Carolina Marcantonio (ca 1883 - 1963) was probably born in Picinisco, Frosinone, Lazio, Italy. (1) She was the daughter of Gesidio Marcantonio (ca 1840 - 1886) and Maria Mancini (ca 1847 - 1905). (2)
Carolina is one of five sisters who were living in Norwich by 1891: Elisabetta (1869 - 1954), Luigia (1871 - 1935), Almerinda (1875 - 1943), Hester (1875 - ?), Carolina and Beatrice (1884 - 1952). (3) Two brothers were born in Norwich. Elisabetta had arrived in England in the late 1870s with her father. The rest of the family joined them in the mid 1880s. (4)
Gesidio died on 2 November 1886 in Ipswich, on his way home from a trip to Italy. (5) In 1891 the Marcantonios lived at 3 Boarded Entry Yard, Ber Street. Luigia was a musician; Carolina and Beatrice were at school. In 1901 they were still living at the same address and Carolina was a street organ player. On 21 May 1905 their mother died. (6)
In the last quarter of 1911 Carolina married Edwin Thomas Strivens in Norwich. (7) They had three children: Dorando Vivian Strivens (1915 - 2005), Beatrice Rosina Caroline Strivens (1924 - ?) and Edwin Thomas Sydney Strivens (1925 - 1987). (8) They were baptised at St John Baptist Catholic church. (9)
From 1915 till 1924 the Strivens lived at 8 Boarded Entry Yard, but by August 1925 they had moved ot 58 Ber Street.
Edwin Thomas was a drapery salesman and Caroline was a wardrobe dealer. Her name was listed in the following trade directories (10):
In 1927, 1931, 1932 and 1935 Caroline's husband Edwin Thomas was mentioned as the wardrobe dealer. He also appeared as a private resident at 8 Boarded Entry Yard in 1926, 1927 and 1931.
Carolina died on 10 December 1963 at 58 Ber Street. Her husband was a draper. (11)
Dorando Vivian Strivens was interviewed by Derek James in Evening News on 22 January 1997. He reminisces about the time when several Italian families lived in Ber Street. The interview is illustrated with photographs of Ber Street, his parents and himself as a little boy. (12)
Notes:
1. Caroline was born in Italy as shown on the 1891 and 1901 census. Her sister Almerinda was born in Picinisco (1911 census), so it is likely that Caroline was born there too.
2. Maria's maiden name was mentioned on her son Gesino (Sydney)'s baptismal record. He was baptised at St John Maddermarket Catholic chapel on 3 April 1887. The record can be found at the Norfolk Record Office.
3. 1891 census
4. interview with Elisabetta in the Eastern Evening News on 2 December 1949
5. death certificate of Gesidio Marcantonio, for which I am grateful to Maddie Bartle
6. death record of Maria Marcantonio, Millennium Library Norwich, East Wymer, week ending 27 May 1905
8. birth records at Millennium Library Norwich. Dorando Vivian, born 17 October 1915, East Wymer, week ending 4 December 1915; Beatrice Rosina Carolina, born 28 February 1924, East Wymer, week ending 12 April 1924; Edwin Thomas, born 7 July 1925, East Wymer, week ending 29 August 1925.
9. baptismal records St John Baptist Catholic church, Norfolk Record Office: 7 November 1917, 23 March 1924 and 23 July 1925
10. For the trade directories, go to http://www.noah.norfolk.gov.uk
11. death record of Carolina Strivens, Millennium Libary, Norwich South, week ending 14 December 1963.
12. I am indebted to Maddie Bartle for drawing my attention to the interview.