Page 6: CHAPTER II ⢠GIOVANNI PATERNO AND CAROLINA TRIVIGNO
Giovanni and Carolina, my paternal grandparents, were born and reared in Castelmezzano, and their parents before them. Granddad’s parents owned a few scattered parcels of land with olive and fruit trees, grapevines, and some cleared land for growing vegetables. Grandma’s parents also owned some parcels of land and the only wood burning oven to bake bread for the townfolks.
Graddad worked as a carpenter, helped with the farm chores, and sold bread to the workers building the road from the town to the railroad station.
THE IMMIGRATION
Soon after Graddad was married he began to erect his home. He planned to build it large enough so that he could have the use of the second floor for his family, and to house the many workers that would come to construct the new road in the town. He had completed the ground and second floors, the exterior walls and roof of the third floor, when he ran out of funds and incurred many debts.
The situation became difficult, and realizing that the future in the town held little promise, he decided or rather was compelled to migrate to America, the New World. In 1880 he arrived in New York City, settling on Cherry Street, because it was in the Italian ethic neighborhood.
At first Granddad held many menial jobs, and toiled as other unguided immigrants did in those days. Then he obtained a carpenter’s job on a construction site. He worked hard, and saved constantly. After a few years he became a construction foreman, continued saving and cleared his obligations in Castelmezzano. Having secured a good job, he decided to send for his wife and family.
The boat they were coming over on encountered a terrible storm, and was long overdue, arriving weeks later than scheduled. His wife and the four children, Celestina, Saverio, Charles and Joseph, finally arrived in January 1885. They were happily reunited and settled under the same roof on Cherry Street, Granddad was very happy, very proud, and worked even harder.
Gradually another crop of children filled their home. Maria was the first born in New York City, in January 1886, followed by Michael, Anthony, Rose, and Theresa. Cristina, the last, was born in 1898.
Next: GRANDDADâS BUSINESS & GRANDDADâS CHILDREN
Back to INDEX