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The Cinicola/Brake Connection Our family link to the Cinicola and Brake families stems from the early military records of my grandfather, Daniel James McDonald. In his 1912 Marines Enlistment documentation, Dan
listed Kate Brake from Luxor, PA as his cousin and next of kin.
Further research has provided that Kate (Carmela) Cinicola Brake was the
daughter of Rafaele and Emanuela Riccardi Cinicolo, of San Bartolomeo in
Galdo, Italy. Additional children (and presumably cousins of my
grandfather) included Lucia (Lucy) Cinicola Gallo, Donatella Cinicola
Massaro, Antonio (Anthony) Cinicola, and Liberato (Albert) Cinicola.
It is our belief that Emanuela Riccardi was the sister of Anna Riccardi,
mother of my grandfather. |
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 Although her exact date of immigration is unknown, we believe that Carmela (Kate) Cinicola came to America in approximately 1906. She married John Brake (alternate spelling Brak) in 1909 in Crabtree, PA, a mile or two from Luxor, and about ten miles distance from the town of Greensburg. The photo to the left is of Kate with the first of her children, Lena, Nick, and Tony Brake. We believe this photo would have been take around 1914-15. For a more detailed look at the John and Katie Brake Family, click here. |
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 John Brake had a half-brother, Domonick, who was a "running buddy"
of my grandfather's. We have documented evidence of them living
together in Ottawa, IL, as both Domonick and my grandfather are listed
in the Ottawa City Directories in 1911 and 1912, living with the family
of Thomas Fox at 726 E. Superior Street. Thomas Fox was also
listed as my grandfather's insurance beneficiary in his 1912 Marine
documentation, with relationship of "friend". The photo to the
right includes, Domonick (front), and Joe Fox and Dan McDonald in the
second row (Joe Fox was either a son or nephew of Thomas Fox). We
are unsure of the date of this photo. |
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 It appears that Lucia Cinicola was the first child of Rafaele and
Emanuela to immigrate to America. The passenger index to the left
shows her arrival on January 20, 1905; the document indicates that she
is going to meet her husband, Pasquale Andonis Gallo, in Greensburg, PA.
Census information in 1910 provides that the family was living in
Dunbar, PA, a small mining town approximately 25 miles from Greensburg,
and about 30 miles from Luxor.Pictures of Lucy and Pasquale can be seen here. |
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 Liberato Cinicola appears to have made multiple trips to America
from Italy, with his final documented arrival in 1913. "Albert",
as he's known to his descendents, met his ultimate fate early in life,
as the result of fight outside of a tavern in Greensburg on the evening
of February 22, 1915. Albert clung to life for a couple of weeks,
but ultimately died from the bullet wound inflicted during the scuffle.
Another victim of the assault, Lombardi Picelli, survived.
Sylvester Cicelli, the third party to the affair, was charged with the
murder of Albert on May 21, 1915, but was found not guilty by reason of
self-defense. Albert's tombstone, located in Crabtree Cemetery
near Luxor, PA, is inscribed in Italian, which translates to "Here lie
the bones of Liberato Cinicolo, born in 1892, died March 10, 1915".To view additional documents related to Liberato Cinicolo, including newspaper articles of the event and his death certificate, click here. |
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| Lucia (Lucy) Cinicola & Pasquale Andonis Gallo | |||||
 Lucy & Pasquale Gallo |
 Lucy & Pasquale Gallo |
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| Carmela (Kate) Cinicola & Giovani (John) Brake | |||||
 NY Passenger List Nicola & Giovani Braca 1893 |
 Replacement Birth Record Giovani Braca, b. 1884 record date 10/26/1946 |
 Marriage Record John & Carmela Brake 1909 - part 1 |
 Marriage Record John & Carmela Brake 1909 - part 2 |
 Birth Certificate Lena Brake 1910 |
 Birth Certificate Nick Brake 1911 |
 Lena Brake |
 Nick Brake |
 Tony Brake |
 Helen Brake |
 Mary Brake |
 Edith Brake |
 Ralph Brake |
 Palmina Brake |
 Dolores Brake |
 Carmela "Katie" Brake |
 Carmela "Katie" Brake |
 Katie and John Brake |
 Replacement Birth Record Angelo Braca b.1895 recorded 3/11/1948 |
 The Brake Sisters Helen, Edith, Mary & Lena |
 Gloria Johnson, Domonick and Lucy Brake |
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| Librato (Albert) Cinicola | |||||
 Greensburg Daily Tribune 2/23/1915 |
 Greensburg Morning Review 2/23/1915 |
 Greensburg Daily Tribune 3/11/1915 |
 PA State Death Certificate 3/10/1913 |
 Greensburg Morning Review 5/15/1915 |
 Greensburg Morning Review 5/16/1915 |