Passport Application for Marya Catherine (Casattas) Sivatoff, 1893-1970

(Click to Enlarge)

     Marya Catherine Casattas a native of the United States, born in San Francisco California on the 6th of January 1896.  Father Peter Casattas born in Greece, now deceased April 23, 1917, migrated from Greece, resided in the United States for 26 years from 1891 to 1917 in San Francisco, was naturalized in San Francisco.

     Marya has never lived outside the U.S., permanently resides in San Francisco, and works as a singer.  Plans to be gone only six months to Puerto Rico and Santa Domingo, working as a theatrical entertainer.  She will leave the port of New York, aboard the S.S. Caracas on February 19, 1919.  She has never had a passport before.  She swears an oath of allegiance.

Age: 23 years                 Mouth: large                            Stature: 5 feet 3 inches
Chin: round                    Forehead: medium                    Hair: brown
Eyes: Brown                  Complexion: dark                     Nose: Medium
Face: Oval                     Distinguishing marks: none

     Identifying witness Elinor Mary Cronin, resident of San Francisco, has known Marya for five years.  Elinor is also a singer and works on Broadway in New York.
     Marya requests passport sent to her c/o Mr. Odierno, 124 W. 41st St, New York.
     Picture attached

Marya Catherine Casattas was my wife's grand-aunt.

Copyright © 2015 by Kevin W. Walker

Helen Marie Casattas Mohr (nee. Frank) 1926-2014

Helen Marie Frank Mohr, aged 88 passed away peacefully on November 24, 2014 at the Devonshire Oaks nursing home in Redwood City, Ca. She was a long time resident of San Jose, Ca. 

She lost a slow battle with cancer in the final year of her life.

Helen was born in Fort Sam Houston, (San Antonio), Texas on February 6, 1926. She was the daughter of Helen Marie Baggott Frank and Clarence Archibald Frank. Her father was a graduate of the US military academy and was a Colonel in the Army. As a child, her family was stationed in numerous locations including: Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas; Fort Eustis in Warwick, Virginia; Edgewood Arsenal in Maryland, Fort Lewis in Pierce, Washington and finally Schofield Barracks in Honolulu, Hawaii. She attended college at San Jose State University and graduated with a degree in education in 1948. 

She married Gilbert Mohr on Dec 29, 1983 in Santa Clara, California. Together they shared a passion of playing cards with local friends and bridge clubs.

Gilbert preceded her in death on October 30, 2004.Helen is survived by her two children, Anne Marie Piscatelli of Phoenix, Arizona; Sherri Walker of Wheaton, Illinois; Her siblings Eugene Frank of South Saint Paul, Minnesota; Virginia Frank of Morgan Hill, Ca and Dorothy Frank of Redwood City, Ca. Additionally her seven step-children, Bill Mohr of Piedmont, Ca; Pamela McKenna of Waimea, Hi; Mary Crawford of San Mateo, Ca, Mike Mohr of Honolulu, Hi, Pattie Jacobson of San Carlos, Ca; Steve Mohr of Danville, Ca and David Mohr of San Jose, Ca.

She is also survived by fourteen grandchildren, five great grand children and many nieces and nephews. Our family will remember Helen for her kind and gentle spirit. A private family service will be held in honor of her life at a later date.

The obituary was obtained from the funeral home Crippen and Flynn Woodside Chapel website here http://www.crippenandflynnchapels.com/memsol.cgi?user_id=1465684 I have no record yet of the obituary being published in a newspaper.

My mother-in-law.  She was cremated and her ashes were scattered on family property in Redwood City.

The obituary fails to mention her first marriage June 26, 1954 to Paul Stephen Casattas (1926-1998) which ended in divorce.

Copyright © 2015 by Kevin W. Walker

Amanuensis Monday: "Newlyweds at the Mori Home"

From the Santa Cruz Sentinel (Santa Cruz, CA) June 16, 1938 --

     Mr. and Mrs. William Whelan of San Francisco are spending a part of their wedding trip with the bride's sister, Mrs. Angelo Mori and family at 288 Otis Street.
     The wedding was June 5 at St. Finbar's church, San Francisco.  the bride before marriage was miss Pauline Molfino.
      Mrs. Mori's mother Mrs. L. Molfino, and sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. C. Casattas, also were here.  All attended the graduation of John Mori from Chaminade high school.

This is my wife's grand-relatives.  The Mori's and Whelan's are her grand aunts and uncles; Mr. and Mrs. Casattas are her grandparents, and L. Molfino is her great-grandmother Louisa, the matriarch.

Copyright © 2014 by Kevin W. Walker

Mystery Monday -- Can you solve this research riddle? NARA Record where it does not belong!

My wife's grandfather Carl Gastone Casattas was born 26 Oct 1894 in San Francisco, California, and died 9 Sept 1970 in Santa Cruz, California.  In between he resided for a long time in Oakland, Alameda, California.

Since he was born almost three decades following the end of the Civil War, imagine the surprise when we found this Index Card in the Civil War Pension file at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).  NARA was surprised too!  They said it did not belong and had no idea what it was doing there.  (They could not tell us where it properly belonged so they said it would be returned to the Civil War Pension file.)

Keep in mind we can find no record of him having military service, although he was a member of various veterans groups.

What does it say?  What does it mean?  Click to Enlarge --

UPDATE: We found his draft registration in the "Old Man's Registration."

UPDATE 2: We have since learned he was a member of the Coastal Artillery Corps (C.A.C.), stationed in San Francisco.

UPDATE 3: The July 12, 1973 fire at the St. Louis National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) destroyed approximately 80% of Army personnel records from 1 Nov 1912 to 1 Jan 1960.  This could explain why we can find no record of his service.

Copyright © 2014 by Kevin W. Walker

Peter Casattas Mistook Sleuth for a Pickpocket (1910)

From THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, Tuesday, September 13, 1910 --

MISTOOK SLEUTH FOR A PICKPOCKET

Victim of Light Fingered Operator Errs in Identifying Detective as the Thief 

     P. Casattas, 464 1/2 Castro street, who was one of the victims of-pick-pockets Sunday night on a Market street car to the extent of $101, was in Police Judge Weller's court yesterday morning with Detective McLoughlin to see if he could recognize any of the three men who robbed him. His eyes fell upon Detective T. J. Curtis and he told McLoughlin he was one of the men.
     "Take a good look at him," said McLoughlin, "and be sure." Casattas walked around Curtis and reported to McLoughlin that he was satisfied he was right. "Will you swear to it?" asked McLoughlin and Casattas held up his right hand and said, "Ach Gott, yes. I swear."
     McLoughlin called to Curtis and explained what Casattas had sworn to, and when Curtis laughed and displayed his star Casattas nearly fainted, but it was with reluctance he admitted he might be mistaken.
     Among the victims of pickpockets during the parade Saturday night were Mrs. J. Sachau. 40 Eddy street, who was robbed of a diamond breastpin in Market street; E. M. Epstein, 2534 Bancroft way, Berkeley, of a purse and $14 and two checks for $9.56 in Market street; Mrs. L. O'Brien. 1502 Laguna street. of a gold watch in Market street; Mrs. Mae Adair Eddy of Sausalito, of a gold watch on a Valencia street car; A. C. Laveaga, 416 Mission street, of a diamond locket in Market street, and Mrs. D. R. Sessons, Flood building, of a gold watch in Market street, which was later returned by an unknown woman.

Peter Casattas was my wife's great-grandfather on her father's side.

Copyright © 2014 by Kevin W. Walker

Casattas Family (May 1957)

Left to right (click to enlarge) -- Sister Marie Julie (living), Assunta A. Casattas (nee. Molfino,  1899-1982), Carl G. Casattas (1894-1970), Paul S. Casattas (1926-1998), JoAnn (living).

Given the glum looks on their faces I would assume the occasion is a funeral, but I can find no family deaths in May of 1957.  Maybe a friend then.

These are my wife's father, aunts, and grandparents.

Copyright © 2014 by Kevin W. Walker

Carl Casattas Receives The Memorial Day Poppies (1963)

From the Santa Cruz Sentinel (Santa Cruz, California) - Thu, May 23, 1963 - Page 2 --

Carl Gastone Casattas (1894-1970) was my wife's grandfather.

Copyright © 2014 by Kevin W. Walker

Sunday Obituary: Carl Gastone Casattas (1894-1970)

From the Santa Cruz Sentinel (Santa Cruz, California); Thu, Sep 10, 1970; Page 24 --

    CASATTAS -- In Santa Cruz, Calif.  September 9, 1970.  Carl G. Casattas.  Survived by his wife Mrs. Assunta A. Casattas of Santa Cruz, two daughters, Mrs. Josephine Juhl of Santa Cruz, and Sister Marie Julie of Holy Family of San Francisco; a son, Paul Casattas of San Jose; also survived by six grandchildren and a niece, Mrs. Judy Shiminoff of New York.  Native of San Francisco.  Aged 75 years.  Member of St. Joseph's Church of Capitola, Knights of Columbus.  Past Grand Knight of Sunnyvale Council, Veterans of World War 1, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
    Services will be conducted from White's Chapel, 138 Walnut Ave., Saturday September 12, at 8:40 a.m. and thence to St. Joseph's Church in Capitola where a Requiem Mass will be offered for the repose of his soul commencing at 9 a.m.  The rosary will be recited in the mortuary chapel Friday evening at 7:30.  Friends are respectfully invited to attend.  Internment in Holy Cross Mausoleum.  9-9-215 

Carl G. Casattas was my wife's paternal grandfather.

Copyright © 2014 by Kevin W. Walker

Sunday Obituary: Assunta Filicina Augustina Molfino Casattas (1899-1982)

From Santa Cruz Sentinel, 13 June 1982, Page 75 --

Assunta A. Casattas

     Assunta A. "Sunny" Casattas, a former resident of Santa Cruz, died Saturday in Fremont.  She was 82.
     A native of San Francisco, Mrs. Casattas lived in the Santa Cruz area for 20 years.
     She is survived by a son Paul S. Casattas of San Jose; two daughters, Josephine Juhl of Santa Cruz and Sister Marie Julie SHF of San Jose; two sisters, Mary Mori and Pauline Whelan, both of Santa Cruz; a brother, Enrico Molfin of Santa Cruz, a son-in-law, Jens Juhl of Santa Cruz; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
     Mass will be celebrated at the Holy Family Convent, 159 Washington, in fremont on Monday at 7:30 p.m.  Friends and relatives are invited to visit at the convent on Monday after 2 p.m.
     Internment will be at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Santa Cruz on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.
     Darling-Fischer Garden Chapel, 471 E. Santa Clara St., in San Jose is in charge of arrangements.

Copyright © 2014 by Kevin W. Walker

"Hold Fast!?" Great-grandpa Peter?

Here is the 1898 voter registration for Precinct 2, Assembly District 32, San Francisco County, (Click on it to enlarge) --

In it we see my wife's great-grandfather Peter Casattas who has been the subject of research lately.  It says he is a mariner, 42 years old, 5'10", dark complexion, brown eyes, dark hair, he is from Greece, his address in San Francisco is 509 3rd Street, he occupies the whole second floor at that address, he was naturalized in the S.F. Superior Court on 1/25/1894, he registered to vote in August, he could write his name, read the Constitution, and mark his ballot.  But what we want to focus on is the comment "tattoos both hands."

Body art is ancient, going back several hundreds if not thousands of years.  Tattoos are believed to have entered into western culture around 1750 when Capt. Cook and his crew visited Tahiti and decided to get tattoos as souvenirs.  Yep, tattoos in western culture are all the fault of sailors!  "Mariners."  Mariners like g-grandpa Peter commonly got tattooed.  Sailors tattoos are often meaningful -- certain tattoo for having sailed around the cape; certain tattoo for having sailed to China, certain tattoo for fisherman, or merchant marine, navy.

But there is only one tattoo that is common for sailors to have on both hands --

-- "Hold Fast" with one letter on each finger to remind the sailor to not let go of the rigging that could mean loss of control of the sail and him falling overboard.  "Hold Fast."

Was this the tattoo g-grandfather Peter Casattas had on his hands?  We don't know yet for sure.  We might never know.  But it is very likely.  "Hold fast," g-grandfather Peter.  "Hold fast."

Copyright © 2014 by Kevin W. Walker

About that Birthdate: Peter Casattas -- 6 Jan 1851

So far in our research, we have two birth years claimed to be accurate for Peter Casattas.  His gravemarker says "1849."

His passport application and funeral record say "1851."  All the census records, voter records, and death index say "about 1851."  So we begin by discounting out the gravemarker's birth year of 1849.

In absence of a birth certificate or birth record, we have three competing birth dates.  The tombstone says "4 February," The funeral record says "21 February," the passport says "6 January."  The tombstone has one strike against it.  We don't know whom was the informant of the funeral record, but the best guess is his daughter Marya.  We can safely presume the informant for the passport was Peter himself.  Having no reason to discount Peter's own account, and lacking any actual birth record, the birthdate of "6 January 1851" is the one we choose to embrace.

Copyright © 2014 by Kevin W. Walker

Peter Casattas (1851-1917) part 2

According to the officials at the National Archives, the immigration and naturalization records of my wife's great-grandfather Peter Casattas were destroyed in the great San Francisco Earthquake and its subsequent fire.  But there are still records out there.  Here we found one of the most important and most informative, his Emergency passport application for return to the U.S. from 1915.

And yes, you see right -- his photo!

We get a treasure chest of info from this document, and the presumption since it is a passport, the veracity will be good.  We learn he was born in Santorini, Greece on 6 January 1851.  He sailed to the U.S. on an unknown ship from Naples Italy in June 1863.  He lived in San Francisco his whole time in the U.S., and was naturalized in the Superior Court of  California at San Francisco on 25 January 1894.  He was a "fireman."  He went to Greece for health reasons.  He was gone from the U.S. for three to four months before returning to the U.S.  We get to see his actual signature.  On the back we get his photo and a physical description.

What we learn: He was only twelve years old when he came to the U.S. confirming that part of the family tradition.  Being naturalized in 1894 would be consistent with the records being destroyed in 1906.  His occupation is listed as "fireman."  We know from census records he was a ship-board fireman.  He was 5'10", height runs in his family, as we saw with his grandson Paul.  What I find most interesting is that he died less than two years later from cancer, and here he is visiting Greece "for health reasons."  Did he know he was afflicted?  Was he going to say good-bye to family?  Was he seeking a cure?

Research possibilities: ship records, possible Greek relatives


Copyright © 2014 by Kevin W. Walker

And the (Brick) Walls Keep Tumbling Down?: Peter Casattas (1851-1917)

"Brick walls."  Maybe, maybe not.  I have discovered in my years of doing research that most of the time a "brick wall" isn't a brick wall after all, I just needed to find the right document, and it is a document that any seasoned researcher would have located straight away.  Case in point, my wife's great-grandfather Peter Casattas (1851-1917).

In my wife's family perhaps there is no other individual wrapped up in more speculation and lore.  With various alterations to the story, it is said he snuck onto a ship to the U.S. when he was only thirteen, then when the ship came near the shore, perhaps near Santa Cruz, home to the majority of his descendents, he jumped ship and swam ashore.

The truth as we know it so far, is he was an immigrant from Greece to San Francisco.  And with all the court records lost in the great quake and fire, finding info on him has been like pulling teeth.  Combine that with him having a heavy accent (chronicled in a newspaper article I found) and an oddly spelled surname, and it appeared he would remain an enigma.

But fortunately there are thousands and thousands of researchers in the same boat trying to find information on ancestors in San Francisco before the quake, so any records genealogists can find instead of those lost are quickly indexed and examined.  Here I give you the funeral home record for Peter Casattas --

-- From it we see he is from Greece, and it is his daughter Marya (aka. "Maria") who took care of the details.  He died from a tumor, and the year of birth of 1851 is also correct according to my research, despite it disagreeing with the birth year on his tombstone.  However his birthdate is wrong according to my research. More on these things later.  He was Catholic, the mass was held at the Greek Church, and he was buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Colma, CA.

Research possibilities: Cemetery records and church records.

Part 2 tomorrow.
Copyright © 2014 by Kevin W. Walker

Maria Gertrude (Homberg) Hense (1836-1880)

From The Baggott Family: A Family History (self-published, 2002) by Bert and Joan Donlon --

Frank Hense, born in Prussia in 1820, married Maria Gertrude Homberg, born in 1836, on April 15, 1852 in Adams County, Illinois.  Frank was 32 and Gertrude was 16.  They lived in Hersman, Brown County, Illinois where Frank owned the Lillian Flour Mill.  Hersman is located about three miles southeast of Mt. Sterling on State Highway 99.  Frank and Gertrude had 17 children, five of whom died as infants or in early childhood.  Records from a family Bible indicate that Gertrude died 12 days after the birth of her 17th child.  Gertrude was 44 years old.  Our family has Gertrude's prayer book as our only remembrance.

Gertrude is my wife's great-great-grandmother along her purely maternal line (Gertrude Homberg Hense --> Edith Hense Baggott --> Helen Marie Baggott Frank --> Living Casattas --> Sherri Casattas Walker).  If we were to test Sherri's Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) it would establish a direct link to Gertrude.

Copyright © 2011 by Kevin W. Walker

Amanuensis Monday: Casattas - Frank Wedding Announcement

(Amanuensis: A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.  "Amanuensis Monday" is a blogging theme hosted by John Newmark at the Transylvanian Dutch Genealogy Blog.)

The following is from the Tuesday, June 29, 1954 issue of the newspaper SUNNYVALE STANDARD --

Helen Frank, Paul Casattas Say Vow in Nuptial Ceremony

Helen Marie Frank and Paul Steven Casattas Saturday morning repeated nuptial vows in a formal double ring ceremony performed by the Reverend Joseph G. O'Gara at St. Patrick's Church, San Jose.

Helen, the daughter of Col. and Mrs. Clarence A. Frank of San Jose was given away by her father.

The bride selected a wedding gown of chantilly lace over satin with a fitted bodice, full-length skirt, long sleeves and a long train.  Her fingertip veil was secured to a pearl crown.  A spray of stephanotis arranged on her great-grandmother's prayer book centered with a white orchid and white satin streamers composed the bridal bouquet.

Carol Eason maid of honor wore a blue net over satin gown with a bouffant skirt fashioned with three rows of inserted ruffles and appliqued roses on the tucked bodice.  She wore a band of net ruffles in her hair and carried a colonial bouquet of pastel blue delphiniums backed with pale blue satin.

The three bridesmaids, who preceded Helen down the aisle, wore gowns identical to the maid of honors.  Serving as attendants were Mary Elizabeth Frank, sister of the bride; Joan Waterman, cousin of the bride, and Linda Whelan, cousin of the groom.

Best man for the rites was Lawrence Estevan, Jr., while Robert Bevans, Harold Waterman, and William Whelan, showed guests their places.

Approximately 350 friends and relatives attended a reception honoring the couple at the De Anza Hotel.

Mrs. Frank, mother of the bride, wore a changeable pastel blue silk shantung afternoon dress to her daughter's wedding, complemented with a white picture hat and gloves.  She wore a pink cymbidium orchid corsage.  The benedict's mother was costumed in a navy blue two-piece crepe suit, with navy blue and white accessories.  She too wore an orchid corsage.

Casattas, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl G. Casattas, of 571 N. Bayview, is a graduate of St. Joseph's High School in Alameda, and San Jose State College where he was affiliated with Theta Kappa Phi Fraternity.  his sisters are Mrs. Jens Juhl and Sister Julie of the Holy Family Order.

Helen graduated from Notre Dame High School, San Jose, and San Jose State College where her sorority was Epsilon Sigma Alpha.  Her sisters and brothers are Clarence A. Frank, Jr., Eugene P. Frank, Sister Dorothy Cecillia of Notre Dame, Mary Elizabeth, and Eileen Frank.

For her going away outfit, Helen wore a sand-hued two-piece pure silk suit overlaid with turquoise and white print.  She pinned an orchid corsage at her shoulder.

After a honeymoon in Southern California, the newlyweds will make their home in San Carlos.

Copyright © 2010 by Kevin W. Walker