The name Rossolese (or Russolesi) was adopted in America. The name on all Sicilian documents is Russo Alessi. According to the “Arba Sicula”, Vol XVII, No. 2, p. 93-97, the name Russo means “chief” or “head”. This dates from the Arab occupation of Sicily from 927 to 1061 AD.

The Sicilian emigrants’ journey to Naples, to give a last example, illustrates the universal conflict between enlightened law and human incompetence or greed. Emigrants began by; obtaining birth ceritifcates, which were sent by the village shoemaker, the local ticket agent, to Messina, Where police checked for liability to military service, and then issued a passport. Only then could a ticket be sold. Departure was long prepared. Baggage was packed. Prayers for a safe journey were offered at a special service. Farewell calls were paid and family graves visited. A dance and an evening serenade were part of the ritual. At last, baggage was sent in carts to the nearest railway station, then the emigrants themselves, walking or riding donkeys, set off. The train carried them to Messina, where a Customs inspection took place, and where everyone passed through an agent’s office to answer questions for a declaration form, corresponding to the questions American officials would ask. Already, however, spurious medical certificates could be seen on sale. Rowing boats, whose crews insisted on tips, took them out to a small and dirty steamer. After many hours without food, they reached Naples, where they were left for a long time in the blazing sun. The shipping line then issued ration tickets, and, after another Customs inspection, all were sent to a licensed hotel, then to a restaurant for a meal of soup, stew, melon and wine, accosted as they walked by hawkers. Embarkation day saw bustle and confusion. After examination by an American consular official, the heavy baggage was careful recorded and placed in the ship’s hold. Men were selling grass ropes, to tie up bags which were already falling apart. Hand luggage was supposed to be taken in a small steamboat across the harbour for fumigation, but men were at hand to sell spurious labels and seals. Vaccination was then called for, but, again, certificates could be bought. Medical inspection by a port doctor, the ship’s surgeon, and an American doctor from the Marine Hospital Corps was the last formal event, though sometimes a further check was made on board to ensure the documents procured by a fit man had not been transferred at the last minute to someone who was diseased. Emigrants then went on board, carrying baggage and rush-bottomed chairs bought at twenty cents for use on deck. Bumboats were thick along the ships side, selling fruit, pipes, hats, medicines and lucky charms.

The Distant Magnet, p. 149-150
Philip Taylor, Harper and Row, 1971.339