The Montagna Family Web Site

Joseph Montagna waas born to salvatore and Angela Montagna in 1864 in the Province of Caltanissetta, Village of  Montedoro, Sicily, Italy.

In 1894 he married Pasquala Luima. joseph was 30 years old and Pasquala was 20 years old. 

Joseph & Pasquala Lumia Montagna

Copy of Joseph and Pasquala Lumia Montagna's Marrige Certificate

Pasquala was born in 1974 in the Province of Caltanissetta, Village of  Sommatino, Sicily, Italy.

Pasquala and Joseph began their family with the birth of Angelina in 1895. In 1896 their second daughter Rose was born. Their third daughter Salvatricia was born in 1897. Three years latter in 1900 their fourth daughter Giovanna was born. In 1902 their son Salvatore was born. In 1912 their fifth daughter Piterina was born. In 1915 their sixth daughter Paola was born. In 1918 their last child, a son, Cologero was born. All of their children were born in Sommatina.

 Joseph worked at the sulfur mines. He began as a common laborer, but was not satisfied to do this type of work.  Joseph felt in order to get ahead he would have to be better than all the other workers. Joseph tought himself how to read. In the last half of the 19th century, in Sicily, only clergy, city officals, lawers and the wealthy knew how to read.

Joseph moved up with-in the company and eventually became employed by the workers to oversee the company transactions. Joseph would travel around checking the sale of sulfur to insure the workers were not taken advantage of by the company.He would oversee the weighing, bartering and actual transfer of monies from the coustomer to the company. Joseph would then report back to the employees as to what transactions took place. It seems that Joseph was what we today call a Union Represenative.

One of Joseph's favoriate passtimes was reading the newspaper. He would not retire in the evening until he read it. Whenever the weather was nice Joseph would go to the center of town and read the newspaper. The men of the village would all gather around and Joseph would read the paper aloud. For many of the villagers this was the only way they found out what was happening outside of their village.

Joseph was also very active in community activities. He was president and founder of several lodges (social clubs). Joseph lived a long and productive life. He passed away in 1944 at the age of 80.

Pasquala spend her days caring for the children. In her spare time she made lace items and sewed. She passed the knowledge of lace making down to all her daughters. The Montagna girls all knew how to make lace, and many family members have lace momentos that have been made by them. Pasquala passed away at the age of 49 in December of 1925.

Angelina, Rose, Giovanna, and Paola emigrated to America.