The Family

They originated in UCRIA, Messina, Sicily.

Salvatore worked for the Paladino Family in Floresta, Sicily. From a young age his son Sebastian was promised by Anna's mother the hand of her daughter when they became of age. Consequently, Anna and Sebastian had a life long infatuation with one and other. But because her family was of wealth and royalty, and he was a farmers son, this promise was inevitably retracted. Sebastian and Anna eventually ran away together and married in 1904. Anna was disowned by the family at that time.

Story has it, that my Grandfather Salvatore Gurgone (1859-1930) marred his best friend's sister, Grazia Olivo (1861-1930), in 1878. They had 7 children: Sebastian, Mary (Rigolli), Josephine (Mancuso), Gertrude (Valenti), Angelina (Salpietro), Salvatore, and Frank. My father was Sebastian (1880-1972).

"....and An Immigrants Dream"

SS Florida to Ellis Island NY

They came to the USA on the SS Flroida at the trun of the century. Built homes in the suburbs of Boston, including a store at "Night Caps Corner" Newton, which suffered tragedy when it burned down during the prohibition, killing five family members.

During World War 1 Sebastiano went back to Italy and fought for Italy. The family stayed here.

Like all families back then, they persevered, and with hard work and determination rebuilt their lives and achieved the American dream. From this humble beginning grew a wealth of accomplished Golfers, Firemen, Policemen, Executives, Artistsons, Athletes and more. From a few streets in West Newton to adresses all over the world. It has been nothing but uphill!

Family originated in Ucria, Messina, Sicily, Italia:

Ucria is a small village located on the top of the Nebrodi mountains, 790 metres above sea level, and has a stunning view of the surrounding natural environment. The first settlement was founded by Greeks and later conquered by Arabs who named the small town “Kerya” which means “Village”. Thanks to its position, the feudal town achieved great importance in the Middle Age as an important stronghold.

Like later generations of masons and builders, those in Ucria were creators: Domenico Gorgone was a shoemaker in the 1700's, Francesco Gorgone was a Sicilian Sculptor in the 1700-1800's.

Family Ancestors:

The Gorgone family merged with following Sicilian families thorughout the 1700-1900's : Campisi, Todaro, Fragile, Olivo, Scirri, Tuccio and Salpietro.

The "Gorgone" name has roots in the french spelling of the word "La Gorgone". We have also read that it's origin means "by the sea". The most common is thought to be a Greek derivative from the Greek Myth: Medusa.

"Medusa was one of the three Gorgons, daughter of Phorcys and Ceto. She was the only one of the Minerva. This violation of the sanctity of the temple provoked Minerva, and she changed the beautiful locks of Medusa, which had inspired Neptune’s love to serpents. According to Apollodorus, Medusa and her sisters came into the world with snakes on their heads, instead of hair, with yellow wings and brazen hands. Their bodies were also covered with impenetrable scales, and their very looks had the power of killing or turning to stones. Perseus rendered his name immortal by his conquest of Medusa. He cut off her head, and the blood that dropped from the wound produced the innumerable serpents that infest Africa. The conqueror placed Medusa's head on the shield of Minerva, which he had used in his expedition. The head still retained the same petrifying power as before, as it was fatally known in the court of Cepheus. . . . Some suppose that the Gorgons were a nation of women, whom Perseus."

Spelling Variations.

Somewhere along the line, the name Gurgone in the italian archives was changed to Gorgone in US records for our family.

In Sicily, the spellings depended on the town you were from how the name was spelled according to the dialect! From UCRIA it was spelled as "Gurgone", From Leone recorded as "Gorgone" , other towns had spellings such as" Furgone".

In the early days of immigration,when immigrants came through at Ellis Island, names were spelled out by border patrol authorities according to sound. If the entrants to US soil were illiterate or unable to speak English, they had no control over the exact spelling of their names. We are told that variations on the name could be Giurgone, Gurgone, or Giorgione.

Spellings vary for many reasons on documentation in the US. Such is the case on my Grandfather Salvatore's birth certificate, which was recorded as "Florence" but we think should have been Floresta (Sicily).

Some Gorgone Trivia:

Search GORGONE on Google HERE. You will find anything from butterflies to famous Architects. I have chosen a few fun and fascinating links:

Growing up Gorgone-A compilation of stories from West Newton.A ride down memory lane:

Gorgone Island of the Islands of Elba in Tuscany
Villa Gorgone, Tuscany, Italia
Gorgone Ancient Comet
The Gorgone Head at Consorzio Castle Museum (there was also one in Gela Sicily
Gorgone Butterfly
Gorgone One dive site in Tahiti
Gorgone Coral
Gorgone Torrent in Casentinesi Forests

Michelle Gorgone US SKI TEAM Page
Judith Gorgone Designs
Planetpals.com
Ikidsclub.org
Carol Gorgone Stenberg
Justin Teague and Family

Italian Surnames
Italian Geneology 1
Italian Geneology 2
Distant Cousins
American Immigrant Wall of Honor
Immigration Records
Names of families that immigrated to America
Lineages.com
Italy Link.com