History of the Riano Brothers / Dobbins

[Erato]

"Okay, that's odd. Guess word of mouth from family is to be taken lightly. Is there anything in regards to his brothers William and Robert who were part of the act?"

All of the currently available evidence indicates that Renee/Rene/Renie was the daughter of Robert Dobbins, aka Robert Riano, and his wife Irene who were both members of the 'Four Rianos.'

I have been looking for the marriage of Robert and Irene, but no luck so far.  According to the previously linked Wikipedia article, Irene's father was "Joseph Rice, a Philadelphia theatre owner."  However, I think this is Irene's death and it gives her father's surname as Couples:

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VG5D-SL7

[oldohiohome]

I have been looking for the marriage of Robert and Irene, but no luck so far.  According to the previously linked Wikipedia article, Irene's father was "Joseph Rice, a Philadelphia theatre owner."  However, I think this is Irene's death and it gives her father's surname as Couples:

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VG5D-SL7

and I think I found one source that said she was born in Ohio, but I don't remember where now. I don't think Joseph Rice is correct either.

[oldohiohome]

William was in show business. here is a passport application. then his likely SSDI with a death in 1963. The year of birth is off by 1 year and the month and day is correct. That happens about as many times as not. The SSDI might be the right date -  and the information on the application incorrect, since he seemed to have a bit of trouble deciding between 1874 and 1872.


Passport Application
issued January 2, 1917
American Counsulate General, Montreal

Wm Henry Dobbins
born 13 September 1872 [1874 was overwritten], in Mong Gaup Valley, NY
father is a naturalized citizen and is deceased
living at 347 West 58th NY, is an actor,
temporarily sojourning at Montreal
plans to go to Australia for theatrical work and return within a year
identifying document included: affidavit of brother Frank J Dobbins

sworn 30 December 1916
stamped January 2, 1917

picture of William

[shares same address in NYC as Frank in 1918]

the next passport application in the book is from John James Bourke, also an actor, also headed to Australia. Mr Bourke testified to the truth of William Dobbins information.

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVJP-9R7L

-------------
United States Social Security Death Index
Age:   90
Given Name:   William
Surname:   Riano
Birth Date:   13 Sep 1873
State:   New York
Event Date:   Nov 1963

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JTBW-5WR

so this might be him:

 William Riano
Birth    1874
Death    1963 (aged 88–89)
Burial    
Kensico Cemetery
Valhalla, Westchester County, New York, USA
Memorial ID    105838983


https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/105838983

-------
and maybe him in 1925 in NYC, age 51.

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KSQX-PY6

[Erato]

Assuming that the previously linked California death record is the correct Irene Riano, then this would appear to be her birth in Ohio:

Name:   Alice Irene Couples
Gender:   Female
Birth Date:   04 Jul 1871
Birthplace:   CLARK,OHIO
Father's Name:   J. B. Couples
Mother's Name:   Mary Ann Charters

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XX8C-ND4

[*Sandra*]

San Francisco Mortuary Records - Irene A Riano

http://www.sfgenealogy.org/php/sfmrsearch/sfmrviewer.php?a=+35073+&b=+0+&c=+2+&button=previous+image

http://www.sfgenealogy.org/php/sfmrsearch/sfmrviewer.php?a=+35073+&b=+0+&c=+1+&button=show+big+image

Sandra

[Erato]

1880 census     Irene
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYBV-98BN?i=6&cc=1417683

"Is the person sick or temporarily disabled  ...."

Weird.  In answer to this question, Irene's mother is recorded as "dead" which is a rather broad interpretation of temporary disablement.

[BingoBuster]

Okay, that's odd. Guess word of mouth from family is to be taken lightly. Is there anything in regards to his brothers William and Robert who were part of the act?

Actually, I found this from the post above interesting:
 
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2W9X-79H

Could this be the brother Robert? Maybe him being related to Renee? His father's name is James and the Mother's name is Mary Crying. I know mispellings and translations happen but Crying is close to Cryan. Thoughts?

That's Robert.

 I've seen Cryan, Crine, Crean, and Crying as variations so far. Pretend you're Irish, if you aren't already, and start pronouncing them. You might even turn up a Cran or Crane if you go back far enough.

Re: family stories, 99% of them are 99% correct, in my opinion. Don't discount anything you have been passed down. There is probably some truth in it, unless the family was outright covering up something they didn't want to tell the children.

From the information people have been compiling, it could be that they legally changed their last names to their stage names perhaps? This is getting rather interesting

[Erato]

I'm back.  After four hours, the electric company finally came and fixed whatever was wrong with the electrical doodad on the corner which had left the whole neighborhood without electricity.

So, what should we focus on?

[BingoBuster]

I'm back.  After four hours, the electric company finally came and fixed whatever was wrong with the electrical doodad on the corner which had left the whole neighborhood without electricity.

So, what should we focus on?

Welcome back to the land of illumination! I was going through the records of the Fulton History website with newspaper articles. So my reaction to Robert Dobbins and Robert Riano was put to rest and found an article on his death that had his given name as he adopted his stage name as a surname. So that all checks out.

What I've been trying to find is any indicators or pictures of the brothers. Some awesome people on here found William's passport and I think I have Francis' wife's passport picture. I can't find any pictures on Frank or Robert per say, aside from a grainy group photo from a newspaper article. I know information is scare but I'd be content if what we have is all we'll be able to get.

I also dug up the plethora of information from IMDB on Renie Riano's career. If there's any information on Renie's daughter Jane Riano (née Neil) and her career, that'd be really cool to have.