History of the Bevilacqua Family
I don’t know a lot about the genealogy of the Bevilacqua family, so if any of you reading this have information you’d be willing to share, I’d be grateful to receive it. My maternal grandfather, James Bevilacqua, was born in 1902 and died in the summer of 1962. His wife, Elvira Capozzi, my beloved “Nonnie”, was born in 1904 and passed away in December, 1978. They had seven children: Giovanna (Jennie), the eldest and my Mom. The others are Gloria Bevilacqua Fearns, Ralph, Marlene Bevilacqua Matland, James, Alfred and Robert. Since we grew up in the same house in Cedarhurst, NY, and they were only a few years older than me, Alfred and Bobby treated me more like a younger brother than a nephew.
My grandfather’s parents were Ralph Bevilacqua and Giovanna Giancotta. I believe both were born in Italy, but I don’t know much more about their genealogy. Besides James, their other children were Ernest, Albert, Joseph, Ines Bevilacqua Gregorace and Amelia Bevilacqua Piccione. Great Grandpa and Grandma Bevilacqua are buried in Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury, NY, as are Grandpa and Nonnie Bevilacqua, both my parents, Uncle Ralph and Aunt Marlene.
“Nonnie” was the daughter of Genaro Capozzi and Carmella Auchino. Again, both were born in Italy, but I have no information on when they migrated to the United States. Great Grandmother Carmella is listed on the 1930 U.S. census as being 68 years of age at the time, and was living with my grandparents in Inwood, NY.
Elvira’s sibling history is a bit more complicated, and with so many family members who could have offered details now deceased, I’m not really certain that I have everything correct. Nonnie had a sister, Angelina, and two brothers, James and Pelagrino (Pete). After Genaro Capozzi passed away, Carmella married Oreste Rizzolo and bore two more children, Pasquale and Michael. Unfortunately, I’m not in touch with anyone on that side of the family who can provide further clarification.
Some anecdotes about members of the Bevilacqua, Capozzi and Rizzolo families can be found elsewhere in this anthology, notably within Under the Influence of Uncles, The Hackers, and Saga of the Missing Door.
Besides me and my four siblings (one deceased), my grandparents had fourteen other grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. The extended family of first and second Bevilacqua cousins is quite large. I’ve never met some of them, and have had little contact with others through the years. I find this regrettable, but as I often say, life’s circumstances prevented us from being closer. Maybe we can all remedy that one of these days.
That’s about the extent of the data I have on the Bevilacqua family. If you know anything to add to this history, I would very much appreciate hearing from you.
Shadows: Family Stories 
Leave a Reply