The story evolves from lore passed from Mama Caterina and Grandma Mariangela to me of a family about two dirt-poor peasant parents and nine children bonded by a deep loving tie ravished by a perpetual search for food, shelter, and employment.

All of the Rossomannos originated in the general area of Crotone, Cutro, Sila, and Papanici in the province of Catanzaro-Calabria; located geographically in the instep of Italy where peasantry predominated, superstition abounded, religion was medieval, and hard, cold determination helped these people to survive.

Calabresi are reputed to be very adamant and stubborn. Suffice it to say that one trip to that region and its unyielding ambience will explain this. - In this region, a gypsy life-style developed here in this both swampy and malarial environment (in antiquity, denuded and deforested by Hannibal's rape of the land and people during his retreat back to Africa). Largely ignored by consequent Roman, Norman-Spanish conquests and invasions, Calabria became a corridor- paths trampled through the mountains, hills and valleys of this region in transit to eastern destinations.

The Calabresi, for this reason, do not feel a great loyalty to any central political authority. Only a strong clannish family, blood link to one another and xenophobia concerning outsiders.

Pietro Rossomanno, Great-Grandfather to me, came from a family (I understand by word passed down through the generations) of twelve boys orphaned out to different environments by poverty. Four of the twelve brothers remained together: Pietro, Gerardo, Vittorio, and Giosúe.

Pietro fathered Francesco Saverio, who in turn sired Dionora. - As to Dionora Agliuzzi, she was Pietro's first wife and mother of Francesco Saverio. I don't know how many other siblings Francesco had, with the exception of one half-brother (also named Giosúe, recently deceased in Buenos Aires, Argentina) since Pietro outlived Dionora Agliuzzi by many years, thus remarrying later in life.

Mariangela Criserá, Theresa's grandmother and mine, was the daughter of Domenico Criserá and Rosa Iornese (pronounced Yornese). She had two brothers and one sister. Her brother named Fortunato, I understand was extremely brilliant, but died at a young age in Italy. Her brother, Giuseppe, immigrated to New York City, lived many years there, raised a family, which is still there; and died not too long ago. Marianna left a family in Italy by the name of Bonaccorsi.

Our family, large as it was, always fighting for survival (missed meals and all) began to fragment into foster places as far back as the 1860's. The unification efforts of Garibaldi notwithstanding, Uncle Pete (elder brother of Dionora and Caterina) was the first to emigrate to America at about age 17. - A search of the passenger records, indicates a Francesco age 38, shoemaker from Casino and 17 year-old son Pietro, arrived in New York on 4 June 1907 from the port of Naples on the ship Virginia; and that the relative they were meeting was their cousin Giosúe Rossomanno whom it is believed arrived in the U.S. on 21 March 1907 on the Germania, from Naples. Ages at the time of arrival and places of birth for all three, seem to substantiate this information.

Armed with only his cobbler skills, Pietro found his way to St. Louis, the site of shoe manufacturer, adjacent coal mines, and other industries which promised basic living in this land described over there as having streets paved with Gold - only to realize that in fact, streets were paved with sweat.

Uncle Pete worked hard. He married, but never had children. He sent money to the old country for transport of his family to this land of milk and honey. In chronological order came: his sister, Caterina, Mama Mariangela, Papa Saverio and brothers Salvatore, Joseph, Frank, and Armando. These latter six came to the United States together on the Providence which departed from Naples and arrived in New York on the 15th of April 1921. - Papa Saverio was listed as 55 yrs; wife Mariangela Criserá age 51; son Giuseppe age 13; Francesco age 9; and Armando age six.

Caterina (Eduardo's mother), had preceded these, coming to the United States on the 15th of February in 1920 on the ship Patria. The passenger manifest indicates that she was coming to meet up with her brother Pietro who was living at 919 La Beaume Street in St. Louis, Missouri. She was listed as 24 years old, five feet six inches with fair skin, brown hair, and chestnut eyes; and appears to have come on this passage unaccompanied by any other family member, which according to Eddie, would not be surprising! After arriving and finding employment, she joined Pete in the financing of the immigration of her parents, grandmother, and brothers.

Caterina's sister, Dionora (Eleanora), had at this time been married in Italy to Armando Laratta, who had met Pete in St. Louis and had returned to Italy and married her. He returned on the Canada on May 3, 1920 stating in the passenger manifest records that he had been in the U.S. in 1904 and in 1914 and that he now intended to remain there. He was to meet up with his brother-in-law, Pietro Russomanno who was living at 820 Mound Street in St. Louis, Missouri. His wife Eleanora and their son Pantaleone who was about five years of age, followed him about eight months later coming to the U.S. on the Patria on the 8th of January in 1921 to join Armando and Pietro. Also upon this voyage was her brother Salvatore who was listed as a 16 year old shoemaker from Casino, son of Saverio.

Mariangela's two other sons, Antonio and Pantaleone, who were married in the old country, eventually immigrated to Argentina (upon running into newly legislated quotas in the U.S.), with the hopes of round-about eventual entry into the U.S. - but it never happened! There was found in the passenger records a family who departed from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil who were from Buenes Ayres and entered the U.S. at the New York port on the 8th of Feb 1907. This family consisted of Concetto Citrulo a 46 year-old dressmaker of Italian descent whose passage was paid by her son; Lucia Russomanno, daughter of Concetto, who was 19 and of Buenes Ayres, her passage paid by her brother; Grazi Maria Russomanno age 22 and son Pasquale Russomanno age 17 listed as a barber - all of Buenes Ayres who were coming to Newark, NY to meet up with Concetto's son Raphael Russomanno. Whether or not this family is of any relation to our family who also went to Argentina, is not known.

Though the Rossomann/Russomanno family split between the U.S. and Argentina, through the efforts of Caterina, (God bless her soul) and Eddie (God bless my soul), the family has maintained to this day the bond of name and famiglia; but the Argentine contingent never again saw the great mother of all- Mariangela, alive again.

In America, together, we all survived the 30's (Depression years) through determination, accommodation, loyalty and hard work. - Fortunately, because of new prosperity in our lives, both socially and financially, the branches of the family reunited beginning in the 1950's. Our cousins in Argentina have been here by me several times, and I, to Buenos Aires, three times.

My father's plight in the U.S. can be described peripherally as hard work, dedication to family, and survival. As a person, he was a good role model, a symbol of Security, a very good shoe maker and a thorough taskmaster. I learned to work under him, the discipline imparted by him served me well throughout. He dearly loved his Poker game on weekends, his extremely sharp, keen intelligence and eye (memory) made him a winner in this, overall.

A small man (5'7") in physical stature, he commanded respect in his environment through his innate lack of fear and his positive sociability. - He was a very earthy man (as was Mama Caterina), both possessing this brand of humor, a great safeguard against mental chaos and disorder. I suppose this comes as a result of greatly depressed beginnings.

Caterina, really, was the Rock of the family combining in her such virtues as sensitivity, courage, Power, charisma, love, tyranny, and magnetic animalism as to cause the mind to boggle. What a Survivalist!! The only person ever to intimidate and dominate me with the only real power on Earth - Love. The entire family benefitted and will forever feel her presence.  Immortal!!  I believe that I am her true heir.

Generation I

Francesco Saverio Rossomanno - son of Pietro and Dionora Agliuzzi, was born 20 June 1868 in Davoli, Italy and married on 13 June 1889 in Papanici, Catanzaro, Italy - Mariangela Criserá. He died in St. Louis, Missouri in 1928. His wife, Mariangela was born 13 May 1870 in Cavolonia, Italy and passed away April 1947 in St. Louis, Missouri and was laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery. She was the daughter of Domenico Criserá and Rosa Iornese. [Photo of Saverio & Mariangela]

 

Children of
Francesco Saverio Rossomanno & Mariangela Criserá

1. Pietro Rossomanno - born 1 May 1890 in Italy and died January 1955.
2. Eleanora Rossomanno - born 2 April 1893 in Papanici, Italy; died 7 January 1956 in St. Louis, Missouri. She married Armando Laratta (See Laratta Descendants).
3. Caterina Rossomanno - born 13 April 1896 in Italy; and passed away 22 April 1983 in St. Louis, Missouri. She married Giosue Rossomanno.
4. Antonio Rossomanno - born 13 April 1899 in Italy; died 1982 in Argentina.
5. Panteleone Rossomanno - born 17 November 1901 in Italy; died 1978.
6. Salvatore "Sam" Rossomanno - born 23 June 1904 in Italy; died 1984.
7. Joseph Rossomanno - born 11 Mar 1907 in Italy; died 1990.
8. Frank Rossomanno - born December 1910 in Italy; died 1934 in St. Louis, Missouri.
9. Armand Rossomanno - born 7 February 1914 in Italy; died 1998 in California.

Generation III

Giosúe Rossomanno - son of Giosúe and Dora Dea Saragó, was born 27 April 1886 in Italy and died 15 November 1965 in St. Louis, Missouri. He married on 29 Octobter 1922 in St. Louis, Missouri - Caterina Rossomanno who was born 13 April 1896 in Italy and passed away 22 April 1983 in St. Louis, Missouri. Caterina was the daughter of Francesco Saverio Rossomanno and Mariangela Criserá.

Eleanora Rossomanno - daughter of Francesco Saverio, was born 2 April 1893 in Papanici, Italy; died 7 January 1956 in St. Louis, Missouri. She married Armando Laratta, who was born 30 March 1889 in Papanici, Italy; died 26 Apr 1937 in St. Louis, Missouri. They are the parents of - Lee Forest (Panteleone Marziale) Anthony, Theresa, Elvera Anne, Mary, Calandina, Joseph, William, and Alfred Laratta. See Armando's Descendants for more information on Eleanora.

Caterina Rossomanno - daughter of Francesco Saverio, was born 13 April 1896 in Italy; died 22 April 1983 in St. Louis, Missouri. She married on 29 October 1922 in St. Louis, Giosue Rossomanno. Giosúe was born 27 April 1886 in Italy; died 15 November 1965 in St. Louis, Missouri and was the son of Giosue Rossomanno and Dora Dea Saragó. Giosúe came to the U.S. in 1907. They were the parents of - Eduardo Giosúe, Pietro, Dora Dea, and Frank Rossomanno.

Generation IV

Eduardo Giosúe Rossomanno - son of Giosúe Rossomanno & Caterina Rossomanno, was born in St. Louis, Missouri (photo above). He married (1) on 15 June 1947 in St. Louis, Missouri Rosemary Scarpelli who was born 2 February 1924 in St. Louis, and passed away 8 March 1987 in St. Louis. She was the daughter of Vito Scarpelli and Anna Garofalo. Eddie and Rosemary are the parents of Richard E. and Victoria Rossomanno. - Having met Eddie's 2nd wife, Mary Heffington, I can say with all honesty that he was blessed to have married her on 24 September 1988 in St. Louis. - Mary, who was also widowed, had been the wife of Louis Pulos and is the mother of daughter Georgia Ruth Pulos who married John Hays and has Damon, Justin and Rachel Hays; daughter Mary Lou Pulos who married Steve Moore and is the mother of Steve, Jason, and Angela Moore; and son Louis George Pulos who married Nancy Million and is the father of Alex Gregory Pulos. Eddie passed away 25 Mar 2011, and was laid to rest with military honors at Jefferson Barracks. To view a tribute of this extraordinary man who was so dear to me, please see my blog: Remembering Eduardo Rossomanno.

Pietro Rossomanno - who was born 20 February 1927 in St. Louis, Missouri and passed away 7 May 1997 in St. Louis, Missouri. He married Dorothy Dianne Dixon, daughter of James and Lila Hug. They are the parents of Bronwyn, Brett, Brooke and Brian Rossomanno.

Dora Dea Rossomanno-Phillips - born in St. Louis, she made her home in England and was a librarian, but since widowed, has returned and now resides in St. Louis, Missouri near her brother Eddie and is actively involved in the Italian Cultural Club.

Frank Rossomanno - son of Caterina Rossomanno, was born in St. Louis and married Joanne Scruggs. They are the parents of Joseph Frank and Angela Caterina Rossomanno. They removed to Alabama where Frank was a teacher, and currently reside in Tuscaloosa - daughter Angela is planning to be married soon.

Generation V

Richard E. Rossomanno - son of Eduardo and Rosemary, was born in St. Louis, Missouri and married/divorced (1) in Bay City, Michigan, Linda Cardinal and had by her one son, Joel (who was raised by his step-father Ken Baese, and later re-united with the Rossomanno family). Richard married/divorced (2) in St. Louis, Missouri, Karen Devine, the mother of his daughters, Natalee and Cara Rossomanno. He and his wife Paula Thompson currently reside in St. Louis, Missouri.

Victoria Rossomanno - daughter of Eduardo and Rosemary, was born in St. Louis, and married/divorced Jerry Babbitt. They are the parents of Dominic, Joseph Paul, & Michaella Babbitt, all of St. Louis, Missouri.

Bronwyn Kay Rossomanno - daughter of Pietro and Dorothy, was born in St. Louis, Missouri and married in Burnsville, Minnesota, Todd Miller Wucherpfennig who was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They are the parents of Melissa Kay Wucherpfennig who was born in Minnesota where the family now resides.

Brett Peter Rossomanno - son of Pietro and Dorothy, was born in St. Louis, MO. He married in Pacific, Missouri, Jennifer McFarland who was born in St. Louis. They are the parents of one son, Alexander Brett Rossomanno who was born in Missouri where they currently reside.

 

Generation VI

Joel Baese - son of Richard E. Rossomanno and Linda Cardinal who was born in Bay City, Michigan. He married Joanna Hart, and they are the parents of Emma Garris Baese, and Margaret Elaine Baese who were born in Tucson, Pima county, Arizona where the family now resides.

Natalee Rossomanno - daughter of Richard E. Rossomanno and his wife Karen Devine, who was born in St. Louis, Missouri. She married there Chris Swayne, son of Brandon; and they are the parents of Kainen Warren, Kourtnie Rossomanno, and Kamryn Swayne who were born in St. Louis, where the family now resides.

Cara Rossomanno - daughter of Richard E. Rossomanno and his wife Karen Devine, who was born in St. Louis, Missouri. She is the mother of Anthony Rossomanno, Olivia Brooks, and Grace Milhoan who all reside outside of St. Louis.

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Updated 16 May 2011
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