Third Generation
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5. "Louis" Luigi Agosto Nicola ROMAGNANO. Born 26 Jun 1875 in Postiglione, Italy. Died 7 May 1940. Buried in Calvary Cemetery, Cherry Hill, NJ. Occupation Barber, Ship Yard worker, Pyrotechnician. aka Louis.
Notes:
Several American documents give name as Louis N. A. and - 1905 New Jersey State Census, name = "Romagnano"
Have only verified up to Jun 1896. Found a Luigi "Romaniano" Immigrated 6 Jun 1892. Arrived at New York on ship 'Massilia' from Naples. Journeyed by himself. Passenger list = age 17, from Italy, (no town), occupation, Peasant and destination, Unknown. Entire ship had same town and destination information, however. Note: 'Romaniano' could be a phonetic spelling and his age was 17 in 1892. Ref: "Italians To America", Volume 6, Passengers Arriving at New York, Jan 1892 - Dec 1892, Edited by Ira A. Glazier and P. William Filby, page 228.
Per Alphonse Romaine; This Louis was the person who decided to change the family name to Romaine, which is more American. There was discrimination and it was not until the name was changed that they began to get ahead. Ettore didn't go along, at first, but Angelo did. - Since this information, discovered that the surname Romagnano appears on son Louis' Birth Cert.
Excerpts from letter from Alphonse Romaine to Tony Romaine, dated 2 Feb 1994: "The industrial revolution, in America, brought them here. Many changed their names for various reasons. My uncle Louis made the decision to do so, he was a chemist and specialized in fireworks. Prejudice was a horror, in America, in those days."
1900 Census reports living in Charles Hang household ("[Fe]rry Ave." Camden, NJ) as a Boarder, he was 24 then, and his occupation was a Barber. It is interesting to note that the Hangs (Charles & Christine) were from Germany and he would later marry someone from Germany.
Per Catherine Romaine; Company name may have been "Visuvius Fireworks"
A Louis appears in the Camden City Directories in 1897 & 1898 - "Romagnano, Louis, barber, 807 Ferry Ave., h do" This is the same address as cousin Angelo in 1899 & 1900
Per Alphonse in letter dated 3 Dec 93; "... landed in Gloucester ... immigration station ... either 1892 or 1898."
Excerpt of e-mail from Frank R. Bicker, dated 18 Jul 2000:
AFN: 1QKZ-P8K Soundex = R525 "Romagnano"
Sources:
Alphonse Romaine, Catherine Casebeer
12th Census of the U.S. - 1900, 13th Census of the U.S. - 1910, 14th Census of the U.S. - 1920
Son Louis A. A. Romaine's Death Cert.
Daughter Frances' Death Cert.
Daughter Olivia's Death Cert.
®14, ®25
A photo of the "Memorial" provided by Donna M. Romaine-Raftery
New Jersey State Census - 1915
Notes:
Maiden name spelled "Hofbaur" on early documents
1905 NJ State Census = b. 1879 & age 25 & in the US 24 years
"Catherine Hofbauer's father was John Hofbauer, born 1858 in Munich, Germany. Married Katherine Hoffman in 1881. Came to USA in 1883. I believe he died in 1943."
Excerpt from letter to Tony Romaine from 'Kitty' McGlinn in Jul 1998; "I know very little of the Hofbauer side -- only that Catherine was the oldest of a large family..."
AFN: 1QKZ-C57
Sources:
13th Census of the U.S. - 1910, 14th Census of the U.S. - 1920
Son Louis A. A. Romaine's Death Cert.
Daughter Frances' Death Cert.
Daughter Olivia's Death Cert.
New Jersey State Census - 1905, New Jersey State Census - 1915
Catherine Casebeer, Kitty McGlinn
16. i. Frances ROMAINE
17. ii. Olivia Rose ROMAINE
18. iii. Celesta Beatrice ROMAINE
19. iv. Henry Alphonse ROMAINE
20. v. Louis Andrew Antonio ROMAINE