Anna Ruth de Crescenzo

Rocco Mario Gagliardi was born August 20, 1898, in Pontelandolfo, Benevento, Campania, Italy, and died October 22, 1955, in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., CA, at age 57. He is the son of Gennaro Gagliardi of Italy, and Maria Concetta Immaculate Gasdia of Pontelandolfo, Benevento, Campania, Italy.

Anna Ruth (a/k/a Mary Ruth) de Crescenzo was born March 8, 1906, in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., CA, and died January 21, 1988, in Santa Monica, Los Angeles Co., CA, at age 81. She is the daughter of Camillo Rudolph de Crescenzo of Solerno, Italy, and Mollie (Bailey) Levette of Massachusetts. She is also the adopted daughter of Charles Hamilton Ritchie, and Arabella "Bella" (Fisher) (Kinney) (Lovett) Ritchie.

Rocco Gagliardi and Mary Ruth de Crescenzo were married September 8, 1924, at Santa Monica, Los Angeles Co., CA.

Rocco Gagliardi and Mary Ruth (de Crescenzo) Gagliardi had two children:

  1. Richard Vincent Camillo Gagliardi: Born June 5, 1932, in Los Angeles Co., CA. Married October 10, 1964, in Los Angeles Co., CA, to Sara Salas: Born about 1926 in Unknown.
  2. Diana Joan Gagliardi: Born December 28, 1938, in Santa Monica, Los Angeles Co., CA; Died November, 2020, in Bakersfield, Kern Co., CA (age 81). Married June 18, 1964, in Los Angeles Co., CA, to William John Cass Jr.: Born July 28, 1928, in Minneapolis, Hennepin Co., MN; Died April 4, 2001, in Watsonville, Santa Cruz Co., CA (age 72).

TIMELINE

Camillo Rudolph de Crescenzo of Solerno was born March 25, 1884, in Italy.

Molly Bailey was born September 25, 1879, in Massachusetts.

Rocco Mario Gagliardi was born August 20, 1898, in Pontelandolfo, Benevento, Campania, Italy.

Camillo Rudolph de Crescenzo and Molly (Bailey) Levette were married May 16, 1905, in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., CA.

Camillo Rudolph de Crescenzo and Molly (Bailey) Levette Marriage Record.

Anna Ruth (a/k/a Mary Ruth) de Crescenzo was born March 8, 1906, in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., CA.

Anna Ruth (a/k/a Mary Ruth) de Crescenzo Birth Record.

Molly (Bailey) (Levette) de Crescenzo died March 17, 1906, in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., CA, at age 26. Buried in Calvary Cemetery, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., CA.

Molly (Bailey) (Levette) de Crescenzo Death Record.

The 1910 U. S. Census taken on April 15, 1910, shows Charles H. Ritchie (age 38) born in Michigan to Scottish and Wisconsin-born parents is a widowed Wholesale Furniture Dealer who owns his home with a mortgage and is living at 833 Victoria Avenue, City of Ocean Park, Ballona Twp., Los Angeles Co., CA. Living with him is his wife of 12 years, Bella F. Ritchie (age 41) born in California to Maryland and Kentucky-born parents, and in her second marriage, with both of the children born to her still alive. Also living with him are: his son, C. Fisher Ritchie (age 9) born in California to Michigan and California-born parents; his son, Ralph S. Ritchie (age 4) born in California to Michigan and California-born parents; and his adopted daughter, Ruth Ritchie (age 4) born in California to St. Italian and United States-born parents.

The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., CA, Saturday, March 3, 1917

Competition.

COURT FIGHT FOR MUSICAL PRODIGY.

FATHER WOULD TAKE CHILD FROM FOSTER PARENTS.

He Makes Claim for Her After Burbank Couple Have Educated Her, Loved and Trained Her and Watched Over Her in Sickness and in Health.

Whether providing for, loving, healing and training a child for five years until she becomes a precocious performer on the violin is more of a claim to control that an indifferent parent is a matter to be adjusted in Superior Judge Reeve's court in the case of Mary Ruth de Crescenza, 11 years old. Her father, Camillo, is a musician. Her mother died a short time after Mary was born. The father placed his little girl with the Children's Home Society, October 25, 1907, relinquishing all control over her. Mrs. L. E. Hubbell, a member of the board of directors of the society, took a personal interest in the little Italian beauty. Finally she placed the child in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Ritchie of Burbank. The Ritchies had two boys, but wanted a girl. Later the child developed eye trouble, and the Ritchies spent much money with specialists to save the girl's eyesight. The also placed her under competent musical directors, and she is now conceded to be a violinist of talent. After the father learned the child was getting along so well, he appeared at the Ritchie home and wanted to take her away. Mr. and Mrs. Ritchie advanced their claims. He denied them and took the matter into the courts. A number of witnesses testified yesterday regarding the great love the Ritchies had for the little girl and of the money they spent in her treatments and education. The attorneys for each side were asked to submit written arguments. It was reported to the court that if the girl continues to develop her ability in music she will be capable of earning a large amount of money. Her father denies his desire to obtain custody of her is tinged with any mercenary consideration.

The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., CA, Tuesda7, March 20, 1917

Family Ties.

FOSTER PARENTS WIN.

By Court Decision They will Keep Little Girl, Whose Father, Band Musician, Essayed to Claim Her after She Became Prodigy with Violin.

Marie Ruth de Crescenza, a young girl who has developed into a prodigy with the violin, was saved to her foster-parents, who trained her in music, by Superior Judge Reeves yesterday, when he denied a writ of habeas corpus brought by the little girl's father, Cammillio de Crescenza, a Venice bandsman. For years the little girl has been in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ritchie of Burbank. There she was nursed through several severe illnesses and trained in music. Recently the girl attracted wide attention by her proficiency with the violin. Shortly afterwards her father appeared and claimed her. The Ritchies protested and the parent said he would go to court. He did. The status of the little girl was investigated. Yesterday Superior Judge Reave held the child had been abandoned by the father, as he had made no effort to support or see her for four years. The Ritchies will begin action to legally adopt the little girl.

The 1920 U. S. Census taken on January 9, 1920, shows Charles H. Ritchie (age 48) born in Michigan to United States-born parents and in his first marriage is a married Commercial Traveler in Furniture who owns his home free of a mortgage and is living at 2095 East Street, Lamanda Dist., Pasadena Twp., Los Angeles Co., CA. Living with him are: his unmarried son, Charles F. Ritchie (age 19) born in California to Michigan and California-born parents; his unmarried son, Ralph S. Ritchie (age 14) born in California to Michigan and California-born parents; and his unmarried daughter, Ruth Ritchie (age 13) born in California to Italian and United States-born parents. A widowed Housekeeper also lives in the household.

Rocco Gagliardi and Anna Ruth (a/k/a Mary Ruth) de Crescenza were married September 8, 1924, at Santa Monica, Los Angeles Co., CA.

Rocco Mario Gagliardi and Anna Ruth (a/k/a Mary Ruth) de Crescenza Marriage Record.

The 1930 U. S. Census taken on April 10, 1930, shows Charles H. Ritchie (age 58) born in Michigan to Scottish and Canadian-born parents and first married at age 28 is a widowed Furniture Salesman who owns his home valued at $25,000 and is living at 506 Orange Grove Avenue, South Pasadena, San Gabriel Twp., Los Angeles Co., CA. Living with him is a divorced Housekeeper, Bertha Norris (age 56) born in Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania-born parents and first married at age 22, a Housekeeper in a Private Home.

The 1930 U. S. Census taken on April 12, 1930, shows Camella Da Crascar (age 40) born in Italy to Italy-born parents, and having immigrated in 1904, and a Naturalized Citizen, and first married at age 23, is a divorced Barber in a Barber Shop, and who rents his home for $40/month, and is living at 1129 XXX, Santa Monica, Los Angeles Co., CA. Living with him are: his married daughter, Ruth M. Gaglirde (age 23) born in California to Italy and Massachusetts-born parents, and first married at age 18; and his married son-in-law, Rocco Gaglirde (age 31) born in Italy to Italy-born parents, and having immigrated in 1919, and a Naturalized Citizen, a Tailor in a Tailor Shop.

The 1940 U. S. Census taken on April 10, 1940, shows Rocco Gagliardi (age 40) born in Italy, and 5 years ago was living in the Same Place, and with 4 years of High School, is a married Tailor in a Retail Clothing Store,  Salesman, and who owns his home worth $3,000 and is living at 1008 22nd Street, City of Santa Monica, Los Angeles Co., CA. Living with him are: his wife, Mary R. Gagliardi (age 33) born in California, and 5 years ago was living in the Same Place, and with 4 years of High School; his son, Richard S. Gagliardi (age 7) born in California, and 5 years ago was living in the Same Place, and with 1 year of High School; his daughter, Diana J. Gagliardi (age 1) born in California; and his divorced father-in-law, Camillo De Crescenzo (age 53) born in Italy, and 5 years ago was living in the Same Place, and with 4 years of High School, a Musician in a Municipal Band.

The 1950 U. S. Census taken on April 18, 1950, shows Rocco Gagliardi (age 50) born in Italy, is a married Manager of a Clothing Store, and is living at 446 18th Street, City of Santa Monica, Los Angeles Co., CA. Living with him are: his wife, Mary R. Gagliardi (age 44) born in California; his widower father-in-law, Camillo De Crescenzo (age 65) born in Italy, a Barber at a Barber Shop; his never married son, Richard V. Gagliardi (age 17) born in California to Italy and California-born parents, and with 12 Years of School; and his daughter, Diana J. Gagliardi (age 11) born in California.

Rocco Mario Gagliardi died October 22, 1955, in Los Angeles Co., CA, at age 57.

Camillo Rudolph de Crescenzo died September 7, 1960, in Los Angeles Co., CA, at age 76.

Anna Ruth (a/k/a Mary Ruth) (de Crescenzo) (Ritchie) Gagliardi died January 21, 1988, in Santa Monica, Los Angeles Co., CA, at age 81.