He again shows up in the passenger records at age twenty six. Departing from the port of Napoli, Campania, Italy aboard the ship San Giovanni, he once again arrived in New York on the 14th of May. How or why he went to St. Louis is not yet known, but there he went to work in a leather factory where he met Pietro Rossomanno. While he worked, he saved money in order to return to Italy in hopes of finding himself a good Italian wife to bring back to America.

Pietro's family lived in a nearby town in Italy where Armando was returning, so he asked if he wouldn't please go visit them and give them his love and regards - he also mentioned that he had two sisters who were not yet married; and that is how my great-grandfather met his wife, Eleanora Rossomanno sister of his friend Pete.

They married shortly afterwards in Italy, and just when Armando was about to bring his wife Eleanora back to the United States, the World War I broke out. Armando, still an Italian citizen, was obligated to fight in the Italian army and was in the cavalry so their first child, Pantaleone, was born in Italy on April 26, 1916.

Just as soon as Armando could, he returned to the United States. Records indicate that he was a resident of Casino, Catanzaro, Italy and departed that country from the usual port of Naples aboard the ship Canada. He arrived in New York on the 3rd of May 1920 listed as 32 years old and married. The manifest also indicates that he was in the U.S. in 1904 and 1914 and that he was on his way to his brother-in-law's, Pietro Russomanno at 820 Mound Street, St. Louis, Missouri. He is listed as having a pale complexion, brown hair, chestnut eyes and was five feet, eight inches tall. His residence at the time of departure was Casino, Catanzaro, Italy.

Once in St. Louis, Armando saved his money, and sent for his wife and five year-old son. Naturalization papers indicate that they came in April of 1920 on the vessel, Patria, but the ship manifest papers indicate that Eleanora came on the Patria on the 8th of January 1921. She is listed on the passenger list as fair complexion, brown hair, and chestnut eyes - daughter of Saverio and wife of Armando Laratta. Eleanora is listed as age 27 with son Panteleone, age 5 and their destination is 928 La Beaume Street in St. Louis, Missouri. Eleanora's sister Caterina had arrived in New York aboard the Patria on the 15th of February the year prior, followed by the arrival of their parents (Saverio & Mariangela) and brothers Giuseepe, Francesco and Armando, who came on the Providence 15 April 1921.

Eleanora had a couple of miscarriages before her son Anthony was born on in 1921, and had seven more children, including little brother, Alfred, who died of pneumonia when he was nine months old. Armando went to barber school and opened his own barber shop. Things prospered for the family until both Armando and Eleanora contacted tuberculosis in 1933 and were put in a hospital in the county so they could breathe fresh air. Their children were all put in foster homes except their oldest son who was seventeen; and although they recovered from tuberculosis, Armando was never really well again and passed away on April 26, 1937.

As the children reached sixteen years of age, they each came home to live with their mother who had bouts with diphtheria, cancer, and other illnesses. She passed away on the 7th of January in 1956.

Armando and Eleanor were laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri.

Little of Armando's background is known except that he was born the 30th of March 1889* in Papanici, Italy and that he was an orphan who had been raised by an older sister. His wife Eleanora Rossomanno was the daughter of Francesco Saverio Rossomanno and had been born on 2 April 1893 in Papanici, Italy. Armando married Elenanora in about 1914 in Italy.

1. Panteleone Marziale Laratta - born 25 April 1915 in Italy; married Mary Flynn and legally changed his name to Lee Forest. He died on 29 November 2006 in Reseda, Los Angeles Co., California.
2. Anthony Laratta - born 18 December 1921 in St. Louis, MO. He married Clara Boice and died 22 January 1980 in California.
3. Theresa Laratta - born in St. Louis, MO; she married (1) Clarence Moore Lane and (2) Virgil Albert Baugh.
4. Elvera Anne Laratta - born in St. Louis, MO; married Raymond Fredrick Hale.
5. Mary Laratta - born 04 May 1927 in St. Louis, Missouri. She passed away 15 September 1996 in Sacramento, California. She married (1) _____ Kelly; (2) Ronald Weise; (3) Merrill Adrian Adams.
6. Callandina Laratta - born in St. Louis, MO; she married Francis Dalton.
7. Joseph Laratta - born 06 November 1929 in St. Louis, MO; married Evelyn Craig.
8. William Laratta - born in St. Louis, MO; married Charlotte.
9. Alfred Laratta - born in St. Louis, Missouri, died at nine months old.

Anthony Laratta - son of Armando, who was born in St. Louis in 1921 and died in California in 1980, was the husband of Clara Boice who was born on the 8th of December 1925 in St. Louis, Missouri and died in Phoenix, Arizona in 1997. They were the parents of Armand "Butch", Anthony, and Robert Laratta who were all born in St. Louis, Missouri.

Theresa Laratta - who was born in St. Louis and currently resides in Arizona. She married (1) Clarence Moore Lane, who had been born 3 June 1918 in St. Louis, MO and was the son of Clarence L. Lane and Mary Jeannette Moore. He passed away in St. Louis, Missouri on 30 April 1966. After about eight years of marriage, Theresa and Clarence divorced and she married Virgil Albert Baugh. Virgil, or "Bud" was the son of Edward S., and Helen (Miller) Baugh. He was born 11 June 1920 in St. Louis, Missouri and passed away on 12 May 2004 in Glendale, Maricopa Co., Arizona.

Theresa and had one child with Clarence Lane, my mother Mary Jeanette Lane. Her children by Virgil A. Baugh are: Gary Alan, Sally Viola, and Bonnie Lou Baugh.

Elvera Anne Laratta - daughter of Armando, was born in St. Louis, Missouri and currently resides in California. She married Raymond Fredrick Hale who was born 14 June 1927 in Cleveland, Ohio and was the son of Oscar Seton Hale. He passed away on 16 June 1977 and was buried in at sea. They are the parents of Eleanor Rey born in San Francisco, Donna Dea, Susan Ann born and Mark Anthony, Maureen and Dale Richard Hale all born in Cincinnati; and youngest son Matthew Raymond Hale born in California.

Mary Laratta - daughter of Armando, was born 4 May 1927 in St. Louis, Missouri and passed away on 15 September 1996 in Sacramento, California. She married (1) ____ Kelly; (2) Ronald Weise; (3) Merrill Adrian Adams who was born 30 November 1930 in Harrold, SD and died 9 May 1991 in Los Angeles, California. She and Kelly had daughter Carol Lynn Kelly who was born 29 January 1947 in Bilexy, Mississippi and died 1990 in Sacramento, CA. She had been the wife of (1) Harold Hartman; (2) Robert Allert; (3) Bruce Harvey. - Mary and Ronald Weise had only one child, Ronald Weise, who died 4 May 1970 in Los Angeles, California as a teenager. - Mary's children with Merrill Adrian Adams were Christopher Merrill Adams who was born in Santa Monica, Los Angeles county, California and married June Alice who was born in Moline, Rock Island, Illinois; son Thomas Adrian Adams who was born in Torrence, California and had married Kimberly Keister; and daughter Jeanine Angela Adams who was born in California and married Tony Michael DeLeonardo, and are the parents of son Brandon.

Calandina Laratta - daughter of Armando, was born in St. Louis, Missouri. Her children with Dalton are - Lawrence who married (1) Sharon; (2) Kay A. Watkins; and daughters Barbara and Rita Dalton.

Joseph Arkland Laratta - son of Armando who was born in St. Louis 06 Nov 1929 and married Evelyn Craig, daughter of Eugene Lewis Craig and Nattie Miller. They are the parents of Timothy Robert who was born in St. Louis, and married Diana Lynn Mack, Vincent Joseph who was born in St. Louis and married Michelle Bast, and Stephen Joseph Laratta who was born in St. Louis, and married Cassie Joyce Paul. Joseph passed away in Jefferson Co., Missouri in 1898 and his wife Evelyn passed away in 2001.

William Laratta - son of Armando who was born in St. Louis, and married Charlotte. They are the parents of Joyce and Susan Laratta.

Robert Lee Laratta - son of Anthony and Clara was born in St. Louis, and married in 1966, Pamela Jean Richardson who was born in Orange County, California and also the daughter of Richard James Richardson and Rose Marie Adams. They are the parents of - Sherry Jean Laratta who was born 23 June 1967 in Los Angeles, California, and died of leukemia on 20 June 1972 at the City of Hope, in California and was laid to rest at Valhalla Memorial, North Hollywood, California; and daughter Camie Rose Laratta who was born in California. - Pamela remarried after her divorce to Robert and is also the mother of a third daughter, Veronica Marie, daughter of the late James Ronald Welch of Phoenix, Arizona.  Pamela passed away on Christmas morning 1999 and is laid to rest in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Mary Jeanette Lane - my dear mother, was the daughter of Theresa (Laratta) and Clarence Lane.  She was born in St. Louis, Missouri on 31 October 1942 and passed from this life on 04 November 1999.  She married Victor Delano Davidson in Phoenix, Arizona.  Vic is the son of the late Vernon William Davidson and Clara Constance (Neagle) of Luverne, Barnes County, North Dakota. Vic and Jeanette are the parents of Victor Gene, Patricia Ann, and baby Darlene Davidson who was born and died on 3 October 1962 in Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona. Darlene and Jeanette are both laid to rest at Rest Haven Park Cemetery in Glendale, Arizona.

Gary Alan Baugh - son of Theresa and her 2nd husband Virgil Baugh, born in St. Louis, Missouri. He married in Phoenix, Arizona Michele Helene Merva who was born in Anchorage, Alaska and is the daughter of the late Stephen Joseph Merva and Kathleen Coombs. Gary and Michele are the parents of twin sons, Gary Alan and Daniel Josiah, and son Darrell Stephen Baugh who is now married to Alona. Gary and Michele are proud parents of three grandchildren: Dalton; Stephen & Brenna Baugh.

Sally Viola Baugh - daughter of Theresa and Virgil Baugh, was born in Phoenix, Arizona. She is the mother of four children: Michael Dwyane and Derek Lee Gilbert; and Charles Vincent and Angela Michelle Penoyer.

Bonnie Lou Baugh - daughter of Theresa and Virgil Baugh, was born in Phoenix, and married David Alan Peffly of Ottawa, Franklin County, Kansas. Their children are - Travis Lawrence, Misty Dawn, David Alan, Jr., and Trevor Dillon Peffly.

Eleanor Rey Hale - daughter of Elvera Anne and Raymond Hale, was born in San Francisco, California and married in Orange County, CA Laurence Melvin McKinney who was born in Port Angeles, WA. Larry was born Laurence Melvin Judd, son of Richard Laurence Judd (deceased) of Grandview, Washington and his name was legally changed by his step-father in the early 60's to McKinney. Eleanor and Larry's children are - Sean Patrick, Scott Alan, and Audrey Rose McKinney.

Mark Anthony Hale, son of Elvera Anne and Raymond Hale, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and married Manuela Lacayo.

Donna Dea Hale - daughter of Elvera Anne and Raymond Hale, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and married in Rossmore, California, Gary Lamb. They are the parents of April Rose, and Jarrit Lamb.

Susan Ann Hale - daughter of Elvera Anne and Raymond Hale, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. She married/divorced (1) Tony Krauss and (2) Richard Pomponi. Susan and Tony's children are - Justin, Samantha, and Rachel Rainbow Krauss who married Travis Howard.

Maureen Hale - daughter of Elvera Anne and Raymond Hale was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and H. She married/divorced Robert Turner. Maureen is the mother of of Bryan, Matthew, Natalie, and Steven Turner.

Dale Richard Hale - son of Elvera Anne and Raymond Hale, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Matthew Raymond Hale, son of Elvera Anne and Raymond Hale, was born in Lawndale, California.

Carol Lynn Kelly - daughter of Mary Laratta was born in Bilexy, Mississippi and died 1990 in Sacramento, CA. She had married (1) Harold Hartman; (2) Robert Allert; (3) Bruce Harvey and was the mother of Mary Angela Hartman; Rickey Allert who was born 3 Aug 1968 in Gillette, WY and died 11 June 1991 in Sacramento, CA; Eric Lee and Jeremiah Connan Harvey.

Thomas Adrian Adams - son of Mary and Merrill Adams, and father of David James, Sabrina Nicole, and Ronnie Adrian Adams.

Jeanine Angela Adams - daughter of Mary and Merrill Adams, wife of Tony and mother of Brandon DeLeonardo.

Lawrence Dalton - son of Calandina and Frank Dalton, married (1) Sharon (2) Kay A.Watkins. Children of Lawrence Dalton and Sharon are - Lawrence who married Rhonda Sherfy, and Quinn who married Kara Kosador. Children of Lawrence Dalton and Kay A. Watkins are Thomas and Tara Lynn.

Barbara Dalton - daughter of Calandina and Frank Dalton, married Donald G. Cooper and are the parents of Donald G. and Matthew L. Cooper.

Timothy Robert Laratta - son of Joseph Laratta was born in St. Louis, Missouri and married Diana Lynn Mack. Timothy's children are Jamie Nicole, and Jenna Marie Laratta.

Vincent Joseph Laratta - son of Joseph Laratta was born in St. Louis, Missouri and married Michelle Bast. Their children are Brendan Joseph, and Conner Stephen Laratta.

Patricia Ann Davidson - daughter of Mary Jeanette Lane and Victor Delano Davidson, was born in Arizona. She married William Peters, son of the late George and Louise Peters of Michigan. Patti and Bill are the parents of one child, Lara LeeAnn.

Misty Dawn Peffly - daughter of Bonnie Lou Baugh and David Peffly, was born in Arizona. She married Jesus Alberto Rodriguez Molina who was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico and is the son of Jose Guadalupe Molina and Maria Louisa Rodriguez.  Jesus and Misty are the parents of one two sons: Jesus and Angel; and one daughter Cheyenne.

Sean Patrick McKinney - son of Eleanor Rey Hale and Laurence Melvin McKinney, was born in California and married Ellen Debrah Shepard. They are the parents of one son, Kyle Aaron.

Scott Alan McKinney - son of Eleanor Rey Hale and Laurence Melvin McKinney, was born in Anaheim, California and married Diane Renne Martinez. They are the parents of Leroy James and and Ryan Scott McKinney.

Rachel Rainbow Krauss - daughter of Susan Ann Hale and Tony Krauss, married Travis Howard and are the parents of Alana Mae and Jacob Howard.

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Updated 28 Sep 2009
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