Dubuque family research · working tree · 24 September 2026

DeMaio / Di Maio family

Three immigrant-generation research branches, arranged for family review. People shown side by side are not yet proved to share parents.

Evidence key
Record named in a located historical/public record
Family confirmed direct family testimony; documentary proof may still be pending
Open link identity or parentage unresolved
Working structure: Anthony “Papa” and Dionisio/Carl are confirmed as brothers by direct family testimony. Pasquale is shown as a separate Montevago-born shoemaker and is the leading candidate for the “Patzey/Patsy” partner named with Anthony in the 1925 directory; his exact relationship to Anthony and Carl remains to be proved.
Branch 1 · direct Baer line

Anthony “Papa” DeMaio

Also written Anthony De Maio; “Tony” in family use

Record 1928 birth register: age 33, born Italy, 2500 Jackson St., Dubuque.

Open link Birth about 1894–95 from the 1928 birth register; secondary index lead gives 6 Sep 1894, but exact birth record, town, parents, and naturalization remain unresolved.

Dorothy Lilly DeMaioRecord

Named as Carl Anthony’s mother in 1928 birth register; age 21, born Italy. Marriage record and her parents still needed.

Beatrice “Bea” DeMaioRecord

Published family obituary evidence identifies her as Anthony and Dorothy’s daughter; married surname Goodmann. Family reports spouse Dan Goodmann.

Prudence Laura “Pat” DeMaioRecord

Published obituary evidence identifies her as Anthony and Dorothy’s daughter; married James J. McGeeney.

Carl Anthony DeMaioRecord

Born 28 May 1928, Dubuque; birth register names Anthony De Maio and Dorothy Lilly. Reported spouse: Nancy (maiden name unresolved).

Catherine “Kay” DeMaioRecord

Published obituary: born 14 Mar 1934 in Dubuque to Anthony and Dorothy (Lilly) DeMaio; married Richard Manternach.

Letty DeMaioRecord

Published obituary evidence identifies her as Anthony and Dorothy’s daughter; married Joseph Brown; surviving as of Apr 2022.

Carl Anthony DeMaioRecord
Daniel “Dan” Anthony DeMaioFamily confirmed

Confirmed by direct family knowledge as Carl Anthony’s son.

Baer Joseph DeMaioFamily confirmed

Confirmed by direct family knowledge as Daniel Anthony’s son.

Branch 2 · Carl in the middle

Dionisio “Carl” Di Maio

Used Carl De Maio after naturalization

Record Born 9 Dec 1905, Montevago, Italy; shoemaker; 2500 Jackson St. in 1927–29.

Record 1929 petition requests Carl De Maio; oath signed Carl, naturalized 10 Jun 1930.

Theresa / Elizabeth J. — identity conflictOpen link

Dionisio’s 1929 petition says he married Theresa in Dubuque on 4 Oct 1928; she was born 5 Nov 1907 in Dubuque. The 1950 census at 2272 Prince names Carl’s wife as Elizabeth J., age 42, born Iowa. Relationship between these names remains unresolved.

Carl J. / Carl Joseph DeMaioRecord + family

1950 census: Carl J., age 18, son of Italy-born shoe repairman Carl De Maio at 2272 Prince. Direct family testimony identifies him as Carl Joseph DeMaio, Hempstead teacher/film historian, later husband of Diane M. Elgin.

Reported children of Carl Joseph and Diane:
Carl David DeMaioRecord / public

Family testimony and public biography identify him as son of Carl Joseph DeMaio and Diane Elgin.

Christopher DeMaioRecord / public

Diane Elgin DeMaio’s obituary names son Christopher; family branch placement consistent with Carl Joseph household.

Direct family testimony confirms Dionisio/Carl as Anthony “Papa” DeMaio’s brother. Their shared Dubuque shoe trade and 2500 Jackson connection support the family account; their parents are not yet identified in the supplied records.

Branch 3 · possible Patsy cluster

Pasquale Di Maio

Possibly “Patzey / Patsy” DeMaio — identity link to be proved

Record Born 24 Aug 1897, Montevago, Italy; shoemaker; 646 Clay St. in 1918, 600 Clay St. in 1921.

Record Naturalized 14 Jan 1922 as Pasquale Di Maio; petition says unmarried, no children in 1921; no name change recorded.

Lulu (Smith) DeMaioOpen link

Beatrice Dougherty’s obituary names her parents Patsy and Lulu (Smith) DeMaio. Pasquale’s 1921 petition says he was then unmarried; a later marriage to Lulu is plausible but not yet proved to be this Pasquale.

The obituary documents the Patsy/Lulu cluster below. The dashed branch means its link to Pasquale is a working hypothesis.
Beatrice “Bea” DeMaio DoughertyRecord

Obituary identifies her as daughter of Patsy and Lulu (Smith) DeMaio. Distinct from Anthony’s reported daughter Bea Goodmann.

Charles DeMaioRecord

Named as Bea Dougherty’s sibling in her obituary. Whether he is Charles F. below is unresolved.

Carl DeMaioRecord

Named as Bea Dougherty’s sibling in her obituary; distinct from immigrant Dionisio/Carl unless records show otherwise.

Tony DeMaioRecord

Named as Bea Dougherty’s sibling in her obituary.

Clara DeMaioRecord

Named as Bea Dougherty’s sibling in her obituary.

Dorothy DeMaioRecord

Named as Bea Dougherty’s sibling in her obituary.

Charles F. DeMaio + Erma Mae BenderRecord

Documented as a separate Dubuque household from immigrant Carl/Theresa. Erma’s 2014 obituary documents the couple’s descendant group. Charles F.’s parents are still needed to connect this branch to Patsy/Pasquale.

Reported children of Charles F. and Erma; confirm names and parentage:
Pat DeMaio KearneyRecord
Michael C. “Mike” DeMaioRecord
Robert “Bob” DeMaioRecord
Rick DeMaioRecord
Terry DeMaioRecord
Debora “Debbie” DeMaio ReisenRecord
Bruce DeMaioRecord

Useful questions for family

  • Do relatives remember a separate “Patsy/Patzey” DeMaio in addition to Papa Anthony and Uncle Carl?
  • Was Patsy/Pasquale married to Lulu Smith, and were Bea Dougherty, Charles, Carl, Tony, Clara and Dorothy their children?
  • Who were Anthony, Dionisio/Carl and Pasquale’s parents in Montevago, Sicily?
  • Was Carl’s wife known as Theresa, Elizabeth, or both?
  • Can anyone identify Charles F. DeMaio’s parents and connect his Erma Bender branch to the immigrant generation?

Record anchors and next edits

Primary-record anchors include the 24 Sep 2026 archival review of Pasquale’s and Dionisio/Carl’s naturalization packets and Carl Anthony’s Dubuque birth-register entry. Published obituaries and city-directory/census research support additional branches. “Record” means documented in a located source; “Family confirmed” means direct family testimony; “Open link” means a relationship or identity still requires proof.

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Published 2026-09-24 · version 853c4bc379

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