La Mia Famiglia - Part 4

Revisiting family history these past few weeks has really had an impact on me. This post is most significant to me because it focuses on those I know and love best.

From the album my aunt gave to my sister and me, I learned that my grandmother immigrated to the United States from Italy when she was only 6 months old. She "arrived in America in May, 1907; they disembarked on Ellis Island-the arrival point for all immigrants. There the family was registered as immigrants, got health checks, and made New York City their new home."...She "proudly became a U.S. citizen in California in 1937." I never knew of my family's Ellis Island connection. How exciting!

My grandmother met my grandfather while vacationing in Springfield, Massachusetts.

I love this photograph. These are my grandparents back on their wedding day in 1928.

The photograph below is one of the earliest of my father. From left to right: my aunt, cousin Gloria, cousin Gilbert, my dad up front, and cousin Art Jr.

Below: my grandpa, grandma, dad, and aunt in 1935.




Below is my dad in 1936. This is one of my absolute favorites of him. I can't believe that's my dad!

Here is my another of my aunt, grandma, grandpa, and dad, this time in 1938. Look at that car!

This is my aunt back in 1944 when she was 15. Don't do the math!




Here are my grandfather and my dad doing some yard work in the early 1940's.

What a great shot of my dad in 1958. I wish I knew the occasion of this studio portrait.

Look at these kids! Mom and dad on their wedding day in 1961.



Grandpa and my sister, Ellen in 1963.

Me and my grandma in 1967.
The picture got some water damage so there are some off colors here but I wanted to show it anyhow.

My grandma died in 1970 at only 67 years of age. My grandpa never really got over her loss. My aunt tells me she wishes I got to know him better prior to this because of how much he changed.

After my parents divorce my father went and lived with my grandpa in the family home in West L.A. After high school I took a job in Century City. During the work week, I lived with my father and grandfather and on weekends went back home to my mom's house. I won't say it was a joyous time, especially because of my father's deteriorating health and my grandfather suffering from emphysema, but there was something special about the three generations of men living together.

With most of the people within the pages having died, this album is such a wonderful treasure. I am so grateful to my aunt for having done this for us.