This is from a note from Gale Arena.....

The Special Story ....told by Maria Migliore Arena about her father Phillipo Migliore

This incident took place supposedly in Catania, Sicily.

Phillipo's father was Joseph Migliore.....the town Sheriff or watchman of the fruit orchards. (Robbing them was a offense and those caught were sent to prison.) One night eight year old Phillipo was with his father Joseph and they heard noises in the fruit orchard. Realizing there might be danger, he put his son inside a nearby church and told him to wait there. He went to investigate and see if there were people stealing the fruit. Phillipo stood by the statue of the Blessed Mother Mary waiting for his father to return. After awhile the hand of Mary reached out and placed some 'bitter candy' in his hand. He kept waiting but finally went out to look for his father......and found him dead. The robbers had killed him. Phillipo saw the faces of the killers......who told him if he ever told or identified them they would come and kill him and the family. Later, Phillipo said the bitter candy was a symbol of the sad and bad times ahead for him.

Comment by Gale: Perhaps this had something to do with the Migliore family moving from Catania in the 1800's.

Phillippo Migliore Family

September 1995 Antonina, Maria's sister, who was already married to Guiseppe (Joe) Trippi, came to America first with her husband.

A brother also came, Joe (Giuseppe) Migliore. He was a shoe maker. He worked and earned money so the rest of the family could come, that seemed to be the way for immigrants families to get to America then. Phil Arena remembers his Grandfather Phillippo as a kind and gentle man. He was small in stature, about 5'6". He had dark brown hair, (white, when he was old), and almost black eyes. When he was older he walked with a cane. Phil still has the cane, made of Olive wood, and obviously made for a shorter person. He was known to have loved his family dearly. His grandfather was a quiet man, and Phil remembers him sitting in his chair, just like his picture. Phil also has memories of walking down the sidewalk with him holding his hand when he was a small child.

When Phillippo was younger in Sicily, he worked nights as a 'Sheriff,' or guard of the fruit orchards. Fruit was a big business then, and if you were caught stealing fruit, you went to prison. This was at the estate of the Castle D'Maria, where Maria Migliore was born. It was located in Catania, Sicily. (This is where the story of the Migilore family witnessing a Mafia related crime takes place.) There is some speculation about where the Migliore family originates. Maria (Migliore) Arena told this story .

Maria lived on the grounds of a Castle when she was very small, under four years old in the town of Catania, Sicily. Her father was the caretaker or guard of the property, orchards and vineyards etc..... Someone in the family witnessed a Mafia related crime. They ( Migliore family) were told to leave the area. Threatened possibly? They packed their belongings and family into a wagon and went to Carini. It is thought that this castle may be the castle of Princess D'Maria. If you look on the generation chart you will see that Maria Migliore's grandmother was Antonia De' Maria, and her (Antonia) father was Vincenzo De' Maria. This would be Phillippo Migliore's mother and grandfather.

The mystery: who is Princess De' Maria? There is also some speculation (as well as confusion) over a story told to Maria Arena by her mother, and also to Mamie Cavello by her mother, Josephine, Maria's sister.

The story is that great -grandparents Francesco and Gaetanno Mannino were part of King Victor Emmanuel ll's court, and lived at the castle. Gaetanno was known to be a wonderful woman who lived to be 105 years old and had 22 children!!!!! It was said if one died she adopted another one to replace the one who died. The King favored one of their children especially. Gave the child a excellent education, and fancy clothes. This makes some think that this child was his, and was raised as one of the adopted. It was repeated by Maria Migliore Arena that there was 'royal blood' in the family, but she never explained. Maria Arena said her great-grandma attended the royal balls. She spoke of how she remembered seeing her dressed up in a beautiful velvet gown with a low cut bodice. She had beautiful jewels around her neck, bracelets on her arms, and rings for her fingers. She had dropped by on her way to the Ball. Because it had impressed Maria so much when she was a child, she remembered it and talked about it. Although some of this is guessing, we do know that royal familes did have illegitimate children that were raised and cared for by the royal court!!!!

Phillippo and Francesca were retired when they came to America. Felix Arena could not remember them working. Felix shared with me that in those days, before social security, you worked til you couldn't work anymore, (old age) or you had savings to care for yourself, or your children took care of you. Felix thought that the sons Joe and Frank helped care for their parents. The other option was to go to the "poor house". There really was such a place in Seattle. He remembers it as being on Corson Ave. in south Seattle.

This is written from interviews with Phil and Gale Arena, Felix Arena, and Francie Jaeger. Their memories of talking directly to Maria Arena about her parents. 1995

Francesca was born April 1847 in Florence, Italy, died February 1, 1924 and was Maria Arena's mother.

Before Francesca came to America, she had a school in Carini where she taught young ladies the art of Florentine lace making. Two beautiful table cloths made by her still survive. She was 5'4" tall, and had very 'piercing' blue-green eyes. She was remembered as being kind, but authoritative. She lived til 1924 in Seattle. She had five daughters and two sons. At one time most of her daughters and their families lived within a few block radius of their parents.

Francesca and Phillippo lived at 1510 Sturges Rd. on Beacon Hill. Her daughter Maria and her husband Salvatore lived at 1501 Valentine Place. I was told that the grandparents house on Sturges is still standing. The daughters liked living close to their mother. Even though Grandparents didn't ' baby sit' in those days, they were still part of a important family support system. Phil Arena remembers Grandma Migliore as firm, and dominant. At the end of her life, all of her daughters took turns caring for her til her death.

Francesca and Phillippo are buried in the Calvary Catholic Cemetary, at 55th and 34th Ne. in Seattle , Wa. (Sand Point)

Castle of Arena Story

Castle of Arena

Nicola de Arena, Palermo Sicily

The castle was first called, 'Castle Salon Delle Feste', in the 1500's. The royal appointee, Baron Garu was put in control of the Provice of Palermo. The Baron and Baroness had a sixteen-year-old daughter Catherine. At that time the castle was so huge it housed 700 persons, including the servants, slaves, the church and all its personages, and the military along with its prisoners.

On the grounds was a large brass fountain that furnished water for all. The flower gardens were very large and well tended. Historians report, that hanging inside the castle were the worlds most beautiful paintings. Many marble statues were part of this castle's beauty. Many parties and festivals were held by the Baron and Baroness Grau.

Italian Tragedy The tragic incident occurred around 1516 A.D.. But first, we need to know the social history on arranged marriages. Parents planned the marriages of sons and daughters. The vows were then posted in the local church. 'Love' marriages seldom occurred. Catherine was described as young, dark haired, with an angelic nature. A person who loved flowers. Much of her time was spent in the flower garden. This is where she met and fell in love with the gardener!

It is said, because of some jealous reason, Baron Grau's brother-in-law told Baron Grau that Catherine had fallen in love with the castle gardener. Wedding vows had already been posted in the church for Catherine. Baron LaGrau is described as a person of grand esteem, a important man to be looked up to. When he was told his daughter was in love with the gardener, it was a great blow to his pride. He felt everyone knew about his daughter and the gardener, and were laughing behind his back. Uncontrollable anger surged through him, but no one knew how he felt because he kept his emotions in! It wasn't unusual for him to be away overnight on business in other parts of the province, so he planned to spy on the couple. One evening soon after, he put on brown monks robes, and went for a stroll in the castle gardens in the moonlight. He watched, unnoticed by others on the castle grounds that evening. Soon Catherine came out and went down the stairs into the rose garden to meet her lover. The Baron saw this and became enraged. He removed a crossbow from under his robes, and shot his daughter through the heart. In surprise and great pain she grasps the wound and ran up the castle stairs, into the building and died. Immediately he came to his senses and realized he had shot his own daughter, and what a terrible thing he had done! The Baron suffering agonies of remorse, screamed out to the people of the palace that were watching. He knew what a sinful deed he had just committed. In angry pain he cried, 'Why oh why did not one of you try to stop me? You knew, and could have prevented this tragedy! Because all of you were so weak, I the Baron Grau hereby proclaim that this place shall be called Carini,..'The place of the Dogs'. And he wept. The people were afraid to tell anyone of this event. So, the true story never got back to the King in Madrid. It was said later the gardener was found beheaded. The Baron left the Castle forever and wandered through the land. The castle and town became known as Carini.

Apparently, after Spain lost control of the Mediterranean, no one lived in the castle. An opera and poem were written to commemorate this tragic event. In 1984, when we were there, Carini's historical society was trying to restore the castle. No Trespassing signs were posted and when we spoke to the workmen about trying to enter, they said it was very unsafe as crumbling rocks were constantly dropping. This is written directly from notes from Gale Arena September 1995

Information about the Arena name and Crest The surname Arena is Spanish. The meaning is 'one who lived at or near the sand'. Variations in spelling could be: Arenia, Arenias, Arenis, Arenise, and Arenas. Most individuals living in the United States used Arena.

There is evidence that there is more than one Arena coat of arms. The earliest description is one cock in natural color, standing on at the point of a mount of six hills, in green at the point. Another variation of the Arena coat of arms shows a lion rearing up, facing left, on a shield, in red and white color, with crown sitting on the top. (See copy of Crest) If anyone can read Italian, this is a description of the crest. Arena di Palermo----- Arma: D'azzurro, alleone d;Oro posto sopra un monte d;argento, movente dalla punte. Arenos di Sicilia-------Arma: D;argento, allupo di rosso guardante un sole dello stesso orizzontale a destra. ARENA CASTLE, AND OTHER SICILIAN CASTLES

The landscape of Italy and Sicily is dotted with old Castles. The Arena Castle is located in the village of S'Nicol'L'Arena. It is on the island of Sicily, about three miles from the village of Trabia. Felice and Francesca Arena lived in Trabia and raised the family there. The Castle in Trabia is now called Castle Lanza. The family who owns it when we( the 'Arena brothers and sister) were their had a nursery on the grounds........this faced the sea. We have a postcard of it, but couldn't learn any of its history.

On our trip in 1984 we visited the Arena Castle and took some pictures. The front part was a discotheque at night, and a theatre where musicals were performed, and beer and wine were served. The rest of the castle was living quarters for the family. We were driving down the street of S'Nicole Arena after a festival, (parade) of antique Italian two wheeled carts pulled by donkeys. Frank Arena stopped the car we were driving, and Phil got out of the car and begin to ask , in Italian, if any Arena's lived there. He was talking to the village priest. The priest called out to a Peter Arena, and a Carlos Arena. A crowd begin to gather. Then Phil asked if anyone had heard of or knew a Felice or Salvatore Arena who had lived there a long time ago. The Priest asked when his father and grandfather were born, and then we all realized it would have been over 100 years ago! We thanked them, and drove on to Trabia.

We stayed for the day and visited the old cemetery, where we did find some Arena names. The next day we visited Palermo, and Maria's home village of Carini. Carini is 15 miles to the east of Palermo. Trabia is 15 miles to the west of Palermo. So actually, Maria and Salvatore only lived 30 miles from each other. Carini is located in the mountains. The highway comes into this small city around a hilltop-like mountain, and enters the old section of the city. The Carini Castle is in full view.

The first time I heard about this castle from Maria Migliore Arena, I thought it was a Italian fairy tale. It is so full of drama, I will include it for your enjoyment. We visited the old Cathedral where the Migliore family went to mass. We were at the town fountain, the building where they lived, and where lace making was taught. We took a tour through the old old part of the cathedral and saw the beautiful marble sculptures and carvings. Some nuns were selling a book of history of Carini entitled, Nell'Arte. The book was dedicated to Tommissino Mannino, Insign Amara La Chesa. He was a Monsignior di Santa. Roughly translated, 'In memory of our Saint Monsignior Tomas Mannino. His coffin was enshrined on a raised platform near the alter. While helping to put together this genealogy, we hope he turns out to be one of the 22 children of Francesco and Gaetanno Mannino. When we got the book we knew it was written in Italian, and hoped someone in the family could help us translate. Which hasn't been the case. The family can speak Italian, but can't read it!

The book has many wonderful old pictures of the castle and famous paintings. From what has been told me about the castle, and what I could figure out from the book, I will give the historical background, and then tell you how Carini got it's name. On the outside of the castle is the date, 1076 A.D. Built during the reign of King Roger during the Norman rule, when the crusades passed through southern Italy and Sicily. There were many wars and conquests during this time in history. Some 200 years later the Spaniards were in control of the Mediaterrean Sea, south Italy, and Sicily. King Phillip lll ruled. He made royal appointments for his people to rule each province in this part of the world that he commanded. Now we can get on to the historically true story that happened so many years ago

How Salvatore Arena came to America September 1995 by Sharon Read

Salvatore Arena was born on April 21, 1882, in Trabia, Sicily. This is the story of how he and his family came to America, beginning around 1899.

I heard this story with a few small variations, from at least four different children of Maria and Salvatore Arena, Felix Arena, Phil Arena, Francie Arena Jaeger, Johnny (Angelo) Arena and Joe Arena. All their memories were very similar, it obviously was a important 'family story.'

Late in the 1800's Paul Arena came to America. Paul was a tall person, possibly six feet, he enjoyed life, was a gambler, and liked women. He never married. It was repeated to me that Paul heard the streets in America were paved with Gold, that, and the fact that he had a adventurous nature were what led him to come to America.

He had promised his parents when he left Trabia, that he would earn money and send for the rest of the family. But after he arrived, the family didn't hear from him. They of course were worried, thinking something had happened to him. Meanwhile Salvatore wanted to come to America. There was mandatory military service in Sicily at that time. All males at 17, had to serve for one year. When Salvatore was 16 he begged his parents to let him come to America with his oldest sister, Rosalina, (Rose) and her husband, Salvatore Pagano, and their son Domonic. He said he would look for his brother Paul. His father agreed, and he was on his way to America.

Domonic and Salvatore were the same age and enjoyed the boat trip. They arrived in New York, and came by train to Seattle. Salvatore stayed with some relatives that lived in Tacoma. There he found his brother Paul, working in a logging camp as a cook or logger, (not sure which). Paul was a gambler and a heavy drinker as mentioned before, and he ended up being murdered later (1938) in a fight in a bar in Tacoma. He is buried in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Tacoma WA.

Salvatore went to trade school near Trabia Sicily from the time he was 9 years old til he was 16, learning to make men's shoes. In America he found work in a shoe repair shop. Salvatore was the reliable (good) son, he worked hard and sent money to his family in Sicily so they could come to America. The family came in steerage, and it cost about $30 a person for the trip.His parents Felice and Francesca settled in Tacoma. His other sisters married here in Washington and settled close by.

These are the two different versions of the story of Salvatore Arena, and his courtship and marriage to Maria Migliore. Salvatore was 5'6" tall, with dark curly hair and blue eyes and handsome! He was the youngest son, actually youngest child of Felice and Francesca Arena. He was acquainted with Maria's brother Joe who was also a shoemaker, and Joe invited him to dinner with his family. That was where Salvatore first saw Maria. Maria was 5'2", with dark curly hair, olive complexion, and dark dark brown eyes! I was told that she had a delightful sense of humor. It was love at first sight, at least on Salvatore's part. He immediately asked her Father and Mother if he could call on her. The Mother ask Maria, who by the way was ' promised' to someone in Sicily. Maria said yes. And that was the beginning of the Arena/Migliore family.

The second version is that Salvatore was meeting someone at the train depot at the same time Maria and her family were arriving. He saw her and was instantly smitten with her. He called on her father and asked permission to court her. The Father said yes, even though she was promised to someone else. Salvatore was also "engaged" at the time to a Swedish girl from Ballard (Phil Arena remembers this), but the minute he saw Maria he broke his engagement! Obviously love at first sight! The other interesting sidelight is that they were married in 45 days, or 1 year. Depending on who is telling the story. Phil Arena says 1 year, because they had to wait for her mother to come from Sicily. (Remember, she was turned back at customs in Sicily, with brother, because of his 'inflamed eye') .

Salvatore and Maria were married at Mt. Virgin Catholic church in Seattle on November 5,1905. They had a happy marriage, and loved each other. With a beginning as romantic as theirs, who could doubt it! They started their life together living in Tacoma, with or near his parents til 1909. Salvatore had a shoe repair shop there. Maria's mother-in-law was very ill, and Maria helped care for her until she died 3 years later.

After this they moved to Valentine Place in Seattle, which was part of an 'Italian' neighborhood. In 1919 they bought a house at 1412, 21rst Ave., and the family grew to six children. All the kids had to work. Phil Arena remembers coming home from church on Sundays, and while his mother was making dinner, his Dad would be supervising the boys cleaning house. Salvatore was a hard worker and took good care of the family. One of his places of business was in the Public Market. Two of his sons, Phil, and Joe purchased brick paving stones in memory of their Dad. They are placed at different locations in the market. Joe's says, "Sam Arena", that was what his Dad was known by as a merchant. Phil's says, Salvatore Arena, and is by the pillar next to the meat market at the 1rst Ave. entrance(I have seen it there).

Later, Salvatore had a building built on 23rd street which is still standing today. It is a brick building which is owned by a church now. His shop was in that building. Salvatore was also a gardener, and raised beautiful Dahlia's. People used to admire them from the street. American history was a hobby for Salvatore. He became a American citizen. He was well liked in the neighborhood and ended up with the nickname, 'Uncle Sam'. He was affectionately known as the 'Mayor of 23rd Ave. He sponsored boys baseball teams long before such a custom was known or popular for businessmen.

Salvatore was very proud of his wife and boys, and when in 1925 a daughter was born, his life seemed very good. All of his children went to Immaculate Conception Church. Felix, Phil, and Frank attended Immaculate Grade School and high school. Felix and Phil went on to Seattle Prep. Frank and the other boys went to Garfield High.

After Salvatore's death the boys worked and helped their Mom. Felix worked on the USS Surveyor Ship that was mapping the coastline of Alaska. Phil worked in a grocery store. As they all grew up and got married they chose different professions, but it is interesting how many of them went into public service or government related jobs. Felix was a fireman, and retired from the fire dept. Phil worked in grocery stores, as a welder at the shipyards during WW2, and afterward was a salesman for a laundry company, and Secretary for the Laundry Division of the Teamsters. Frank was a public transportation driver, (bus driver) for the city of Seattle, and a staunch union man. Joe and John worked at the Bremerton shipyards, and retired from there. Francie was still very little when her Dad died. She remembers she would bring him his lunch at the shop and check to see how he was. She loved her Dad, and several of the boys still remember how their Dad doted on his only girl.

In 1933 Salvatore complained off and on about not feeling well. But just kept going, he was a hard worker. Just before his death, he came home at noon feeling sick, He thought he had a cold , but had suffered a heart attack, or stroke, and 5 days later died at home. Maria and the children were devastated. The boys worked and helped support their Mother and the rest of the children that were younger. A lot of the burden fell on the older boys. Maria was determined to carry on and raise her family. Which she did. She never remarried. She lived to be 96 years old. Long enough to see all her children marry, and see 28 grandchildren and even great-grandchildren born !

This was written from interviews with Phil and Gale Arena, Felix Arena, Joe Arena, and Francie Jaeger, about their parents. Notes taken by Sharon Read in 1995

Maria and Salvatore's gravesite

I remember the Arena family reunions

My grandpa Frank was at the head of the table bigger then life. Even my dad was not as large as he usually seemed when grandpa was around. All the great uncles surrounded him at the head of the table and then my uncles farther down the table as if in sort of unplanned hierarchy.

I would sit quietly down at the end of the table in anticipation as the bantering would commence. I loved the thrill of wondering if they where serious as they're voices rose from regular discussion to loud yelling, sharp wit and fists slamming on the table over any issue that was brought up. I finally came to realize that that's just how Italian's discuss things.

I remember the matriarch of the family my grandma Maria sitting in her chair over to the side with all the grandkids miling around her. I was always scared to talk to her because I couldnt understand her very well with her thick Italian accent. But I remember her eyes where so loving and she always wanted to hug me which I let her and can remember her soft skin on my face.

Our family seemed so big and I felt attached to a something ......a heritage.

L-R Felix Arena, Doris Arena, Marie Arena, Francie Arena Jaeger, Joe Arena (yellow shirt) Franks wife?, Gale and Phil at far right. Taken on their trip in 1984 in front of the Carini Fountain

I can remember very little because I was so young. But there are some things that are cemented in my memory.

I will of course never forget the walk way to there house that wasnt conducive to small children. We where always so excited to see grandma and grandpa that we would run down the steep incline and fall everytime. But we would get over it fast.

I remember the plum trees and eating unripe sour grapes in the summer.

Ginger and Max

The smell of coffee when you entered the house

Grandmas dolls from every country she collected that we begged to see everytime we came to visit

Grandpa's big smooches with pocky wiskers and pinches on the cheeks saying "Hi stinky"

Grandma's colored tin cups that she gave us drinks in!

Uncle Tony making us laugh....."color"

Playing in the yard, rolling down the hill, sneaking in the basement

Grandmas log cabin house always felt so homey and secure.

Frank and Billie Arena