In the early 20th century, many Italians left Italy due to poverty and sought better jobs and living conditions abroad. Migration from Italy to richer countries lasted for many years. In the late 1960s, some of the author's father's relatives also moved to the United States. In 1969, the author left Italy from Genoa at 5 months old with her family to seek a better life in America like other relatives who had moved before them.

1. MIGRATIONS

2. In the first part of the XXth
century a lot of Italian
people left from their country because of poverty.
They needed to find better jobs to get better life
conditions.

3. Migration from Italy to other richer countries
lasted many years.

4. Also some of my dad’s relatives went to the United
States of America at the end of the1960s.

5. My family in Genova
1969 before we moved to
America
Rosanna says
Uncle Raffaele
Aunt Luigia
Vincenzo, the 1st
cousin
Pasquale,
the 2nd
cousin
Salvatore, the 3rd
cousin
Rosanna

6. … Rosanna continues
I left Italy on February 22, 1969, from
my birthplace of Genova. I was 5 1/2
months old with 3 older brothers.
I was only an infant so I wasn't aware
what was going on around me. I was told
my eardrums blew on the airplane
coming in for a landing at JFK which
went indiagnosed for about a week and
caught an infection.
We left Italy because my father's
brothers had all moved to the United
States and my parents were looking for a
better life for their children.

7. I am extremely proud of my Italian
heritage. It is who I am. It defines me. I
never hesitate to let someone know that I
am Italian. I try to teach my daughter
the language as well.
I would love to have the opportunity to
return to Italy! I would like to visit family
and also show my husband and daughter
where I came from.

8. Since Italian was the only language
spoken in my home, my kindergarten
teacher thought I would find it difficult to
communicate in class. However, I did
pretty well. In fact, I was the first
student in that class to memorize the
ABCs!
I do enjoy Italian cuisine, especially
pasta!
I follow Italian traditions and have also
passed them onto my daughter.

9. Rosanna
Uncle Raffaele
Aunt Luigia Vincenzo
Pasquale

10. Rosanna
Uncle Raffaele
Aunt Luigia Vincenzo
Pasquale