Andrew Rolle
(March 2003 -- San Marino, CA)


From where did your family emigrate and when? Who emigrated (self, parents, grandparents) and what were their names?
Grandfather, Andrea Rolle, from Torino, followed by five sons and daughters (1921).

What led them to their destination (relatives already there, hopes of a job at a mill, mine, etc. Please explain)?
One daughter had married in the U.S.A., others followed.

Did they emigrate to another location before or after (Argentina, France, England, etc.)?
They stopped briefly in Rhode Island; then on to California.

Did they settle among other Piemontesi and were they members of a Piemontesi society (fraternal, mutual aid, etc.)?
No.

Did your family maintain Piemontesi traditions -- language, culture, history, cuisine, etc.?
Yes.

Did your family return home to visit or to live after the initial emigration? Did they maintain contact with family back home?
Yes. (Note: Mr. Rolle, an acclaimed historian and author, served as American vice consul in Genoa, 1945-'48)

Do you identify yourself more as American, Italian or Piemontese?
All three.

Have you visited your family's town(s) in Piemonte? What was your experience like?
Yes, I go back to Europe every year.

Have you studied your Piemontesi genealogy? Please explain why.
Yes.

Do you belong to the Piemontesi nel Mondo, Famija Piemonteis or any other organization?
Yes.