Fourth Generation
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9. Nicholas ROMAINE. Born 1 Dec 1883 in Postiglione, Salerno, Italy. Died 11 May 1933 in Camden, New Jersey. Buried 16 May 1933 in New Camden Cemetery, Camden, NJ. Occupation: Barber/Fireman (Camden, "City Dept."). aka: Nicodemo Romagnano, Nick.
Notes:
Immigrated 24 Jul 1895. Arrived at New York on ship 'Neustria' from (Marseilles &) Naples. Journeyed with his mother and brother, Giuseppe. Passenger list = age 12, from "Castiglione", Italy, occupation, unknown and destination, Philadelphia, (Castiglione written in script, my be Postiglione, misread).
Given name = Nicodemo ROMAGNANO. Born in Postiglione, Italy. Changed name to Nicholas ROMAINE to sound more American. All other Romagnano's in Camden changed their surname to Romaine.
Excerpt from "The Ancestry of Nicodemo Romagnano" by Luigi Mendola, Genealogist:
The surname Romagnano probably derives from the name of a town so-called, located some twenty-five miles northeast of Postiglione. Postiglione, the town where the family settled, is of Lombard origin, established by the Longobards who inhabited the region circa A.D. 700. A Lombard castle at Postiglione dates from the tenth century. Although the town is set on high ground, it lies in the shadow of the Alburni ridge, a small range of rocky mountains characterized by steep cliffs of gray stone. This lushly wooded region has been inhabited since ancient times, by Lucanians, Greeks and Romans. The nearby town of Sicignano, which also boasts a splended castle, was founded by the Normans who displaced the Lombards as the rulers of southern Italy in the eleventh century.
It was into this rural setting that Nicodemo Romagnano was born in 1883 to Angelo Romagnano, a landholder (gentleman farmer), and Concetta Pacella, daughter of one Antonio Pacella, also a landholder. ®25
Naturalized in 1903.
Died from injuries sustained while fighting a fire when a brick wall collapsed and fell on him on July 27, 1925.
He could speak Italian. Catherine Romaine said he used to translate for his father Angelo who did not speak English.
Nicodemo ... is a Greek name differing somewhat from Noccolo (or the regional Nicola), which are Nicholas. Nicodemus and Nicholas were different saints of the early church but, as English lacks a vernacular of Nicodemus, Nicholas was used. ...®25
Buried at New Camden Cemetery at Mt. Ephraim & Ferry Ave. "... they're all buried there." -Al Romaine
From main entrance, turn right. Turn left on next road. Grave is in the section on the right, on the second path before the next road. The third grave from the road - under a tree. 38 paces toward the SE corner of his grave is parents grave.
On Marriage Certificate, age is 20 years, 6 months on date of marriage, (4 Feb 1902) however, if birthdate is 2 Dec 1883, he would have been 18 years, 64 days old then. ??
1900 Census shows immigration in 1895, same year as mother and brother Joe.
1920 Census mentioned "Barber Shop"
14th census = (incorrect) immigrated in 1885
1910 census show two Greek boarders living in household (no children yet). They were Cigar Store Keepers, Charles, 32 and John Michal, 26 years old then and both single. Also, Camden City Directory, 1902 (®14) shows a Peter Romaine, laborer, living at 702 Sylvan
Some documents show name spelled Romain. Name spelled "Najodo" on 1900 Census.
AFN: 1QKZ-H7B
Sources:
[Official] Certificate of Birth - Yr. 1883 No. 98 Pt. I - Municipality of Postiglione, (Province of Salerno), "Summary for Extract of the Register"
-and-
Notes:
They all came out to California in a 1930 Whippet (car) with luggage piled high on the running boards. Cousin Idella came with them, so there was Pauline, Idella, Gladys, Miles, Little Miles, Little Gladys, Joe, Catherine, Little Pauline, Nick and Frank = 11 total. The whole family lived in a small house, (Probably 2622 Medford St., Los Angeles, CA). -Frank's version.
When Nicholas died, aunt Ella and her daughter Idella, who lived in Calif., came back to Camden for the funeral. Ella persuaded Pauline to come back to Calif. with them for a vacation. So she went with Nick and Frank (and probably Idella). When they returned to Camden all they could talk about was how great California was and plenty of work (this was during the depression). They eventually convinced everyone to move. Then the famous trip began, Nov 1934. Catherine said she could write a book on the events of that trip. They took two cars, the Whippet and Miles' car, which broke down several times on the trip. In Miles' car was: Miles, Gladys, little Miles, little Gladys, Joe, Catherine, and little Pauline. In the Whippet was: Lena (Pauline), Sophie, Ella, Marie, Nick, Frank (maybe Bruce and Harry). Nick got a job at the LA County Hospital's laundry and Frank got a job as an ambulance driver. Gladys and Joe's families then returned to Camden because there was no work, after all. Later Gladys and Joe and their families decided to move to LA, this time by bus. -Catherine's version. [-also- The two cars would get separated -- lost, several times. All the money in one car. Once, while they were separated, they happened to be driving through Albuquerque and found "all of them" (from the other car) in a Barber shop getting a haircut! The trip took 11 days]
Physician who signed on her death certificate was "Dr. Frank J. Romaine D.C." son.
AFN: 1QKZ-K7N
Sources:
State of New Jersey Marriage Cert. #973 ("Return of Marriage")
Birth Certs. of children, Gladys, Joseph Nicholas, Bruce Van Dorin, & Frank, Camden, NJ.
31 i. Gladys (Elizabeth Constance) ROMAINE
32 ii. Joseph Nicholas ROMAINE
33 iii. "Nicholas" Bruce Van Dorin ROMAINE
34 iv. Frank Jule ROMAINE