In 1901, GIUSEPPE CORCIA of Laviano,Campania, age 65, arrived at Ellis Island, 
aboard the `Trave` 12Jun1901. Ship`s manifest states he was  `Go(ing) to dgt. 
(daughter) Franc`a(Francesca), Ninevah(sic),Pa.`-(Ellis Is.archive) Ten years 
previous in ~1890, FRANK CHRISTIAN(Francesco Cristiano) and wife FRANCESCA
(Frances) CORCIA sailed to America with son, JOSEPH ERNEST, and infant daughter 
BATTISTA, both born in Laviano. 
  Frank(06Jun1867-23May1909) from Santomenna, Campania (~75km from Salerno, near 
Laviano),and Frances Corcia(1864/6-1949)of Laviano, Campania knew each other as 
children, married, and left for America from Naples.(no record yet) They lived 
for a time in Jeannette, PA,and Black Lick, PA moving later to other small towns 
where Frank worked in the mines, finally settling in  Blairsville,Indiana Co. 
PA. Frank was foreman at a local quarry which provided cut stone to cities like 
Pittsburgh and Philadelphia via the railroad. 
  FRANCESCA CORCIA CHRISTIAN ran a boarding house for quarry workers. Many 
immigrants, skilled stonecutters, worked for Frank at the quarry, and boarded 
with them. Frances was a taskmaster and ran the house as a tight ship of which 
she was admiral. Daughter BATTISTA worked hard keeping things running. 
   Battista called her grandfather `TataPep`(i.e.Daddy-Joe). He helped her with 
chores, played games with her, and taught her Italian songs. They often made 
common cause to keep Frances happy, get all the chores done, and have some fun 
as well.
   BATTISTA CHRISTIAN fell in love with a young man working for her father, 
DOMENICO PISEGNA,from Collelongo, Aquila, Abruzzo. Domenico Pisegna came to 
America in 1903. Signed by Capt.A.Harraszowitz and ship`s surgeon Dr.E.Kraudl, 
the passenger manifest of the S.S.Neckar,EE#31,line#27 lists DOMENICO PISEGNA 
of Collelongo,age 15, boarded the Neckar 15Mar1903 at Naples bound for New York, 
arriving 27Mar1903, with a final destination of Morgantown,WV, where brother 
Francesco `Uncle Frank` Pisegna awaited his arrival via railroad.(ibid.) 
   FRANK CHRISTIAN quit the quarry when poured concrete slowed urban demand for 
stone. He became a grocer in Blairsville, son Joe helping him. Frank often acted 
as an agent for immigrants, wiring money, and helping with paper-work. Frank 
Christian, almost 42 years old, died 23May1909 in Blairsville.  
  JOSEPH CHRISTIAN died of an injury following an accident with a horse and 
buggy.  Doctors amputated Joe`s arm, but gangrene claimed him two days later, 
05Jan1913. Father and son are buried in Ss. Simon & Jude Cemetery, Blairsville.
  The loss of both men - husbands, fathers, son and brother - within 4 years 
time was a great family tragedy not easily overcome.    - J. Bryan, 2002.