The following pages include a timeline of our family story from when Giovanni was born (1889) to Nikki's arrival in America (1951). If you have any questions, check out [[About this project]] for more information. ## Giovanni Russo was born in Italy in 1889. ![[Village of Squillani - 2.jpeg|400]] ^{Source: [[Village of Squillani]]} ^{Il viale principale (the main avenue) in Squillani.} [[Giovanni "John" Russo]] was born in the [[Village of Squillani]]¹, [[Roccabascerena, Avellino, Italy]].² His parents were [[Nicoletta Russo]] and [[Carmine Russo]].¹ **Source(s)** ^{1 [[1918 Marriage Record (Giovanni and Maria)]]} ^{2 [[1907 Manifest (Giovanni)]]} > **Still looking for...** > Giovanni's birth record is from Italy. I believe he was born on 8 January 1889. ## Maria Grazia Capodilupo was born in Italy in 1893. ![[1893 Birth Record (Maria Grazia).png]] ^{Maria's atti di nascita (birth certificate)from San Sossio.} [[Maria Grazia Capodilupo Russo]] was born in 14 February 1893 in [[San Sossio Baronia, Avellino, Italy]].¹ Her parents were [[Gaetano Capodilupo]] and [[Maria Grazia Franzosa]].² **Source(s)** ^{1 [[1893 Birth Record (Maria Grazia)]]}  ^{2 [[1918 Marriage Record (Giovanni and Maria)]]} > **Still looking for...** > An English translation of Maria's Italian birth record. ## Giovanni arrived in America in 1907. ![[1907 S.S. Neckar.png|500]] ^{Source: [[1907 S.S. Neckar]]} ^{Image of the S.S. Neckar, date unknown.} [[Giovanni "John" Russo]] (age 18) sailed from the [[Port of Naples, Italy]], on 5 April 1907 and arrived at the [[Port of New York, USA]], on 21 April 1907 aboard [[S.S. Neckar]].¹ On record, April 1907 was the busiest month at the [[Port of New York, USA]]. Ellis Island received 197 ships, carrying more than a quarter-million passengers. That year was Ellis Island’s peak year, as more than 1.2 million immigrants came to the United States.² ![[1907 Manifest (Giovanni).jpg]] ^{The S.S. Neckar manifest for Naples to New York, arriving 21 April 1907.} Giovanni's final destination in America was [[115 Salem Street, Boston, MA, USA]], the address of his cousin, [[Giovanni "John" Scalzi]].¹ Another passenger, [[Giuseppe Scalzo]] (age 26) also from [[Roccabascerena, Avellino, Italy]], had the same final destination.¹ [[Giovanni "John" Scalzi]] was Giuseppe's brother.¹ [[Giovanni "John" Russo]] had $10 in his possession ($473.63 in today's dollars).¹ **Source(s)** ^{1 [[1907 Manifest (Giovanni)]]} ^{2 [https://time.com/4740248/ellis-island-busiest-day/](https://time.com/4740248/ellis-island-busiest-day/)} > **Still looking for...** > Previous voyages by [[Giovanni "John" Russo]] and [[Giuseppe Scalzo]]. It appears that Giovanni and Giuseppe had previously visited America, maybe even together in 1918. > > Pictures and stories about [[Port of New York, USA]] at this time. ## Domenic was born in America in 1914. ![[Poultney, VT, USA.jpg]] ^{Source:[[Poultney, VT, USA]]} ^{Drawing of Poultney, VT, 1900s.} [[Domenic "Dom" Russo]], son of [[Giovanni "John" Russo]], was born on 2 June 1914 in [[03 - Places/Poultney, VT, USA]]. ¹ **Source(s)** ^{1 [[1940? Petition for Naturalization]]} > **Still looking for...** > Information about Domenic's birthmother. > > Information about why [[Giovanni "John" Russo]] moved to [[Poultney, VT, USA]]. ## Maria Grazia Capodilupo arrived in America in 1916. ![[S.S. Cretic-1.png]] ^{Source: [[04 - Voyages/S.S. Cretic]]} ^{S.S. Cretic, the boat Maria took from Naples to Boston.(1905)} [[Maria Grazia Capodilupo Russo]] (22) sailed from [[Port of Naples, Italy]] on 12 May 1916 and arrived at the [[Port of Boston, MA, USA]] on 31 May 1916 aboard [[S.S. Cretic]]. Maria's final destination in America was [[Somerville, MA, USA]], the address of her uncle.¹ ![[1916 Manifest (Maria).jpeg]] ^{The manifest for Naples to Boston arriving 31 May 1916.} **Source(s)** ^{1 [[1916 Manifest (Maria)]]} > **Still looking for...** > Find the name of Noni's uncle and maybe address of where she went when she first arrived in America. ## Giovanni was drafted for World War I in 1917. ![[1917 World War I Draft Card (Giovanni).png]]^{WWI draft card for Giovanni (1917).} [[Giovanni "John" Russo]] (28) registered for World War I on 5 June 1917. At the time, Giovanni went by "John" and was living at [[115 Salem Street, Boston, MA, USA]]. The document shows he was married at the time (his first marriage) with one child, [[Domenic "Dom" Russo]].¹ **Source(s)** ¹  [[1917 World War I Draft Card (Giovanni)]] > **Still looking for...** > Information about how they went around and drafted men to war. Who showed up, and what did they ask for? What were Italian immigrant attitudes toward the draft? [Meanwhile, in Italy, Mussolini was practically pushing to start WWI](https://www.amazon.com.au/Wounded-Hero-Reappraising-Mussolinis-Injuries-ebook/dp/B00H7XH5F6). Some answers may be in [City at War - Boston During the World War I Years 1914-1918](https://www.worldwar1centennial.org/images/massachusetts/boston-at-War-text-draft-5.pdf). > > Information about [[Giovanni "John" Russo]]'s first wife and marriage. ## Maria & Giovanni married in America in 1918. ![[1918 Marriage Record (Giovanni and Maria)-2.jpg]] ^{The marriage certificate for [[Giovanni "John" Russo]] and [[Maria Grazia Capodilupo Russo]].} [[Giovanni Russo and Maria Grazia Capodilupo]] married on 22 Sept 1918 in [[Revere, MA, USA]]. This was Giovanni's second marriage and Maria's first marriage. [[Rev. Francis Liberti]] married the couple. At the time of the marriage, Giovanni (age 29) lived in [[Watertown, MA, USA]], and worked as a [[laborer]] Maria (age 25) lived in [[Revere, MA, USA]], and worked as a [[shoe worker]].¹ **Source(s)** ^{1 [[1918 Marriage Record (Giovanni and Maria)]]} > **Still looking for...** > Which church? Maybe find pictures of the church. > > Also, Giovanni Russo was living in Watertown, MA, USA, at the time of his marriage. With who? > > Same for Maria. Where in Revere, and with who? ## Louis was born in America in 1919. ![[1919 Birth Record (Louis).jpg]] ^{The birth record of Louis.} [[Louis Russo]], son of [[Giovanni "John" Russo]] and [[Maria Grazia Capodilupo Russo]], was born on 15 June 1919 ¹ in [[Revere, MA, USA]].^1,2,3 At the time, [[Giovanni "John" Russo]] was a [[shoe worker]] and [[Maria Grazia Capodilupo Russo]] was a [[housewife]]. **Source(s)** ^{1 [[1919 Birth Record (Louis)]]} ^{2 [[1920 Census Record (Russo Family)]]} ^{3 [[1940? Petition for Naturalization]]} > **Still looking for...** > Information about shoemaking. Where was the factory? What did they make? Why did they choose shoemaking over something else? ## U.S. Census was completed in 1920. ![[1920 Census Record (Russo Family).jpg]] ^{The Fourteenth Census of the United States (1920).} According to the 1920 Census, on 20 January 1920, [[Giovanni "John" Russo]] (30) and [[Maria Grazia Capodilupo Russo]] (27) lived at [[770 Broadway, Revere, MA, USA]] with two children, [[Domenic "Dom" Russo]] (6) and [[Louis Russo]] (6 mos).¹ **Source(s)** ^{1 [[1920 Census Record (Russo Family)]]} ## Gaetano was born in America in 1921. [[Gaetano "Guy" Russo]], son of [[Giovanni "John" Russo]] and [[Maria Grazia Capodilupo Russo]], was born on 3 January 1921 in [[Revere, MA, USA]].¹ **Source(s)** ^{1 [[1937 Declaration of Intent (Giovanni)]]} > **Still looking for...** > Guy's birth record. ## Missing: Giovanni, Maria, Domenic, Louis, and Gaetano return to Italy between 1921 and 1922 > **Still looking for...** > [[Maria Grazia Capodilupo Russo]] and [[Giovanni "John" Russo]] go on to have seven more children between 1922 and 1937, back in Italy. Does anyone have any records of their return to Italy? Why did they go? Did they travel with any other families? This is the most interesting part of the story. I always thought our family came to America and stayed here. I am also not sure if all the children (Domenic, Louis, and Gaetano) went back to Italy with them. ## Alessandro was born in Italy in 1922. [[Alessandro "Al" Russo]], son of [[Giovanni "John" Russo]] and [[Maria Grazia Capodilupo Russo]], was born in September 1922 in [[San Sossio Baronia, Avellino, Italy]].¹ **Source(s)** ^{1 [[1937 Declaration of Intent (Giovanni)]]} > **Still looking for...** > Uncle Al's birth record. ## Michele was born in Italy in 1923. [[Michele "Mike" Russo]], son of [[Giovanni "John" Russo]] and [[Maria Grazia Capodilupo Russo]], was born in September 1923 in [[San Sossio Baronia, Avellino, Italy]].¹ **Source(s)** ^{1 [[1937 Declaration of Intent (Giovanni)]]} > **Still looking for...** > Uncle Mike's birth record. ## Nicolina was born in Italy in 1925. [[Nicolina "Nikki" Russo]], son of [[Giovanni "John" Russo]] and [[Maria Grazia Capodilupo Russo]], was born on 25 December 1925 in [[San Sossio Baronia, Avellino, Italy]].¹ **Source(s)** ^{1 [[1937 Declaration of Intent (Giovanni)]]} > **Still looking for...** > Auntie Nikki's birth record. ## The Mayor of San Sossio visits Boston in 1927. ![[San Sossio mayor.jpg]] ^{Source: [[San Sossio mayor]]} ^{A news story about the San Sossio mayor visiting Boston.} In 1927 the mayor of [[San Sossio Baronia, Avellino, Italy]] visited [[Boston, MA, USA]]. ## A major earthquake erupted in Italy in 1930. ![[1930 Earthquake - 1.jpg|200]]![[1930 Earthquake - 2.jpg|200]] ^{Source: [[1930 Earthquake]]} *"San Sossio was destroyed"* > **Still looking for...** > Does anyone remember stories about this earthquake? Uncle Louis would have been 10 years old, Uncle Guy 9 years old. ## Antonia was born in Italy in 1933. [[Antonia "Anna" Russo]], son of [[Giovanni "John" Russo]] and [[Maria Grazia Capodilupo Russo]], was born on 15 March 1935 in [[San Sossio Baronia, Avellino, Italy]].¹ **Source(s)** ^{1 [[1937 Declaration of Intent (Giovanni)]]} > **Still looking for...** > Auntie Anna's birth record. ## Giuseppe was born in Italy in 1935. [[Giuseppe Russo]], son of [[Giovanni "John" Russo]] and [[Maria Grazia Capodilupo Russo]], was born in September 1923 in [[San Sossio Baronia, Avellino, Italy]].¹ **Source(s)** ^{1 [[1937 Declaration of Intent (Giovanni)]]} > **Still looking for...** > Giuseppe's birth record. ## Giovanni arrived in America in 1937. ![[S.S. Vulcania.jpeg]] ^{Source: [[S.S. Vulcania]]} ^{A postcard of the S.S. Vulcania.} [[Giovanni "John" Russo]] (age 48) sailed from the [[Port of Naples, Italy]], on 23 May 1937 and arrived at the [[Port of New York, USA]], on 3 June 1937 aboard [[S.S. Vulcania]]^{1 2} This trip to America is considered Giovanni's "lawful entry for permanent residency." ![[1937 Manifest (Giovanni) - 1.jpg|200]] ![[1937 Manifest (Giovanni) - 2.jpg|200]] ^{The S.S. Vulcania manifest for Naples to New York, arriving 3 June 1937.} **Source(s)** ^{1 [[1937 Manifest (Giovanni)]]} ^{2 [[1937 Declaration of Intent (Giovanni)]]} ## Antonio was born in Italy in 1937. [[Antonio "Anthony" Russo]], son of [[Giovanni "John" Russo]] and [[Maria Grazia Capodilupo Russo]], was born on 15 August 1937 in [[San Sossio Baronia, Avellino, Italy]].¹ **Source(s)** ^{1 [[1937 Declaration of Intent (Giovanni)]]} > **Still looking for...** > Antonio's birth record. ## Giovanni declares intent to become a U.S. citizen in October 1937 ![[1937 Declaration of Intent (Giovanni).jpg]] ^{Giovanni's Declaration of Intent was known as the "first papers" for becoming a U.S. citizen.} **Source(s)** ^{1 [[1937 Declaration of Intent (Giovanni).jpg]]} > **Still looking for...** > A Declaration of Intent for anyone else in the family. ## Gaetano arrived in America in 1939. ![[1939 Manifest (Gaetano).jpg]] ^{The S.S. Conte De Savoia manifest for Naples to New York, arriving March 1937.} [[Gaetano "Guy" Russo]](age 18) sailed from the [[Port of Naples, Italy]], on 6 March 1937 and arrived at the [[Port of New York, USA]], March 1937 aboard [[S.S. Conte De Savoia]].¹ His address in America was [[329 Hanover Street, Boston, MA, USA]]. **Source(s)** ^{1 [[1939 Manifest (Gaetano)]]} ## U.S. Census was completed in 1940. ![[1940 Census (Domenic Russo Family).jpg]] ^{The Sixteenth Census of the United States.} According to the 1940 Census, on 11 April 1940, [[Domenic "Dom" Russo]] (25) and [[Geraldine Russo]] (24) lived at [[64 Palmer Street, Arlington, MA, USA]]. At this time, [[Domenic "Dom" Russo]] was a [[wholesale tailor]] and [[Geraldine Russo]] was a [[dressmaker]].¹ **Source(s)** ^{1 [[1940 Census (Domenic Russo Family)]]} ## Gaetano, Giovanni, and Domenic registered for World War II in 1942. ![[1942 World War II Draft Card (Gaetano)- 1.jpg|200]] ![[1942 World War II Draft Card (Giovanni) - 1.jpg|200]]![[1942 World War II Draft Card (Domenic) - 1.jpg|200]] [[Gaetano "Guy" Russo]] (age 21), [[Domenic "Dom" Russo]] (26), and [[Giovanni "John" Russo]] (53) registered for World War II in 1942. Giovanni and Gaetano were living on [[13 Sheafe Street, Boston, MA, USA]], and Domenic was living at [[8 Dorothy Road, Arlington, MA, USA]]. **Source(s)** ^{1 [[1942 World War II Draft Card (Gaetano)]]} ^{2 [[1942 World War II Draft Card (Domenic)]]} ^{3 [[1942 World War II Draft Card (Giovanni)]]} ## John (son of Louis) was born in America in 1943. [[John Russo (son of Louis)]], son of [[Louis Russo]] and [[Angelina Russo]], was born in 1943 in Massachusetts.¹ **Source(s)** ^{1 [[1950 Census (Louis Russo Family)]]} > **Still looking for...** > John's birth record. ## Gaetano & Concetta married in 1944. > **Still looking for...** > The marriage certificate for Uncle Guy and Auntie Connie. According to [Guy's obituary](https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/registerguard/name/gaetano-russo-obituary?id=33257848), they were married on 4 June 1944. ## Giovanni was issued his official naturalization record in America in 1944. ![[1944 Naturalization Record (Giovanni).jpg]] ^{The official citizenship card for Giovanni.} [[Giovanni "John" Russo]] was issued his Naturalization Record (green card) on 1 Aug 1944. He was 54 years old and living on [[13 Sheafe Street, Boston, MA, USA]]. **Source(s)** ^{1 [[1944 Naturalization Record (Giovanni)]]} ## Daniel was born in America in 1945. [[Daniel Russo]], son of [[Louis Russo]] and [[Angelina Russo]], was born in 1945 in Massachusetts.¹ **Source(s)** ^{1 [[1950 Census (Louis Russo Family)]]} > **Still looking for...** > Daniel's birth record. ## Grace was born in Italy in 1946. [[Grace Russo]], daughter of [[Michele "Mike" Russo]] and [[Filomena Russo (Giovanni's sister)]] was born in 1946 in Italy.¹ **Source(s)** ^{1 [[1950 Census (Louis Russo Family)]]} > **Still looking for...** > Grace's birth record. ## Vito was born in America in 1947. [[Vito Russo]], son of [[Gaetano "Guy" Russo]] and [[Concetta Russo]] was born in 1947 in America.¹ **Source(s)** ^{1 [[1950 Census (Gaetano Russo Family)]]} > **Still looking for...** > Vito's birth record. ## Antonia, Nicolina, Giuseppe, and Antonio arrived in America in 1947. Nicolina (age 21), Antonia (11), Giuseppe (11), and Antonio (9) sailed from the [[Port of Naples, Italy]] on 25 January 1947 and arrived at the [[Port of New York, USA]], 5 February 1947 aboard [[S.S. Saturnia]]. Their destination in America was [[8 Bartlett Place, Boston, MA, USA]].¹ The New York Times wrote a story about this voyage on 6 February 1947. This story states that there were fifty unaccompanied children. This would include the Russo children. ![[Saturnia.pdf]] The [[S.S. Saturnia]] was a popular ship. There's also [a home video of the ship in the 1930s]([https://youtu.be/Fj1KSQ481GY](https://youtu.be/Fj1KSQ481GY)). **Source(s)** ^{1 [[1947 Manifest (Nicolina, Antonia, Giuseppe, Antonio)]]} ## Maria arrived in America in 1947 (on a different ship). ![[1947 Manifest (Maria) - 1.jpg]] ^{The S.S. Saturnia manifest for Naples to New York, arriving 28 July 1947.} [[Maria Grazia Capodilupo Russo]] (54) sailed from the [[Port of Naples, Italy]] on 17 July 1947 and arrived at the [[Port of New York, USA]] on 28 July 1947 aboard [[S.S. Saturnia]], the same ship her four children took 6 months prior. Her final destination was [[8 Bartlett Place, Boston, MA, USA]], the address of her husband [[Giovanni "John" Russo]].¹ **Source(s)** ^{1 [[1947 Manifest (Maria)]]} ## Maria "Grace" was born in Italy in 1948. [[Maria "Grace" Russo (daughter of Alesandro) ]], daughter of [[Alessandro "Al" Russo]] and [[Cella Russo]] was born in 1948 in Italy. **Source(s)** ^{1 [Grace's obituary, October 2022](https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/lynn-ma/maria-grace-tegan-10989624)} > **Still looking for...** > Grace's birth record. ## Joann was born in Italy in 1948. [[Joann Russo]], daughter of [[Michele "Mike" Russo]] and [[Filomena Russo (Michele's wife)]] was born in 1948 in Italy.¹ **Source(s)** ^{1 herself LOL} ## Maria was born in America in 1949. [[Maria Russo (daughter of Gaetano)]], daughter of [[Gaetano "Guy" Russo]] and [[Concetta Russo]] was born in 1949 in America.¹ **Source(s)** ^{1 [[1950 Census (Gaetano Russo Family)]]} ## U.S. Census was completed in 1950. ![[1950 Census (Russo Family) - 2.jpg|200]]![[1950 Census (Russo Family) - 1.jpg|200]] According to the 1950 Census, on 3 April 1950, [[Giovanni "John" Russo]] (61) [[Maria Grazia Capodilupo Russo]](58), [[Nicolina "Nikki" Russo]] (23), [[Antonia "Anna" Russo]] (16), [[Giuseppe Russo]] (13), and [[Antonio "Anthony" Russo]] (11) lived at [[11 Sheafe Street, Boston, MA, USA]]. At this time, [[Giovanni "John" Russo]]'s occupation was a "[[gardener]]". ![[1950 Census (Louis Russo Family) - 1.jpg|200]]![[1950 Census (Louis Russo Family) - 2.jpg|200]] According to the 1950 Census, on 4 April 1950, [[Louis Russo]] (29), [[Angelina Russo]] (27), [[John Russo (son of Louis)]] (7), [[Ronald Russo]] (1), and [[Daniel Russo]] (5) lived at [[96 Trenton Street, Boston, MA]]. At the time, Louis was a foreman for a women's clothing manufacturer. ![[1950 Census (Gaetano Russo Family).jpg|300]] According to the 1950 Census, on 5 April 1950, [[Gaetano "Guy" Russo]] (30), [[Concetta Russo]] (28), [[Vito Russo]] (3), [[Maria Russo (daughter of Gaetano)]] (1) lived at [[476 Saratoga Street, Boston, MA, USA]]. At the time, [[Gaetano "Guy" Russo]] worked as a [[warehouse man]]. **Source(s)** ^{1 [[1950 Census (Russo Family)]]} > **Still looking for...** > If Giovanni, Maria, and kids live at 11 AND 13 Sheafe Street? I am wondering if this record or the WWII draft records have the wrong address. ## John was born in Italy in 1950. [[John Russo (son of Michele)]], son of [[Michele "Mike" Russo]] and [[Filomena Russo (Michele's wife)]] was born in 1950 in Italy.¹ **Source(s)** ^{1 Mom} ## Nicolina arrived in America in 1951. ![[1951 Manifest (Nicolina).jpg]] Nicolina (age 25) sailed from the [[Port of Naples, Italy]], on 30 October 1951 and arrived at the [[Port of New York, USA]], on 7 November 1951 aboard [[S.S. Constitution]]. Her destination in America was [[28 Margaret Street, Boston, MA, USA. ¹ **Source(s)** ^{1 [[1951 Manifest (Nicolina)]]}