The Tragna family history may have had its earliest beginnings following the Norman conquest of England and many other territories, including Sicily. The Normans were originally known as the Vikings. Historical records indicate that as far back as 1077 AD, the "Lordship of the Tragna" occupied the Castle of Alamo from 1077 to 1340 AD, which is located in present day Palermo, Sicily. Not much more is known about this Lordship, only that the ruler of England at the time made his son, Federico III, ruler of Sicily, and somehow or some way, the Tragna family may have ruled a part of the island. Of course, Sicily was invaded by many countries and cultures, including Romans, Greeks, Turks, Muslims, and Arabs, etc. However, is it possible that there might be a bit of royalty in the Tragna past?
Here is another bit of history. Ancient maps of Italy and the Balkans shows a town called "Tragna" located at the time in Albania, which was then part of the Ottoman Empire. This town is situated on the coast of Albania and just across the "heel" of the boot of Italy. Did our descendants emigrate to this region in search of better opportunities and then later emigrate to Sicily?
Almost 900 years have passed, and we now have the beginnings or the recorded history of the Tragna family immigrating to America. At age 18, Salvatore Tragna was the first to arrive on Ellis Island in 1909 from Favara, Sicily. He later returned to Sicily and in 1920 emigrated back again with his two brothers, Antonio (Anthony) and Calogero (Charles). At the time, Antonio was 25 years old, Calogero 23, and Salvatore 29, and all were from Favara. Another brother named Giuseppe (Joseph) arrived on Ellis Island in 1922 at age 23.
Not much more is known, only that all together, there were five brothers and five sisters. Only Antonio and Giuseppe remained in America and their names are inscribed on the Ellis Island memorial. Calogero apparently returned to Sicily. Antonio settled in Brooklyn and had two daughters named Mary and May. The story that is about to follow, however, focuses on Joseph and his wife, Angelina Matorano, and their descendants. From now on, throughout this story, we will continuously refer to Angelina and Joseph as "Mama" and "Papa."