Alessio's of Acri in America

Our Common Ancestors

These are our ancestors who braved the long, ardous trip to America.

Vincenzo Alessio, and a dog, relaxing on the
porch of a house in CT

Vincenzo Alessio #3

Son of Joseph Alessio #1 and Contenta Genise #2
Born 1869, in Italy.
Married 1890 to Rosa Perri #4
Arrived in USA in 1899 or 1902
Died 1939 in New York, USA
Buried in New York, USA
Primary Occupation: Tailor

Vincenzo was the progenitor of all the living Alessio's in this family tree. He came to the United States sometime between 1899 and 1902. We suspect that he did not come alone, but we do not know who accompanied him.
He was probably born in Acri, Italy in the early part of 1869. He came to the USA before his wife and children, in either 1899 or 1902 leaving them to follow from Italy at a later date. His wife Rosa and daughter Angelina would have followed before the rest. His granddaughter Josephine remembers him as a friendly man.
Vincenzo never did learn to speak English very well, and could not read or write either Italian or English; We know this because the Census takers in 1910 and 1920 said he could not, in addition to the way Alessio is constantly misspelled on his documents. The ships passenger list shows him as Vincenze Alescio, and the 1920 census shows him as Vincenzo Alaceo. He was a tailor, but as the Brooklyn directories from the early 1900's do not list him, he must have been in the employ of someone else rather than having his own shop. Indeed, the 1910 census shows him working at a "Clothing House". Work was pretty steady for him, as the 1910 census showed that he worked 52 weeks in 1909. Sometime between 1910 and 1920 he must have changed jobs, because the 1920 census now lists him working in a "Tailor Shop" as opposed to a "Clothing House".
Upon arriving in the US, he probably lived for a time in Manhattan. We know from his son Angelo's insurance records, that he moved to 257 Nassau St. in Brooklyn NY around 1910, and that in 1910 he rented a house at 122 Park Row in Brooklyn with at least 2 other families. The Park Row house was near Nassau St. so they didn't move very far.
According to Joe DaRos, who married is granddaughter Mary, he died in or around 1939.

Children:
Angelina Alessio #10 Born 31-Nov-1890.
Antonio Alessio #5 Born 29-Dec-1893.
Joseph Alessio #14 Born 1896, Died 1910, of Appendicitis.
Sylvia Alessio #12 Born 8-Oct-1897.
Angelo Salvatore Alessio #11 Born 1-Dec-1899.
Pasquale Alessio #13 Born 6-Jan-1907, Brooklyn, New York, Died Jan-1977, Ft. Pierce, St Lucie, FL 33452.
Josephine Alessio #15 Born 1909, New York, Died 17-Jun-1980.
Frank Vincent Alessio #16 Born 22-Nov-1910.

Rosa Perri

Rosa Perri #4

Daughter of Angelo Perri #51 and Cosenza #52
Born 1868, Italy
Married 1890 to Vincenzo Alessio #3
Died New York, USA
Buried: New York, USA
Arrived in USA in 1906

Rosa had Smallpox as a child, which left her face covered with pockmarks.
She emigrated to the USA from Italy sometime near 1906.
The chances of her ever having learned to speak English very well are remote. We know that the US census takers in 1 910 and 1920 both stated that she did not speak English (even though the one in 1910 got all of his information from her; perhaps he spoke Italian?). She did not need to speak English however, as a clear majority of the people in her neighborhood in Brooklyn were native Italians. We also know from the census, that Rosa had no employment outside of the home.
She contracted a form of cancer in her later years.

Children:
Angelina Alessio #10 Born 31-Nov-1890.
Antonio Alessio #5 Born 29-Dec-1893.
Joseph Alessio #14 Born 1896, Died 1910, of Appendicitis.
Sylvia Alessio #12 Born 8-Oct-1897.
Angelo Salvatore Alessio #11 Born 1-Dec-1899.
Pasquale Alessio #13 Born 6-Jan-1907, Brooklyn, New York, Died Jan-1977, Ft Pierce, St Lucie, FL 33452.
Josephine Alessio #15 Born 1909, New York, Died 17-Jun-1980.
Frank Vincent Alessio #16 Born 22-Nov-1910.

Brother Alessio #34

Son of Joseph Alessio #1 and Contenta Genise #2

We are not sure if this person really existed, but it seems likely from several points of view:

Joe DaRos remembers going to the funeral of one of Mary's great uncles.
Even though Angelo claimed that his father was an only child, he might have been doing so because he did not remember much about him. It was extremely rare for Italian families of that day to have only one child.
Angelo met a "cousin" while having his car repaired, that could have been Vincenzo's nephew.

Children:
Son #222