Living

Notes:

12. Vincenzo Jacob (James)4 Di Duca (Benedetto3, Marco2, Angelo1) was born 11 9 1907 in Dundee, Scotland, and died 09 26 1995 in Paradise, Butte County, California. He married Mary Constanza Randolfi 08 15 1924 in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan, daughter of Carmine Randolfi and Domenica Rossi. She was born 12 3 1907 in Atina, Frosinone, Italy, and died 12 28 2001 in Paradise, Butte County, California.

Notes for Vincenzo Jacob (James) Di Duca:
Attended St, Marco's Church at Atina, Italy. Attended a Catholic school called "La Cepella" meaning at a small town, taught by Nuns. Later James referred to the school as St. Mary's Catholic School at Frosinone.

James related a story that his great-great-great grandfather, while crossing the Alps with a horse in tow, was arrested for stealing the horse. He responded that he was only dragging a rope and it was not his fault the horse was at the end of the rope.

Another story, that while they were living in Italy, everyone wore wool clothing. Mondays were the market days in Atina, and everyone went to the market. His family lived between the Malino and Malfi Rivers on property called "El Duca." Their greatest fun was playing with hoop snakes, rolling them down the hills.

James told of being able to see Monte Cassino from their two-story home that had been in the Di Duca family for over 400 years, last owned by his uncle, Achillo Di Duca. The Benedictine Monastery is situated at Monte Cassino on a hill of the same name overlooking the town of Cassino, Italy, northwest of Naples. It was founded in 529 by Saint Benedict of Nursia on the site of an Apollonian temple and the monastery became the home of the Benedictine Order that was for many centuries the leading monastery in western Europe. It was destroyed by Lombards in 590, by Saracens in 884, an earthquake in 1349, and was rebuilt each time. The present buildings are in the style of the 16th and 17th centuries. During the 11th and 12th centuries it was a center of learning, particularly in the field of medicine. In 1886 when monasticism was abolished in Italy, Monte Cassino was made a national monument. After the collapse in 1943 of the Fascist regime during World War II, German troops occupied the town of Cassino, Monte Cassino, which was in use by the Germans as a fortress, and was severely damaged during the course of subsequent Allied siege of the town. It was later reconstructed. The Di Duca home was also damaged during World War II.

During the harvest season, tomatoes would be boiled into a paste, then put on a piece of cloth and placed on the roof to dry. When the tomato paste was thoroughly dried it was rolled up and stoned on stone ledges inside house. All manner of foods were hung inside to dry, including spices and salted meats

Notes on back of an envelope given to me, "Tony Genvise, Leona and Nelda. (Children of Tony?). Mrs. Frank Di Pace, Anthony Genevisi. Jery & Delores adopted a little girl named Fortuna."

1920 Port Huron City Directory. Vincent Diduca (Di Duca), works for Grand Trunk Railroad Shops. Home on Yager Street. (Living at home.

Obituary: James Di Duca of Paradise, a partner of Di Duca Bros., Inc., construction firm died Tuesday, September 26, 1995 at Feather River Hospital. He was age 92. Services are planned for 10 a.m., Friday, September 29 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Paradise.

Mr. Di Duca was born November 9, 1902, in Scotland to Benedict and Carmellia (Carmella) Di Duca. At age 13, he came to the United States after living in Italy and England. (Scotland). In 1924 he married Mary Randolph in Michigan. After working 33 years as a bridge and building inspector at Grand Trunk Railroad, Mr. Di Duca retired then continued to work with Di Duca Bros. for 20 years. He moved to Paradise with his family about 10 years ago. Mr. Di Duca was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church as well as the Operating Engineers. He was a former member of the Knights of Columbus.

Mr. Di Duca is survived by his wife, Mary of Paradise; two sons, Mark and Joe Di Duca of Paradise; three daughters, Dorothy Eagen of Los Gatos, Joyce Kihnley of Cupertino and Stella Meyer of San Jose; brother Albert Di Duca of Michigan; three sisters, Rose Valenti, Mary Kreiger and Christina Hall, all of Michigan; 15 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren. Burial will be at Paradise Cemetery. Pallbearers are Benedict, Jim and Joseph Di Duca; Michael Kihnley and Bill and Chris Eagen.

According to his application for citizenship James Di Duca listed his birth date as November 7, 1902.

Burial: Paradise Cemetery, Paradise, Butte County, California


+23i.Mark Benedetto5 Di Duca, born 07 31 1925 in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan.
+24ii.Dorothy Sondae Di Duca, born 07 28 1927 in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan.
+25iii.Joseph Charles Di Duca, born 04 26 1929 in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan.
+26iv.Joyce Di Duca, born 09 1 1930 in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan.
27v.Estella Di Duca, born 10 31 1933 in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan. She married Jerome Meyer; born in New York.

Vincenao married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Benedetto3 Di Duca (Marco2, Angelo1) was born 09 15 1875 in Atina, Frosinone, Italy, and died 03 14 1978 in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan. He married Carmella Di Duca 1901 in Atina, Italy, daughter of Luigi Di Duca and Bernadetta Masconi. She was born 1876 in Atina, Frosinone, Italy, and died 12 10 1947 in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan.

Benedetto was the youngest of Marco Di Duca's children. Shortly after his marriage at age 27, he and his wife went to Dundee, Scotland where they operated a Sweets Shop, or a Fish and Chips business, where Carmella's brother, Joseph and his family were living. Soon after the birth of their son, James (Vincenzo) Di Duca they returned to Atina, Italy.

Benedetto made his first voyage to America in 1908, and worked in New York City alongside the Irishmen digging ditches. He returned several times to Italy. According to an Ellis Island passenger manifest, Benedetto Di Duca, arrived there June 18, 1912. He sailed from Naples, Campania, Italy on the ship "Hamburg". he was age 37, farm laborer, of Italian heritage, in Southern Italy, Caserta, Atina, Italy, wife's name was Carmela, he had a ticket to his final destination, $25.00 in cash, had previously arrived in America in 1908 and 1911, to stay at the residence of Carmine Luigi Pia, 310 W. Street, New York City, in good health, 5'6" tall, born Caserta, Atina, Italy. Benedetto Di Duca obtained his American citizenship papers in 1925.

Benedetto's good friend and neighbor, Carmine (Charles) Randolfi, arrived at Ellis Island in the same year, born at Caserta, Atina, Italy. See notes on Carmine (Charles) Randolfi.

Benedetto Di Duca's obituary was published in the Port Huron Times Herald. He died at age 103. Pallbearers were James Bonadio, (husband of granddaughter, Janet), Thomas Di Duca, Robert Humes, Raymond Humes, Joseph Mancini, Eugene Mancini, Robert Mancini and George Norman, all grandsons. That he came to Port Huron in 1914 and lived on Yeager Street since 1917, that he was a retired farmer and a member of St. Joseph Church, Port Huron, Michigan, and member of the Men's Club. That he was survived by two sons, Albert A., Port Huron, and James V. Di Duca, Los Gatos, California, three daughters, Mrs. John (Rose) Valente, Mrs. Melvin C. (Christina) Hall, both of Port Huron and Mrs. Walter E. (Mary) Ruthenberg, Clearwater, Florida, 15 grandchildren, 52 great-grandchildren and several great great grandchildren; that a daughter, Carmela died in 1924, and that another daughter, Mrs. Earl (Sarah) Norman, died in 1952.

1920 Port Huron, St. Clair County Federal Census, Vol. 85, E. D. 129, Sheet 4, Line 80, household 320 Yeager Street. Ben Di Duca, age 46, born Italy, Carmella Di Duca, age 35, born Italy, JAMES DI DUCA, AGE 17, (born 1903), Scotland, Rosa Di Duca, age 14, born Italy, Albert Di Duca, age 11, born Italy, Sarah Di Duca, age 7, born Italy, Mary Di Duca, age 3, born Michigan, Christinia, age 2 years, 12 months, born Michigan, Carmella Di Duca, age 8 months, born Michigan.

1920 Port Huron, Michigan City Directory. Benj. Diduca (Benedetto Di Duca), (Carmelia), wife, works for the Port Huron Sulphite and Paper Company, manufacturing paper, lives on "Yager" Street. His friend, Charles (Carmine) Randolfi, worked for the same company at the same time. Other members of the Randolfi family and Di Duca lived close to one another.

Yager (Campau), from Water Street, sixth, west of Bridge Street. There were 16 homes listed, not numbered. Ben Di Duca was not living in any one of them. Could be that he was renting. Both he and his son, Vincent, were listed as living on "Yager" Street.

Burial: Mt. Hope Cemetery, Port Huron, Michigan

Children of Benedetto Di Duca and Carmella Di Duca are:
+11i.Rosa4 Di Duca, born 05 4 1905 in Atina, Frosinone, Italy; died 04 15 2001 in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan.
+12ii.Vincenzo Jacob (James) Di Duca, born 11 9 1907 in Dundee, Scotland; died 09 26 1995 in Paradise, Butte County, California.
+13iii.Albert A. Di Duca, born 08 8 1909 in Atina, Frosinone, Italy; died 03 14 2001 in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan.
+14iv.Sarah (Sally) Di Duca, born 1913 in Atina, Frosinone, Italy; died 1952 in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan.
+15v.Mary Di Duca, born 1917 in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan.
+16vi.Christina Di Duca, born 1918 in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan.
17vii.Carmella Di Duca, born 1924 in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan; died in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan.

Benndeto married Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Carmine married Domenica Rossi in Atina, Italy. Domenica was born in in Atina, Italy; died in in Cincinnati, OH. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

GIAMBATTISTA DI DUCA, age 27, Italian, married, residence, Caserta, Atina, Italy, arrived April 29, 1914 at Ellis Island, sailed from Naples, Campania, Italy on the ship Princess Irene.

ACHILLE DI DUCA, age 30, Italian, married, residence, Atina, Italy, arrived May 22, 1913, sailed from Le Havre, Seine-Inferior, France on the ship Niagara.

PASQUALE DI DUCA, age 17, Italian, single, residence Valielunge, arrived May 28, 1901 at Ellis Island, sailed from Naples, Campania, Italy on the ship Citta di Torino, (Uncle Patsey?)

BATISTA G. DI DUCA, age 18, Italian, married, residence, Atina, Italy, arrived March 28, 1905 at Ellis Island, sailed from Naples, Campania, Italy on the ship Sardegna.

GIOVANNI DI DUCA, AGE 25, Italian, married, residence Atina, Italy, arrived April 12, 1912 at Ellis Island, sailed from Naples, Campania, Italy, on the ship Cedric. Giovanni Di Duca apparently returned to Italy because he arrived at Ellis Island again on July 19, 1923, age 38, married, from Atina, Italy, sailed from Naples, Campania, Italy on the ship Conte Rosso.

GAETANO DI DUCA, age 36, Italian, married, residence, Atina, Italy, arrived March 23, 1911 at Ellis Island, sailed from Naples, Campania, Italy on the ship Cretic.

RAFFAELE DI DUCA, age 20, Italian, married, residence, Atina, Italy, arrived May 3, 1903 at Ellis Island, sailed from Naples, Campania, Italy on the ship Canada.

Still living in Atina, Italy, 2002, are Alberto Di Duca, 98 V. Sabino, Atina, Carmine Di Duca, 40 V. Ab. Aligerno, Cassino, Domenico Di Duca, 57 V. Sabino, Atina, Francesco Di Duca, 37 V. Miniera Di Ferro, Atino, Francesco Di Duca, 119 V. Lelame, Atina, Girgio V. Ponte Melfa Di Duca, Atina, Giulio Di Duca, 69 V. Dei Pretori, Atina, Giuseppe Piante E Fiori, Di Duca, 1581, V. Sode, Atina, Marco Di Duca, 3, V. M. Di Ferro, Atina, Marco Di Duca, 110, V. Colle, Atina, Mario Di Duca, 34, V. Liegi, Atina, Mario V. Rio Stanco Di Duca, Atina, Italy, Paolo Di Duca, 598, V. Sabino, Atina




Children of Albert Di Duca and Louise Burnham are:
+28i.Thomas5 Di Duca.
+29ii.Antonia Di Duca.

14. Sarah (Sally)4 Di Duca (Benedetto3, Marco2, Angelo1) was born 1913 in Atina, Frosinone, Italy, and died 1952 in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan. She married Earl Norman.

Child of Sarah Di Duca and Earl Norman is:
30i.Goerge5 Norman.

15. Mary4 Di Duca (Benedetto3, Marco2, Angelo1) was born 1917 in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan. She married (1) Clyde Humes. She married (2) Walter Ruthenberg. He died in Clearwater, Florida. She married (3) Unknown Kreiger.

Children of Mary Di Duca and Clyde Humes are:
31i.Robert5 Humes.
32ii.Raymond Humes.

16. Christina4 Di Duca (Benedetto3, Marco2, Angelo1) was born 1918 in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan. She married (1) Not sure. She married (2) Melvin Hall.

Child of Christina Di Duca and Not sure is:
33i.Janet5.


Generation No. 5

19. Joseph G.5 Mancini (Rosa4 Di Duca, Benedetto3, Marco2, Angelo1) was born in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan.

Children of Joseph G. Mancini are:
34i.Frederic6 Mancini.
35ii.Steve Mancini.

23. Mark Benedetto5 Di Duca (Vincenzo Jacob (James)4, Benedetto3, Marco2, Angelo1) was born 07 31 1925 in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan. He married Lillian MacLean.

Children of Mark Di Duca and Lillian MacLean are:
36i.Mary Beth6 Di Duca.
37ii.Judith Di Duca.
38iii.James Di Duca.
39iv.Joseph Di Duca.

24. Dorothy Sondae5 Di Duca (Vincenzo Jacob (James)4, Benedetto3, Marco2, Angelo1) was born 07 28 1927 in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan. She married Richard Eagen, son of William Eagen and Fama Cole. He was born in Smiths Creek, St. Clair County, Michigan.

Children of Dorothy Di Duca and Richard Eagen are:
40i.Sandra6 Eagen.
41ii.William Eagen.
42iii.Christopher Eagen.
43iv.Mary Loretta Eagen.
44v.Sam Eagen.

25. Joseph Charles5 Di Duca (Vincenzo Jacob (James)4, Benedetto3, Marco2, Angelo1) was born 04 26 1929 in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan. He married Beatrice Eilleen Valentine 04 14 1956 in St. Clair, St. Clair Co., MI, daughter of Charles Valentine and Dorothy Davis. She was born 04 5 1928 in Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan.

Children of Joseph Di Duca and Beatrice Valentine are:
45i.Benedict Charles6 Di Duca, born 08 1 1957 in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan. He married Julie Fugh.
+46ii.Renee Theresa Di Duca, born 09 15 1964 in Dominican Hospital, San Jose, California.

26. Joyce5 Di Duca (Vincenzo Jacob (James)4, Benedetto3, Marco2, Angelo1) was born 09 1 1930 in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan. She married (1) Norman Kihnley. She married (2) Harry Williams.

Children of Joyce Di Duca and Norman Kihnley are:
47i.Jennifer6 Kihnley.
48ii.Michael Kihnley.

28. Thomas5 Di Duca (Albert A.4, Benedetto3, Marco2, Angelo1) He married Nancy.

Notes for Thomas Di Duca:
Letter dated October 11, 1999. Brian, age 18, Steve, age 16, Stacy, age 14,

Marco married Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]