Welcome, Cugliettas from around the world! It is with great joy and a deep sense of heritage that I extend my warmest greetings to all those who proudly carry the name Cuglietta. As a newly minted dual citizen of Italy and the United States, I am (Frank Cuglietta) humbled to be part of this global community that traces its roots back to the charming village of Aiello Calabro in Southern Italy. In 1902, my great-grandfather Rosario Cuglietta (1873–1954) embarked on a transformative journey, leaving his homeland to settle in the vibrant melting pot of New York City as part of the great Italian migration at the turn of the century. Little did he know that his bold decision would ripple through time, connecting us all as Cugliettas dispersed across the globe. Today, we stand as a testament to the enduring spirit of our ancestors, proud of our shared heritage and excited to build bridges that span continents and generations.
Through the fascinating pursuit of genealogy and the meticulous tracing of family trees, my aim is to bring us all closer together by unraveling the intricate web of our shared lineage. In this digital age, where technology allows us to connect across oceans and access historical records with unprecedented ease, I am embarking on a mission to piece together the puzzle of our Cuglietta family tree. By pooling our collective knowledge and ancestral stories, we can discover the intricate branches and connections that tie us to our roots in Aiello Calabro. Together, we will create a comprehensive family tree that serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Cugliettas worldwide, demonstrating how we are all, in some way, linked by the indomitable spirit of our Italian forebears.
The Cuglietta family’s journey from the bustling streets of New York to the serene town of Tommsonville, Connecticut in 1930 marked a pivotal chapter in our family’s history. Rosario Cuglietta, my great-grandfather, and his wife Rosalina Sangiorgio Lampaisi Cuglietta (1872–1950) made this significant move, and with them, they brought the promise of a new life in a different part of America. In the cozy embrace of Enfield, they welcomed two children into their lives, Francis Cuglietta (1905–1959) and Margaret Cuglietta (1907–1994).
Francis would marry Theresa Guidette (1911-1970) and have five children, Francis (1934-2013), Barbara (1936-living), Howard (1938-2011) and Carol (1940 -Living), who would go on to be part of the ever-expanding tapestry of our family.
However, their journey did not end there. In 1942, during a time when the world was grappling with the challenges of World War II, the Cugliettas embarked on another adventure, one that would take them across the vast expanse of the United States. Armed with little more than a suitcase filled with cold cuts, they whole extended family boarded a train for a three-day journey that would ultimately lead them to the bustling city of Los Angeles, California. Their bold move to the West Coast represented the resilience and determination that characterizes the Cuglietta spirit. In this new, dynamic environment, they would not only adapt but thrive, leaving an indelible mark on the Cuglietta legacy that continues to inspire us today.
The Cuglietta family’s rich history is not confined to one corner of the globe but spans across continents, reflecting the diverse journeys of its members. Some Cugliettas remain in their ancestral homeland of Italy, preserving traditions and connections to the picturesque village of Aiello Calabro. In Canada and France, Cuglietta descendants have established new roots, blending their Italian heritage with the cultures of their adopted countries, contributing to the rich tapestry of these nations.
Others ventured further afield, with some Cugliettas making their homes in places like, Utah, California, New York, Nevada, and various corners of the world. Each branch of the family has its own unique story to tell, shaped by the circumstances and opportunities they encountered along the way. The global dispersion of the Cugliettas is a testament to the spirit of adventure, resilience, and adaptability that has characterized this remarkable family throughout its history, binding us together in a shared legacy that transcends borders.
To view the my current Cuglietta Family Tree, login in familysearch.org, start at my father Francis Cuglietta (1934) and follow the chain back to the 1700’s to Giacomo Cuglietta all originating from Aiello Calabro, Cosenza, Calabria, Italy.
There are other chains of Cugliettas that criss-cross each other, which we sill have not tied to the common Cuglietta, take a look at Giovanni Cuglietta and
Tomaso Cuglietta (1721) to explore.
I will use this blog to extend that family tree out, along with the other families that have married in and out of over the centuries from Aiello Calabro like the following: Pagnotta, Pino, Caputo, Guzzo Foliaro, Coccimiglio to mention a few.