| Hometowns: 1890 Basilicata, Italy |
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Immigration Life in Brooklyn Assimilation Research |
1890-1910
Southern Italy: The Blumettis and Soggas
Smilari Palace, San Paolo Albanese, Basilicata In the later years of the nineteenth century and the first two decades of the 1900s, the population of Southern Italy was subject to a mass emigration to North and South America. The Arberesh
Arberesh Dance Group in San Costantino Albanese The Arberesh are Italians of Albanian heritage who have retained their culture and language over hundreds of years. There is a wonderful Arberesh forum hosted by John Cusamino that I recommend. Arberesh Towns Most Arberesh towns are located in Southern Italy, a short ride across the Adriatic as became clear in recent years when Albanian refugees turned up in Italian ports. My ancestors, the Blumettis, Soggas and Scutaris, came from San Costantino Albanese and San Paolo Albanese, neighboring towns on adjacent hilltops in rugged country in the province of Cosenza. Southern Italy in 1890 Because Italy was not united until late in the 1800s and education was not widely instituted until closer to 1900, this culture and language was able to continue over hundreds of years. The complusory education act of 1877 was a failure since many parents preferred their children to earn money rather than get educated. Half the population was still illiterate by the 1911 census. In 1890, the mountains of Southern Italy were denuded by peasants who found a market in the railroad, shipping and building industries. Forests were also burnt down for the fertile soil which was quickly depleted before moving on.(This technique is still used in Central and South America). Oak trees were stripped for the cork trade or tanneries. By 1890, four to five million acres had been destroyed within 30 years. Large numbers of familes lost their livelihoods as wood was depleted or as the soil eroded. In 1903 in just the province of Cosenza alone, 156 landslides were reported covering five thousand acres. The Basento river in Basilicata carried away 430,000 cubic meters of soil into the sea per year blocking the river mouth. Against this backdrop, a couple of Blumettis arrived in New Jersey and New York during the late 1800s coming from one of these towns. My ancestor, Francesco Blumetti, first arrived in the U.S. in 1891, amongst the first from his area,and went back and forth several times which was not uncommon. He returned to marry Stella Sogga in 1893 and three years later their first child was born. In 1902, after 9 years of marriage, Stella left to join her husband in Elizabeth, New Jersey. |
