Trying to find grandfathers information

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billyttrackie
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Trying to find grandfathers information

Post by billyttrackie »

Hello, I hope I am not imposing. I discovered recently that I am eligible for Italian citizenship based upon my Grandfather and Grandmother immigrating from Italy and my mother being born here in the US to Italian citizens.

My problem is that my grandparents and parents are deceased and I only know bits and pieces about their history.

I do know my grandfather, Antonio (a) Salerno was between 73-75 when he died in 1963. He immigrated from the Calabria region of Italy and shortly (about 5 years) after arriving sent for my grandmother Philomena. They were married in Italy but don't know where. My sisters tell me my grandfather was from Calabria and my Grandmother from Naples. My mother was born here in the US in 1921 at St. Joseph hospital in Far Rockaway New York.

I have tried the Ellis Island thing and can't seem to come up with anything. Having said that, my sister said she found them at one time on the Ellis Island registry about 5 years ago but subsequently lost their information and can't remember how she originally found it.

I would greatly appreciate ANY help finding them. While I have always dreamed of connecting with my Italian heritage and dreamed of Italian citizenship I must confess I had given up hope. However, I am a Masters Track Cyclist and discovered that I can compete in the Masters European Championships if I had Italian citizenship. This motivated me to once again try and pursue my ancestry. Unfortunately the Championships are at the end of July and I need to move quickly (not an Italian virture :-)) if I want to get my citizenship and be eligible to compete.

Thanks in advance for ANY help you can give me.

Billy T
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Biff83
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Re: Trying to find grandfathers information

Post by Biff83 »

Hello and Welcome!

Is this your family?
http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/2383 ... 930tp0.jpg
Far Rockaway, Queens, New York
Antonio Salerno 40
Philomena Salerno 38
Virginia Salerno 17
Viola Salerno 9
Ida Salerno 8
Dora Salerno 5
Alfonse Anthony Salerno 3

Biff
"Mintammicce impizzu mpizzu ca pue largu minne fazzu sule!"
pink67
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Re: Trying to find grandfathers information

Post by pink67 »

Hi Billy and welcome to this forum! :D

can you confirm this is the 1930 census about your grandparents?

1930 United States Federal Census
about Antonia Salerno
Name: Antonia Salerno
Home in 1930: Queens, Queens, New York
Age: 40
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1890
Birthplace: Italy
Relation to Head of House: Head
Spouse's Name: Philomena
Race: White
Occupation:

Education:

Military service:

Rent/home value:

Age at first marriage:

Parents' birthplace: View Image
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members: Name Age
Antonia Salerno 40
Philomena Salerno 38
Virginia Salerno 17
Viola Salerno 9
Ida Salerno 8
Dora Salerno 5
Alfonse Anthony Salerno 3

Image

Laura
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Biff83
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Re: Trying to find grandfathers information

Post by Biff83 »

Possible WWII Draft Card
http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/9017 ... wiiwk0.jpg
Name: Antonio Salerno
Birth Date: 4 Nov 1889
Residence: Queens, New York
Birth: Guardavalle, Catanzaro, Calabria

Biff
"Mintammicce impizzu mpizzu ca pue largu minne fazzu sule!"
pink67
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Re: Trying to find grandfathers information

Post by pink67 »

WOW Biff!!!

we posted at the same time! :lol:

here is 1920 arrival for Virginia and Filomena (maiden name ROVITO):


New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957
about Daughter Virginia Salerno
Name: Daughter Virginia Salerno
Arrival Date: 7 Jan 1920
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1913
Age: 7
Port of Departure: Naples, Italy
Ethnicity/Race­/Nationality: Italian (South) (Italian)
Ship Name: Madonna
Search Ship Database: Search the Madonna in the 'Passenger Ships and Images' database
Port of Arrival: New York, New York
Nativity: Italy
Line: 8
Microfilm Serial: T715
Microfilm Roll: T715_2716
Birth Location: Italy
Birth Location Other: guardavalle
Page Number: 87

Image

Image

Image

Laura
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billyttrackie
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Re: Trying to find grandfathers information

Post by billyttrackie »

WOW, I don't know how you all did it but yes this is my family. I tried to pm several of you but my computer won't let me. Probably because I am at work.

Thanks so much to everyone. Now I need to begin the search to see when my grandparents were married and my grandfathers date of death. Also I need now to know my parentsdate of marariage and deaths. I know the deaths but not the marriage, but that should be easy to find.

Again, you guys are great. Now the fun begins.

Billy T
pink67
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Re: Trying to find grandfathers information

Post by pink67 »

Hi Bill! Here everybody is glad to help! :D

Social Security Death Index
about Antonio Salerno
Name: Antonio Salerno
SSN: XXX-26-2611
Last Residence: New York
Born: 4 Nov 1889
Died: Sep 1963
State (Year) SSN issued: New York (1951 )

and maybe this is your grandmother??:

Social Security Death Index
about Filomena Salerno
Name: Filomena Salerno
SSN: XXX-52-6808
Last Residence: 11691 Far Rockaway, Queens, New York, United States of America
Born: 15 Mar 1891
Died: Jan 1977
State (Year) SSN issued: New York (1973 )

Laura
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billyttrackie
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Re: Trying to find grandfathers information

Post by billyttrackie »

Laura,

Yep, that's them. Again, thanks so much. Now I think I have enough information, with the exception of marriage date/place, to begin my pursuit of citizenship.

You guys are great. My son's are really excited about all this you all have made my day.

Billy T
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carmine1917
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Re: Trying to find grandfathers information

Post by carmine1917 »

About ten years ago, my sister lived in Verona, Italy. The only way she could get an Italian citizenship was if our grandpa never became a US citizen. I went down to Manhattan and went through the records and found out he became a citizen. Therefore, she could not become and Italian citizen.

I hope this helps.
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