Many of my Spanish ancestors were granted free passage from Spain to Hawaii in return for laboring in the sugar cane fields or fruit plantations. My great-grandmother Maria Anaya (later Maria Ponce) journeyed on the SS Heliopolis in 1907.

Much like the Anayas and Ponces, the Mancinis (and Sforzinis) left their European homeland in the early 20th century for the chance to share America’s prosperity. My great-grandmother Eugenia “Jenny” Mancini (later Sforzini, then Stefani) arrived at Ellis Island on April 15, 1911, aboard the SS La Savoie. She accompanied her father Leone and brother Ugo, who later founded Mancini Motors in Mountain View, CA.

In the 1880 U.S. Census, Henry (as well as his wife, Christina, and daughter Emma) is still listed as Gran (I don't know when he changed the surname to Grant). You can see them in lines 38–40 of the Ramsey, MN, tally below. (Also listed on line 41 at the same address is “brother-in-law” C.E. Kilberg, but it is unclear whether he is really related.) Henry Grant is Elliot's great-great-grandfather.

Lines 117–120 of the New York City passenger list.

Typically, the eldest son was exempt from military duty and the second oldest was expected to serve. Rosario's elder brother Joseph was already running the family fruit business in the U.S., so Rosario enlisted in his stead.

After earning a medal in the “African Campaign,” Rosario Di Giorgio was honorably discharged in 1897.

Joseph Di Giorgio, his wife Amelia (listed here as “Amalia”), and niece (?) Marie (listed here as “Maria”) are on lines 3–5 of the manifest.

An example blank contract outlining the homesteading terms between a Hawaiian fruit company and an agricultural laborer. Presumably, the Ponces and Anayas signed similar contracts.

When the sugar cane and fruit companies needed laborers to work their plantations in Hawaii, they turned to indentured servitude. In return for 3 years' work on the plantation, a company would pay for the laborer's transportation to Hawaii and provide housing. My great-great-uncle, Francisco Peres Salado, arrived in just that manner. You can see him on line 3 of the S.S. Heliopolis manifesto, along with his nieces Rafaela and Amalia Anaya (later Ponce) on lines 1–2.

Lines 25–28 of the Ellis Island immigration record.

Lines 3–6 of the Baltimore, MD, U.S. Census record.

Lines 27–29.

Lines 83–84.

Maj. Puccinelli first wrote to Joseph Di Giorgio about conditions in his home town of Cefalù, Sicily, in December 1943.

From the Los Angeles Examiner, the Los Angeles Times, and other newspapers.

First notice is from the Los Angeles Times; source of second notice is unknown.

From the Register Paper

As told to daughter Carmen Ponce Sforzini and grand-daughter Charlotte Sforzini Arton, May 27 & 31, 1972.

• Frankie Smith Grant Bio, Part 1

• Frankie Smith Grant Bio, Part 2

As told to Bill Grant

As told to Bill Grant in 1976

• Bill Grant Bio, Part 1

• Bill Grant Bio, Part 2

• Bill Grant Bio, Part 3

• Bill Grant Bio, Part 4

• Bill Grant Bio, Part 5

• Bill Grant Bio, Part 6

• Bill Grant Bio, Part 7

• Bill Grant Bio, Part 8

As told to Steven, Sharon, and Philip Grant in May 1998

• Carmen Ponce Sforzini Bio, Part 1

• Carmen Ponce Sforzini Bio, Part 2

• Carmen Ponce Sforzini Bio, Part 3

• Carmen Ponce Sforzini Bio, Part 4

As told to Sharon Sforzini Grant

Notes on the arrival of the Brooks family in the New World.

I thought I’d share the results of my quest for perfection in the transfer process. As always, I spend many hours upfront in the hopes of establishing a process that won’t have me wasting many days down the road. It’s taken a lot of trial and error, but I think I have that process now. If you’re about to start, maybe this will save you some time and agony.