James & Irene Penna
(February 2003 -- Oakland, CA)

From where did your family emigrate and when? Who emigrated (self, parents, grandparents) and what were their names?
Cavallo/Roggero, Poggio/Penna

What led them to their destination (relatives already there, hopes of a job at a mill, mine, etc. Please explain)?
Relatives already here.

Did they emigrate to another location before or after (Argentina, France, England, etc.)?
No.

Did they settle among other Piemontesi and were they members of a Piemontese society (fraternal, mutual aid, etc.)?
Yes.

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, visit.

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?
Provincia d'Asti. Family made us feel like home.

Have you studied your Piemontese genealogy? Please explain why.
To find out our ancestors.

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