Information for and about the descendants of Peter and Mary Gurto
Meet the Gurtos
Vincenzo and Rosa
Our story begins here . . .
In the Southern part of the Kingdom of Italy,
in the region of Molise,
in the Provence of Campobasso,
in the farming villages of
Santa Croce de Magliano and
Rippabatoni
Vincenzo Iacurti was born in 1866 in Santa Croce de Magliano, Italy.
He was the son of Pietro Iacurti (1810) and Emmanuela di Stefano (1824), both from Santa Croce de Magliano
Vincenzo married Maria Angelarosa (Rosa) Massaglia (1868) sometime around 1890.
They had 4 children; Maria Emanuela, Pietro, Rosaria, Flaviano.
Each of the children got married and together, they had 32 children.
Vincenzo and Maria Angelaraosa (Rosa)'s family
Maria Emanuela Iacurti
Feb 13, 1892 - 1956
Pietro Iacurti
Dec 15, 1894 - Dec 28, 1971
Rosaria Iacurti
1902 - 2000
Flaviano Iacurti
1904 - 1948
Santa Croce de Magliano
Santa Croce De Magliano - Live
Vincenzo and Rosa's House
Immigrating to America
In 1871 Italy became one country known as the Kingdom of Italy. During this transition period, fighting continued in the north of Italy. And in the South, the peasant farmers could not own land, and suffered hardship, violence and starvation.
The farm laborers who immigrated quickly started to develop small family farms to replicate, in American cities, the small, close-knit towns and villages that they had left. They would rebuild communities comprised of Italian immigrants and their children,
Vincenzo travelled to America in 1905 to see his brother-in-law and to consider joining 25,000 other Italians in moving his family to America
In 1908, Maria Emanuela joined her father in America. She was engaged to be married. Her husband ‘s name was Flaviano Ciarla. We knew him as Frank Charles.
Pietro Iacurti also joined his father in the United States on January 13, 1913 in Buffalo, N.Y. He was given the name of Peter Gurto
Vincenzo returned to Italy. Peter would soon move to Conneaut as there was work available on the railroad.
Maria Del Vechio left her home in Rippabatone, Italy with her father Criscenzo (Christy) and also emigrated to America. Her mother and three sisters stayed behind, set to join them later. This never happened.
Whether by design or by chance, Peter and Mary met and were married on July 7, 1917.
Life in Conneaut, Ohio
Peter bought a 4-acre block of land on Residence Street in Conneaut, Ohio. They later sub-divided the property and sold individual lots. 5 of Peter’s children built their homes on those lots or nearby.
Several other Italian families from the same region in Italy also bought land there. The land was rich and fertile, and close to the lake.
Peter and Mary bought a house on Broad Street in 1918 and had it moved to their property.
Peter planted dozens of fruit trees; cherry, pear, apple, peach, plum and apricot. He had a big vegetable garden. Mary would preserve the fruit and vegetables.
Peter also had a huge vineyard on the property where he grew the grapes for his homemade wine.
Over the next 60 years, 43 descendants of Peter and Mary would be born in Conneaut.
Today there are over 400 names on Peter’s and Mary’s family tree.
Peter and Mary lived in the house until 1962 when they sold it to Joe Gurto Sr. Joe lived in the house until he passed away in 2003. His wife Lorraine continued to live there until she passed away in 2017. Joe Gurto Jr. bought the house at that time.
The house and part of the big property are still in the family.
The Family Keeps Growing
The Early Years
1894 – 1950
The Baby Boomers
1950 -1976
The Reunion Years
1972 – Present
Peter died in December, 1971, Mary died 6 weeks later in February, 1972. The family decided to get together each year for a family reunion on the second Saturday of July each year – to honour the anniversary of Peter and Mary’s wedding.
The reunions have been held each year since 1972 and continue to this day.
In Memoriam
We remember those we've lost
