Birth in Sicily, 1891; death in Ethiopia, 1896

[Josh P]

Eliza Christina LINDGREN (1852-1938) had a child by Count Giacomo LONGO in about 1891, in Sicily, where her father had vineyards.  This child was named Lord Giacomo Caltigirone Lindgren LONGO (died 1910, whilst at university in Berlin).  The Count was said to have been killed in battle against the Ethiopians, at Adowa in 1896.

How might I verify any of this family tale?

[AMBLY]

Hi Josh

Not sure if you would have seen a message on this website, about  a LONGO, born in Sicily in Cammarata in the Province of Agrigento  - his father, and the poster's grandfather,  was also named Giacomo LONGO - possibly from the same family as your own, if not the same man....

http://italia.indettaglio.it/eng/annunci/azioni/visualizzazione.html?id=16050

The message is in Italian, in English is says:
Searching for information of my father Giuseppe LONGO born Cammarata 4 Nov 1901, son of  Giacamo Longo. I am his son lived who lives in America - where my father immigrated about 1968. I would be grateful for information to identify my family.

Also - this website:
http://www.regione.sicilia.it/beniculturali/bibliotecacentrale/mango/lixandrano.htm
has details (and coat of arms) of the noble  LONGO family of Messina, interestingly it has a Giuseppe in it, as well as a Giacomo.... It also has another  piece about the LONGOBARDO family also noble, of Messina, who ended up in Caltagirone, Sicily.....

Perhaps the Caltigirone in the son's name was after the father's town - much like Leonardo da Vinci's  name in full was "Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci" .......translates as "Leonardo son of Piero of  Vinci"  (which I only know because of my son's homework project recently!

I have to say, the LONGO di MESSINA  family, does seem promising - this webiste:
http://www.famiglia-nobile.com/links.asp?CatId=849
Talks of there being a son Giacamo of the family who was - I think  - a 2 star Army General and born perhaps around the timeframe of yours - if, that's how the text translates?

My Italian comprehension is very basic, I hasten to add - I could understand the forum message fine, but with these websites - need to use Babel Fish to work it out :
http://babelfish.altavista.com

Cheers
AMBLY

[Josh P]

Thank you Ambly!  An amazing number of Sicilian leads to follow, which I am excited to get to work on immediately. J.

[AMBLY]

Hi again Josh

Lots of Babel-Fishing! Hope it may help!
Here's a few more....

some more; to do with a Giacomo LONGO associated with Mussomeli - which is in a a different Sicilian Province but it is on boundary of Province of Agrigento
http://mussomelilive.altervista.org/storia_vie.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mussomeli
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Province_of_Caltanissetta

And this
http://www.accademiaxl.it/archivi/Cannizzaro/Corr.asp?String=366
About a General Giacomo LONGO, he was senator, Messina figures...

This to0  has some about the 2 Star General:
http://www.fortesanjachiddu.it/Home/Il_Forte.htm

Now this is very interesting too - an Italian Genealogy forum postings on  LONGO di Sicily, particulary the 3rd reply
http://www.iagiforum.info/viewtopic.php?p=18504&sid=cfdccf6216c566956e5d33b37339321a

Cheers
AMBLY

[Josh P]

These are all fascinating finds, for which I really am most grateful.  I am now attempting to join the Italian forum, in order to communicate with the others who are researching the LONGO family in Siciliy. I shall report any successes.
Again in gratitude, J.