Hey Jeremy
Welcome to the Forum
!
We will all be happy to see if we can help.
You're right, you need to determine if Salerno
comune is where your great grandfather was born (it may have been a comune if Salerno province). Most records will be found at the comune level
A quick check of his Declaration of Intention and his 1917-1918 WWI Draft Registration Card confirms that he was consistant in stating it was 'Salerno'. His birth date does vary though from 5 Mar to 5 May to 7 May.
You're also correct that he did state he was married on his 1909 ship manifest
Valarie
edit: added
for everyone's reference
1909 ship manifest
(confirmed on naturalization documents)
http://imageshack.us/a/img831/7561/1909o.jpg
next page
http://imageshack.us/a/img829/5324/1909bx.jpg
Ship Name: Duca Degli Abruzzi
Arrival Date: 25 Oct 1909
Port of Departure: Napoli
Port of Arrival: New York, New York
line 22
Giovanni Ronca 30, abt 1879
- married
- shoemaker
* -
naturalization notation 2-814099-505 3/17/41
(may have reapplied for citizenship - see his Petition below)
- last residence Salerno (written once, may be Salerno comune in Salerno province)
- leaving
wife Eufemia Gallo/Gatto(?) in Salerno
- destination NY (probably NY, NY)
- not in US before
- joining
cousin Nicola Minetta 116 47th St
- born in Salerno
---
edit: added
Also for reference
from Fold3
(subscription)
1921 Declaration of Intention
http://imageshack.us/a/img850/9903/1921r.jpg
Publication Number: M1972
Publication Title: Petitions for Naturalization of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, 1897-1944
Content Source: NARA
Partner: NARA
National Archives Catalog ID: 575701
National Archives Catalog Title: Petitions for Naturalization, compiled 1824 - 1991
Record Group: 21
State: New York
Court: Southern District
Catalog Keywords: Petitions Naturalization Immigration Citizenship
Fold3 Publication Year: 2008
Language: English
Short Description: NARA M1972. Petitions for Naturalization of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, 1897-1944.
Roll: 0281
Birth Country: Italy
Document Date Year: 1921
Surname: Ronca
Given Name: John
Document Type: Declaration of Intention
Alias Given Name: Giovanni
---
1924 Petition for Naturalization
http://imageshack.us/a/img834/2440/peti ... lizati.jpg
Publication Number: M1972
Publication Title: Petitions for Naturalization of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, 1897-1944
Content Source: NARA
Partner: NARA
National Archives Catalog ID: 575701
National Archives Catalog Title: Petitions for Naturalization, compiled 1824 - 1991
Record Group: 21
State: New York
Court: Southern District
Catalog Keywords: Petitions Naturalization Immigration Citizenship
Fold3 Publication Year: 2008
Language: English
Short Description: NARA M1972. Petitions for Naturalization of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, 1897-1944.
Roll: 0281
Birth Country: Italy
Document Date Year: 1924
Surname: Ronca
Given Name: John
Document Type: Petition for Naturalization
Alias Given Name: Giovanni
---
Certificate of Arrival
http://imageshack.us/a/img407/2447/coa1924.jpg
---
Oath of Allegiance
http://imageshack.us/a/img267/4467/oath ... ce1924.jpg
*
Note: it appears that his Petition was denied
He may have reapplied in 1941 according to his 1909 ship manifest