#2 USA, California: Greetings from Nancy & Rick

Hello/Ciao from San Diego, California USA!

This posting is one example of how each family can blog about their current and past history to see who is related! If you can only list your father/mother and grandfather/grandmother, that's at least a start!

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I am Nancy Simioni, married to Rick Simioni. Our son is Julian and we are all on Facebook. We were all born and raised in the Detroit, Michigan, USA, area. We moved to San Diego, California in 2005. San Diego Map

Rick's heritage goes back to Castelfranco, Veneto, Italy. We would love to identify relatives who still live there or near-by.  (update March 2010: possibly Belluna, Italy)

Like most of us outside of Italy, we had no idea there were so many Simionis around the world! We have even found another Rick Simioni! How fun! Note Feb 14: now TWO other Rick Simionis and a Riccardo!

It is not necessary to show every sibling and cousin. What I'd really like for this site is to have everyone trace their family back to the 1800's. which is where I think we will start finding our connections! See if you can find your relatives back that far.

Rick's parents, Desiderio and Ida Simioni are in this photo. (mid 1950's)

Below is some of Rick's family history. I am in the process of finding out more and will add it as I get it. This is not easy! Using color helped me especially when I couldn't get tabs or indenting to work. It will really be something if we can unify all of us! I will help you if you would like.

Generation #1. as far back as we know it so far. We hope one of you in the Castelfranco area will help us find our history!
Speriamo che uno di voi in Castelfranco ci aiuti a trovare la nostra storia!

1. Giovanni Simioni married Anna (or maybe Angela) Cechetto (may be spelled Ciecheta, chicetto or ciecheta) Born in Italy in the mid-1800's, most likely in or near Castlefranco. They had about 8 children. We know of 7: Desiderio, Gemma, Adele, Fortunato, Amabile, and Ceasar, and another brother John or Joseph. All born in or near Castlefranco or Salvatronda and came to the USA in the early 1900's.   
Amabile --  did NOT come to the USA.  We want to find her family near Castelfranco. Possibly a daughter Angela (unknown last name), and a Simioni nephew Onofrio.

Generation #2 (3, 4, 5)
--2. Desiderio, (my husband's father) born 1895, Castelfranco, Veneto, Italy. Immigrated to Canada around 1915, then to Detroit within a few years. Married Ida Gigli. (See photo above.) Their family:
--- 3. Richard Simioni, born 1949, Michigan USA, now California (married to me!)
---- 4. Julian Simioni, born 1986, Michigan USA, now California

--- 3. Annette Simioni G., Michigan USA

---- 4. Three sons: Joey, Jeff, & Gino, USA

--2. Gemma, Born in Castelfranco area, Veneto, Italy, then immigrated to Detroit, Michigan, USA

---3. Arthur

---3. Elenore
--2. Adele, Born in Castelfranco or Salvatronda, Veneto, Italy, (Birth certificate lists Salvatronda), then Detroit, Michigan, USA

--- 3. Olga DiMercurio, Detroit, Michigan USA

---- 4. Frank DiMercurio, Michigan, now California. Visited Castlefranco, Veneto, in 1972, and met family whom I am now trying to re-find!
----- 5. One daughter
---- 4. John DiMercurio, Michigan, now California

----- 5. Three sons

---- 4. Carla DiMercurio, Michigan, USA

---- 4. Lisa DiMercurio, Michigan USA 

--- 3. Dora Blackaby

---- 4. Judi (Blackaby) Jewett, Mark & Diane, Michigan USA

--2. Fortunato, Born in Castelfranco, Veneto, Italy, then Detroit, Michigan, USA. No children.
--2. Ceasar, Born in Castelfranco, Veneto, Italy, then Detroit, Michigan, USA. Children?
--2. Giovanni/John/Joseph, is another brother. We cannot confirm if he came to the USA or Canada. He may have worked in the coal mines of Pennsylvania. Children? He may have returned to Canada from the USA or, returned to Italy.
--2. Amabile, did not come to the USA. Born and lived in Castelfranco. She may have had a daughter Angela.

There is a son of one of them named Onofrio whom we found mentioned in a letter from Amabile written in 1963. We do not know of him so we think he lived in Veneto. Angela was also discussed in the note.

We had a wonderful time a few weeks ago when Cristiane Simioni who is from Brazil, flew from New York to California to meet us! We still don't know if we are related, but hopefully, we'll find out someday! She was so much fun I hope we are cousins!

Nancy Simioni
California, USA