Xavier Becerra Running for Governor of California, Family Tree by Mary Cummins

xavier becerra, family tree, parents, grandparents, siblings, mexico, mary cummins, genealogist, dna, heritage, ethnicity, ancestry, governor, california

UPDATE: LA Times just released an article which backs up what I've been saying for the last two days. This smear campaign from Steve Hilton is just a bunch of false innuendo and lies. 
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-10-06/becerras-son-of-immigrants-story-emerges-as-latest-flash-point-in-governors-race

Another lie from Team Hilton. They're now saying Becerra's mother came to the US when she was 11 and Becerra said she came when she was 18. My family came from Mexico. People crossed the border many times to visit, shop and work in the US without living in the US. His mother crossed with her mother at age 11. They still lived in Mexico at the time with her grandmother. They cite a genealogist named "Juan." I'm a genealogist named Maria Rivera Cummins and my family is from Mexico. This GOP smear job just makes them look horrible.

Steve Hilton et al are lying about Becerra saying his father came here with $12. Becerra's father was born in Sacramento when his grandfather was working in California as a bracero. His grandfather was not a US citizen and neither were his siblings so the family went back to Mexico where Becerra's father was raised. This was during the Great Depression when Mexican Americans and Americans of Mexican descent were "repatriated" aka illegally deported to Mexico. The US blamed Mexicans, Mexican Americans for the lack of jobs during the Depression which was false. In fact deporting Mexicans made the Depression even worse. Becerra's father came back to the US with $12 in his pocket. Becerra's mother was born in Mexico. This is just a smear campaign by GOP Hilton.

ORIGINAL April 16, 2026: Xavier Becerra's is running for Governor of California. Xavier Becerra was born January 26, 1958 in California. He is an attorney and politician who served as the 25th United States secretary of health and human services until January 2025. As a member of the Democratic Party, Becerra previously served as the attorney general of California from 2017 until 2021.

Xavier Becerra's family is of course from Mexico. His paternal side goes back at least eight generations in Mexico. He is of Spanish and Native Indigenous descent. His maternal side is from Mexico and farther back also from Germany. So far Becerra is 7/8 Mexican and 1/8 German. I haven't been able to go back to Spain yet from the Mexican ancestors. Grandmother Schmidt had three children before she married her husband. I assumed they were the children of a previous husband who died but I haven't yet found that information. I will now just assume the marriage I found was a second marriage for the same spouse. Sometimes people were married more than once to the same person for legal reasons. The marriage I found listed them both as single, not widowed, divorced.

I also did Xavier Becerra's tree on Geneanet. I added him to my tree. No blood relationship. Relationship through marriage. https://gw.geneanet.org/marycummins?lang=en&p=xavier&n=becerra I added him to Geneastar few years ago in 2022 as a famous Mexican American politican https://en.geneastar.org/genealogy/becerraxavi/xavier-becerra I started a huge project many years ago adding Mexican, Spanish, Jewish, African American and women to Geneastar. Geneastar was mainly just the family trees of famous white guys and I felt others needed representation. I speak and read Spanish which is needed to read through very old documents written in old Spanish cursive.

Here is Xavier Becerra's father's obituary.

"Manuel Guerrero Becerra, 91, passed away peacefully at home in Sacramento, CA on January 1, 2020, surrounded by his loving wife Maria Teresa and family. "Hardworking, devoted, humble and true" describes the man his family knew affectionately as Pop. Manuel was born in Sacramento on July 14, 1928, the eldest of eight children to Heliodoro and Otilia Becerra. Raised in the shadow of the Great Depression, long before he became a teenager, Manuel began working to help support his family. His parents moved the family to Tijuana, Mexico while he was a child, where he began to shine shoes or sell fruits picked from his father's farm after school. When he returned to California as a young teenager, living with relatives, he learned schools made little effort to teach an industrious "migrant", but employers were intent on hiring him. For several years, Manuel worked as a farm worker along the spine of Highway 99 and as a railroad worker for Southern Pacific Railroad. In 1953, he married the love of his life, Maria Teresa, whom he met in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico and brought to California. They settled in Sacramento where he worked as a cannery worker for Campbell Soup before beginning a decades long career as a road construction worker under the Laborer's union, Local 185 (64 year pensioned member), with Teichert Construction Co. Soon they started their family and bought their tiny first home. A decade later, with four growing children, Manuel dedicated his after-work hours building the family's second home with frequent help from friend and neighbor construction workers. For his 91 years, Manuel was a builder...the home where his children grew up...the fruits and vegetables we eat...the roads and highways we travel...the homes he and Maria Teresa bought, rented and renovated. While never within their reach, he and Maria Teresa worked to see their children enter college and serve in the military. He deeply loved this country though it took its time accepting him. His memory will be proudly and faithfully carried by Maria Teresa, his bride of 67 years; four children: Margie (Manuel) Juarez, Maria Elena (Ray) Becerra Rivera, Xavier (Carolina), and Teresa (Roy Fessenden) Tulp; ten grandchildren: Christy, Steven, Eric, Michael, Adrienne, Adam, Anelisa, Clarisa, Olivia, and Natalia; and three great-grandchildren: Olivia, Lily and Gabriel. He is survived by siblings Alfredo (Mercedes), Heliodoro (Velia), and Gloria, and a loving extended family. Manuel was preceded in death by his parents Heliodoro and Otilia, his siblings Angel, Dolores (Max) Hernandez, Consuelo (Miguel) Gomez, and Jose (Elena). From an early age, Manuel learned to rise with the sun. As the sun set on the first day of 2020, the angels took our beloved Manuel to his lasting home in heaven where he is no doubt, tools in hand, building. He is forever loved, and we will always build in his honor. Private services will be held for Manuel in Sacramento. "

Obituary of paternal grandfather.

BECERRA, HELIODORO C. In Sacramento, November 18, 1991. Dearly beloved husband of Otilia Becerra. Beloved father of Manuel, Alfredo, Angel, Joe, Gloria and Heliodoro Becerra Jr., Consuelo B. Gomez and the late Dolores B. Hernandez. Loving brother of Jose Becerra and Dionicia Aguilar. Survived by 19 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren. A native of Mexico, aged 91 years. A member of Laborers Local #185. Friends are invited to attend the funeral 9 A.M. Friday from the GEORGE L. KLUMPP CHAPEL OF FLOWERS, Riverside Blvd and 2nd Ave. thence to Our Lady of Guadalupe Church where a Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 9:30 A.M. Interment, St. Mary's Cemetery. Rosary 7 P.M. Thursday KLUMPP'S CHAPEL. The Sacramento Bee, Nov. 20, 1991. Transcription by Mary Cummins.

Obituary of paternal grandmother.

BECERRA, OTILIA G. Entered into rest on December 19, 2001. Born December 13, 1905 in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. Devoted mother of Manuel, Alfredo, Angel, Dolores, Jose, Consuelo, Heliodoro and Gloria. Loving grandmother of 20, great grandmother of 37 and great great grandmother of 12. She was much loved by all. She will be buried next to her late husband Heliodoro C. Becerra for 70 years in St. Mary's Cemetery. A rosary will be recited Friday (today) at 7:00 PM in the LAND PARK CHAPEL OF HARRY NAUMAN & SON, 4041 Freeport blvd and a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday (tomorrow) at 10:00 AM in Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 711 “T” Street, Sacramento. Transcription by Mary Cummins.

Parents, grandparents, dna, ethnicity, ancestry, heritage, children, siblings, mexico, germany

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Rosa McCauley Parks Ancestry, Family Tree, Ethnicity, DNA, Heritage by Mary Cummins, Genealogist

rosa parks, rosa mccauley parks, rosa mccauley, mary cummins, genealogist, ancestry, dna, ethnicity, heritage, african american, scottish, native american,indian, family tree

I researched Rosa McCauley Parks' family tree originally in 2010. I later uploaded it to Geneastar around the same time. Geneastar is a genealogy database of over 18,000 famous and historical people. Recently I was asked to do a presentation for The Rosa Parks Museum and Library with Rose McCauley Hampton who is the first cousin once removed of Rosa Parks. Hampton is generously donating historical items to The Rosa Parks Museum. I've since added to data base. Click any image to see larger.

Rosa Louise McCauley Parks (February 4, 1913 – October 24, 2005) was an "American activist in the civil rights movement, best known for her pivotal role in the Montgomery bus boycott. The United States Congress has honored her as "the first lady of civil rights" and "the mother of the freedom movement"."

Rosa Parks was born Rosa Louise McCauley in Tuskegee, Alabama, on February 4, 1913, to Leona (née Edwards), a teacher, and James McCauley, a carpenter. In addition to African ancestry, one of Parks's great-grandfathers was Scots-Irish, and one of her great-grandmothers was part–Native American. Rosa Parks is African American, Native American, Scottish, Irish and English. 

Paternal

Rosa Parks' father James McCauley from Library of Congress

Rosa Parks' grandfather Anderson McCauley from Library of Congress

Parks father was James McCauley 1886-1962 born in Alabama. "James McCauley was born in Abbeville, Alabama, the eldest son of Anderson and Louisa McCauley. He became a skilled carpenter and stonemason like his father. James met schoolteacher Leona Edwards while visiting his sister Addie in Pine Level, Alabama. They married on April 12, 1912, at Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church in Pine Level."

Paternal grandfather was Anderson McCauley 1850-1917. "Anderson McCauley was born in Georgia, the son of Ghiogee, a Creek Indian, and Charles McCauley, a soldier of Irish and Cherokee descent. Around 1884 he moved to Abbeville, Alabama, and ultimately acquired more than 500 acres. Anderson and his wife Louisa became parents of seventeen children. He worked with his sons building houses across Alabama’s Black Belt region."

Paternal grandmother was Louisa "Lou" Collins 1850-1941. "Louisa Collins was born in Georgia, the daughter of a mixed-race slave. She married Anderson McCauley, another mixed-race Georgian. Ten of their seventeen children survived to adulthood. All ten were literate. The eldest was Addie (b. 1884) and the youngest was George Gaines McCauley (b. 1904). Rosa lived with her grandparents as a toddler."

Maternal

Rosa Parks' mother Leona Edwards from Library of Congress

Parks mother was Leona Edwards 1888-1979 born in Alabama. "Leona Edwards was born in Pine Level, Alabama, the youngest of Sylvester and Rose Edwards’s three daughters. She attended Payne University in Selma but did not earn a degree. Leona became a dedicated rural school teacher, and her meager salary was the main source of the family’s income. She instilled in Rosa the importance of faith, self-respect, and education—values reinforced by her grandparents and the teachers at Miss White’s School, a school that Rosa would attend at age eleven."

Rosa Parks family bible maternal

Maternal grandparents were Sylvestor Edwards 1858-1923 and Rosena Percival 1859-1929. "This Bible register partially charts Rosa’s maternal lineage. Accordingly, her great grandfather James Percival, an indentured servant of Scots-Irish descent, married Mary Jane Nobles, an enslaved African. Their daughter Rose married Sylvester Edwards, the son of white planter John Edwards and his enslaved housekeeper and seamstress. They had three daughters: Fannie, Bessie, and Leona Edwards, Rosa’s mother."

Rosena Percival maternal grandmother

Sylvester Edwards maternal grandfather

Rosa Parks' brother Sylvester James McCauley from Library of Congress

Rosa's brother was Sylvester James McCauley. "Sylvester James McCauley, Rosa’s only sibling, was born on August 20, 1915, in Pine Level, Alabama. When their mother became seriously ill, Sylvester left school to help support the family. During World War II he served in the Army in the European and the Pacific theaters. While on leave he met his wife, Daisy, at a restaurant in South Carolina. After the war they moved to Detroit and reared thirteen children. Sylvester worked for the Chrysler Motor Company and did carpentry jobs on the side."

The family bible recorded the family history. from the Rosa Parks papers Library of Congress.

Genealogy of Rosa McCauley Parks

Rosa Parks has a diverse genealogical ancestry. On her father's side her ancestors came from Scotland, Ireland, Native America and Africa. On her mother's side her ancestors came from Africa and most likely other nations. Sadly the records for those of African ancestry don't exist with any certainty past the fourth or fifth ancestral generations born in America because of slavery. People stolen from Africa and brought to the Americas were given different names. The slave trader gave them one name generally a first name only. The slave buyer/owner then gave them another name sometimes adding the last name of the slave owner. When the slaves were finally freed they sometimes gave themselves a new first and last name. Soon after emancipation many ex-slaves used the last names of Presidents such as Washington, Jefferson even if that wasn't their previous name. This makes it difficult to do genealogical research based on written documents. Native American records don't exist with certainty for the same reasons and more in this case. In this case the ancestors were African and Native American slaves/servants and indentured Scottish/Irish servants. DNA records would be valuable to ascertain a more reliable ancestral lineage for those parts of the family.

There are at least reliable records from the paternal McCauley line. The McCauley lineage hails from Scotland and Ireland. Park's McCauley family first came to the US in the mid 1600's in North Carolina. They ultimately became involved in agriculture and land sales. They had slaves and paid servants. As was sadly common with slave owners some had children with their slaves and servants. This is why most African Americans today are of mixed heritage. 

If you look at the underlying genealogical records you will notice a few things. Names are generally misspelled. This is because the census and record takers wrote them phonetically based on how they sounded to their ear. There is also a wide variance in the census records as to race/color. For instance one person is listed as "black" in one census, "mulatto" in another" and "white" in yet another. There are also differences in places of birth, dates of birth. The census taker generally asked whoever was at home for the information. It could have been a young adult who did not know all of the information. As long as basic name, age, place of birth, family members match, it is the same person. This is why one needs multiple documents to try to confirm identity.

Famous distant relatives

I added Rosa Parks to famous people genealogy website Geneastar as part of my initiative to add African Americans, Mexicans, Latinos, Jewish people, women and others who are vastly underrepresented in the famous family tree database. I went a step further and linked Rosa Park's tree to other famous people in history. Every time I add an important person in history I try to find the route so we can all see our relationship to the person. There are many others in Geneanet working to connect famous people. Special thanks to Timothy Dowling who is one of the best and has helped me tremendously.

King Charles is a 14th cousin of Rosa Louise McCauley via King James V of Scotland.

Link to relationship

https://gw.geneanet.org/marycummins_w?lang=en&pz=mary+k&nz=cummins&spouse=on&m=RL&p=james+v&n=of+scotland&oc=2&l1=15&p1=rosa+louise&n1=mccauley&l2=15&p2=charles+philip+arthur+george&n2=windsor

President George Washington is a 12th cousin of an ancestor of the 6th generation  (12th cousin 6 times removed) of Rosa Louise McCauley.

https://gw.geneanet.org/marycummins_w?lang=en&pz=mary+k&nz=cummins&spouse=on&m=RL&p=richard&n=woodville&l1=19&p1=rosa+louise&n1=mccauley&l2=13&p2=george&n2=washington

President Thomas Jefferson is a 10th cousin of an ancestor of the 8th generation of Rosa Louise McCauley. 

https://gw.geneanet.org/tdowling_f?lang=en&pz=timothy+michael&nz=dowling&em=R&ei=803231&spouse=on&et=A&p=thomas&n=jefferson

President Abraham Lincoln is a 15th cousin of an ancestor of the 5th generation of Rosa Louise McCauley.

https://gw.geneanet.org/tdowling_f?lang=en&pz=timothy+michael&nz=dowling&em=R&ei=803231&spouse=on&et=A&p=abraham&n=lincoln&oc=1

President Barack Obama is a son of a 15th cousin of Rosa Louise McCauley

https://gw.geneanet.org/tdowling_f?lang=en&pz=timothy+michael&nz=dowling&em=R&ei=803231&spouse=on&et=A&p=barack+hussein&n=obama&oc=1

and not so famous Mary Cummins is a granddaughter of a 18th cousin of Rosa Louise McCauley. 

We are all related. It's just a technical matter of figuring out the route to someone's family tree to determine the degree of relatedness. As Kahlil Gibran stated, "Every man is the descendant of every king and every slave that ever lived."  

References

I made these trees and resources public to further public education about Rosa Parks. They include newspaper articles, photos, census records, birth certificates, death certificates and more. You can use them to figure out your relationship to Rosa Parks.

Rosa Parks tree is public in Ancestry

Rosa Parks tree is public in Geneastar 

All data is based on best research practices. Data cannot be guaranteed due to the nature of genealogical records, lack of DNA data and human nature. I'm using Wikipedia and Library of Congress images because they aren't copyrighted.

_____________________

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Nick Fuentes, Nicholas Joseph Fuentes Family Tree, Mexican Italian by Mary Cummins Genealogist

nick fuentes, nicholas fuentes, nicholas joseph fuentes, family, family tree, dna, ancestry, ethnicity, heritage, genealogy, mother, father, sister, twin, italy, mexico,1998, illinois, white supremacist, mary cummins, genealogist, los angeles, california, mexican, italian,irish, parents, grandparents, william fuentes, lauren chicco, white supremacist, racist, catholic

Nick Fuentes, Nicholas Joseph Fuentes, was born 1998 in Illinois. No exact birth dates of living people will be shared here. This is a genealogy article. Birth years are needed to distinguish from other people with the same name. Nick's birth year is public information which is also available on Wikipedia. The fractions above are based on the family tree alone.

Nick Fuentes, Nicholas Fuentes, is an alleged White Supremacist who leads the Groyper movement. This is pretty odd considering the fact that he's Catholic, Mexican, Italian, Irish and descendant of somewhat recent immigrants, everything which White Supremacists generally hate. His paternal side is Mexican, Irish and maternal side is Italian. He's named after his Mexican grandfather. His paternal side born in Mexico and Ireland. His maternal great grandparents were all born in Italy. I'm still working on the paternal side. I just started an hour or so ago.

As I look at the rest of his family it's pretty happily mixed. They are married to Latinos, Greeks and Italians. They are proud of their family heritage. Shocking that Nick Fuentes is a white supremacist when he would not be considered "white Caucasian" per his white supremacist peers. Non white, white supremacists are always very confused.

Nick went to Lyons Township High School in La Grange, Illinois, USA 2012-2016 where he grew up. In 2014 he and his twin sister's high school speech team won first place. His father William Fuentes is an engineer. There's already been enough written about the father and his businesses. His father removed his name from his business websites and tried to remove himself from the internet because of Nick Fuentes' horrible behavior. His mother is Lauren Chicco Fuentes. He has a fraternal twin sister is a national speech champion from Bradley University. They are fraternal which means they don't look alike. That is why he's lighter than her. He looks more like his paternal grandmother who is Irish.

Nick's maternal grandparents were Martin Chicco and Marlene Cairo. Below is Martin's obituary.

"CHICCO Martin Chicco, loving husband of Marlene, nee Cairo; dear father of Lauren and Joseph; dearest son of Rosetta and the late Paul and stepson of Frank. Funeral Saturday, 8:30 a. m., from the Galewood Funeral Chapel, 1B57 N. Harlem Av., to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Melrose Park. Mass 9:30 a. m. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery. Visitation Thursday after 6 p. m. Please omit flowers. 889-1700."

Below is Marlene's obituary.

"Marlene Chicco, September 26, 1932 - May 19, 2021. Marlene Chicco, nee Cairo, at rest May 19, 2021. She died as she lived, demonstrating astonishing strength, tremendous courage and unwavering faith.   She is preceded in death by her husband Martin, her beloved son Joseph, her parents Mary and Joseph,  and her brothers Pasquale, Anthony, Dominick and James. She is succeeded by her adoring daughter Lauren (Fuentes), her cherished grandchildren Melissa and Nicholas, and her son in law and dear friend, Bill Fuentes. Marlene’s life was a successful but difficult journey; accomplished in business, in creating a home for all who needed one, and her priority of service and dedication to her God and her family. Her life was an example of unconditional love, forgiveness and grace. Funeral Wednesday, June 9, 2021 with Visitation from 9:30 a.m. until time of funeral mass at 10:00 a.m. at St. Louise de Marillac Church, 1155 Harrison, La Grange Park. Those planning to attend church need to sign up through the following link. Interment private at Queen of Heaven Cemetery for family only." 

I will post the paternal info when I can confirm it. So far it's .The paternal grandparents are Joseph J Fuentes Sr who is dead and Joan "Joni" Bridget King Fuentes Gall who is alive. She is of Irish descent. She remarried Thomas Gall who is dead. I've gone one more generation back in the entire tree and filled in some names. I'll update the tree above later. 

Paternal grandfather Joseph J Fuentes obituary. He worked for the fire department.

"Joseph J. Fuentes. suddenly, loving husband of Joan ., nee King; dear father of Joseph J. Jr., William and Christopher; fond brother of five sisters and three brothers. Funeral Thursday, Aug. 17, at 8:45 a. m., from Ahern Funeral Heme, 1110 Madison St., Oak Park, to St. Angela Church. Mass of the Resurrection at 9:30 a. m. Interment Queen of Heaven. Visitation after 5 p. m. Tuesday. EU 3-5700 or KE 3-2394."

Below is a photo of Joseph's brother Simon Fuentes Jr who died recently. Joseph probably looked like this because they were born about the same time. His father Simon Fuentes Sr was born in Mexico and did labor for the freight trains.

Paternal great grandfather is Patrick Francis King. Obituary. "King. Patrick F. King, suddenly, loving husband of Mary Sexton, nee Galvin; dear father of Marilyn Neilsen, Patricia Fischer, Margaret Sunich, Rita Serafin, Martin Sexton, Joan Fuentes, William, Kevin, James, and Patrick J. Jr.; grandfather of 27; dear brother of Catharine Tonne, and Eugene and James King. Funeral Monday, May 19, at 10:15 a. m. from Ahern Funeral Home, 1110 Madison street, Oak Park, to St. Joseph church, Addison, Illinois. Requiem mass 11 a. m. Interment Mount Carmel. Please omit flowers."

Paternal great grandmother is Mary Galvin King. Obituary. "KING Mary M King, nee Galvin, 89, of Lombard. beloved wife of the late Martin L Sexton and Patrick F King Sr., loving mother of Marilyn (Conrad) Neilsen. Margaret (Jim) Sunich, Rita (John) Serafini. Martin L. Sexton, Joan (the late Joe Fuentes and Thomas Gall) Gall, William P. (Christine) King, Kevin P., James P , Patrick F. Jr (Susan) King and the late Patricia (George) Fisher, dear grandmother of 31, great grandmother of 48, fond sister o the late Jim (Mary) Galvin, dear aunt of many nieces and nephews. Funeral Saturday, 9: 15 a m from Steuerle Funeral Home, 350 S Ardmore Ave , Villa Park to St Joseph Chuch, Mass 10 am Internment Mount Carmel cemetery visitation Friday, 2 to 9 pm For info 630 812-4161"

So far Nick seems to be the odd man out in the family. The rest seem normal and are not white supremacists as far as I can tell. Please, don't attack the family just because they're related. White supremacy and white supremacists are the evil not Nick's relatives. Attacking his relatives just makes you a dick.

Donald Trump had dinner with Kanye West and Nick Fuentes in Mar-a-lago, Florida. 

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James Franco Latino Actor Ancestry Genealogy Ethnicity DNA by Mary Cummins genealogist

James Franco, James Edward Franco, actor, family tree, ancestry, genealogy, heritage, ethnicity, dna, parents, mother, father, brother, grandparents, portuguese, latino, portugal, jewish, russian, swedish, douglas franco, betsey verne, daniel franco, marjorie peterson, daniel verne, verovitz, marjorie levine, fidel castro, cuban

UPDATE: 08/13/2022 Bill Maher talks about ridiculous John Leguizamo. He noted that "John played a Venetian, a little person and a fictional Italian plumber." He also played a drag queen. Good quotes, "Can trans actors only play trans actors because that's not gonna be a good deal for them." "A black George Washington in Hamilton" (black playing white) which we all know was very successful. "All gay actors would have to out themselves (and only play gay roles.)" "This is not progress. This is the opposite. This is regression." He said "Steven Spielberg redid Westside Story and bent over backwards to respect ethnicities and pleased nobody." "Westside story was originally made by three gay Jews." The author was also Jewish who wrote about Puerto Ricans. Should the Jewish author have stayed in his lane and only written about Jews? My fear is directors, producers, investors will see these outraged "woke" Latinos telling people to boycott films because not everyone involved passed the DNA, ancestry and look test and not want to make any Latino, Black, Asian, Gay ... films. People argued about colorism and microethnicities in Westside Story. "Where are the darker Latinos, Afro Latinos, she got the role because she's lighter..." These outraged Latinos are shooting themselves in the foot. I wouldn't blame producers for intentionally not wanting to make any Latino films. He summed it up by saying "get rid of the prejudice but keep the roles." https://www.tmz.com/2022/08/13/bill-maher-real-time-appropriation-hollywood-actors/

Leguisamo has a Colombian tomi tattoo on his arm from the chibcha. Was he a member of that tribe? No. His indigenous relative was from the 1600's and worked with the Spaniards to control Colombia against the other indigenous people. Colombia was part of Spain with Bogota as the capital where Leguisamo's family had lived for years. Colombia didn't become independent until well after 1821. Leguisamo is descended from one of the early Spanish conquistadors, colonizers of Colombia. He's probably less indigenous than I am. His ancestors conquered and killed indigenous people. He is white. His parents are white. He is the light white Latino taking roles from darker indigenous Latinos that he complains about all the time. Most in Mexico and South America are descended from the Spaniards who conquered those areas. All of us Latinos live with this fact. We're mainly Spanish and not Aztec or Mayan. Leguisamo looks like a white European Spaniard because he is mainly Spanish. So am I. Based on the data in Franco and Leguisamo's trees, I would bet that Franco has more indigenous and other than Leguisamo.

08/11/2022 John Leguizamo is really off now. He posted this on Instagram. He now thinks roles for Spanish, Cuban characters should be given to Latin Americans of mixed race who are not descended from people in Europe. Guess whose ancestors are from Europe? John Leguizamo! So he shouldn't get any roles either. He's since added that white roles should be given to Latinos. So only Latinos can be actors now? I'll be posting his tree next. No need to post his tree. He's mainly Spanish. Finding Your Roots did a show on him. Talk about a hypocrite! He's no Latino! He's as "Latino" as James Franco!

FTR most people in Mexico are mainly European Spanish.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexicans#Population_genetics_&_phenotype The same goes for South America. All you "Latinos" are mainly European Spanish. Mexicans, Colombians, Spaniards all have the same ancestors. We're also all related by language, culture, food, religion... 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_America#Ethnic_demographics This is not a Latino issue but an issue about some people not having the success they want in the entertainment industry demanding movie roles. As I've told my Latino friends and family for years especially since #oscarssowhite, you want a Latino movie with Latinos, go make it. Don't wait around ranting about others not giving you what you want. 

James Leguizamo's ancestry. He lied about being Puerto Rican and Italian. Maybe he lied about being Italian to get the part of the fictional character in Super Mario Bros ;-) Even his father said he lied about being Puerto Rican. This man needs to sit down and shut up.

"Research by the genealogy show Finding Your Roots indicated that Leguizamo does not have Puerto Rican, Italian, and Lebanese ancestry, as he has sometimes stated.His family is Colombian, and a DNA test found that his genetic ancestry includes European (mostly Spanish), along with Indigenous and distant African roots.[1] His paternal grandfather was a wealthy Colombian landowner, and his great-great-grandfather, Higinio Cualla, was Mayor of Bogotá for sixteen years in the late 1800s, and was considered an important modernizer of the city.[1] Leguizamo had always declared that he was Puerto Rican on his father's side, which was one of the reasons he was selected as the Puerto Rican Day Parade Global Ambassador of the Arts,[11] and marched in the parade on June 12, 2011.[12] Going further back in time, it was determined that Leguizamo's maternal lineage includes the 16th-century Spanish conquistador Sebastián de Belalcázar, as well as Jerónimo Betuma, a 17th-century indigenous Colombian of noble birth."

Here's the video from the show where he's told he's Spanish. He knew he was Spanish. Even his father stated they weren't Puerto Rican but Colombian and Spanish. Gates even said Leguizamo was fabilizing about his ancestry and Leguizamo agreed. His true Spanish ancestors melted down the Aztec golden religious items and destroyed their history. His ancestry is anti Latino, anti Indigenous. This is from about January 2022 and aired February 15, 2022. https://www.pbs.org/weta/finding-your-roots/watch/extras/john-leguizamos-lineage-is-traced-back-17-generations

Luguizamo continued. 

"Portuguese are not Latin nor are Spaniards they are white peoples from Europe! Latin people are from Latin America and the 90% r of us of mixed race! And That is why we are discriminated against!" Leguizamo is the white European he's whining about.

He went on to say, “I don’t got a prob with Franco but he ain’t Latino!” he wrote on social media.

On Saturday, Leguizamo posted a video to Instagram clarifying his comments.Stressing again that he had “no problems with James Franco”, he said: “I grew up in an era where Latin people couldn’t play Latin people on film. Where Charlton Heston played a Mexican, where Eli Wallach played Mexican, where Pacino played Cuban and Puerto Rican. Where Ben Affleck, even, in Argo, played a Latin guy and Marisa Tomei played Latin women.

“We couldn’t play our own roles. There was brown face, people painting themselves to look Latin in West Side Story, Eli Wallach in The Magnificent Seven. That’s the era I grew up in. The era where they tell you to change your names, stay out of the sun, that only white-passing Latinos would get jobs.”Explaining how he’d heard the excuse that there was “no Latin actor who can carry” big films, Leguizamo continued: “Yeah, because you’re never given the opportunity to play anything that had worthy value… Appropriating our stories? No more of that. I’m done with that.

“I’ve been told so many times, ‘you can’t have two Latin people in a movie’. That’s what goes on in this industry.”

Captioning the video, Leguizamo wrote: “Latin exclusion in Hollywood is real! Don’t get it twisted! Long long history of it! And appropriation of our stories even longer!y can’t Latinxers play Latin roles? Why can’t we play lead roles? Why can’t they flip white roles to Latin guys and gals?” 

Here is the video. It's just a rant. Maybe he should make Latino movies and hire Latinos instead of just ranting. You can't just demand that other people make shows about you, for you and hire you for the roles. John has even played white people and Italians. He's a white passing Latino. Using his logic why didn't he give those roles to white people and Italians? https://www.instagram.com/p/Cg-BFjyJnVx/

Clearly John Luguizamo is just ranting about his own treatment of Latinos in the past. It has nothing to do with this movie or role. This movie is like 99% Latino and he's attacking it. This would be a good reason for people not to do movies about or with Latinos. Damned if you do. Damned if you don't. Luguizamo is hurting his own cause. I now think he wanted the role or something.

John Leguizamo the mainly Spanish actor's family tree. I did this in an hour so it's not complete.

John Leguizamo family tree, John Alberto Leguizamo family tree,mother, father,brother, sister, spain, puerto rico,italian, mary cummins, genealogist, actor, basque, 

ORIGINAL: Recently there was a dust up by Latino actor John Leguizamo who said James Franco should not play Cuban Fidel Castro because Franco is not Latino. Leguizamo said only Latinos should play Latinos. One of the producers responded,

"The producer on the upcoming film Alina of Cuba, John Martinez O’Felan, has responded to the recent controversy regarding the casting of James Franco as Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro. In a statement provided to The Hollywood Reporter, O’Felan labeled the comments “culturally uneducated.”

“A guy like John Leguizamo has historically been looked up to by Hispanics as one of America’s earliest actors of Latin descent since the 90s and I’ve always admired him as a fellow underdog," O’Felan admitted. "But his comments are culturally uneducated and a blind attack with zero substance related to this project.”

O’Felan continued: “The reality of the ignorance piece falls within his statement suggesting his personal view on being ‘Latino,’ because a land mass or living area does not determine a person’s blood history or genetics."

O'Felan went on to say that the movie is about Latinos, produced by Latinos, directed by Latinos, has Latino actors, Latino subject matter, Latinos working behind the camera... My comment: Will Leguizamo only be satisfied if every single person involved is 100% Latino with a Latino name, family tree, DNA test, speaks Spanish as a first language...? We should be happy it's mainly Latino considering all the productions with absolutely no Latinos at all or non-Latinos in Latino character roles. FTR I'm Latino. Family name is Rivera. I probably wouldn't be Latino enough in the eyes of Laguizamo to work on the film even as a volunteer extra, crafts services or gofer.

I see a lot of Latinos commenting saying that "Latino" means someone from Latin America as if that's only North and South America. It's not. Here's a definition of Latin Americans which includes Portuguese. "Latin Americans do not take their nationality as an ethnicity, but identify themselves with a combination of their nationality, ethnicity and their ancestral origins. Aside from the Indigenous Amerindian population, all Latin Americans have some Old World ancestors who arrived since 1492. Latin America has the largest diasporas of Spaniards, Portuguese, Africans, Italians, Lebanese and Japanese in the world."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin_Americans If these Latinos are from Mexico, most Mexicans today and their descendants are mainly descended from Spaniards and are not indigenous. Castro's father and ancestors were born in Galicia, Spain right next to Portugal. Galicia and Portugal were once the same country.

James Franco's paternal side "Franco" is Portuguese. The name "Franco" is Spanish and means "free," "free man" or "freedom." The name is found in Spain specifically Galicia, Portugal and Italy. Portuguese can be considered Latino because they speak a Latin language. Spanish and Portuguese are both Latin languages. They used to be the same language  many years ago but the languages diverged. Spain and Portugal have been closely tied for a long time because they were once the same country. They are now right next to each other. Portugal and Spain both had colonies in South America. Portuguese later immigrated to North America and had early settlements. Portuguese were previously considered Hispanics in the US census even though they didn't speak Spanish. I don't have a problem recognizing Franco as a Latino. Plus, we're talking about an acting character. I think he'd make a great Fidel. 

I did Fidel's tree. Link and image is at bottom of this post. Fidel Castro's family is from Galicia, Spain which borders Portugal. Portugal used to be part of what is now Galicia, Spain. Galicia had it's own language similar to Spanish but more similar to Portuguese called Galicia-Portuguese. They diverged when Portugal became independent from Galicia. Franco is probably related to Castro. Maybe that's why they look similar. Who the hell is anyone to say Franco can't play Castro because of a few people's definition or understanding of the word "Latino?"

Franco's family is from Madeira Island, Portugal. The original inhabitants in the 1400's were Portuguese who were descended mainly from Spaniards at that time. Spain ruled the island for many years. It's name "madeira" means "wood" or heavily forested as in "madera" which is Spanish for wood. If Franco were to post his DNA, you would see Spain and Portugal just like me. I can't find any Portuguese in my tree but my Mexican side of the family originally came from Galicia, Spain. Castro's daughter should also post her DNA report which I'm sure would be very similar to Francos. 

Recently someone stated an unknown Latino should play Castro instead of Franco. If people want the movie to be seen, they need a bigger well known actor as a draw. You can't get financing, other actors, viewers, producers, directors...without a bigger name involved. Would they rather have a movie with 100% DNA certified Latino cast that no one watches or a 99% Latino cast that many people watch which gets awards and shares the Latino story? And this is why Hollywood is hesitant to hire some Latinos. Who would hire any if they will receive this type of treatment. This is beyond wokeness. It's shoot yourself in the foot craziness. It makes me think that Leguizamo made this stink because he's jealous and wanted the part. 

James Franco, James Edward Franco is an actor born in 1978 in California. James Franco is 1/4 Portuguese and 1/4 Swedish on his paternal side and 1/2 Russian Jewish from his maternal side. His parents are Douglas Franco 1948-2011 and Betsey Lou Verne 1947. His paternal grandparents were Daniel Franco 1925-1993 of Portuguese descent and Marjorie Jane Peterson 1926-2018 of Swedish descent. His paternal great grandparents were Daniel Franco born in Portugal 1886-1961, Eugenia Baptista born in Portugal 1891-1979, Claus Peterson 1898-1988 and Martha Louis Rehn 1898-1965 from Sweden. 

James Franco's maternal grandparents were Daniel Verne 1921-1996 and Marjorie Levine 1922-2016. His maternal great grandparents were Carrol Verovitz 1891-1956 of Russian descent, Bessie Surad 1894-1978 of Russian descent, Judge Manuel Levine born in Russia 1880-1939, and Jessie Bialosky 1886-1972 of Russian descent. 

Biographies, obituaries

Father Douglas Franco's pseudo obituary,

"Doug Franco, father of actor James Franco, died of a heart attack at the age of 63, according to The Daily Post, an independent, locally-owned Palo Alto and Mid-Peninsula paper. James’ mother Betsy Verne Franco, a children’s author, tweeted late last night:

“It is true that my sweet, generous husband passed away. He gave so much to his three sons and me, and to many other people, too.”

The 63-year old Franco worked in Silicon Valley, holding positions at IBM, HP and Xerox. He also founded Secure Box, a company that is developing a shipping container security device.

He was also charitable, starting Orchard International, a nonprofit that has sent $15 millions worth on medical supplies, food and clothing to those in need in Afghanistan, Ethiopia, India, Iraq and the Phillipines. It has also provided aid to Native American and migrant communities in California."

Paternal grandfather Daniel Franco Jr,

"FRANCO Daniel Franco. Jr.. age 68, of Glencoe, beloved husband of Marjorie, nee Peterson; loving father of Douglas (Betsy), Joyce (Glenn) Magnus and Peter John Franco; dear grandfather of Teddy, Tommy and David Franco, Elizabeth and Daniel Magnus; fond brother of Beatrice Hargraves; former principal of Lincoln Elementary School, Oak Park, IL. Interment at Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu ot flowers contributions to the American Cancer Society appreciated."

Paternal grandmother Marjorie Peterson Franco,

"Marjorie Franco nee Peterson, age 92, of Lincolnwood and formerly of Glencoe, IL. Beloved wife of the late Daniel Franco, Jr. Loving mother of Joyce (Glenn) Magnus, Peter Franco, and the late Douglas (Betsy) Franco. Proud grand- mother of Elizabeth and Daniel (Maggie) Magnus; Ted, Thomas, and David Franco. Dear sister of the late Lucille (the late Vic) Adams and the late Rehn (the late Martha) Peterson. Fond aunt of five nieces and nephews. Interment private Memorial Park Cemetery, Skokie, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to American Cancer Society."

Paternal great grandfather Daniel Franco Sr. He was a decorating painter per the census.

"Franco. Daniel Franco, of 102 Glencoe road, Glencoe, beloved husband of Eugenia: fond father of Mrs. Beatrice Hargraves and Daniel Franco Jr.; five grandchildren. Resting at Robert V. Wilson chapel. Linden avenue at Tower road. Winnetka, after 3 p.m.. Tuesday. Services Wednesday. Oct 25, at 2 p. m. Interment Memorial Park cemetery. HI 6-3436."

Mother Betsy Verne's biography,

"Betsy Verne majored in painting at Stanford, where she met her future husband, a math major who also excelled in painting. (After graduation, Doug Franco, '70, got a master's degree in business from Harvard. He runs a nonprofit agency that helps women and children in Third World countries and a company called Secure Box, which is developing a security device for shipping containers.) In the early years, Betsy Franco juggled jobs that included "answering customer complaints for Ma Bell" and teaching elementary school. "But with three very adorable, rambunctious young sons in the house, I couldn't even set up my paints," she recalls. "I knew that I needed to find something creative to do, or I would wither." So she deliberately tried another form of expression. "I reasoned that writing would be simpler with young children because all I would need was a pencil."

Rest of the article is here https://stanfordmag.org/contents/penciling-in-a-career

Maternal grandmother Mitzie Levine Verne.

"MITZIE R. VERNE (nee Levine), beloved wife of the late Dr. Daniel Verne. Loving mother of Betsy (Douglas, deceased) Franco, Heidi (Hari Kaur) (Sat Sangat Singh) Khalsa and Michael Verne. Devoted grandmother of Brian and Kevin Verne, James, Tom and Dave Franco and Bandi Chorh Sing Khalsa. Dear sister of the late Bob and Alfred Levine. Services will be held Tuesday, May 3 at 2:30 p.m. at the ANSHE CHESED FAIRMOUNT TEMPLE, 23737 Fairmount Blvd., Beachwood, OH. Interment Mayfield Cemetery. Friends who wish may contribute to the Case Western Reserve University - Asian Studies Program or the Cleveland Museum of Art."

Maternal great grandfather Judge Manuel Levin from the Ohio encyclopedia.

"LEVINE, MANUEL V. (25 May 1881-6 May 1939), lawyer and judge, was born in Vilna, Russia, to David J. and Michelle (Corban) Levine. He immigrated to Cleveland in 1897 and was a star alumnus of the English-language and naturalization classes at HIRAM HOUSE. Levine graduated from Western Reserve University Law School with the LL.B. degree and was admitted to the Ohio bar in June 1902. Appointed assistant police prosecutor and assistant solicitor to NEWTON D. BAKER in May 1903, Levine targeted employment offices that bled foreigners seeking their first jobs of a large portion of their wages. Very much aware of the necessity for immigrants to learn English, he taught evening naturalization and English classes at Hiram House. Levine was elected police judge in 1908, municipal judge in 1911, and common pleas court judge in 1914, with reelection in 1920. In 1923, he became a judge on the Ohio Court of Appeals, twice selected as chief justice. As a judge, Levine displayed understanding, great sympathy, and empathy for those in distress. His philosophy was to place human rights above property rights, and he sought to guard the individual against any unlawful intrusions. Levine seldom hesitated to strike out against social conditions he saw as breeding grounds for CRIME. He instituted the Domestic Relations Bureau in common pleas court, established the state's first probation department, and pioneered court-sponsored domestic conciliation efforts. Levine married Jessie Bialosky in Mar. 1910 and had 3 children, Robt. M., Alfred D., and Mitzi. Levine was buried in the Mayfield Jewish Cemetery."

Fidel Castro tree which I made for Geneastar. 

https://en.geneastar.org/genealogy/castrofidel/fidel-castro

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Rick Caruso Ancestry, Family, Heritage, Ethnicity, Italian by Mary Cummins, Genealogist, Los Angeles, California

Rick Caruso, Henry Joseph Caruso, Enrique Caruso, family tree, ancestry, heritage, ethnicity, DNA, family, parents, grandparents, wife, spouse, children, siblings, Italy, Austria, Chicago, Illinois, New York, Los Angeles, California, USC, The Grove, Catholic, Mary Cummins, Genealogist, Mayor, Italian

Rick Caruso candidate for Los Angeles Mayor was born Henry Joseph Caruso in Los Angeles, California in 1959. "Rick" is the nickname for "Rico" which is Italian for Henry. Rick's parents are from Italy and Austria. Photo of Rick Caruso at graduation from USC in 1980 with a degree in Finance and Business below.

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Rick's parents were Henry "Hank" Joseph Caruso 24 FEB 1922, Uniontown, PA, USA 26 NOV 2017, Los Angeles, California; and Gloria "Glorya" Gene "West" Restagno, 9 NOVEMBER 1925, Chicago, Cook, Illinois, 27 AUG 2017, Los Angeles, California. "West" was Gloria's modeling name. *While Rick Caruso mentioned his children in a paid obituary for his parents his children will not be mentioned here. Their names are publicly available. Photos of Rick's parents below.

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Rick Caruso, Henry Joseph Caruso, Enrique Caruso, family tree, ancestry, heritage, ethnicity, DNA, family, parents, grandparents, wife, spouse, children, siblings, Italy, Austria, Chicago, Illinois, New York, Los Angeles, California, USC, The Grove, Catholic, Mary Cummins, Genealogist, Mayor, Italian

The Los Angeles Times ran a paid obituary notice December 3, 2017 pg B7 for both of Rick's parents. Here is just the introduction per fair use of Copyright Act,

"Gloria and Hank Caruso had a romance that began like a scene from a Hollywood movie. Hank caught his first glimpse of Gloria on a full-sized billboard hovering over Sunset Boulevard. He couldn't take his eyes off the image of the gorgeous lady gazing down on him. Fortunately and providentially, one of Hank's friends also knew Gloria. He arranged for them to meet and they had a blind date. Gloria and Hank were inseparable from that time on. They were joined in Holy Matrimony at Blessed Sacrament Church in Hollywood on May 1, 1954. Their marriage of over 63 years ended this past summer when Gloria Restagno Caruso, 91, died at home on Sunday, August 27. Almost three months to the day, Henry (Hank) J. Caruso passed away on Sunday, November 26. He was 95. 

"Their remarkable story is about two people, born to immigrant parents, who began with nothing, but always had everything," said Rick Caruso, their eldest son. "Through their belief in themselves, their faith in God, their character and hard work, they built an amazing legacy of family that lives on in their children and grandchildren." 

Gloria Restagno was born on November 9, 1925 in Chicago, one of six children of Anna and Frank Restagno. Frank was born in Italy, while Anna emigrated from Austria. Frank was an elevator operator and delivery man for a bread company. 

Hank Caruso also was a first generation American. His parents, Josephine and August Caruso, both came from Italy and settled near Uniontown, Pennsylvania, a mining town just south of Pittsburgh. August worked as a driller in the coal mines, setting dynamite to break through the rock. 

Shortly after Hank was born on February 22, 1922, the family moved to Los Angeles, eventually settling in the Boyle Heights neighborhood, which was mostly Italians and Jewish immigrants. August went to work as a gardener."

Family tree wide view. Click to see larger so you can read it. This is only three generations and not all spouses are added or up to date.

PATERNAL

Rick's father Hank Caruso was a successful business man in Los Angeles, California. Instead of rewriting the same information here is another quote from the paid obituary notice,

"Hank enrolled at USC in 1939 to study pre-med and had to work multiple jobs to pay tuition. As a member of the greatest generation, he enlisted in the Navy and became one of the country's first Navy pilots stationed in Saipan. He was shot down during an air battle and for three days drifted, stranded at sea. Hank survived and remained in the Navy as a pilot, rose to the rank LTJG and was regarded as a hero. He was recognized by the Secretary of Navy for his heroic service to his country. After returning from service as a Navy Air Corp pilot in World War II, Hank saw an opportunity in the burgeoning Southern California automobile industry. He began to acquire car dealerships from General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler throughout the area. By the mid 1950s he became the world's largest car dealer. Hank also was the first person to advertise cars on television. His "singing commercials" on both TV and radio were well-known by a majority of Angelenos at the time. In 1966, Hank initiated another innovation, this time in the rental car industry. While facing many challenges of the "big three" of the industry (Hertz, Avis, and National), he founded Dollar Rent-A-Car. His motto and method of business operation were simple: offer the best service available at the most competitive prices. In twenty years of his ownership and leadership, Dollar Rent-A-Car grew to be the fourth largest car rental agency in the world with more than 1,400 locations. In 1990, Hank sold Dollar Rent-A-Car to the Chrysler Corporation. He then went back to operating his dealerships with Ford, Lincoln-Mercury, and Mazda. He remained active in his dealership until earlier last year. With all of his success, Hank Caruso was always aware of the great responsibilities that went hand in hand with good fortune and donated generously. Gloria and Hank taught their children about giving back to the community and helping those who are less fortunate."

Hank's parents were  Augustine "August" "Aug" Joseph Caruso, 18 Sep 1894, Castelgrande, Italy, 25 Jul 1978, Los Angeles, California and Josephine M LaCava, 1 Jan 1904, Italy, 21 Feb 1987, Los Angeles, California. August was a truck driver and landscape gardener. Below is August's obituary.

"CARUSO, August, beloved husband of Josephine Caruso: father of Rev. Lawrence Caruso, O.F.M., Henry and Albert Caruso; uncle of Joseph Ponlorero; also survived by 6 grandchildren and 1 greatgrandchild. Mass of Christian Burial Friday, 8 p.m. at Mother of Good Counsel Church. Graveside service Saturday, 10 a.m. in Holy Cross Cemetery."  

Josephine LaCava's obituary,

"CARUSO, Josephine M. loving mother of Henry J. (Gloria), Albert (Vivian) and Rev, Lawrence Caruso, O.F.M. Cap., beloved sister of Anthony La Cava of Pennsylvania; proud grandmother of 8 and great- grandmother of 2, aunt of Joseph Pontorero. Wednesday at St. Francis of Assist Church. Private entombment Thursday, 10 am In Holy Cross Mausoleum."

Photo of Rick Caruso's father and paternal grandparents from Rick Caruso's website below.

Rick Caruso, Henry Joseph Caruso, Enrique Caruso, family tree, ancestry, heritage, ethnicity, DNA, family, parents, grandparents, wife, spouse, children, siblings, Italy, Austria, Chicago, Illinois, New York, Los Angeles, California, USC, The Grove, Catholic, Mary Cummins, Genealogist, Mayor, Italian

Hank's great grandparents were Nickolas "Nicolo" Caruso, 1859, Castelgrande, Italy, 28 Jul 1921, Port Chester, New York; Annastasia "Anna" Ruvo, 1866 Italy; and,

Vincenzo "Vincent" LaCava, 15 Mar 1878 Italy, 2 Nov 1953, Adah, Fayette, Pennsylvania and "Mary" Maria Louise Piemonti, 1878 Italy, Sept 19 1938, Adah, Pennsylvania.

Nickolas Caruso lived in the Port Chester Italian Colony and was in the dairy business. He owned a three story house at 495 W William St, Port Chester, which he left to his wife and kids. He gave each of his three sons one floor in the house. The home built in 1910 today is a 9 beds, 4 baths apartment house 4,112 sf on a 6,500 lot and still stands. The family ran a few businesses from the house. Back in the day that was normal. Current photo.

Nicholas' obituary,

"N. CARUSO FUNERAL. Nicholas Caruso whose funeral takes place tomorrow at 9:30 a m from the Corpus Christi Chapel South Regent street was a victim of cancer. His ailment is believed to have been the result of an injury received when his horse ran away about a year and a half ago. He was a native of Castlegrande Italy but had been engaged in the milk business at 495 West William street for the last fifteen years. Deceased is survived by his widow Anna and three sons,  James. Joseph and Angelo."

Vincenzo LaCava owned a retail grocery store. His death article,

"Elderly County Man Killed by Truck. A 75-year-old Adah man was killed when struck by a truck 10 o'clock Monday morning Route 21. near the Edenborn- Leckrone intersection. State Police said the victim was Vincenzo LaCava. They said he was walking in the direction of traffic and either stumbled or fell on the highway and was hit by a truck operated by Chester Gaten, 19, of Frederickstown. Deputy Coroner Mike Novasky of Masontown said LaCava died instantly of a fractured skull, lacerations of the scalp, fractured right leg and broken back. He is survived by four children. LaCava was a resident of Adah 30 years."

Mary "Maria" Louise obituary,

"LaCAVA REQUIEM Final rites For Mrs, Mary Louise LaCava, aged 56, who died Monday, September II, 1938, at her home in Adah, as the result of a fall, will be held at 1l o'clock Monday morning in All Saint church, Masontown. The Ht. Rev. Francis K. Kolb will be celebrant. Burial will be in St. Agnes cemetery."

MATERNAL

Rick's mother was Gloria Restagno. From the same paid obituary,

"Gloria Restagno was born on November 9, 1925 in Chicago, one of six children of Anna and Frank Restagno. Frank was born in Italy, while Anna emigrated from Austria. Frank was an elevator operator and delivery man for a bread company." He was actually a distributor for a bread company. Gloria was a clothing model. 

Rick's maternal grandparents were Francesco "Frank" Restagno, 31 Dec 1892, Ardoria, Italy, 30 April 1976, Chicago, Illinois, and Anna Rose Tromick/Tromiczak/Tromki, 29 Mar 1894, Vienna, Austria, 8 Dec 1993, Chicago, Illinois.

Frank was a craneman, bread sales/distributor and a member and Officer of the Chicago Lawn Lodge 1693 of the Order of the Sons of Italy. The Chicago Lawn Lodge's "primary aim is to enroll all Americans of good character and of Italian ancestry and encourage the active participation of its members in the political, social and civic life of their communities to promote better relations with other nationalities and to uphold the prestige of Italian Americans." He changed the last name to "Ellis" when he arrived through Ellis Island then changed it back to Restagno. Frank and his wife Anna celebrated their 50th and 60th wedding anniversaries with notices in the newspapers. Below is the announcement for their 60th wedding anniversary,

"MR. AND MRS. FRANK RESTAGNO. Celebrate 60th year. Mr and Mrs Frank Restagno, 5915 S. Mozart ave., recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary at a dinner. The dinner was attended by their close friends, their six children, 11 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Mr. Restagno, a native of Italy, was in business for himself as a bread distributor from 1927 to 1950 and was an elevator operator in the McCormick building until his retirement in 1957. Mrs. Restagno is a native of Vienna, Austria. The couple has three sons and two daughters who live Chicago and a daughter in California.

Below is Frank's obituary,

"Frank Restagno, beloved husband of Anna, nee Tromki, dear father of Frank (Ethel), Mary (late Stephen) Bies, Guido (Mary Ann), Edith (Paul) Bies, Gloria (Henry) Caruso and Remo (Bonnie); grandfather of 11; great grandfather of four. Funeral Monday, May 3, 11 a.m. at Soltes Chapel, 2746 W. 5th St. Interment Skyline Memorial Park."

Anna Rose Tromick's obituary,

"RESTAGNO Anna Reatagno, nee Tromczyk, age 100, beloved wife of the late Frank; dear mother of Eda (the late Paul) Bes of Decatur, MI., Gloria (Hank) Caruso of Beverly Hills, CA, Guido (Ruth Ann) of Hot Springs, AR, Remo Restagno of Scottadale, AZ, and the late Frank; mother-in-law of Ethel Restagno of Chicago, IL; loving grandmother of 11, great-grandmother of 19; survived by many friends. Interment St. Mary."

Photo of Frank and Anna Restagno from Rick Caruso's website below. It looks like Gloria standing in the back holding Marc Anthony with Christine on the left and Rick on the right. Anna and Frank front row bottom. I think the photo is about 1973. Hank must be taking the photo. 

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Rick's great grandparents were Mr and Mrs Restagno, Italy and Jan "John" Tromick and Regina Bigley, Austria.

Rick has two siblings, Christine Jean and Marc Anthony Caruso. Rick married Tina Patricia Willson and has four children in Los Angeles, California. Tina's parents are from England, Canada and the US. 

References

Obituary, Hank and Gloria Caruso, Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, December 3, 2017 pg B7

Obituaries, Wedding Anniversary announcement, Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois and Los Angeles, Times, Los Angeles, California.

US Census Records

California Birth Index

Newspapers.com 

Other linked references above

Genealogist at Geneanet and Geneastar
https://en.geneanet.org/profil/marycummins
 Mary Cummins Investigative Reporter
https://marycumminsrealestatemarycummins.blogspot.com
 Mary Cummins Real Estate Appraiser
http://www.marycummins.com
 Mary Cummins
http://www.mary.cc
 Mary Cummins Biography, History in Wikipedia format
http://wikipedia.marycummins.com/
 Mary Cummins on LinkedIn 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marycummins/
 Mary Cummins on Google Scholar
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=-dWK0QcAAAAJ&hl=en
 Mary Cummins on Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/people/marycummins/
 Mary Cummins on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/marykcummins
 Mary Cummins on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/MaryCumminsRealEstateAppraiserAnimalAdvocates
 Mary Cummins Real Estate Services on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CumminsRealEstateServices/
 Mary Cummins, Animal Advocates on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/AnimalAdvocatesUSA