Griffis/Grifasi
The mystery of the missing ‘i’. I vaguely remember my grandfather, Ross Griffis, explaining to me how our last name got changed to Griffis. A teacher of his suggested that the name should be changed. The pronunciation of Grifasi is much different than that of Griffis. But if you leave off the ‘i’ at the end of Grifasi, it is not far reach. In the 1910 census report, it shows that the ‘i’ is missing. Could this be an accident or was it intentional? If it were intentional this was probably where the transformation started to take place. Repeat ‘Grifas’ over and over and you can see how the teacher suggested it should be changed to Griffis. This change probably made its permanence around 1913; Ross Griffis would have probably been in third grade. If it were intentional, why? We can only speculate that Michele Grifasi, my great grandfather, was trying to distance himself from the Italian population because of the discrimination towards Italians especially those who came from the southern part of Italy. Italians can be easily identified by their last names: They usually ended in an ‘i’, ‘a’, or an ‘o’. So, by leaving off the ‘i’, it was not so obvious that his family was from Sicily.
DP(Death Place), BP(Birthplace)
Michele[?-24 May 1809]
? Valdinoto[?-?]
- Rosario[?-]
Michele and ? Valdinato Grifasi children and grandchildren
Rosario[?-?]
Wife Unknown[?-?]
- Michele[1810-25 Dec 1880] DP: San Cataldo,Caltanissetta,Sicily
Rosario Grifasi's children and grandchildren
Marriage date abt. ?
Michele Grifasi [1810-25 Dec 1880]
Grazia Valenza [?-?]
- Rosario [1844-9 Sep 1910] DP: San Cataldo, Caltanissetta, Sicily
- Francesco [1855-9 Feb 1922]DP:Caltanissetta, Caltanissetta, Sicily
Michele and Grazia Valenza Grifasi's children and grandchildren
Rosario Grifasi [1844-9 Sep 1910]
Michela Paolino [1854-7 Mar 1889]
- Michele [21 Oct 1872-2 Feb 1951]BP:San Cataldo,Cl,Sicily; DP: Santa Clara, Ca.
- Marianna [6 Nov 1875-14 Oct 1876]BP-DP:San Cataldo,Cl,Sicily
- Raimondo [23 Oct 1877-?]BP:San Cataldo,Cl,Sicily
- Raimondo [19 Aug 1879-?]BP:San Cataldo,Cl,Sicily
- Grazia [2 Oct 1882-?]BP:San Cataldo,Cl,Sicily
- Grazia [ 1884-18 Feb 1887]BP-DP:San Cataldo,Cl,Sicily
- Vincenzo [11 Jul 1885-11 Jun 1917]BP-DP:San Cataldo,Cl,Sicily
- Luigi [15 May 1888-6 Oct 1888]BP-DP:San Cataldo,Cl,Sicily
Rosario Grifasi remarried 31 Aug 1889
Maria Trupia [1858-]
- Grazia [8 Oct 1890-]BP:San Cataldo,Cl,Sicily
- Guiseppa [14 Dec 1893-13 Sep 1894]BP:San Cataldo,Cl,Sicily
Marriage date ?
Francesco Grifasi [1855-9 Feb 1922]
Michela Callari [?-?]
- Michele [6 jan 1882-?]BP:San Cataldo,Cl,Sicily
- Francesco[25 Jun 1884-?]BP:San Cataldo,Cl,Sicily
- Grazia [8 May 1886-]BP:San Cataldo,Cl,Sicily
- Salvatore [1888-2 Sep 1888]BP:San Cataldo,Cl,Sicily
- Vincenzo [18 Nov 1889-27 Aug 1890]BP:Cl,Cl,Sicily
- Vincinza [31 Dec 1894-?]BP:Cl,Cl,Sicily
- Salvatore [30 Oct 1898-27 Jan 1900]BP-DP:Cl,Cl,Sicily
Rosario and Michela Paolino Grifasi's children and grandchildren
Michele Grifasi [21 Oct 1872-2 Feb 1951]
Michela Ferrara [28 Jan 1887-12 Mar 1945]
- Rosario [28 Jan 1899-26 Jul 1899] BP-DP: San Cataldo, Cl, Sicily
- Rosario [29 Sep 1900-16 September 1901]BP-DP: San Cataldo, Cl, Sicily
- Michela [7 February 1903-27 February 1903]BP-DP:San Cataldo,Cl,Sicily
- Rosario [23 Jan 1904-16 Dec 1985]BP:San Cataldo,Cl,Sicily;DP:Santa Clara,Ca.
- Michela [18 October 1907-1925]BP:San Cataldo,Cl,Sicily;DP:Jamestown,NY
- Sam(Salvatore) [25 Jan 1911-4 Jul 1992]BP:Clarion Pa.;DP:Santa Clara, Ca.
- Louis(Luigi) [18 Mar 1912-27 Nov 1994]BP:Clarion,Pa.;DP: Dunkirk,NY
- James(Vincenzo) [1 Apr 1915-25 July 1999]BP:Indiana, Pa. ;DP:Fl.
- Domenic(Domenico) [1916-1925]BP:Indiana,Pa.( Domenic went missing on Dec. 8th 1924 and was found May 18th 1925.)
- Raymond(Raimondo)[5 Apr 1919-1 Mar 1999] BP:Summerville, Pennsylvania ;DP: New Jersey
- Joe(Joseph)[15 Mar 1923-17 Mar 2003] BP: Jamestown, NY;DP:San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery
Marriage date 4 Aug 1926 ; Jamestown, New York
Ross(Rosario) Griffis[23 Jan 1904-21 Dec 1985]
Mary Limato [7 Mar 1910-17 Sep 1968]
- Margaret[31 Jul 1927-17 Jul 1993]
Marriage date ?
Margaret Griffis
Frank Barranti [18 Aug 1920-18 Dec 1998]
Franky [31 Jul 1947-23 Oct 2009]San Jose, Ca.
Richard [15 Dec 1949-4 Aug 2000]San Jose, Ca.
Anthony [9 Nov 1956-18 Jan 1997]San Jose, Ca.
- Domenic [8 Mar 1930-13 Jul 2013]
Marriage date ?
Domenic Griffis
Velma Aline Mann [29 Sep 1933-2 May 2002]
Domenic Jr [18 Oct 1949-]
Marriage date ?
Domenic Jr
Gail ? [?-]
Sean [?-]
Marriage date ?
Sean Griffis
Sarah Erickson[?-]
Kayla [?-]
Boe [?-]
Cody [?-]
Tyler [?-]
Marriage date ?
Domenic Jr Remarried
Pat ? [?-]
Autumn[18 Jan 1980-]
Marriage date ?
Autumn Griffis
Gilbert Perez[28 Apr 1988-]
Angelina Perez(nee Marino) [February 19, 2003-]
Mia[?-]
Amee [?-]
Not Married
Aerial [?-]
Michael [8 Jul 1951-28 Dec 2008]
Marriage date ?
Michael
Nancy ? [?-]
Tiffany [6 Oct ?-]
Marriage date ?
Tiffany Griffis
Corey Hall [?-]
Kody[?-]
Sophie[?-]
Jax[?-]
Marriage date 27 Nov 1975
Michael Griffis Remarried
Brenda Holt [?-]
Michael [15 Dec 1977-]
Marriage date 2 Nov 2003
Michael
Marissa Young [?-]
Makayla [29 Apr 2007-]
Melissa [31 Jul 1979-]
Not Married
Melissa Griffis
Nicholas Balcita [?-]
Blue Marie Balcita [8 Aug 1999-]
Marriage date 10 Sep 2012
Melissa Griffis
Allan Gannion [?-]
no children
Colleen [30 Nov 1957-]
Marriage date ?
Colleen Griffis
Mark Monrean [?-]
no children
Star [23 Nov 1963-]
Marriage date 16 Aug 1980
Star Griffis
John Poell [?-]
Jonny [May 6, 1981-]
Marriage date ?
Jonny Poell
Jeanine ? [?-]
Juliett [?-]
Jonny Jr [?-]
Joey [?-]
Julianna [?-]
Jenna [?-]
- Carmen [23 Jan 1941-]
Marriage date ?
Carmen Griffis
Patsy Carr [17 Nov 1940-]
Michael [19 Jun 1966-]
Marriage date 1992
Michael Griffis
Leslie Fortune
no children
Michelle Griffis [29 Mar 1968-]
Marriage date ?
Michelle Griffis
Jeffery W Johnson [10 May 1967-20 Jan 2003]
Ashley [20 Oct 1987-]
Marriage date ?
Ashly Johnson
Astin ? [?-]
Caleb [?-]
Addison [?-]
Jeffery M [21 Apr 1989-]
Marriage date ?
Jeffery Johnson
Vannesa ? [?-]
Gage [?-]
Violet [?-]
? [?-]
Johnathan R [?-]
Jeremy W [?-]
Aimee
Marriage date ?
Aimee Johnson
Trent ? [?-]
Braxton [?-]
Michelle (Griffis) Johnson remarried
Marriage date ? Remarried
Michelle Johnson
Douglas W Cross [6 Dec 1973-]
no children
- Carmen Griffis remarried
Marriage date ?
Carmen Griffis
Kathleen Derosa [17 Nov 1944-]
no children
- Russell [22 July 1944-]
Marriage date 18 May 1963
Russell Griffis
Gloria M Dahl [?-]
Gina [?-?]
Richard R [17 Jun 1965-]
Russell R [1 Feb 1967-]
Robert [?-?]
Russell Griffis remarried
Marriage date ?
Russell Griffis
Roberta Anello [?-]
Dana M [18 Jun 1969-]
Not married
Dana M Griffis
Rachel J Griffis [19 Oct 1991-]
- Anthony [21 Jun 1950-]
Marriage date ?
Anthony Griffis
Wanda Fox [?-]
Shara [?-]
Ross [?-]
Maggie/Michela Grifasi/[18 October 1907-1925] passed away from a ruptured appendix.
Marriage date ? 1944 ; Trenton, New Jersey
Sam(Salvatore) Griffis[25 Jan 1911-4 Jul 1992]
Josephine Maserka [4 Jul 1923-25 Oct 1957] Bp:Trenton, New Jersey;Dp: Santa Clara
- Nancy [Dec 1944-?]
- Sandy [?-]
Marriage date ?
Sandy Griffis
husband ? [?-]
Child 1 [?-]
- Joann [?-?]
Marriage date ?
Joann Griffis
husband ? [?-]
Child 1 [?-]
- Samuel M [20 Oct 1957-]
Marriage date ?
Samuel M Griffis
Teresa Koeplin [?-]
Samson [29 Jun 1988-]
Alexander [11 Oct 1989-]
Marriage date 25 June 1938 Dunkirk, New York
Louis(Luigi) [18 Mar 1912-27 Nov 1994]
Santa Spina [7 Oct 1919-2 April 1986]
- Michael Carl [28 May 1939-15 Nov 2013]
Marriage date ?
Michael C Griffis
Irene Ziglar [?-]
Peter [?-]
Marriage date ?
Peter Griffis
Elise [?-]
Gabrial [?-]
Dominic [?-]
Suzanne [?-]
Marriage date ?
Suzanne Griffis
Jim Niemann [?-]
Courtney [?-]
Annsley [?-]
Marriage date ?
Michael C Griffis remarries
Glenn Ann [?-]
(his step children)
Tim [?-]
Tambra[?-]
- Lydia M [23 Sep 1944-]
Marriage date ?
Lydia M Griffis
Michael Seifert [?-]
Melissa Seifert [?-]
Marriage date ?
Melissa Seifert
Chris Tresse [?-]
Griffin [?-]
Caitlin [?-]
Madeleine [?-]
Christian [?-]
Quinn [?-]
William [?-2007] Friend Jennifer Frangos
- Peggy [8 July 1949 -?]
Marriage date ?
Peggy Griffis
David Kleparek [?-]
Tricha [26 Feb 1970-]
Marriage date ?
Tricha Kleparek
Steve Rubenstein [?-]
Ella [?-]
Zoe [?-]
Alexa [?-]
Christopher [24 Nov 1980-]
Marriage date ?
Christopher Kleparek
Amy [?-]
Andrew [?-]
Airlie [?-]
Bethony [5 July 76-]
Marriage date 27 Oct
Bethony Kleparek
Jeff Odell [?-]
Nate [?-]
Reese [?-]
- Louise Griffis [2 Jan 1956-]
Marriage date ?
Louise Griffis
Terry Frazier [?-]
Johnelle [?-]
Marriage date ?
Johnelle Frazier
? Anderson [?-]
Lola[?-]
Terry Jr [?-]
Marriage date ?
Terry Jr Frazier
Audra Danforth [?-]
no children
- Joseph [4 Sep 1957 -16 Jun 2008]
Marriage date ?
Joseph Griffis
Sandy [?-]
Marissa [?-]
Marriage date ? Month ?
James(Vincenzo)[1 Apr 1915-25 July 1999]
Carmelena Giambrone[21 Mar 1922-29 May 1995]
- Carol Griffis [?-]
Marriage date ?
Carol Griffis
Dave Main [?-]
Julie [?-]
Deborah [?-]
- Pete Griffis [?-]
Marriage date ?
Pete Griffis
Arlene [?-]
Jimmy [?-]
Domenic(Domenico)[1916-1925]BP: Pa. Domenic went missing on Dec. 8th 1924 and was found May 18th, 1925.
Marriage date 1947
Raymond(Raimondo)[5 Apr 1919-2 Feb 1999]
Frances L Ortolano[21 Mar 1922-29 May 1995]
- Raymond II Griffis [27 Aug 1946-?]
Marriage date ?
Raymond II
Marie ? [?-]
Raymond III [23 May 1967-]
Marriage date ?
Raymond III Griffis
? [?-]
Noah[?-]
Sam [?-]
Lisa [?-]
Marriage date ?
Lisa Griffis
Michael Yanucil[?-]
Michael [?-]
Anthony[?-]
Marissa [?-]
- Patricia Griffis [1 May 1951-?]
Marriage date ?
Patricia Griffis
? [?-]
no children
- Frank Griffis [?-]
no children
- Mary Griffis [23 Jul 1958-?]
Marriage date ?
Mary Griffis
? Weisneck [?-]
Tiffany [?-]
Kayla Weisneck
Shana [?-]
Marriage date ?
Shana Weisneck
Jerred Pierson [?-]
Kourtney [?-]
Jackson [?-]
Marriage date 6 August 1976
Joseph [15 Mar 1923-17 Mar 2003]
Nora Mable Barlie [?-?]
- no children
https://www.facebook.com/GrifasiFerraro or email me at 1michaelgriffis@gmail.com for the link to this document. Also, please, help me fill in the blanks with this tree.
The Ferraro and Limato family tree can be viewed also at Grifasi.com
This is an ongoing project; dates and names are being revised and new ones are being added.
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