Giovanni Cardegna first appears at Painesville, Lake County, Ohio, in 1910. When Giovanni immigrated to the United States in 1910 his destination was Larimer, Pennsylvania. Larimer, a neighborhood of Pittsburgh, is coal mining country. Giovanni had promised his mother that he would not work in the coal mines – it was far too dangerous. He migrated to Painesville, Ohio, almost immediately. In America, Giovanni Cardegna was known John B. Cardina.
Giovanni Cardegna, son of Giacomo Cardegna and Michelangela Fraraccio, was born on May 28, 1893, at Frosolone, Isernia Province, Molise, Italy. Giovanni married Filomena Palumbo, daughter of Michele Arcangelo Palumbo and Maria Carmina Padula, on January 8, 1916, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Painesville, Lake County, Ohio. Filomena Palumbo was also born at Frosolone, Italy. Giovanni Cardegna died on August 10, 1982, at the home of his son, Richard Cardina, at New Holland, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. His body was interred at Riverside Cemetery, Painesville, Lake County, Ohio.
Giovanni Cardegna’s father, Giacomo Cardegna, passed away in Italy in 1906 or 1907. Giovanni immigrated to the United States on September 14, 1910, at age 17. He was travelling to Larimer, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He was joining his brother-in-law, Cosmo D’Abate, in Larimer. Giovanni arrived in the United States at the Port of New York City aboard the ship SS Prinzess Irene. He migrated to Painesville, Ohio, shortly after arriving in the United States. He joined a family friend, Cecilia Pollutro, in Painesville.
Giovanni registered for the World War I Draft on June 5, 1917. He was living at Painesville Township, Lake County, Ohio. Giovanni was employed by the Storrs and Harrisons Nursery.
Giovanni Cardegna was enumerated for the 1920 Census of the United States, on January 21, 1920, living at North Ridge Road, Painesville Township, Lake County, Ohio, as a head of household. Giovanni Cardegna was enumerated as John Cardeno. He was employed by the Storrs and Harrisons Nursery.
Giovanni’s brother, Michele Cardegna, immigrated to the United States in 1923, settling in Painesville, Ohio. Giovanni Cardegna became a citizen of the United States in 1926. Giovanni resided at Painesville Township, Lake County, Ohio, when he was naturalized.
Giovanni Cardegna was enumerated for the 1930 Census of the United States, on April 5, 1930, living at North Ridge Road, Painesville Township, Lake County, Ohio, as a head of household. Giovanni Cardegna was enumerated as John Cardina. He was employed by the Storrs and Harrisons Nursery.
Giovanni Cardegna was enumerated for the 1940 Census of the United States, on May 1, 1940, living at State Route 20, Painesville Township, Lake County, Ohio, as a head of household. Giovanni Cardegna was enumerated as John Cardina. He was employed by the Diamond Alkali Company.
Giovanni was employed by the Storrs and Harrison Nursery Company for over 25 years. He started working for the Diamond Alkali Company in the 1930’s, retiring in the 1960. He lived at North Ridge Road, Painesville Township, from 1916 until 1946. The family moved to 440 Chestnut Street, Painesville, Lake County, Ohio, in 1946. Giovanni Cardegna was widowed by the death of his wife, Filomena Palumbo, on November 28, 1980, at Painesville, Lake County, Ohio. After his wife passed away, Mr. Cardina moved to New Holland, Pennsylvania, to live with his son Richard Cardina.
The seven known children of Giovanni Cardegna and Filomena Palumbo were as follows:
1. James A. Cardina was born on September 21, 1916, at Painesville, Lake County, Ohio. James died on June 20, 1978, at his home, 2802 Boltz Road, Akron, Summit County, Ohio, at age 61. His body was interred at Riverside Cemetery at Painesville, Lake County, Ohio.
2. Dan A. Cardina was born on August 7, 1918, at Ohio. Dan died on June 11, 1990, at Tampa, Florida.
3. Michael E. Cardina was born on January 3, 1921, at Painesville, Lake County, Ohio. Michael died on September 17, 1959, at Crawford Long Hospital, Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, at age 38. His body was interred at Riverside Cemetery at Painesville, Lake County, Ohio.
4. Carmella Cardina was born on January 14, 1923, at Ohio. She is to married Norman Nowak.
5. Angeline Cardina was on born January 8, 1924, at Ohio. She is married to Robert Manion.
6. Irene Cardina was born on January 15, 1929, at Ohio. She is married to Thomas Lanphier.
7. Richard N. Cardina was born on July 15, 1931, at Ohio.
