Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Fishtown: The Forgotten

A Wedding Album

It was between fifteen and twenty years ago that I found this wedding album in the trash. It long since got buried in my basement. My last post reminded me to look for it amongst the junk.
Here's the story. I went to the 25 bus stop at the corner of Memphis and Montgomery early in the morning. Boxes of trash covered the pavement. It all came from 1730 Memphis Street. I was told that the elderly man had died several days ago. The man unloading the trash didn't know the man's name. He was there just to clear out what was left in the house.
I started to look through the boxes and found the old man's wedding album. I just couldn't leave it there. I took it back to my house and missed the bus. I saw it coming.
Today I spoke to four neighbors but they didn't know who lived there. Time seems to have forgotten the lives that once occupied that house. I forgot too when memories would have been fresh. I remember seeing the man over the years and recognized him as a young man on his wedding day.
He and his wife were married at Holy Name Church. The pictures suggest the wedding took place sometime during the late 1930's or early 1940's. It was easy to recognize the marble railing and metal gate that was once in front of the altar. The altar is visible and so is the old pulpit that ascends five or six steps or so above the floor.
I could investigate this with the church and other sources. It's just in this moment and these wonderful pictures that these people are not forgotten.
1730 Memphis Street
(click on picture for slideshow)










 wedding pictures by unknown photographer
house picture by me

15 comments:

  1. Not sure if this is correct but I was looking on ancestry.com and I found that Dominic and Carrie Navo lived at that address. They were listed there in the 1940 census and Dominic on the 1991 U.S. public records. I found a Dominic Navo that died in 1996.

    Theresa

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  2. The pictures are lovely; I don't think I'd be able to pass them either knowing that someone's cherished memories were going to a trash heap. I love nostalgic photos; I hope you find who the subjects are and someone who will further cherish these memories.

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  3. It came from 1728 Memphis St and he died couple years ago and is buried in Palmer Cemetery. He did not get along with his children. I am the mailman for that block.

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    Replies
    1. You are wrong. This event, as written, happened 15 05 20 years ago from the date of this post. You did not deliver the mail there back then.

      Delete
  4. Have try looking phila tax record to see who own the house about 20 yrs ago? 1940 Census, you was able to search the 1940 census by address when it was first release.

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  5. Here you are Roman........

    1940 Census living at 1730 Memphis Street, Philadelphia, on April 10th, 1940:

    Dominic and Carrie Navo. Dominic was born in Italy and was working as a
    machinist at what appears to be "Tacs Thermomiter". Dominic was 37, Carrie 42,
    and they owned the home. No children listed. For those digging deeper: ED
    51-292, sheet 7A, Ward 18 in Philadelphia, 1940 census

    Can't find them in the 1930 census.

    In the public records section on ancestry, Dominic A Navo, 1730 Memphis Street,
    born February 20, 1906

    Social Security death index: Dominic passed in Philadelphia, March 2, 1996, also
    Carrie Navo, born December 26, 1896, passed July 1977 in Philadelphia

    US Phone and address database: it looks like Dominic or a family member lived at
    1730 Memphis Street until 1996, telephone number 215-634-5589

    Philadelphia Marriage records: Dominic married Carrie O'Rourke in 1933, marriage
    license number 620798

    Come on people.........Let's find this family!

    Joe

    ReplyDelete
  6. After seeing this on Facebook, I posted it to 5 Philly Rootsweb lists today and got this within a few hours:

    1940 Census living at 1730 Memphis Street, Philadelphia, on April 10th, 1940: Dominic and Carrie Navo. Dominic was born in Italy and was working as a machinist at what appears to be "Tacs Thermomiter". Dominic was 37, Carrie 42, and they owned the home. No children listed. For those digging deeper: ED 51-292, sheet 7A, Ward 18 in Philadelphia, 1940 census

    Can't find them in the 1930 census.

    In the public records section on ancestry, Dominic A Navo, 1730 Memphis Street, born February 20, 1906

    Social Security death index: Dominic passed in Philadelphia, March 2, 1996, also Carrie Navo, born December 26, 1896, passed July 1977 in Philadelphia

    US Phone and address database: it looks like Dominic or a family member lived at 1730 Memphis Street until 1996, telephone number 215-634-5589

    Philadelphia Marriage records: Dominic married Carrie O'Rourke in 1933, marriage license number 620798

    Come on people.........Let's find this family!
    Joe

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  7. So nice that you took the time to retrieve the album of these beautiful photos which are a part of some family's history. I hope someone claims them!

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  8. I think I may have tracked down living relatives of the Navo family for you. Drop me a line at cts at teleport dot com and I'll pass on what I found.

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  9. Mr. Blazic, Dominick had a younger brother, George who was born in 1922 according to census records. George died on December 23, 2010 in Philadelphia. Below is his obit:

    NAVO GEORGE J. SR., on Dec 23, 2010, age 88. Beloved husband for 33 years to Rose Navo (nee Cianflone). Loving Father of Barbara Pratt (Dennis) and George J. Jr (Renee), step father of Michael Tesauro (the late Joanne) and friend of Rita Melaney. Devoted Grandfather of Dawn Del Conte (Joseph), Dennis Pratt, Jr. (Caroline). Toni Tesauro, Kim Einsig (Harry) and George Navo, III, great grandfather of 11; also survived by many nieces and nephews. George was a WWII Veteran of China, Berma and India and employee of The Phila. Navy Yard as Personel Manager for 30 years. President of Blvd Civic Assn. and Narfe member as Service Officer for many years, Former Board member of Rohm & Haas. He is survived by many friends and dear neighbors and was loved by everyone that knew him. Relatives and friends are invited to his Viewing and funeral on Thurs. Dec. 30, 2010 from 9:30-10:30 A.M. in St. Timothy R.C. Church, 3001 Levick St. Phila., Pa 19149 Funeral Mass 10:30 A.M. Int. North Cedar Hill Cem. In lieu of flowers please make donations in George's memory to St. Timothy Church at the address listed above. Arr: JAMES A. MCCAFFERTY F.H. 215-624-4200


    Dennis Pratt, his son-in-law is 63 years old and is a plumber in Philadelphia, I believe. HIs business phone number is 215-389-3797
    George's son George, Jr., I believe, resides in the Abington, PA and his phone number might be 215-277-5871 or 215-517-8159

    Regina Nau

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  10. So many took interest and action. (2000+) The community is good. Thank-you.

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  11. Copied from E-mail:
    Roman -


    I tried to post some of this to your blog but it doesn't show yet. There are a lot of people out there who love a mystery! They tracked down the bride & groom and a bunch of other info.

    Linda


    On Saturday, March 15, 2014 6:52 PM, Joann Taylor wrote:

    In 1930, Domenic's family appears to be listed as Navio, living at 1715 Wharton Street. (Note the date provided in the SSDI for Domenic's birthday is not 1906 but 1902.)

    Since Domenic and Carrie had no children in 1940, given her age, they may not have any but the Domenic listed in 1930 had 7 brothers and sisters, all of whom were born in PA (unlike Domenic who was born in Italy - the census gives a year of immigration as his birth year but that may be iffy.) Three is a naturalization on file #3434411 at the same Wharton street address, dated 30 Sept 1931. Note the name on the file is "Domenic Andrew Nave."

    In 1930, the parents are listed as Pellegrino and Maria Navio,

    I did a quick search for one of the brothers and think I found him.. His obit says he left a number of grandchildren. If you can connect me to the original poster, I can furnish him with their names/info.

    Thanks,
    Joann



    On 3/15/2014 2:13 PM, Linda Foh wrote:

    Joe - that's great work in a few hours!! I posted your info to the blog with the pictures and also as a reply on the Facebook page where I found it. This is known as Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness!!

    Linda



    On Saturday, March 15, 2014 4:20 PM, Joe wrote:

    Carrie O'Rourke (Navo), age 3, is found in the 1900 census at 1517 E. Montgmery, which would be around the corner from 1730 Memphis Street. She is listed as Caroline.

    She had a sister, Emma, born August 1894. Parents were Frank and Margaret O'Rourke. Both born 1873 in PA.

    In 1910, Carrie, Emma and Margaret are at the same address, no Frank.

    In 1918 WW! draft registration, Frank Terrance O'Rourke, born Feb 28, 1873, living at 2527 Lehigh Ave (nearby Memphis address), working at Dupont in PennsGrove, NJ as a powder maker. Next of kin listed as sister, Bridget Gorman, living at the same address.

    No listing in Philadelphia marriages for Emma O'Rourke.

    Joe
    -----Original Message-----
    From: Joe
    1940 Census living at 1730 Memphis Street, Philadelphia, on April 10th, 1940: Dominic and Carrie Navo. Dominic was born in Italy and was working as a
    machinist at what appears to be "Tacs Thermomiter". Dominic was 37, Carrie 42,
    and they owned the home. No children listed. For those digging deeper: ED
    51-292, sheet 7A, Ward 18 in Philadelphia, 1940 census Can't find them in the 1930 census. In the public records section on ancestry, Dominic A Navo, 1730 Memphis Street,
    born February 20, 1906 Social Security death index: Dominic passed in Philadelphia, March 2, 1996, also
    Carrie Navo, born December 26, 1896, passed July 1977 in Philadelphia US Phone and address database: it looks like Dominic or a family member lived at
    1730 Memphis Street until 1996, telephone number 215-634-5589 Philadelphia Marriage records: Dominic married Carrie O'Rourke in 1933, marriage
    license number 620798 Come on people.........Let's find this family! Joe

    Remarkable kindness often comes from strangers.
    Roman

    ReplyDelete
  12. As a 46 year collector of vintage wedding dress, i can tell you this gown was not worn in 1933 or 1943...it's post ww2 1946-50. previously,photos were taken in a photographer's studio after the ceremony. The bride most likely lived at home at the time of both 1930 and 1940 census. 1950 census may show them as married.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for a very interesting focus that your experience brings.

      Delete