Rosina (Ravizza) Bombelli
(February 2003 -- Dumont, NJ)


From where did your family emigrate and when? Who emigrated (self, parents, grandparents) and what were their names?
My parents both came to the USA from (via) Genoa. My father (from Zanco di Villadeati) came first in the early 1920s and then in 1928 my mother (from San Michele) and I came over. We sailed on the maiden voyage of the liner Rex.

What led them to their destination (relatives already there, hopes of a job at a mill, mine, etc. Please explain)?
My father came over for a better life, a job and he already had (two) sisters here.

Did they emigrate to another location before or after (Argentina, France, England, etc.)?
My parents came directly to the USA. My mother's parents migrated to Brazil before my mother was born. My grandfather was offered a job there. I think it was working in a mine, but I am not sure. My mother was born there and when my mother was 9 my grandfather died and they all moved back to Italy to be with my grandmother's family (in San Michele).

Did they settle among other Piemontesi and were they members of a Piemontesi society (fraternal, mutual aid, etc.)?
They settled in the Village with all other Italians where there were a lot of Piemontesi. They mostly hung out with other Piemontesi. My father lived on Thompson Street before he was married and we all lived on Sullivan and Cornelia Street.

Did your family maintain Piemontesi traditions -- language, culture, history, cuisine, etc.?
We do not speak Piemontese at home and we have no one really to speak it with. I do keep a lot of Piemontese cooking.

Did your family return home to visit or to live after the initial emigration? Did they maintain contact with family back home?
My mother and I went back to Italy when I was 5 to care for my grandmother, who was ill. We stayed there two months. My father never went back.

Do you identify yourself more as American, Italian or Piemontese?
I identify myself as American first and then Piemontese.

Have you visited your family's town(s) in Piemonte? What was your experience like?
As I said earlier, I went back when I was 5.

Have you studied your Piemontesi genealogy? Please explain why.
I have never studied my geneology.

Do you belong to the Piemontesi nel Mondo, Famija Piemonteis or any other organization?
No, I don't belong to any organization.