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.
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
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
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
1930 Census
75 years old
The Zisa family Lived at 319 Madison Ave Paterson in 1930. John (75) was disabled.
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)
1948 Death
91 years old
