This is Vincenzo Grassi's story - from Palmi, Calabria, Italy to New York City, USA.
Vincenzo passed through Ellis Island in 1903 on his way to a new life. He sailed from Naples, Italy, on the Nord America. He was sponsored by his friend, Mr. Zaggaro, and upon arriving in New York City he became a printer. He had a printing shop and printed private label books and other items. The shop was located along 18th Avenue. The IRT stopped on 18th Avenue.
From some of the papers I have, it appears he loved to read philosophy and poetry. Vincenzo's two brothers, Benedetto and Domenico (Domingo), and a nephew went to Buenos Aires, SA and settled there. Vincenzo and his family in both Italy and South America shared news and photographs with each other for over fifty years. They stayed in touch with each other until their deaths.
In 1905, Vincenzo Grassi and Angelina Nardelli appear on the New York census. They lived in the same tenement building in New York City.
On 29 September 1906 he married Angelina who came to the USA from Alberobello, Puglia, Italy. Angelina was said to be a marvelous cook and seamstress. The Grassi family, Vincenzo, Angelina, Joseph, Teresa, Paul, Dominick, and Constance, moved sometime before WWI and 1920 from Avenue A in Manhattan to a two-family house located at 1732 65th Street between 18th and 17th Avenue. However, life was not always happy in New York City. Vincenzo and Angelina lost their son, Paul, when he was about 12 years old. Vincenzo's home, Palmi, Italy, is a beautiful beach community which must be where his son, Joseph, got his love of the beach. Joe loved living and working in the Rockaways (south shore of Long Island).
Vincenzo was a very likable gentleman and a gifted speaker. He was frequently invited to be the guest speaker or toastmaster at functions of the Sons of Italy.
From some of the papers I have, it appears he loved to read philosophy and poetry. Vincenzo's two brothers, Benedetto and Domenico (Domingo), and a nephew went to Buenos Aires, SA and settled there. Vincenzo and his family in both Italy and South America shared news and photographs with each other for over fifty years. They stayed in touch with each other until their deaths.
In 1905, Vincenzo Grassi and Angelina Nardelli appear on the New York census. They lived in the same tenement building in New York City.
On 29 September 1906 he married Angelina who came to the USA from Alberobello, Puglia, Italy. Angelina was said to be a marvelous cook and seamstress. The Grassi family, Vincenzo, Angelina, Joseph, Teresa, Paul, Dominick, and Constance, moved sometime before WWI and 1920 from Avenue A in Manhattan to a two-family house located at 1732 65th Street between 18th and 17th Avenue. However, life was not always happy in New York City. Vincenzo and Angelina lost their son, Paul, when he was about 12 years old. Vincenzo's home, Palmi, Italy, is a beautiful beach community which must be where his son, Joseph, got his love of the beach. Joe loved living and working in the Rockaways (south shore of Long Island).
Vincenzo was a very likable gentleman and a gifted speaker. He was frequently invited to be the guest speaker or toastmaster at functions of the Sons of Italy.