on 15 February 1885, was not baptized until the first of March. In that time, he apparently received the additional name, Francesco. (Being named Justus and Franciscus, in Latin.)

Justus Franciscus Dubreville 79	Day 1 Marc 1885 I, Priest Brother Salvator Ferro baptized an infant born today at about hour 11 of Unknown Parents, to whom was given the name Justus Franciscus, of God. Godparents were Calogerus Vella and Concepta Ruggeri, a married couple.
From Serradifalco Registri Ecclesiastici Film 2012919 1885 Baptisms, Page 179, Justus et Franciscus Dubreville, FamilySearch image 1040 of 2917

     Names of foundlings were made up, and selected by the person who found the child, or the civil official or priest who recorded the birth or baptism. Often officials were taken by flights of fancy, or wishing to show their sophistication, chose names from the classics or otherwise famous names.
     The surname given to Giusto, "Dubreville", is remarkably similar to d'Urberville, a name recognizable from the popular Victorian novel 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles' by Thomas Hardy. One plot device in the story is a child 'born out of wedlock'.
      When I found Giusto's record of birth, my supposition was that the official chose the name because of his familiarity with the novel. One problem . . . Giusto was born in 1885, six years before the story was written!   One more mystery in a mysterious family story.

.
RECORDS OF CIVIL MARRIAGES
.

.
   Year one thousand nine hundred nine, day twenty-three of February
at hour eleven ___________, in the Town Hall
of Serradifalco.
   Before me Crescenzio Guttila Councilman delegated by act of the May-
or dated nineteen November 1902, duly approved
   Official of the Civil Status dressed in official garb, have appeared:
1. Giusto Dubreville, bachelor, age twenty-three, sulfur miner,
born in Serradifalco, living in Serradifalco,
son of an Unknown father who resides in __________
|and of an unknown mother residing in __________;
2. Gaetana Giumento, maiden, age sixteen,
homemaker, born in Serradifalco, living in
Serradifalco,
daughter of the late Angelo, who resided in Serradifalco,
and of the late Teresa Alessandra, who resided in Serradifalco,
who have requested that I join them in marriage, to this effect they presented the document
described below: and on its examination as well as those previously produced in the request,
of the banns, all of which, confirmed by me, are inscribed in the registry attachments
with no objections to the marriage, I read to the betrothed articles 130,
131 and 132 of the Civil Code, and therefore I
have asked the groom if he intends to take as wife the present Gaetana Giumento
and of her if she intends to take as husband the present Giusto Duberville ,
and having replied affirmatively with full knowledge
of the present witnesses, I pronounced in the name of the law that the stated couple is united in mDubervillearriage.
Present at this act are: Tommaso Chiarenza,
age 46, a sulfur miner, and Vincenzo Serra,
age 26 a sulfur miner, both
residents of this town. The presented document is the certification of the banns
by me as follows, the first on the 7th, the second on the 14th
of February, the current month.
To the above marriage was given the consent of the guardian of the bride, as is specified in the request
for the banns.
I read this record to those assembled; they have
signed below with me,
with the exception of the betrothed, who declared they are illiterate.
[signed] Tommaso Chiarenza
             Vincenzo Serra
            Crescenzio Guttila

Number 16
Giusto Dubreville
Gaetana Giumento

From Serradifalco Registri Stato Civile Film 1964312
1909 Civil Marriages, No. 16, Giusto Dubreville and Gaetana Giumento, FamilySearch image 958 of 2953

After Sicily was subsumed into 'Italy' in the 'risorgimento' of 1861, there was a schism between church and civil authorities that lasted until the 1920's. During that period, marriages that were performed in church were not recognized as legal by the state. Many couples, therefore, married both in church and in a civil ceremony at the Town Hall, within a day or two. That was the case with Giusto and Gaetana, who were married both in church and in civil weddings on the same day. Note that both records indicate that Giusto was a foundling; the civil wedding required banns to be posted on two days, while the church required three announcements. The witnesses were different men for each wedding.

   Serradifalco year one thousand nine hundred and nine
1909 day 23 of the month of February.
Pre-Mass announcements made on three consecutive Feast
days, of which the first was day 24, the second on day 31 of January, the third on 2 February
during the solemn Parochial Masses, without any legitimate objection found (or) ~~I discovered the objection . . .~~
   and obtaining for them the Apostolic See's man-
date about dispensation and with them through the Most Reverend Bishops authority on the day it was dispensed
as is clear from the records which are kept in
our office. I, Priest Salvator
Petrantonio, by mandate Parish Reverend, interviewed
Justum Dubreville son of Unknown parents,
~~and~~              of the Parish of Serradifalco
Caietanam Giumento daughter of the late Angelo and
Theresia Alessandra his widow,
from Serradifalco and by their mutual consent by
words and by their mutual verbal consent, I solemnly joined them in marriage in the sacrifice of the Mass.
Witnesses were
Antonius Curatola
Camillus Tolentino

255

         N. 16
   Justus
Dubreville
Caietana
Giumento

From Serradifalco Registri Stato Civile Film 1964312
1909 Church Marriages, No. 16, Page255, Justus Dubreville and Caietana Giumento, FamilySearch image 1682 of 3033


Giusto Dubreville (line 12) emigrated from Serradifalco to Buffalo in March of 1913. With him, identified as a 'cousin' was Cesira Celso (line 13). The closest relative they left behind was listed as their 'relative' Giuseppe Messina and the person they were travelling to was their 'relative' Michele Fieramosca at 19 Trenton Avenue, Buffalo.

As was common, Giusto Dubreville emigrated before his wife and child, and several months later in October 1913, Gaetana Giumento and his son Giovanni Dubreville (lines 1 and 2) emigrated from Serradifalco to Giusto in Buffalo at 302 Terrace Street. Though married, Gaetana is listed by her birth surname, as is the custom in Sicily. Their son's given name, Giovanni, implies that the name of his paternal grandfather (Giusto's father, if known) would be Giovanni.

The name of Giusto Dubreville (line 8) was often misread as "Guisto" because of the placement of the dot that should be over the letter 'i'. His eldest son was named John (Giovanni) and his eldest daughter was named Petrina, presumably after his parents, even though his birth record states that they were unknown.

This 17 July 1967 Buffalo Evening News death notice names four siblings of Giusto: Mrs. Ida (Gaetana) Morreale and Mrs. Jessie Sorgi, the late Samuel Fieramusca (one of the 'aliases' of Michael Fieramusca), and the late, unmarried, Rosaria Messina.

Alessandra Possini:

Number 6
Alessandra Possini

Year eighteen hundred ninety, day 26 February at
hour ante meridiem eight fifty in the Town Hall.
Before me Doctor Vincenzo Sesta, Councilman delegated
by the Mayor, Official of Civil Status of the Town of Serradi-
falco, has appeared Carmela Burgio, age twenty-seven, Re-
ceiver of castoffs, domiciled in this town, who has
presented me an infant of feminine sex appa-
rently a day old, on whom were found
a blouse of white muslin, ribbons
of old white muslin, a white sash, a grey and red wool vest,
two bonnets, one of white muslin, the other of red
wool, without apparent notes, and she declared
that at hour five ante meridiem today in the public foundling
wheel of this Town, located at Via Piconotti number forty-
three, she found said infant, with the clothes
and items above described, peacefully supine with hands
wrapped in the ribbons, to whom she gave the name
Alessandra and the surname Possini.
The declarant then requested that I leave the infant with her to assume its nurturing and custody,
until she provides the needed wet-nurse, and to give me
account of all the Authority's requests; and not objecting
to her request I have consented, and left with the declarant the aforesaid infant.
To the above have been present the witness-
es Michele Rizzo, 36, peasant sharecropper, and Calogero
Brancato, age 42, peasant sharecropper, both residing in this Town.
I read this record to those assembled, but it is signed by me
alone, they having said they don't know how to write.
[signed] Dr. Vincenzo Sesta

From Serradifalco Registri Stato Civile Film 1964310
1890 Births, Part II, No. 6, Alessandra Possini


Alessandra Possini 96	20 Day 28 Februaryy 1890 I, Priest Don Joseph Ferra, Sacramental Chaplain, baptized an infant born yesterday at hour 15 of Unknown Parents to whom was given the name Alessandra Possini. The godmother was Carmela Grimaldi.
From Serradifalco Registri Ecclesiastici Film 2012919 1890 Baptisms, Page 20, Number 96, Alessandra Possini, FamilySearch image 1314 of 2917


Alessandra Possini (line 13) emigrated from Serradifalco to Buffalo in 1913, leaving 'nobody'. She is listed as 'single' and travelling to her 'step-brother' Michele Fieramosca at Number 9 Trenton Avenue.

This 24 September 1913 Buffalo Evening News notice of marriage licenses has misspellings and errors. It gives Antonino Morreale's name as "Antonio Mariale". It switches and misspells Alessandra Possini's given and surnames as "Paolissina Allesandra".

They did, in fact, marry, on 12 January 1914. But the New York State Index of Marriages gave Antonino Morreale's name as "Anthony Moriale", and Alessandra Possini's name (switched again!) as "Pollesini Allesandra".
These records were the last in which either the first or last of Alessandra's names were recorded as anywhere near those shown on her record of birth or her ship's passenger manifest.

In the 1920 U. S. Federal Census, Anthony Morreale (line 24) is listed with his wife Gaetana, his daughter Rose, and his mother Rose.

The 1930 census has Anthony Morreale (line 69) listed with his wife Ida. Ida was a common 'nickname' for Gaetana, and the two were interchangeable. Also listed were their children Charles, Raimonda, Petrina (second daughter, named for her maternal grandmother) and Mary, and unmarried Rose Messina, Ida's sister.

The 1940 census also names Ida as the wife of Anthony Morreale (lines 1 and 2).

This death notice from 15 October 1972 in the Buffalo Evening News states that Ida was Gaetana, and that she considered her maiden name to be Messina. It also names four siblings: Mrs. Jessie Sorgi, the late Samuel (Michael) Fieramusca, Frank "Duberville" (aka Giusto Francesco Dubreville) and the late, unmarried, Rosaria Messina.

Cesira Celso:

RECORDS OF BIRTH
Number 4 Cesira Celso	Year eighteen hundred ninety-five, day 13 of Febr- uary at hour ante meridiem eight fifty in the Town Hall. Before me Attorney Angelo Lombardo, assistant Coun- cilman acting for the Mayor and the chief Councilman, the former absent, the latter indisposed, Official

of the Civil Status of the Town of Serradifalco, has appeared Teresa Barile of the late Michelangelo, age 38, Re- ceiver of castoffs, domiciled in this town, who has presented me an infant of feminine sex apparently a day old, on whom were found a blouse of white muslin, a sash and ribbons of striped white linen, a linen vest, two bonnets, one of frilled white muslin, the other of white and black cotton with a red velvet border, and a grey woolen shawl, without apparent notes, and she declared that at hour twenty-three of the 12th of the current month, in the public foundling wheel of this Town, located at Via Dante Alighieri number ten, she found this infant, with the clothes and items above described, peacefully supine with hands wrapped in the ribbons. To the said infant she gave the name Cesira and the surname Celso. The declarant then requested that I leave the infant with her, promising to assume its nurturing and custody, until she provides the needed wet-nurse, and to give me account of all the Authority's requests; and not objecting to her request I have consented, and left with the declarant the aforesaid infant. To the above have been present the witnesses Liborio Cordaro, age thirty- one, a carter, and Angelo Bruccheri, age twenty- one, a carter, both residing in this Town. I read this record to those assembled, but it is signed by me alone, they having said they don't know how to write. [signed] *Lombardo*

From Serradifalco Registri Stato Civile Film 1964310
1895 Births, Part II, No. 4, Cesira Celso

   30.
.            N. 512
        Cesina
         Celso

RECORDS OF BAPTISM

The year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred ninety five on day fifteen of the
month of February in the Parish of Serradifalco
Town of Serradifalco _________________ has been presented at the Church an
infant of sex feminine born on day fifteen of the month of February
at the hour nine post meridiem, daughter of Unknown parents
of _______________ native of Serradifalco and of ____
______ of _____________ native of _________
man and wife _______________ domiciled in __________
which child was administered baptism by Sacramental Chaplain Giuseppe Ferra
and to whom was given the name Cesina
the godfather was ________________
and the godmother was Giuseppa Callari
represented by ____________________________
The notice of birth with the request for Baptism was made on ___________
_________________________________________
Signature of the Requestor Signature of the Pastor

From Serradifalco Registri Ecclesiastici Film 2012919
1890 Baptisms, Page 30, Number 512, Cesina Celso FamilySearch image 1526 of 2917


As shown previously, Cesira Celso (line 13) and Giusto Dubreville (line 12) emigrated from Serradifalco to Buffalo in March of 1913. The closest relative they left behind was listed as their 'relative' Giuseppe Messina and the person they were travelling to was their 'relative' Michele Fieramosca at 19 Trenton Avenue, Buffalo.

This 21 December 1913 Buffalo Sunday Morning News notice of marriage licenses has misspellings and errors. It gives Antonio Sorgi's name as "Tony Sorci". It switches Cesira Celso's given and surnames as "Celso Cesira".

On 18 January 1914, Antonio and Cesira and did marry. But the New York State Index of Marriages gave their names as they were in the above notice: "Tony Sorci", and "Celso Cesira".

The 1920 census has Anthony Sorgi (line 96) listed with his wife Jessie. Jessie was the 'nickname' for Cesira. Also listed were their children Madeline, Pietra (mis-recorded as "Peter") and John (second daughter and second son, presumably named for their maternal grandmother and grandfather), and unmarried Rose Messina, Jessie's sister, all living at 86 Efner Street, Buffalo.

Petrina Castaldi:

This 1921 passenger manifest shows a woman named Petrina Castaldi, a widow, age 70, travelling from Serradifalco to her 'son' Antonio "Sargi" at 86 Efner Street, Buffalo.

But the 1930 census shows Petrina Messina (line 16) living at 86 Efner Street, Buffalo, not as the mother of Anthony Sorgi (line 9) but his mother-in-law, that is, Jessie's mother.

Like the death notices of Rosaria Signorina Messina. Michael Samuel Fieramusca, Giusto Frank Dubreville, and Alessandra Gaetana Messina Morreale, this death notice for Jessie Celso Sorgi from 15 October 1978 in the Buffalo Evening News names them all as siblings.
Further, those who married followed the Sicilian Naming Convention, and had sons named Giovanni, or daughters named Petrina, or both.

This death notice from the 30 August 1938 Buffalo Evening News shows that a 'Petrina P. Messina' died at age 76 on 27 August at 86 Efner Street, which is the address she is shown at in the 1930 census.
So she was born in about 1852, which is consistent with the calculated birth year of 1851 for Petrina Castaldi on her 1913 ship's passenger manifest.

From the evidence in the documents presented above, five foundlings were born in Serradifalco of unknown parents. They were Rosaria Signorina, Michele Fieramusca, Giusto Dubreville, Alessandra Possini and Cesira Celso, They all emigrated to Buffalo, where they represented their parents as Giovanni (John) Messina and Petrina Castaldi.

Petrina Castaldi eventually also emigrated, reporting herself as a widow, and lived with one of the foundlings, Cesira, claimed as her daughter. Petrina assumed the surname Messina, as did Rosaria, Alessandra (Ida), and Cesira (Jessie). Petrina's death notice gives her surname as Messina. She was born in about 1851-1852.

I have found no record of birth or baptism in Serradifalco for a Petrina, Pietra, or Petronilla Castaldi in the years 1845 through 1855; nor are there any other Castaldi's listed. Castaldi is NOT a 'Serradifalco surname'. There is no marriage record for a Giovanni Messina to a Petrina Castaldi in the ten years prior to 1871, the year the eldest 'foundling sibling' Rosaria Signorina was born, nor is there any such record through 1910.

This is the 9 December 1875 Serradifalco civil marriage record of Giovanni Messina and Giuseppa Piazza. He was a servant, age twenty-five (born about 1850), so a couple of years older than Petrina Castaldi); Giuseppa Piazza was fifteen years old.

From Serradifalco Registri Stato Civile Film 1964311
1875 Marriages, No. 53, Giovanni Messina and Giuseppa Piazza

The only records found for Giuseppa Piazza are the above marriage record, the 26 September 1860 record of her birth in Serradifalco, and her 17 December 1929 death record, also in Serradifalco. No record has been found of any children born to Giovanni Messina and Giuseppa Piazza.

SO WHAT HAPPENED?

There is no documented proof of the following, but I believe it is a reasonable explanation of the situation presented above.

In late 1870 or very early 1871 in Serradifalco, Giovanni Messina, age twenty, had a liaison with Petrina Castaldi, who was about 18. Since Castaldi is not a surname that appears in Serradifalco records, Petrina was either born elsewhere, or was abandoned and found in Serradifalco and the surname Castaldi was given to her by officials.

In October 1871, Petrina, unmarried, gave birth to a daughter and abandoned her in the Serradifalco foundling wheel on Via Sferrazza. The infant was given the name Rosaria Signorina.

Years later, in 1879, Giovanni Messina, by then married to Giuseppa Piazza, renewed his illicit encounters with Petrina Castaldi. As a result she bore a boy in May 1880, and abandoned him in the town's foundling wheel, now located at Via Piconotti Number 43. He was given the name Michele Fieramosca.

The relationship continued for years. In 1885, an infant boy was abandoned and named Giusto Dubreville; in 1890 and 1895, it was successive girls, on whom the imposed names were Alessandra Possini and Cesira Celso.

It's possible that all five children actually were raised by and lived with Petrina Castaldi in Serradifalco, and that she told them that their father was Giovanni Messina. When they all emigrated to the U. S., where no one could contradict their story, Petrina became 'the widow of Giovanni Messina'; her children used that surname, and named their sons John and Petrina, following the Sicilian Naming Convention.

The above is conjecture, fueled by strong circumstantial evidence, but other scenarios are certainly possible. It's hard to believe that Petrina would just pick five random foundlings and claim them as hers; she most likely was their mother.

But Giovanni Messina? It's possible that some other man (or men) fathered the children, and Petrina simply made up Giovanni's part in the story.

Or not.

Click HERE for more about foundlings.

Possini