Clementina was born on September 24, 1898, the fifth child and the third daughter of Giuseppe and Elisabetta. That she was born in a small village in the Dolomites, at that time in history, dictated the path her life would take. She watched the departure of her two older brothers and a sister to seek a life in America that would provide more opportunity, and … Continue reading Clementina DeMartin Mazzalon
August 30, 1922. Hot, the air heavy with moisture and the threat of storms. Mary is born, purportedly weighing in at over ten pounds, after a screamingly difficult labor. If not ten pounds, the infant is still much too large to push through the narrow canal of the mother. Clementina is torn up and will require extended bedrest. Eighteen months later, on March 4, 1924, … Continue reading The Girls: Mary & Lisa
This photo is of an old fireplace or hearth (“larin”, in dialect). Around the cracking flames was black soot. Before the smoke wandered the hallways and stairs, it flavored the pork that hung on special poles anchored to the ceiling, which in turn energized the already robust appetites. The hearth was usually in the middle of the darkened wall, surrounded by worn benches towards which … Continue reading The Hearth
BARLEY SOUP Ingredients: 100 grams (1/2 cup) of barley 200 grams (1 cup) of smoked meat 100 grams (1/2 cup) of bacon 1 onion 1 carrot 1 small leek 1 potato 1 stalk celery salt 1 liter and 3/4 water (about 2 quarts) Preparation: Cut the bacon into cubes and fry in a large pot; add the barley and fill with water. Add the smoked … Continue reading Recipes
Clementina lived for more than 50 years Continue reading The Building
Clementina: When I came to this country I had nothing so I had to live in my brother Gabriel’s house. I loved it that their baby Edda was there because I had taken care of her in Italy, and then brought her here to be with her parents. But it wasn’t fun to live in a house with your brother, his wife, his daughter and … Continue reading Clementina’s Early Years in America
This is the story of the first Edda, as told by Clementina. Gabriele and Ersilia, Clementina’s oldest brother and his wife, visited the family in Dosoledo with their months-old firstborn daughter at the beginning of 1914. Everyone was enchanted with Edda, and so happy to be able to see Gabriele again. Though Italy hadn’t formally entered the great war, preparations were being made and all … Continue reading Story of Edda
Gabriele Arcangelo, born September 3, 1884, died 1932. Married Ersilia, born June 15, 1892, died July 1972. Daughter Edda born October 19, 1913, died 1918. Son Delmo born, died. Daughter Edda born January 30, 1918, died October 3, 1989. Orsola married Giuseppe Mario. Aldo born January 30, 1914, died March 1985. Rita, Vito born July 11, 1918, died February 12, 1994, Vera born August … Continue reading Brothers & Sisters
Even today, it’s a long way from Dosoledo to New York City. When Clementina left home in May of 1915, she faced a nearly month-long journey that included a horse-drawn carriage to Genoa and the last passenger ship to leave Italy during World War I. Along with a few possessions, she traveled with her niece Edda, the 19-month-old daughter of her brother Gabriele and his wife Ersilia. Clementina … Continue reading Setting Sail
Welcome to Dosoledo / Benvenuti a Dosoledo 