Descendants of Francesco Franchi


by: Janet Johnson Franke

Descendants of Francesco Franchi

Generation No. 1
1. Francesco1 Franchi was born 1860 in Naples, Italy, and died 09 Jan 1930 in New York City, NY. He married Elizabetto Andolpho in Italy. She was born 1861 in Naples, Italy, and died 12 Apr 1935 in New York City, NY.

Notes for Francesco Franchi:
Francesco was born in Naples, Italy son of an Officer in services to the King of Italy in the palace guard. He came to the United States first and then his wife Elizabetto and two children followed. He was an interior decorator and furniture maker. Very talented as he could reproduce any furniture. He decorated the Astor Theatre in NYC. Each Christmas or holiday that any of his Grandchildren were in his home they received a $5.00 gold piece from him. In later years he was stricken with colon cancer from which he died.

Information of immigration: Port of Departure was Naples, Italy. Ship Olympia - manifest Page # 0042. Date of arrival: F. Franchi, April 22, 1892, 32 years old. Port of NY

1920 census shows family living Bronx, District 7, NY
Alfred, Helen, Virginia, John & Thomas

Notes for Elizabetto Andolpho:
Elizabetto was born in Naples, Italy. She came to the United States aboard a sailboat which took 42 days to cross the Atlantic Ocean. She never got on a boat again. Shelived in the same town as Enrico Caruso and loved his operatic tenor voice. Her sons saved their money and as a surprise to their Mother gave her all of Caruso's phonograph records. She placed them on the seat of a chair and accidently sat on them. The family house was what is referred to as a railroad flat. Kitchen, dining room, bedrooms and living room in front. The only windows were in the kitchen and living room. At the door next to the fire escape in the kitchen was Polly's cage. Polly was a green parrot who was rescued by Al and brought home. Having been taught to talk by "the boys" Polly's vocabulary was not for all ears to hear. Grandma Franchi was known for cooking huge meals as there were always a number of people present for meals in the house. In later years she retired to instructing Helen and Virginia in cooking meals. Al and Helen lived with his parents.

Children of Francesco Franchi and Elizabetto Andolpho are: 2 i. Giovanni Thomas2 Franchi, born 19 Aug 1896 in 126 Cherry St.,New York City, NY; died 17 Jan 1968 in Freehold, NJ.
3 ii. Frederick Franchi, born in Italy; died 12 May 1960.
4 iii. Thomas Anthony Franchi, born 26 Dec 1899 in New York, NY; died 19 May 1989. He married Lillian Hefferman 10 Apr 1943 in Jersey City, NJ; born 02 Sep 1902 in NY; died 13 May 1998 in NJ.

Notes for Thomas Anthony Franchi:
Thomas enlisted in WW1 at the age of 16. Papers had to be signed by both parents. His Mother Elizabetto wasn't willing but was persuaded by his Father who felt that America had been good to his family and Tom should be able to defend his country. At the age of 17 he was driving an ammunition truck in France.

5 iv. Alfred Franchi, died 17 Apr 1974. He married Helen Franchi.

Notes for Alfred Franchi:
Before WW1, Al was kicked in the knee by a horse and as a reult of the injury lost a leg. He was self-emloyed newspaper dealer. For 50 years Al operated a newstand on Tremont and Third Avenue in the Bronx. He was a member of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, Council 137 of Jersey City and a member of the Old Timers of the Bronx.

6 v. Virginia Franchi.
7 vi. Ernest Franchi, born 17 Feb 1883 in Italy; died 08 Apr 1967 in Bronx, NY.

Generation No. 2

2. Giovanni Thomas2 Franchi (Francesco1) was born 19 Aug 1896 in 126 Cherry St.,New York City, NY, and died 17 Jan 1968 in Freehold, NJ. He married (1) Edna Caroline Nelson. She was born 16 Feb 1894, and died 27 Feb 1960 in Wood-Ridge, NJ. He married (2) Florence McGarity. She died 18 Nov 1973.

Notes for Giovanni Thomas Franchi:

Elisted in Army 1913 in NYC. grade 1st Sgt. Served Mexican Border Battery.
Ranks
Corporal July 9, 1914
Sgt. Oct 11, 1916
1st Sgt. April 22, 1918

More About Giovanni Thomas Franchi:
Enlistment in Army: 31 Oct 1913, Serial #1217955

Child of Giovanni Franchi and Edna Nelson is:
8 i. John Nelson3 Franke, born 13 Nov 1921 in Passaic, New Jersey; died 12 Jun 2008 in San Antonio, Florida.

3. Frederick2 Franchi (Francesco1) was born in Italy, and died 12 May 1960. He married Angelina Franchi. She was born in NY.

Notes for Frederick Franchi:
Fred was an upholsterer. Owned his own business in Brooklyn, NY where they lived. He decorated the El Morraco Nightclub in NYC. His wife Angelina was a stay at home career woman raised 5 children. She died of cancer.

Children of Frederick Franchi and Angelina Franchi are:
9 i. Julia3 Franchi

Notes for Julia Franchi:
Never married. Died of Cancer.

10 ii. Nancy Franchi.
11 iii. Nick Franchi.
12 iv. Frederick Franchi.
13 v. Frank Franchi.

7. Ernest2 Franchi (Francesco1) was born 17 Feb 1883 in Italy, and died 08 Apr 1967 in Bronx, NY. He married Irene Franchi.

More About Ernest Franchi:
Social Security Number: 113-40-9273

Children of Ernest Franchi and Irene Franchi are:
14 i. Margaret3 Franchi.
15 ii. Alfred Franchi.
16 iii. Elizabeth Franchi, born 01 Apr 1920; died 26 Feb 1983 in Jersey City, NJ.

Notes for Elizabeth Franchi:
Elizabeth lived with her Aunt Helen and Uncle Al in the Bronx. When Uncle Al was so sick she took care of him. After Aunt Helen died Uncle Al bought a home for himeself and Elizabeth in Jersey City, NJ. This was quite close to Tom and Lillian

17 iv. Annie Franchi.