They're Coming To America!

Finding immigration records can be tricky, especially is the ancestor's name is a common one, or if you don't have enough information to go on, when you start the search.  Immigrants often changed one or both of their names when they arrived in America.  But sometimes, it all just falls into place, and you can create an established timeline to some one's immigration and citizenship, and then the rest of their lives.

Giovanni and Immaculata Bianco on the manifest

Giovanni Bianco and his wife, Immaculata Margarete were already a married couple in Southern Italy, when they decided to leave for America.  Their last place of residence was Genoa, in Northern Italy.  But on March 24th, 1904 they boarded the SS Belgravia at the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer, in the north of France.

port of departure

The ship's record indicates that this is the port of origin, but I wonder if the Biancos actually boarded at the port of Genoa, Italy.  Not that they couldn't have traveled to Boulogne; it's only an 11 1/2 hour drive across the country.

Final Destination

When they arrived in New York Harbor on April 10th, 1904, they needed a place to stay.  Giovanni listed their destination on the passenger list as the home of his brother-in-law, Giovanni Fiore, on Bleeker Street.  From this point on, Immaculata was called by her middle name, "Maragete".

The 1910 Census taker seems to have had a rough time with the head of household's name.  Giavanni Bianco is listed as Guiseppe Biandia,  but Margarete is with him, living on Grand Street, in New Haven, Connecticut with their first three children.

By 1920,  Giavanni has decided to go by a more American version of his name, "John".  The couple and their now eight children, are renting a house on Wallace Street, in New Haven, and John is working on a road construction crew.  Their oldest child, a daughter, is working in a shoe factory.  The census shows that John has a naturalization application pending.  But on December 16, 1921, John's petition for naturalization was denied. 

A current view of the house on Pearl Street.
There were 4 apartments in this large home.

On the 1930 Census, he and his wife are still listed as aliens.  At least all of their children were born on American soil.  They're renting a house on Pearl Street in New Haven, Connecticut for $33 a month.  John works for a concrete manufacturer, as a cement mixer.  The eldest child has moved away from home, leaving seven siblings behind. The oldest four (seventeen and older), are also employed.

I have found no further documents on Giavanni or Immaculata.  The story, on paper, must go on with their children.  One of which will have a son, who will have a son, who will be my husband.  

The SS Belgravia