Alessandro Russo from Ginosa 1895-? barber in Brooklyn

[Neale1961]

It was quite common for the husband to emigrate first, find work and somewhere to live, and then send for his family to join him. So that is what Vitantonio had done.

It looks as if Gerado (and Francesco) had emigrated, probably intending to bring his wife and family at a later time.
Perhaps Gerado didn’t find suitable work, or perhaps his wife did not want to emigrate, and so he returned home to Italy.
Gerado would have had plenty to tell his family about America, and this may have encouraged Alessandro to go.

[Neale1961]

This is the 1910 census for Antonio and Felicia Palmisano
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MRQH-7V7?lang=en
Below their names you will see the cousin Frank Rouso (Francesco Russo ), so he stayed in USA a little longer.
There is also James Russo who seems to be Antonio’s brother-in-law, therefore Felicia’s brother.
Felicia’s maiden name must have been Russo.

[Ricky Mitico]

Well, there was reason I couldn't connect this Felicia with the rest of the family: I was missing her dad, Nicola.

Practically, Pietro Russo the tanner (1835-1900+), father of Gerardo and Alessandro had not only 2 sisters (Nunzia 1838-1856 and Filomena 1848-1861), but a brother as well: Nicola b. +/- 1852 (I'll try maybe later to find the birth cerificate), died  03 Sept. 1893. Death certificate: https://antenati.cultura.gov.it/ark:/12657/an_ud2538516
Nicola married Rosa Galante and in 1883 had Felicia Maria Russo, their daughter: https://antenati.cultura.gov.it/ark:/12657/an_ud2553769 .
As the certicate reports, Felicia get married with Vitantonio Palmisano on 19 Jan. 1901. So they were real cousins with Gerardo & Alessandro.

I'm sorry I doubted about you, you were right.

[Ricky Mitico]

and about the brother-in-law, James (or Giacomo) could be Felicia's brother, I'll check it after. He came in 1906, I don't know whether with Vitantonio or not. But he was coming from Prata Sannita, so not the same place and even region the whole family Russo was living.

About this Frank, 99% it's Francesco Paolo, the age is good (27), the year of arrival too (1907).

I have just a difficulty to understand the professions. Only coal dealer (Vitantonio), I don't know what the others were doing.

[Neale1961]

I am not sure if I found the correct immigration for James Russo. I am not certain what name to search with.  Am I right thinking that Giacomo is the Italian version of James?

Here is the immigration for Vit. Antonio Palmisano in 1906:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JFFJ-14Z?lang=en

[Neale1961]

I have just a difficulty to understand the professions. Only coal dealer (Vitantonio), I don't know what the others were doing.

Occupations or professions from 1910 census-
James - driver of manure
Frank - ironer in shirt factory

[Ricky Mitico]

I am not sure if I found the correct immigration for James Russo. i am not certain what name to search with.  Am I right thinking that Giacomo is the Italian version of James?

Here is the immigration for Vit. Antonio Palmisano in 1906:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JFFJ-14Z?lang=en

Yes, it is, Giacomo is in Italian. I have difficulties, too, anyway, to find him.

[Neale1961]

Ricky, It looks like your Russo family tree is growing, now that you have found Nicola Russo ( born 1852) and his family.
I think you have more than 1 family connection to USA. 


Regarding Felicia Russo who married Vitantonio Palmisano. I think they must have returned to Italy. I can’t see them in the USA census records after 1910.
Perhaps Francesco Paolo Russo returned to Italy about the same time.

[Neale1961]

I have solved the problem with James Russo    
“James” Russo was named Vincenzo Russo at birth.
Born 11 Oct 1887 in Ginosa
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:23P4-Y28?lang=en

His emigration was under his name Vincenzo Russo (age 18) on 27 July 1906 on ship ‘Lazio”. He was travelling to his brother-in-law, Vito Antonio in Metropolitan Ave Brooklyn.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JF8W-9JM?lang=en

He married with the name Vincenzo Russo on 20 July 1911 in Brooklyn to Carmela Garone.
https://a860-historicalvitalrecords.nyc.gov/view/8645616

It looks like he also changed his surname from Russo to RUSSEL. See his WW1 military card.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:WGM3-NGZM?lang=en

By 1915 census, Kings New York, he is James Russel married to Carmela with 2 children.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K9RL-LRN?id=P94W-7DK&lang=en

I think James separated from his wife, Carmela, in about 1919.
In 1920 census and in 1925 census she is still in NY with 5 Russo children (Nicholas Russo b. 1912 , Anthony Russo b.1914, Rose Russo b.1916, Nunzio Russo b.1918, Joseph Russo b.1919),   
.... meanwhile James is in Pennsylvania USA with another wife, called Rosa Alario (but I don’t think they ever married), and children.
It looks like he had another marriage in Pennsylvania in 1942 when he was much older.

James died in Delaware in 1964
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VSKS-7JX?lang=en

WW2 draft card
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VQN4-1SN?lang=en