My Italian Grandparents, came from a commune, called Giffoni Valle Piana which is near Salerno, Campagnia. It isn't far from the beautiful Amalfi Coast or Salerno. I have been there only once, but I am looking forward to a return visit.
My Grandfather, Salvatore D'Angelo was born on the 28 January, 1885 in Giffoni Valle Piana and grew up there. As a young man, he joined the Carfagno family in America. He worked as a labourer in Harlem and saved. In 1907, he went back to Giffoni Valle Piana, and married his childhood sweetheart, Carmela Marrandino. Carmela was born 04 January 1887 in Giffoni Valle Piana.
Salvatore's parents were Francesco D'Angelo and Luiga Carfagno. Carmela's parents were Carmine Marrandino and Lucia De Feo. We are still looking for information about these two families and Giffoni Valle Piana. We hope if any one has more information, they will email us.
As Salvatore and Carmela came back to America in 1909, and settled again in New York, the family name suffered a minor change and the family is now known as De Angelo. (Considering how some names were transformed at that time, we have all decided we can live with it.).
De Angelo Family Photo c1921, New York
They had a large family: Frank, Carmine, Louise, John, Joseph, Anthony, Vincent, Victor, Joseph and Nancy. They lived for many years on East 120th Street, Manhattan and are living there during the 1920 Census. Later they moved to Little Italy, in the Bronx and that is where the family grew up. My Grandfather died in a construction accident at work in 1937. Grandmother and Uncle Carmine courageously kept the family together.
Though my Grandparents were never naturalized, their family contributed heavily to the services in WWII. On the 4th of May, 1945 Grandmother received a letter from New York Selective Services Headquarters.
| Mrs Carmela DeAngelo 2316 Hughes Avenue Bronx, New York Dear Mrs DeAngelo: Local Board No. 113 has just advised me that you have seven sons in Service, all of whom were inducted through that Board. This is a record of which you certainly have every right to be proud, and I want to take this opportunity to express my admiration for the magnificent contribution you have made to your country. My own Mother had five sons in Service in the last war, and I can, therefore, appreciate the sacrifice this has been for you and your family. I am sending a copy of this letter to our National Headquarters in Washington because I think they should know what you and your family have done. Please accept my thanks on behalf of the Selective Service System and all Americans for your extraordinary courage and patriotism. Sincerely yours, Arthur V. McDermott |
This photo of Giffoni Valle Piana was sent to me by my cousin, Antonio. It is a photo of the Piazzi Umberto 1, from the early 1900's, about the time my Grandparents left Giffoni and came to America.
My thoughts of the "poor and huddled masses" don't conjure up such a graceful setting as this town square. It must have been wrenching to leave, not just family and friends but a sense of place. I was never able to ask my Grandfather if he meant to stay in America or if he just came to work there. I realize the History lessons we get in school are slanted, economic necessity may have opened the way to America, but perhaps it was only meant to be temporary.
It was hard to find work in Giffoni to feed the family, but the esthetic sensibilities were fed. Or perhaps my Grandfather loved modern New York. He may have relished New York's energy and pace. Maybe the love of antiquities skipped a generation or two. My appetite to visit Giffoni is whetted, to visit family, see the countryside and absorb Giffoni's history and atmosphere.
Discovering more about my Italian heritage is my goal now. Visiting Giffoni Valle Piana and Italy will realise that goal. If you can tell us about that part of the world, we would love to hear from you. Just link on the 'email us' below.
Follow the link for more details about Giffoni Valle Piana
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