Hi, I'm looking for information on my g-grandparents' earlier ancestors from Palermo, Sicily. My g-grandfather's name was Agostino Fontana (b. June 24, 1888) and came to America (I believe through Ellis Island) with his father, Joseph (Giuseppi?), when he was 15 years old. He married Caterina (Catherine) Gagliardi (might be Gagliardo) when they were both 23 years old. She was born March 25, 1888 and came to the USA with her father, Caesar, when she was 16 years old. She and Agostino were both originally from around Palermo, but met in the USA. As far as I know, they never left New York. I think Agostino was a barber. They had 12 children, of which 10 survived. I don't have all of their names, but my grandfather was Michael John and was the fourth child, I think. Some of the other children were Caesar, Isabella, Virginia, and Rose(?).

Agostino was relatively tall (6') and had blonde hair and light eyes. Caterina was much shorter and had reddish hair, but I'm unsure of her eye color. If I'm not mistaken, one or both sides of the family were originally from farther north on the mainland. I was told recently that, tragically, Agostino committed suicide shortly after Caterina passed away; I think this happened in the early 1960s.