Matt Raggio
(April 2003 -- Moraga, CA)


From where did your family emigrate and when? Who emigrated (self, parents, grandparents) and what were their names?
My mother emigrated from Tonco, Asti, in about 1913. Her name at that time was Anna Bevilacqua.

What led them to their destination (relatives already there, hopes of a job at a mill, mine, etc. Please explain)?
My aunt, Julia, had married Pasquale Rampone and moved to Santa Cruz, CA, just below San Francisco. She became lonely and asked my maternal grandmother to send one of the children to keep her company. At the time there were nine children and my mother was selected. After she came to America, my maternal grandmother had another child, a female, that my mother never saw. I was in the USAF in the mid 1950s, and was stationed at Etain-Rouves Air Force Base, in France, and visited my aunts and uncles in 1955 in Tonco. My grandfather has just passed away.

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 Piemontesi society (fraternal, mutual aid, etc.)?
My mother lived with my aunt and uncle and worked as a domestic for the Smith family, a prominent Santa Cruz family. When I finished law school in 1952, Mr. Smith, who was a lawyer, asked me to join his firm. But the Korean conflict was going on I entered the USAF as a First Lieutenant as Staff Judge Advocate. There were many Italians in the Santa Cruz community.

Did your family maintain Piemontesi traditions -- language, culture, history, cuisine, etc.?
Yes and no. We had many Piemontesi friends and the language was spoken occasionally. My father who was born in San Francisco of Genovese parents included some of his dialect in the Italian conversation. For the most part, English was spoken. To be sure, the cuisine included many of the traditional Piemontesi dishes. I today still cook many of my mother's recipes.

Did your family return home to visit or to live after the initial emigration? Did they maintain contact with family back home?
My mother never returned home. She did correspond with the sister she never met.

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

Have you visited your family's town(s) in Piemonte? What was your experience like?
Yes, the experience was extremely enjoyable.

Have you studied your Piemontesi genealogy? Please explain why.
No, I am unaware of the ability to do so.

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