One of my particular topics of interest is immigration to Argentina, particularly Eastern European, Jewish or Italian immigration but also from other countries (Irish, British, or I guess just about anywhere). I’m always interested in reading personal stories of immigration to Argentina.
As I was browsing the bookstores on Corrientes yesterday, I came across a book that is a fascinating history of Italians in Argentina, appropriately named Historia de los italianos en la Argentina.
The book (almost 500 pages) is a scholarly study of the topic by Fernando Devoto, a history professor at the University of Buenos Aires who for more than 25 years has been researching Italian immigration to Argentina. Yet, the book is still very readable and informative for anyone interested in this topic.
The book starts with the early migration under Rosas but focuses on the height of Italian immigration to Argentina in the late 1800s and early 1900s. An entire chapter is devoted to the institutions of the Italians in Argentina, e.g, the mutual associations, hospitals, and clubs. There are numerous short profiles of Italian-Argentine intellectuals, scientists, and professionals that contributed to the development of Argentina. Also, a section covers the role of Italians in the Argentine left, the workers movement, and anarchism. Later chapters cover the period between the two world wars (which includes a section on fascism and Italian communities in Argentina), and the last chapter is from 1945 to the present.
Last night I only had time to browse through the book and read a few sections but I’m really looking forward to reading more of it. As I progress through the book, I’ll post a few bits of relevant commentary to the blog. But if you’re Argentine-Italian or interested in Argentine history, then this is a good book for your collection.
Other posts related to the topic of Italian immigration to Argentina
January 13th, 2008 at 11:06 am
I’m not Argentine but I do have Italian blood in me from my mother’s side. Her mother’s (my grandmother) maiden name was Negroni.
January 13th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
I’m told by friends in Napoli that many of the Italians who emigrated to Buenos Aires were from Napoli.
I’m not sure what was driving people from Napoli at that time but I look forward to hearing more from you about the book…
January 13th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
The following website is devoted to Irish emigration to Latin America and in particular Argentina.
http://www.irlandeses.org
January 13th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Quite a bit of the book contrasts experiences of Italians in Argentina with Italians immigrants in the U.S., particularly New York.
A lot of Italian immigrants to Argentina were from Genoa. One of the things I definitely would like to learn more is about the location of origins. I’ll keep an eye out for Naples in my readings.
That site on Irish coming to Latin America is great, full of information.
January 13th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Many of the italian immigrants who came here to New York were Sicilian. That’s what I was told.
I’ve never met an Argentine Italian but I have met plenty of American Italians and IMO they seem to be different.
February 2nd, 2008 at 11:42 am
My great aunt and uncles went to Argentina from Italy around the 1890’s. I have been trying to find thier families. I have searched the web for this book but it is very hard to find.
Thanks for your site!!!
February 2nd, 2008 at 12:33 pm
I ma an ARGENTINIAN /ITALIANNN!!LOL, my mom’s side comes from Santa Margarita ligure!
I whern to an italian school in Mendoza, Argetnina!
i feel very strong about my roots, i thisnk that’s why argetnianians have a funny laied back accent is sounds a lot like italian!
enjoy the book!
March 26th, 2008 at 8:26 am
I have some ancestors emigrated to Argentina, I am now trying to locate them. Is there any website I can surf in search of surnames and places. Thank you. GRAZIE from Italy (Piemonte)
June 23rd, 2008 at 12:15 pm
I am also trying to find out about my grandparents who emigrated to Argentina (Rosario?)in the early 1890’s. There names were Cristofaro & Rosaria Giacini. They were from Gangi, Sicily and stayed in Argentina about 5-10 years before returning to Sicily. They than emigrated to New York, USA in 1913.
June 27th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Does Argentina have a website like our Ellis Island website that you can search passenger lists? I have been searching for my Great Aunt’s family who came from Partanna Sicily in the 1900’s. Last name Guzzo. Had a brother that went to America named Rosario in 1902.
June 28th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Hi Russ,
You might want to check out this site http://www.cemla.com/busqueda.html that has a database of arrivals at the port of Buenos Aires between 1882-1930. You can search by last name but it doesn’t seem to return much info online. But perhaps the site has further contact info.
Also, the site for the Museo de la Inmigración is worth exploring.