Monferrini in America

Enzo Gregory Archetti
(September 2006 --Glen Rock, New Jersey)

From where did your family emigrate and when? Who emigrated (self, parents, grandparents) and what were their names?
My paternal grandparents emigrated from the Alessandria area in 1903. My grandfather, Gregorio Archetti, was born in 1882 in Fubine. My grandmother, Maria Buzzi, was born in 1884 in Alessandria. Her father, Tomasso, was a teamster.

What led them to their destination (relatives already there, hopes of a job at a mill, mine, etc. Please explain)?
They came to New York City where my great grandfather, Giovanni Archetti, already lived. My grandfather, a typographer, worked for the Il Progresso newspaper for the next 47 years retiring in 1950.

Did they settle among other Piemontesi and were they members of a Piemontesi society (fraternal, mutual aid, etc.)?
They originally lived near 38th Street and 9th Avenue (Hell's Kitchen) in NYC and later moved to West New York, NJ and then North Bergen, NJ. My grandfather's sister, Theresa Riva, joined them in NYC and later moved to California. They all belonged to the Fubinese Society of NY.

>Did your family maintain Piemontesi traditions -- language, culture, history, cuisine, etc.?
My family spoke Piemontese and cooked Piemontese.

Did your family return home to visit or to live after the initial emigration? Did they maintain contact with family back home?
Giovanni returned to Italy but my grandparents stayed and they had two sons, Enzo, my father, and Aldo who both worked their entire lives for Metropolitan Life.

Do you identify yourself more as American, Italian or Piemontese?
I consider myself an American of Piemontese origin.

Have you visited your family's town(s) in Piemonte? What was your experience like?
In the 1960's my father visited Italy and Fubine. I did also in 2003. There was no family left in Fubine but I felt very at ease there. I was especially fond of the main street that led up to the town hall and main church. I was told that my great grandfather had a dry goods store there.

Have you studied your Piemontesi genealogy? Please explain why.
The town clerk was very helpful and even found my great, great grandfather's death certificate. He was also named Gregorio born in Asti and died in Fubine 1n 1881.

Do you belong to the Piemontesi nel Mondo, Famija Piemonteis or any other organization?
I belong to the Piemontesi nel Mondo and plan to study more of my heritage when I have the time.

Il testo in italiano è in preparazione