He was born September 26, 1828 in Catania at 129 Strada Quattro Cantoni. (On later records154,35, he indicated he was born in January.) His father was 45, and his mother 26. Her surname was written as Zambataro. Baptized at Collegiata parish.


He and Nazzarena were married in the parish of San Leonardo in 1852, with witnesses Tommaso Gulli and Girolamo Guilla (?). Cosimo was 23, born in Catania, and worked as a coppersmith like his father. He lived at via Corso with his parents. His mother Angela (written here as Zambataro) was a heavy laborer. Nazzarena was 23 and born in Messina. She worked as a civil servant and lived in Borgo Boccetta. Her father was a merchant and her mother also a civil servant. 154

A 58-year-old laborer, Cosimo Zappala arrives May 8, 1897 on the Sarnia with his wife Nazzarena Cambrio (sic), 47, and daughters Concetta, 26, and Giuseppa, 28. Fortunata, 32, is with them (relation unknown).156

In 1900, lived in a rented flat at 69 3rd Ave and was 73. He indicated he was born in January of 1827 and that he arrived in the US in 1898. He lived there with his wife, son Paolo, daughter Concetta and his son’s cousin John. He does not say how long he’s been married.35

He died in Messina in 1905, his age listed as 77. He was described as a resident, living at 56 Via Torrento Boccetta, and his occupation was operaio. His death certificate says his father was Giuseppe Zappala, his mother Angela Zammataro, and his wife Nazzarena Cambria. The information was provided by Pasquo Tommaso and Raffa Domenico. His daughter was either there with him, or returned for his funeral, etc., as she returned to New York with two of her children a few months later.





Traveled with wife Nazzarena Cambria (47) and daughters Giuseppa (28) and Concetta (26). All laborers, protracted sojourn, 9 pieces of luggage.