Leonardo DiStefano

Leonardo was born in Bagheria, Palermo, Sicily, Italy on 8 August 1840. He was the son of Benedetto DiStefano (1804-1877) and Giuseppa Sorce (1807 – ?) We do not know any of the details of Leonardo’s life, except he married Giuseppa Megan of Santa Flavia, Palermo Sicily on 6 June 1868 in Bagheria, Palermo Sicily, Italy.

Following tradition, his son Girolamo and Katherine named their first born son, Leonard, after his paternal grandfather.

Leonardo passed away on 23 November 1916 at the age of 76. As far as we know, he never left Sicily to come to the United States.

Giuseppa Megna

Giuseppa Megna was born to Benedetto Megna and Giuseppa Sorce on 18 January 1846, in the coastal town of Santa Flavia, Palermo Sicily, Italy.

She married Leonardo DiStefano (1840 – 1916), who was from Bagheria, Palermo, Sicily, Italy, a town located about 1 mile away from the Santa Flavia. Their marriage took place in Bagheria on 6 June 1868. Giuseppa was 22 years of age and Leonardo was 28.

They raised their family of 6 daughters and 3 sons in Santa Flavia.

Their son, Girolamo DiStefano, our direct ancestor(1885 – 1847), was their eighth child who, at the age of 16, left Santa Flavia for the United States. He later financed other siblings to come to the United States. His sister Rosa arrived in New York and remained there until her death. His sister Ninfa and her husband, Paul Scardina came to America and settled in Youngstown, Ohio. Girolamo’s younger brother, Angelo and his wife, Jennie Mercurio, settled in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Girolamo and his wife Katherine gave their only daughter Felma (Sis), the middle name of Josephine after her paternal grandmother Giuseppa.

Giuseppa Megna DiStefano never left Sicily. She passed away 15 December 1932 at the age of 86 years old. We have no record of the location of her death, or where she is buried.

Giuseppa Megna DiStefano (1846 – 1932)

Record from LDS New Family Search

Contributed by: Kathryn DiStefano – Great Granddaughter

Source: James W. DiStefano – Grandson – Personal Research and Recorded Genealogy Records