Rado History

The only information I can find about Angeline is that she was born in Illinois, but married an Italian born man, Jerry D'Ambrosio. They lived in the same tenement building as the rest of the family. They had two sons, John and Rocco. According to John's age in the 1920 census, I believe he may have been the son of Jerry, but step-son of Angeline. She was only 22 in that census. Rocco is young enough to have been her natural born son. Jerry D'Ambrosio is listed as working in a barber shop. Angeline is mentioned in the obituaries of her brothers and parents. However, I have not been able to find her obituary or any further information about her life and death. 1/27/09 Update: Jerry and Angeline had a daughter named Catherine, and a nephew Anthony D'Ambrosio lived with the family in 1930.

According to the earliest immigration records I can find, it appears that our patriarch, Rocco Rado, Sr., may have immigrated to America when he was 27. Later he returns to Baragiano, Italy and marries Theresa Tortorello. They have several children in Italy, then return to America where Joseph and Anthony are born. Then, their last son Robert is born in Italy. The entire family appears to immigrate in 1903, and remain in the United States. This information is based on census and immigration records which I will post below:

This is Theresa (the only known photo we have) visiting her husband's grave at Mt. Carmel cemetery.  Theresa Maria Tortorello was the wife of Rocco Rado, Sr. She was born on December 16, 1862 in Baragiano, Italy. Her parents were Domenic and Carmella Tortorello. Theresa was a home maker in Italy, and also in Chicago, Illinois when the family immigrated in 1903. Theresa outlived her husband Rocco, and many of her children. She died on January 21, 1943, at the age of 80 years. Her death certificate lists the cause of death as Chronic Nephritis. Theresa's death certificate and obituary follow:

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,745827-1,00.html#

Robert Rocco Rado was my great-grandfather. He was born in Baragiano, Italy on January 30, 1901 to Rocco and Theresa Rado. He immigrated with his family in 1903. Robert Rocco was married to Emeline Miller. They had three children: Robert, Lorraine, and Lois. Lorraine was my grandmother. Robert Rocco was employed as a business agent for the Laundry and Dye House Drivers Union, according to articles in the Chicago Tribune. At one point, Robert was indicted and stood trial in a racketeering conspiracy trial that was the biggest of it's kind in Chicago at that time. The number one name on the indicted list was Al Capone. All of the indicted persons in that trial were found not guilty. Family stories tell that Robert Rocco worked in some capacity with Al Capone, for which Al Capone gave him one of his infamous diamond studded belts. According to a family member, Capone only gave those belts to his capos/captains. Robert's belt had a diamond encrusted "RRR" on it...

Anthony J. Rado was born January 19, 1899 in Chicago, Illinois to Rocco and Theresa Rado. He was married to Lillian Cafferello. According to the 1920 census, Anthony was employed as a book keeper in a department store. Anthony went by the shortened name Tony. Tony was also involved in politics in Chicago, running for Republican Committeeman in the 21st Senatorial District. In an article in the Chicago Tribune, Tony was indicted in connection with a robbery, and while the trial was going on, he entered the courtroom and began passing out cards announcing his run for the Republican Committee. Tony's alleged involvement in the robbery was that his car was the get-a-way car. Tony died November 5, 1958 in Chicago at the age of 59. Tony's grave at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, and obituary follow: Below are more articles from the Chicago Tribune detailing Anthony's political career.

Joseph R. Rado was born September 29, 1893 in Illinois to Rocco and Theresa Rado. Joseph worked as a fireman on the B. & O. Railroad, according to census records and his WWI draft card. Joseph died on July 25, 1936 in Chicago at the age of 42.  Joseph died of multiple skull fractures as the result of a train accident.  He was found seated in the engine, which had rolled nose first into the pit of the roundhouse.  He never married.  His brother Dominick had died 3 years earlier at a young age, and my great-grandfather Robert, his brother, would die one year after Joseph at a young age. Chicago Tribune article about Joseph's death, July 25th, 1936. The B & O Railroad Bldg. in Chicago Roundhouse where the accident would've happened. Joseph's death certificate. Joseph's Obituary from the Chicago Tribune: Joseph's WWI Draft Card:

This is Dominick at his father's grave with his mother Theresa. Dominick Rado was born February 18, 1888 in Illinois to Rocco and Theresa Rado. He died on December 24, 1933 in Chicago at the age of 45. Dominick was a machinist at the Automatic Screw Company in Chicago, according to the 1920 census. I am still researching Dominick's life and will post updates as I find more information. Dominick is buried at Mt. Carmel cemetery in Chicago, on the other side of his father's grave. His grave follows:

Frank Rado was born February 4, 1883 in Italy. He was the oldest son of Rocco and Theresa Rado. From census records, his occupation was listed as a fire fighter in Chicago. Frank immigrated to the United States first, and then brought the rest of his family over. He was married to Rose Candelise. They had two sons, Rocco and Joseph, and two daughters, Theresa and Frances. Frank died on December 28, 1971, at the age of 88. Frank's obituary follows:

This is the ship manifest documenting the Rado Family immigration to the United States in 1903. You can obtain a copy through the Ellis Island web site.

Rocco Rado, Sr. was born in 1859 in Baragiano, Italy to Francis Rado. (His mother's name is unknown at this time.) There he was a laborer. He was married to Theresa Maria Tortorello, and had several sons and a daughter. His daughter was named Angelina D'Ambrosio. His sons were Frank, Dominick, Joseph, Anthony, and Robert Rocco. Their Italian names before Americanizing them were Francesco, Domenico, Giuseppe, Antonio, and Roberto. Rocco Rado, Sr. immigrated with his family to America in 1903. His son Frank went before him and sent tickets back for the rest of the family. They came through Ellis Island in New York City, and traveled to Chicago, Illinois to meet Frank. Rocco came to America with $100 in his pocket. Rocco didn't speak or write English. He worked as a laborer in America until he retired. He died in Chicago on April 27, 1923 at the age of 63. His cause of death was a cerebral hemorrhage. His death certificate follows: