my great grandfather Jack Raggio

[Della Crow]

Well I’ve done some reading and I’m anxious to get started and get some help from the wonderful people on this site.    I think I’m in the right place, so here goes –

One of my biggest problems is my great grandfather, he was my mother’s grandfather and his name was James Alphonse Raggio.  But he was known as Jack.  Here’s what I know about him –

He said he was born in Louisiana in Oct 1861 and his father was from Italy and his mother was from Louisiana.  But I have never found his parents.  Jack married Catherine Roy and they had 10 children.  Catherine was from Louisiana.  In 1900 and 1910 he was in Grand Chenier, Cameron Parish, La.  He was a farmer and then a laborer.

It looks like Jack left his family or divorced before 1920 because in the 1920 census Catherine is in Grand Chenier but with another husband – it looks like Jack Mayut or Mayart.   

But maybe Jack wasn’t born in Louisiana.  My mother says she thinks that he was born in Italy.   

I need help to find out about Jack before 1900 and mostly who were his parents?  When did his father come over from Italy?  Or did Jack come from Italy himself?  I hope someone can help.   

Della

[Lisa in California]

For reference:
1900 Grand Chenier, Cameron, Louisiana
James L. Raggio, age 38, born Oct 1861, Louisiana.  Father born Italy, mother born Louisiana.  Married 1883.  Farmer.
Catchrine, age 32, born April 1878, Lousiana.  Parents born Louisiana.  Mother of 7 children, 6 still living.
Clara, 16, December 1883
Mary, 10, August 1889
Alfonse, 9, October 1890
Lola, 8, January? 1892
Belle, 5, November 1894
Madline, 2, September 1897
All children born Louisiana

[Lisa in California]

For reference:
1910 Grand Chenier, Cameron, Louisiana
James L Raggio, age 55/58, born c1852/1855, Louisiana.  Father born Italy, mother born Louisiana. Labourer, ?.
Cathrine, age 42, mother of 11 children, 9 still living
Alphonse, age 19
Madline, age 12
August, age 9
Gracie, age 5
Adell, age 8/12
James and Cathrine married 27 years.

[Lisa in California]

I could not find him on any other census, I'm sorry.

[Erato]

This looks to be the grave of Catherine Roy:

http://www.genealogybuff.com/tx/ptneches/q-s.htm

[Lisa in California]

Possibly a brother?
August Raggio, January 29, 1864 - June 25, 1908
http://files.usgwarchives.net/la/cameron/cemeteries/immacula.txt

There are two Roy's buried in the same cemetery (could there by a connection to Catherine Roy?):
Alissia (Elicia) Roy 1891-1892
Martin Roy 1855-1892

[Lisa in California]

1900 Grand Chenier
August Raggio, age 36, born January 1864, Louisiana.  Father born Italy, mother born Louisiana. Single. ?, Schooner.

[shellyesq]

Have you followed any of the children of James & Catherine forward?  Maybe an obituary for one of them or for Catherine would give us some clues about James.

Found this likely reference to Clara:  http://www.hancockcountyhistoricalsociety.com/reference/recordmarriage.htm?id=A5-94

I found an obituary for Clara Broussard nee Raggio from 23 Mar. 1965.  The only listed sibling is August Raggio of Kenner, Louisiana.

[shellyesq]

I found an obituary for Mrs. Catherine Raggio from 7 Jan. 1946 in the Port Arthur, Texas news.  She was survived by 3 sons, 5 daughters, one brother (Andrew Roy), four sisters, 30 grandchildren, and 30 great-grandchildren.  No mention of a husband.  It says she had lived in Port Arthur for 20 years.