Key Takeaways
In 1929, FDNY Officer Wesley A. Williams rescued Rachel Coffino and her three children from a devastating fire.
Ancestry brought together the descendants of Wesley A. Williams and Rachel Coffino, who were previously unknown to each other.
This story is part of Ancestry's The Stories of US initiative, honoring people who helped shape the United States.

On Thursday, June 20, 1929, a devastating fire erupted on the first floor of a five-story tenement building at 91 Allen Street in New York City. As flames tore through the building and panic spread, the lives of countless families were in danger. FDNY Engine 55 was first to respond, with Wesley A. Williams, New York City’s first African American FDNY Officer, rushing into the danger.

In an act of extraordinary courage, Williams led a team of rescuers into the building, fighting his way through smoke and heat to rescue residents. Four mothers and their children were saved, including Rachel Coffino and her three young children, Hyman (6), Beckie (4), and Sam (2).

Page 115, [New York] Daily News, June 21, 1929, Newspapers.com

Overall, the firefighters’ determination saved 25 residents of the building, but the cost was profound. Williams collapsed from smoke inhalation and needed to be revived on-site by medics.

Page 1, The New York Age, June 29, 1929; Newspapers.com

A Reunion of Descendants

This January, on the Lower East Side of NYC not far from where the fire erupted, Ancestry brought together two families who were completely unknown to each other until that day: the descendants of Wesley A. Williams and Rachel Coffino. There, they learned previously unknown details of a fateful day 97 years ago and how each of them is connected.

The reunion of these descendants showcased the courage of Wesley and the impact his actions had not only on his own family but also on the future generations of those he saved.

Guided by Ancestry records, Charles Williams, Cathy Guiga-Tubens, Rachelle Muraca, and Carmine Guiga learned more about their own family history as they unpacked their shared connection. They went from strangers to chosen family in a matter of hours.

Charles Williams (far right), grandson of Wesley A. Williams, and Carmine Guiga (far left), Cathy Guiga-Tubens (left-middle), and Rachelle Muraca (right-middle), grandchildren of Rachel Coffino, learn about the fire and the man who saved their grandmother’s life. Image courtesy of AP.

The Coffino descendants were emotional to learn about how their grandmother and her children were saved. None of them had ever heard the story about the fire that threatened their families’ lives. They said to Charles, “If it wasn’t for [your grandfather Wesley’s] heroics, we wouldn’t be here.”

Following the reveal of their connection, Cathy also noted, “When we [share stories like] this, we make sure our ancestors aren't forgotten, and we aren't forgotten.”

Discover Your Family's Stories

Wesley A. Williams and Rachel Coffino’s story is part of the Ancestry national storytelling initiative, “The Stories of US,” that honors everyday people whose contributions helped shape the United States over the past 250 years. Throughout 2026, the campaign will bring to life 250 real stories—revealing how individual lives, families, and communities collectively moved the country forward.

Ancestry invites everyone—whether their family’s journey in the U.S. began centuries ago or more recently—to celebrate their role by visiting Ancestry.com/StoriesofUS to:

Discover their family’s connection to U.S. history through the extensive collection of records and storytelling tools available on Ancestry
Upload stories of ancestors—famous or unknown—who helped shape their communities
Explore a growing archive of individual stories that impacted the country

Sources
- Image 1: Courtesy of AP
- Image 2: https://www.newspapers.com/image/412580302
- Image 3: https://www.newspapers.com/image/40791408
- Image 4: Courtesy of AP

Ancestry Reunites Descendants of FDNY Hero and the Family He Saved