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The Life Story of Giovanni (John) Zisa

Posted on April 8, 2023April 22, 2023 by admin

1856–1948

Giovanni (John) Zisa was born on December 18, 1856, in Santa Croce Camerina, Ragusa, Italy, the son of Giovanna and Francesco. He married Antonina (Nina, Annie) DiMartino in 1895 in his hometown. They had ten children in 17 years. He died on August 13, 1948, in Paterson, New Jersey, at the age of 91.

1856 Birth

Giovanni (John) Zisa was born on December 18, 1856, in Santa Croce Camerina, Ragusa, Italy, to Giovanna Iozzia and Francesco Zisa.

Birth and Baptismal Record for Giovanni Zisa
Birth and Baptismal Record for Giovanni Zisa

1856 Marriage
39 years old

Giovanni (John) Zisa married Antonina (Nina, Annie) DiMartino in Santa Croce Camerina, Ragusa, Italy.

1905 Arrival
49 years old

At age 49, after two previous attempts to sail to the US with his family were canceled (most likely because Antonina gave birth 2 days prior to the first scheduled and 2 weeks before the second scheduled trip) Giovanni Zisa went alone on the Citta di Torino, departing from Naples and arriving in New York alone on July 13, 1905. He listed his occupation as a shoemaker merchant and had $40. He is listed as going to join his son Francesco (7) who arrived with his grandmother 8 months earlier and was living at 208 Market St. Paterson, NJ

Giovanni Zisa lsted on the Passenger list for the SS Citta di Torino
Rendering of the SS Citta di Torino

Name in full: Zisa, Giovani
Age: 48
Married or single: M
Able to read/write: No
Occupation: shoemaker merchant
Nationality: Italy
Race: South
Last Residence: S. Croce Camerina
Final Destination: Paterson
Having a ticket to final destination: No
Passage paid by whom: by him
In possession of: $40
Ever been to US before: no
Whether going to join a relative: son – Francesco, 208 Market St.
Ever in prison: no
Polygamist: No
Anarchist: No
Health: Good
Deformed or crippled: no

1910 Census
52 years old

The Zisas lived at 354 27th St. Paterson in the home of Antonina’s brother, John DiMartino. There were now 8 children. John was 52 and worked as a laborer in a piano factory. (Their surname was misspelled “Zesa”.

John Zesa                   M               52      Head

Antina Zesa                F                 38      Wife

Rosie Zesa                  F                 14      Daughter

Frank Zesa                 M               12      Son

Thomas Zesa             M               9        Son

Joe Zesa                     M               7        Son

Alfredo Zesa              M               5        Son

Dendi Zesa                 M               3        Son

Jennie Zesa                F                 2        Daughter

Arturo Zesa                M               0        Son

John Demartino        M               23      Head

Annie Demartino      F                 25      Wife

Jossie Demartino      Female      3        Daughter

Elvira Demartino      Female      2        Daughter

Zisa and DiMartino families listed on the 1910 Census for Paterson New Jersey

1920 Census
64 years old

The Zisa family lived at 319 Madison Ave. Paterson in 1930. They owned the home- with a mortgage. John worked as a dyers’ helper in a Dye House

Zisa Family listed on the 1920 Census
319 Madison Avenue where the Zisa family lived for many years. This is a recent photo.

1930 Census
75 years old

The Zisa family Lived at 319 Madison Ave Paterson in 1930. John (75) was disabled.

Zisa family on the 1930 Census in Paterson New Jersey

1940 Census
84 years old

John (84) and his wife Nina (67) lived at 319 Madison Ave, Paterson in 1940, along with their son Thomas (39)

Zisa family on the 1940 Census in Paterson, NJ

1948 Death
91 years old

Obituary for Giovanno (John) Zisa

Category: Zisa Stories

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