Last month Ceci and I walked over to the Constitución station and took a bus to Quilmes. After about 45 minutes on the late afternoon bus, so crowded with commuters that we had to stand for half the trip, we arrived at our destination. There we met Ceci’s cousin Ani and the two of them proceeded to give me a tour of Quilmes and introduced me to the story of their maternal grandparents – “El Nonno & La Nonna”.
Buenos Aires is filled with families descended from Italian immigrants. Many came in the late 1800s, others throughout the early and mid 20th century. The life of Oliverio D’alessandro is perhaps similar to many other Italians who immigrated to Argentina after World War II.
Oliverio D’alessandro was born on the thirteenth of January in 1913. His hometown was San Vito Chietino (pictured), which is located on the Adriatic coast of the Abruzzo region of Italy. There he married Ana Di Paolo and they started to live the lives that had been lived for generations in that small town on a hill overlooking the sea.
The German occupation of San Vito Chietino ended the tranquility and, as with so many families, would change the lives of Oliverio and Ana forever. In 1940 Oliverio was given an option by the Germans to go to work without pay in the coal mines of Germany or to fight on the front. He chose the coal mines.
The same year that he left Italy for the mines in Germany, his first child was born. She was named Italia and is Ani’s mother.
His wife, Ana Di Paolo, stayed with her family in San Vito Chietino and cared for her young baby girl. The German would loot the houses regularly, taking whatever they pleased and treated all the women of the town terribly. Ana placed the family’s valuables, including fabrics and linens, into a trunk which she hid behind a staircase. She built a wall around on the back of the stairs to conceal the trunk from the Germans.
Oliverio worked in the German mines for three years, finally returning to San Vito Chietino in 1943. Later that year, his second child, Gilda, was born; she is Ceci’s mother.
Just weeks after Gilda was born, planes of the Allied forces bombed San Vito Chietino. During the next year Germans counterattacked and the town was evacuated. During one of the attacks Ana’s brother was killed by a bomb. His wife went to his aid, trying to rescue him but she was also killed.
After the War, work was scarce in Italy. Oliverio – along with many other Italians – went to work in the coal mines of Belgium in 1945.
In 1949, after four years or working in the mines, Oliverio and four Italian friends also working in the Belgian mines decided to go to “America.” At first, they tried to obtain passage to Venezuela but visas were no longer being granted. They were told to try the Argentine consultate, where they were able to obtain the necessary documents for traveling to Argentina. The five men sailed to Argentina in 1949.
On the advice of his godfather, who had preceded him to Argentina, Oliverio settled in Quilmes. He found work in a textile factory, brought some land, and built a home in Quilmes for his family.
In 1952, three years after he arrived in Argentina, Oliverio was able to pay for his family to journey across the ocean to join him. Ana and her three daughters (another child – Maria – was born after the War) embarked on the long voyage by themselves from Italy to Argentina. Ana also brought with her the trunk of fabrics and linens that she had hid from the Germans during the War. The family settled into the house in Quilmes that Oliverio had built for them.
Ani and Ceci drove me by that house in Quilmes. Just off the plaza at the center of the town is the old school where the young daughters of Oliverio attended school after they moved to Quilmes. While the three daughters adjusted to life in their new country, their mother never learned to speak Spanish even though she would live in Argentina for more than thirty years.
After Oliverio retired from the factory in 1976, he and his wife traveled back to Italy for a visit.
La Nonna passed away in 1986. El Nonno lived a long life, became a gardener and rode his bike everyday. He passed away at the age of eighty-five in 1998.
Quilmes itself is a pleasant town. We walked around the center of town and then Ani drove us around several of the neighborhoods. Then it was a drive out to the long river front. Quilmes is centered around the huge brewery named after the city. Near the brewery is a quaint barrio of charming small houses originally built for workers of the brewery. Nearby is also a very nice park, with a restaurant that features all things Quilmes (mostly the beer, not just the town). There we raised a toast to their grandparents and the life they built for their family in Argentina.
Later, in a humorous way, we found out that Ita and Gilda, Ani & Ceci mothers respectively, were themselves on their own tour of Quilmes that very evening…perhaps hoping to accidentally bump into us…ah, Italian mothers.
Other posts related to the topic of Italian immigration to Argentina
February 6th, 2006 at 9:24 pm
Jeff – Very interesting story. I am coming to Argentina in a week to visit with and learn more about some family members that moved from Ceprano, Italy to Necochea. Our family moved from Italy to the US as some stayed in Italy and some came to Argentina. It will be interesting to learn more about what brought them to Argentina and they will tell me the reason my greatgrandfather came to America.
February 7th, 2006 at 1:12 am
Glenn – thanks for your comment. I think that a very good book could be written that talks about the reasons some Italians came to South America whereas others landed in North America…..lots of fascinating stories there. Have a good trip.
October 19th, 2006 at 4:18 pm
Just like, or very similar to, the story of my own family. My grandparents came from Italy to Argentina in 1950, fearing another war since their male sons were approaching the age of 18. My mother was 11 years old by then, they all learned to speak Spanish (some of them even attended school here) except for my Nonna and Nonno, and my aunt Tosca, who was in her 20s. Now she is 78 and still speaking a mixture of both languages quite difficult to understand (except for us, of course).
Very nice…thanks a lot, I am nearly in tears.
October 20th, 2006 at 9:21 am
Verte – thanks for your comment and sharing the story of your own family.
March 11th, 2007 at 5:02 pm
[…] my ongoing theme of Italian immigration to Argentina I’ve come across a posting at the Olive Tree Genealogy blog about an individual who has […]
March 15th, 2007 at 5:57 pm
Hello There,
I trying to research info on my Great Grandfather who went to Argentina sometime after 1892 He died there before he was able to return to his home on Stromboli. His son (My Grandfather) was an infant when he died and never knew him. If you could possibly forward any helpful contacts or agencies I would very appreciated.
Sincerely
Vincent Lo Curcio
June 1st, 2007 at 6:47 pm
Hello everybody!
I am also trying to find my Italian connection. My name is Hernan Ambrogi, i am from argentina i am actually following my mother’s line, the Leonardi’s.
What i trying to find out is where Leonardo Leonardi (born around 1828) was from.
i do know he died in Argentina the 6th of November 1894 in Carmen de Areco, but i don’t have a clue where he was born.
If anyone could help me by giving me tips over where can i search for his origins please contact me…
thanxs!
chau
June 13th, 2007 at 4:50 pm
Hello,
My name is Michel d’Alessandro and my family came from Torella del Sannio (Molise) in Italy. I am looking to get in contact with some family members (d’Alessandro) who have immigrated to Argentina.
July 21st, 2007 at 9:53 pm
Hi all,
I am trying to find any information on my Great Grandfather, Giuseppe Mollace. He travelled to Argentina and arrived in 1923, leaving his wife behind in Italy, Angela. He never returned, it was thought that he found someone else and remarried and remained in Argentina. ANY information would be greatly apprieciated!
Morena
August 24th, 2007 at 11:25 pm
Hello, great story. I have been researching my family history for many years and I am trying to locate descendents of my great uncle (Domenico Velona, b 1893) who migrated to Argentina in 1922 from a small town called S.Cristina d’aspromonte in Calabria Italy. I believe he married after 1922 and had at least 4 children.
I have written some letters to authorities without any luck. I do not write spanish very well (I have been using the internet translater, which I don’t think is that good). I recently found the CEMLA website (passenger arrivals) which I will be writing to soon.
Do you know if there any any websites that contain birth, death and marriage details for residents of Argentina?? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you Rita (Australia)
September 14th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
Looking for family. gennaro Cirino left Matrice Italy around 1900. He went to Argentina and was never heard from again. Any responce appreciated.
September 17th, 2007 at 8:34 am
Looking for time frame that Igino Consolini spent in Argentina. He was born 23.08.1915 in Torri del Benaco, Verona, Italy and immigrated to Argentina about 1935 to 39.
January 12th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
[…] 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. […]
January 23rd, 2008 at 11:44 pm
I am trying to find out when and how my grandfather left Italy for Buenos Aires. I know that he arrived in the US from Argentina in 1920. I have tried a couple of websites but both have been dead ends. Possible time frame: 1910-1920.
February 11th, 2008 at 3:35 am
My maternal grandmother, Filomena Piccirillo Trotta, was born in Matrice Italy in 1907. She left Italy for the United States in 1913 and eventually settled in Cleveland Ohio. Her mother was AnnaMaria Cirino, one of eight children who survived to adulthood of Giorgio Cirino and Maria Cornacchione. My grandmother always said that she had first cousins who lived in Argentina and Venezuela. I am wondering if Alex Cirino’s relative, Gennero Cirino, could be one of those cousins. I will ask one of my Grandmothers last remaining Italian-born cousins if she has any information.
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:54 pm
I have found out that Gennaro entered south america through Buenos Aires. Rumor has it that he had 13 children. I keep drawing blank in my search. Alcis@emaloke.com
March 28th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Chissà dove? Dove le stelle si allontanano in basso, giù, sotto il balcone dal quale osserviamo. Un rumore ci ha distratto. Dov’eravamo rimasti? Sei proprio tu? Una foglia che sale prima di spegnersi a terra.
June 29th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Great story. Life is full of unexpected and entangled details which don`t need any “Atonement” novel to be revealed.
My family also came from Italy in the 1900s, from Genova and Turìn. They are also stories of work, pride, and pass the expectations to then next children. Middle clase in Argentina rose just like that -a pity that now a “plan Trabajar” seems more important than that.
Now see how European goverments are paying back this welcome, closing their gates. I can`t believe it.
November 30th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
I know my grandfather (his last name is Bertello, mine also)was son of italians, he’s dead now, he speaked a rare spanish he used to combine words in spanish and somes in italian like “filio tenés que irte al laboro rapidito” it was kinda funny.
Here in my town most of old people are sons if inmigrants and they have houses one just like the other from the neighbord, also they are very good and friendly persons, but a little histeric.
Anyway in argentina you can find lots of inmigrants nowadays.
March 2nd, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Since you speak about Quilmes, you should find out the origin of the name, the history of Quilmes indians. Simply unbelievable!
August 8th, 2009 at 1:14 am
My mother and I will be visiting Macerata, Italy in November 2009. She is 88 and wants to see the city where her father, Federico Pertecarari or Perticarari was born. He and his brother emigrated to Buenos Aires, Argentina in l903, approximately. I would like help in connecting with his relatives in Macerata. We never have made any attempt to find them. Thanks for any ideas
September 10th, 2009 at 4:16 am
We live in Belgium since 1820. Our ancestor was officer in the “Grande Armée” of Napoleon Buonaparte. He came in Belgium in 1820 and left many other members of his family in France.
I found somme OPPEZZI in Argentina. But they have no papers to find their ancestors.
Is anyone can help me?
Thank you in advance.
oppezzij@hotmail.com
October 6th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
I am looking for the family of my Great-Grandfather, Giovanni Brescia. His brother, Giuseppe Brescia, and Sister, Maria Brescia settled in Dolores, Argentina around the early 1900’s. Have several old letters from them and other related spouses and family members with the surnames of Galeano and Gulemi.
October 9th, 2009 at 11:29 am
I’m looking for reletives with the name DiMarino moved from Italy in the late 1800s.
November 5th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
I also was born in Argentina but have a father who immigrated from Italy. My mother is Argentine but of Spanish immigrants.. When I was 10 we all left and came to USA..I have been here for 41 years…As I get older I appreciate the sacrifices that my parents have gone through in order to give us a better life…My outmost respect goes out to every immigrant..God bless
May 25th, 2010 at 5:21 pm
I am trying to locate my Great Uncle’s family in Argentina. His name was Paolo Foglia and emigrated from Casino,(Castelsilano) Italy in 1899. Maria from Argentina placed a query on The ItalianHeritage website October 2009 looking for confirmation of the birthplace of her Grandfather Paolo Foglia. listing his parents as Vicente Foglia and Maria Fabiani.She is my cousin!! How do I find her? She left no forwarding information in her query! My Grandmother Guiseppina Foglia Gangale was 1 of his 3 sisters who came to the U.S.A. please contact me at if you have an information.
February 19th, 2012 at 9:08 am
Hello and thank you. I am looking for info on my great uncle-Emilio Rafaelle Presta born in San Vicenzo la Costa, Cosenza Italy in 1880. He went to Argentina around 1898 or 1899. His family lost track of him and he was my grandmother’s only brother. Any info would be GREATLY appreciated!
January 23rd, 2013 at 5:55 pm
Hello,
I’m looking for information on my grandfather, Francesco Perri (born around 1900) and left Decollatura, Catanzaro, Italy in 1926 to work in Argentina. At the time, he was married to my grandmother Rosina (Rosa) and they had two young sons: Carmine (b. 1921 and Giuseppe (b. 1925). My grandmother was expecting another child when my grandfather left. That child was my father Angelo (Rosario Angelo Jan 1927). Sadly my grandfather never returned to Italy and never met his youngest son. He was in contact with my grandmother for the first few years, and was always trying to make enough money to return to his family. However, we understand that he became ill and then my grandparents lost touch. In those days, correspondence was limited to letters. Eventually, in Oct 1949 my grandmother, my Uncle Giuseppe and my father Angelo immigrated to Canada and my Uncle Carmine went to the U.S. The family tried to find my grandfather but it appears that he may have had dementia in the end and we believe he passed away in Lanus, Argentina. Any information on my grandfather Francesco Perri would be greatly appreciated. My dad is now 86 and what a gift it would be to share news of his father. Thank you.
March 30th, 2013 at 2:34 am
Deseo encontrar el certificado de casamiento de mi abuelo Stecconi, Andrés Antonio con mi abuela Aurora Cocentino ó Cosentino, ocurrido entre los años 1905 y 1915. La única información certera que poseo es su número de documento C.I.1.535.348( de Andrés Stecconi);¿Se puede averiguar?? Mi mail es:abelstecconi@hotmail.com- GRACIAS!!!!!