Giovanni Ambrose

In the little foothill town of Verbicaro, in Cosenza, Calabria, Italy in June of 1845, Giovanni Batista Ambrosio was born. On his will he was known as Giovanni Batista Amorosa or John B. Ambrose, two completely different names. He married Maria Barlotti, also from Verbicaro, some time before 1869. (Another source says her name was Barletta) They had two children before 1875, when he ventured out to the Americas to see if a better life could be had for his family, perhaps accompanied by some siblings or other family.

One wonders how the young family fared in his 6 year absence.

He was joined in 1881 by his wife, Marie, and sons, Antonio and Francesco. Once they settled down in San Francisco, California, Rose came along. The photo below was taken around 1886 after they were in California a few years.


More information was found, as a matter of fact the First information I ever found was in the 1900 US Census.
California, County of San Francisco, city of San Francisco.
Assembly district 44, supervisor district 1

#909 Greenwich Street on June 4

AMBROSE, Baptisto- head of house
White male born June of 1845, age 54 (so his birthday is after the 4th), married 33 years. Born in Italy, parents both from Italy, came to the US in 1875, has been in the US for 25 years, was an alien. Occupation: Shoemaker, not unemployed for any number of months. Could not read? Maybe not English, could not write, either, but could speak English. He owned the home free and clear.
-Marie B. wife
White female born May of 1845, age 55 and married 33 years. She had three children and three were still living. She was born in Italy, as were her parents. She came to the US in 1881, has been in the US for 19 years. Cannot read or write, but can speak English.
-Anthony, son
White male born in May of 1869, age 31 and married for 13 years? (Where is his wife?) He was born in Italy, as were his parents. He came to the US in 1881, has been here 19 years, was a naturalized citizen. Occupation: Bicycle repairer,not unemployed, can read, write, and speak English.
-Frank M. son
White male, born March of 1872, age 28 and widowed. He was born in Italy as were his parents, he also came to the US in 1881, having been here for 19 years and a naturalized citizen. His Occupation: Painter. He can read, write, and speak English.
-Rose M. daughter
White female born in February of 1883, age 17 and single. She was born in California, unlike her brothers and parents. She worked as a Trimmer (helping her father make fine Italian shoes, no doubt) and could read, write, and speak English.
-Marguerita, granddaughter (it doesn't say on the census, but she is Frank's daughter)
White female born July of 1893, age 6 and single. She was born in California, her father was born in Italy, her mother was born in California. She had attended school for 10 months the previous year.

I found a reference in an old City Directory to our Giovanni.

1904 volume, page 183
AMBROSE Giovanni B, bootblack, r 909 Greenwich

He was not in the 1895 volume that I searched for some reason.