Salvation for Most and a Disappointment for Some
The New Lands
The Exodus
Our ancestors left their homes in Sicily and traveled to new lands for a variety of reasons. Economic reasons and the lure of a better life were the root cause of the exodus.
Between 1901 and 1924, 3,155,401 Italians came to the United States. Of this number, 6,516 arrived at Ellis Island from Valguarnera Caropepe, Sicily.
The first Interlicchia to arrive at Ellis Island was Salvatore Interlicchia, age 39, who arrived on 20 April 1904. He was going to Rochester, New York where most Interlicchia eventually went.
Valguarnera Arrivals at Ellis Island (1901–1924)
Total = 6,516
The Voyage
The voyage from Palermo to New York was a miserable two plus weeks for our ancestors. They were third class passengers (Also known as steerage passengers) who would be packed into tight and poorly ventilated spaces. Many of the ships on which our ancestors traveled to the United States were cargo ships converted for passengers because there was more profit carrying passengers. The shipboard conditions for steerage passengers portrayed in the movie Titanic were luxurious compared to what our ancestors experienced. By comparison to the 375 - 403 foot long ships of our ancestors, the Titanic was 882 feet long, 92 feet wide and carried only 1026 steerage passengers.
On 21 April 1905 my Grandfather Giuseppe Manusia ended his 15 day voyage from Palermo when he arrived at Ellis Island aboard the S.S. Lombardia. The Lombardia was built in 1901, was 403 feet long and 46 feet wide, and carried 1360 passengers (58 first class and 1,302 third class).
On 3 September 1905 my Grandmother Maria Grazia Nicolaci and 20 month old Concetta Manusia ended their 19 day voyage from Palermo when they arrived at Ellis Island aboard the S.S. Italia. The Italia was built in 1904, was 391 feet long and 52 feet wide, and carried 1958 passengers (58 first class and 1,900 third class). Maria Grazia was the wife of Giuseppe Manusia, and Concetta was their daughter. Maria and Giuseppe were married in Valguarnera Caropepe on 21 August 1900, and Concetta was also born there.
On 18 March 1907 my Grandfather Gaetano Interlicchia ended his 16 day voyage from Palermo when he arrived at Ellis Island aboard the S.S. Perugia. The Perugia was a passenger/cargo vessel built in 1901. She was 375 feet long, 47 feet wide, and carried 1170 passengers (20 first class and 1,150 third class).
On 30 June 1907 my Grandmother Rosa Pavone ended her 17 day voyage when she arrived at Ellis Island aboard the S.S. Perugia. On 23 November 1907 Rosa Pavone married Gaetano Interlicchia in Rochester, New York.
