DOMENICO BRUNO	1923 ARRIVAL USA
1923-2023
Immigration to America
Departure:December 10, 1923
Port: Palermo, Sicily
Ship: S.S. Patria
Arrival: December 23, 1923
Final Desitination: Union Station, Washington D.C.

The Timeline

On August 14, 1923 The Vice Consul of the United States of America recommends passport be issued for Domenico Bruno.

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Domenico Bruno Passport Application for Return to America!

I, Domenico Bruno, a native and loyal American citizen, do solemnly swear that I ceased tro reside in he United States on or about the 15th day of September, 1912; that I have since resided temporarily at Nicolosi, Italy; and that I arrive in Nicolosi, Italy, where I am now temporarily residing, on the 27th day of September, 1912, my reasons for such residence being as follows: I came to Italy in 1912 with my parents on their Italian passport. I could not return to United States before becuase I was young and my parents would let me return alone. Now I wish to return accompanied by Raffael Contarino to join my uncle named below. I have never been naturalized, taken an oath of allegiance, or voted as a foreign citizen or subject, or in any way held myself out as such. I maintain the following ties of family, business, and property in the Untied States: Uncle: Concetto Bruno 109 Mass. Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. Note: Gaetano Bruno was living with Concetto and Agata at 109 Mass. Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. Domenico Tropea was at 113 G St., N.W. Washington, D.C. Salvatore Tropea was at 920 9th St., N.E. Washington, D.C.<.a> Written by the Vice Consul of the United States of America: It is my opinion that applicant is sincere in stating that he desires to return to the United States for permanent residence and I recommend that a passport be issued to him good for immediate return thereto. John w. Henderson Vice Consul of the United States of America. Catania, Italy August 14, 1923

On September 13, 1923 The United States State Department approved the Passport Application for Domenico Bruno to return to the United States.

Domenico Bruno Begins Voyage to America - December 10, 2023 S.S. Patria Departs Palermo, Sicily 12/10/23 and Arrives NYC 12/23/23
	Patria was launched on 11 November 1913 and entered Fabre Line service on 15 or 16 April 1914. The New York Times reported that a German submarine attacked her on 1 March 1916 off the coast of Tunis. There is no naval record of such an attack, so it is not clear what incident may have taken place. However, the captain of the ship at the time, Pierre Deschelles, stated in an affidavit that while he didn't see the German submarine, members of the crew and many passengers did. She plied as a transatlantic liner between Marseille and New York from then until 1920, when she and Providence were reassigned to carrying emigrants to New York from Naples, Palermo and Marseille. After the Wall Street Crash of 1929 Messageries Maritimes withdrew Patria from the emigrant trade in 1930, although Providence continued to carry emigrants until 1932.

As mentioned in the opening paragraph on December 10, 1923 at the young age of 15, Domenico began his voyage to America, leaving his parents and siblings behind. Note that the passport application stated that Domenico would be travelling with Raffael Cantarino, however, I was unable to find a reference to Raffael on the ship manifest, and there has been no other mention of him within our family. Ship Manifest: S.S. Patria  December 23, 1923 The following is the sequence of events that was illustrated to me, by my grandmother, Domenico's wife Agatina along with additional discussions with my mother, Nina and her siblings, Anthony, Mary and Christina and of course, the many exhausting hours researching on Ancestry.COM to fill in the missing pieces. During this research and discussions there were several family members that we need to introduce first, that will have significant influences on Domenico and his immigration to the United States. To tell this story properly we must first recognize the family and friends who came before Domenico and laid the foundation for his return to America. First, there is the family friend Orazio Asero (brother-in-law to Concetto Bruno, Domenico's uncle) who we learn through history was an important friend to the Bruno Family, paving the way for many Bruno's immigrating to the America with his several round trips between Nicolosi and America. Orazio Asero had traveled to America at the age of 16 and then returned to Nicolosi and then later would make another voyage to America with a Tropea (Giovanni) and a Bruno (Gaetano). Orazio Asero (23) , Giovanni Tropea (33) and Gaetano Bruno (22) arrived in NYC together on October 12, 1921. They hand wrote Mason next to Gaetano occupation. Giovanni Tropea went off to Lawrence, Mass. and Orazio Asero (barber) and Gaetano Bruno (Mason) next stop was Washington, D.C., where Orazio Asero had already established residence and Gaetano would move in with Concetto and Agata Bruno at 109 Mass. Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C.. Now there is Concetto Bruno and his wife Agata Asero, the sister of Orazio Asero. I believe Zio Concetto and Zia Agata played a pivotal roll in Domenico's return to America. In September 1922 they went back to Nicolosi and returned to America with the Lorenzo Bruno (Iron Works) family (Wife:Agata, Daughter: Giuseppina, Son:Antonio). Giuseppina (Josephine) was 11 years old, but history tells us that she would later wed Gaetano Bruno (cousin to Domenico Bruno). We expect that during this visit to Nicolosi, the family decided it was time for Domenico to return to the United States and that Zio Concetto and Zia Agata offered up their home to Domenico for when he arrived to America. We know now by the timeline of events that two years before Domenico would return to America (1923), his cousin Gaetano about 10 years his senior would precede him (1921) and his Uncle Concetto along with his wife Agata visited Nicolosi (1922) and then returned to America that same year. These family members were referenced in Domenico's passport application as key family members.

Domenico Bruno Arrives at New York City - December 23, 1923

Onboard the S.S. Patria, Domenico Bruno arrived in the New York City, USA on December 23, 1923. What a journey it must have been. Leaving your small town of Nicolosi, Sicily at 15 years old, traveling across the Atlantic Ocean for 14 days to Arrive in New York City. See the Statue of Liberty, the emotions of excitement and at the same time thousands of miles from home, in a new land, a place you would now call home.

Domenico Bruno takes train from Grand Central Station, NYC to Union Station, Washington, D.C. - December 23, 1923

The same day Domenico arrived at Union Station, his relatives Zio Concetto [Shoemaker], Zia Agata and cousin Gaetano residing at 109 Mass Ave, N.W. Washington, D.C.] received a telegram that they were to pick him up at the train station.

Domenico Bruno Arrives at Union Station, Washington, D.C. December 23, 1923

Zio Concetto and family rushed to Union Station to greet the young Domenic Bruno. It's about 1.5 miles or a 15 minute walk from the home of Concetto and Agata to Union Station.

When Domenico's relatives arrived at the train station he was sitting with an attendent watching over him waiting for a family member to arrive. (The family suspects that the letter was on the same vessel that brought Domenico to America).

Working for his uncle, Concetto Bruno [Shoemaker], the young Domenico would finish his work and want to go play with his friends, however, the uncle would just pile on more work. This teenager wanted more out of life and pursue the american dream, so Domenico ventured out (est. 1925-26) and put himself through barber school, living with his friend Orazio Asero (Barber).

If you recall, two other names on Domenico's passport application were Domenico Tropea (Stone Mason) and Salvatore Tropea (Barber) - they were brothers. In March 1928 Domenico Tropea would wed Giuseppa "Josephine" Bruno, the sister of Domenico Bruno and bring her back to the United States in August 1928. The 1930 US Census shows that Domenico (Barber-Own Shop) was living with his sister and brother-in-law at 930 9th St., N.E., Washington D.C.

Domenico Bruno: The Barber

The Bruno's and Tropea's to this day share a special friendship and family bond that has held the test of time
La famiglia è tutto. Festeggiamo 100 anni !

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Bruno-Tropea Runion 2023

Anthony Bruno (left) and Frank Tropea (right)

Forever Grateful Gaetano Bruno and his wife Josephine would be godparents to Domenico and Agata daughter Nina and Orazio Asero would be godfather to their son Anthony. Several years later (1949) Orazio Asero would return to Nicolosi to wed Giuseppa (Josephine) Longo (a close friend of Domenico's wife Agatha) and return with her to the United States, where they would have a daughter, Santerina.