Carmine Terracciano arrived in New York for the first time on June 23, 1900 aboard the ship Chateau Yquem. He told the authorities at Ellis Island that he was from Casalnuovo, Italy
View Larger Mapand of Italian nationality. He had been a butcher back in Italy. At this point Carmine was 40 years old and, according to his own testimony, he could neither read or write. He listed himself as married. From the records, Carmine must have already been married to his second wife Teresa. He had paid his own passage and stated that he had never been in the United States before. He had $8 in his possession and was here to stay with his “Godfather” . He had never been in prison, he was not a polygamist, and had no job.
The next record of Carmine in the United States was the 1910 US Census taken on April 19, 1910 in the Borough of the Bronx, New York – E. 150th Street. Carmine tells the census taker that he is, 46 years old1 He is listed as the head of the hou
sehold, of Italian descent. The record shows that Carmine was White, Male, and married for 13 years. This record shows that he immigrated in 1900, that he speaks only Italian and that he owns his own “Meat Shop.” It also reflects that he has not been out of work in the past year. This record shows that he has no education (in America) and that he rents his house, not a farm. This dwelling is on street # 258 and is number 54. The members of the household at this time are his wife Theresa, who is listed at 35 years old. The record shows that she has borne 8 children of which 7 are alive. She was born in Italy and on this census claims to be able to read and write They have 7 children living with them at this time; Jennie 12 , Katie, 10, Joseph 8, Thomas 7, Elvira 4, Carmine 2 and Pasquale 6 months old. Both Jennie and Katie read and write and speak English.Carmine must have taken another trip home to Italy, because we find him returning on the ship Taormina on August 8, 1915 which had sailed from Naples on July 26, 1915. This was his second arrival in the P
ort of New York. He stated he was 56 years old at the time and could not read or write. He was observed to be in healthy condition, 5 foot 5 in
ches tall with brown eyes and brown hair. He stated he was neither a polygamist, nor an anarchist, and had never been in prison. He stated he had been born in the town of Casalnuovo, Italy (Casalnuovo di Napoli, Campagnia) which is northeast of Naples. He was in possession of at least $50. He was returning to his wife Teresa Terracianno at 599 Morris Avenue in the Bronx, New York. He had paid for his own passage. He had left behind a brother Giosne Terracciano in Casalnuovo. The record looks like it says he was a baker, but he was probably a butcher.
The 1920 Census Record has a Carmine Terracciano, who was 60 years old at the time, as the head of the h
ousehold in Brooklyn, New York. Carmine told the census taker he was a butcher and owned his own Butcher Shop. He stated he was born Italy and was of Italian descent. The census was taken on January 3, 1920 in Supervisor's District 8, Enumeration District 446 Street No. 4.. At this time Carmine was married to Tessie who was 43 years old. She also had been born in Italy and was of Italian descent. The census taker was told that Carmine had immigrated in 1890 and was still an alien, and that Tessie had immigrated in 1892 and was still alien. Neither Carmine or Tessie could read or write at this time. Living with them were a son Joseph 17 who was a laborer in a Tin Factory, he had not attended schol since Sept. 1, 1919. Joseph could read and write. Also living with them at this time was a son Tom who was 15 7/12 who was in school and could read and write, daughter Elvira who was 13 6/12. Elvira was in school and could read and write. Finally they also had son Charles living with them and he was 9 7/12 and could read and write.
