salletta iaquinta (vallelongo) - Salletta Iaquinta Vallongo and Salvatore Vallongo

Hi Michelle,

Here is what I know: my grandfather (your great grandfather) Salvatore came to the US in 1905. He was from a village called Fabrizia, near Serra San Bruno, in Calabria. Sallettta came in 1914. He was a coal miner, and she worked in a boarding house.

They were married and settled in Clarksburg. My Dad, Fred Sr.(1917-1995) told that he went to school one day (I think he was about 9) . The principal came into class took him out and told him that his mother had died.

He said she had seemed fine in the morning. His dad, known as Sam, seems to have had a nervous breakdown of some sort. Dad said he sold all his possessions, and gave all his kids away (including my Dad, and your grandmother.).

Some time later Sam married a widow named Rose, who had children, and he got some of his children with Salletta back. They also had children of their own. I was always told your grandmother was so bitter that she rejected her siblings efforts to reconnect with her.

None of Salvatore (Sam)' and Salletta's kids survive. Two of Sam and Rose's children survive. Russell (Amos) Allevato (has dementia) lives in Clarksburg. Mary Theresa Vallongo Bellotte, lives in Tarpon Springs.
Florida.

I have some documentary history I could mail you if you are interested.
I live in Toledo, Ohio with my wife, Sally. I am 69, and retiring at the end of October. There are other relatives--Salvatore had a brother, James who lived in Pennsylvania.

Hope this helps and I would love to talk more if you are interested.--Fred Vallongo

Wow, wow and wow.. I knew about 5% of this, thank you! So pleased to meet you Fred and congrats to you on your retiring so does this make us 2nd or 3rd cousins? :). I think i have a picture of your dad Fred? also of Rose. Is Fred and Mary full blood? I thought they where half? My grandma never mentioned much they moved to Colorado while i was in the forth grade she was the best and i moved to mi. when i was 17 therefore, the time my mom and i had we spoke of things here and there, she passed 12 years ago, maybe she didn't know too much these days i have a lot of questions. Would Mary be bitter because her siblings lived and or spoke with Sam? Was Aunt Sally Rose and Sam's daughter? We grew up with her, I just found out 2 years she and my grandma were blood related? I always thought they just had married brothers' would you know anything about the Oliverios? Did Fred and Mary go to the same family?, and do you know anything about my aunt Florence also grew up with her. A lot of questions,,lol,, I am very excited to pass this info on. Pictures would be a bonus and i would love, love some documentary on our family side, this happens to be one of my favorite "documentaries" and now its on my family, happy,happy happy. Thank You Fred! 5320 Smith Dr. Flushing, Mi 48433. Michelle Barlow
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Hi Michelle,

I finally mailed what I have to you. I don't have a copy of Sam's Ellis Island record, but he came in 1905, listed as "Salvatore Vallelonzo" Let me know when stuff arrives--Your Cousin, Fred

Hi Fred,
Thank you! I received your package right before Christmas, an great surprise i really appreciate the time you put into your and our history. A copy is on its way to Utah to my sister and her family. As we gather more info. I'll be more than happy to pass it on your way. Maybe Facebook also? Enjoy your retirement and Happy New Year! Thank you again- Your Cousin, Michelle.