L'albero genealogico della famiglia Poletti di Condino (TN)

Questo è il risultato, a tutt'oggi, del mio lavoro alla ricerca delle origini della mia famiglia. Grazie all'aiuto di tanti amici e parenti, tra i quali voglio ricordare:

A Condino la cugina Paola, lo zio Giuliano e mio cugino Gevan e Stefano; a Merano mio padre Renato; in Svizzera a Maggia la cugina Elda; in California l'amico Ivano Franco Comelli che grazie al suo Blog (http://www.nostra-costa.blogspot.com/) mi ha messo in contatto con tante persone che mi hanno aiutato nella ricerca (grazie a Aldo Penniman, Thelma Gill, Diane Strong, Diane Bianconi, Carol & Don Schwartz, Gino Campioni dall'Oregon per le sue preziose traduzioni; a New York la "Ellis Island Foundation" (http://www.ellisisland.org/) dove ho cominciato l'indagine americana, da Santa Cruz il signor Doug Martin e la signora Gina Merolla (Monumentary Cemetery of Santa Cruz), la Signora Christina Moretta del San Francisco History Center; in Nuova Zelanda Tony Cairns per la sua banca dati che mi ha aiutato nella ricerca in Svizzera.

Colgo questa occasione per ringraziare tutte queste persone e tutti coloro che vogliano aggiungersi. Grazie a Tutti di Cuore.

Corrado Poletti

People of Maggia Interwiew - Part 2

In the centuries past the people lived mostly by agriculture and raising of animals. They worked as farmers, but were forced to emigrate anyway because there was no work available. Every patch of soil was worked assiduously, and the farmers pieced together bits of gardens among the great boulders of glacial or flood origins which we find here in Valle Maggia in order to plant something. Hunger was always present and our people lived out their lives even in danger.In letters of Ticinese emigrants who left for California we have found that to be able to leave for the trip (emigration) they asked their parents for funds. We left at about the age of 18 years. Some emigrants, in their letters, have recounted and explained their lives.They said that even in California, the life was hard. The people, parents who remained in Ticino waited with anxiety for letters and funds from America. In particular were the wives remaining at home, having to raise their children and busy themselves caring for animals and doing work in the fields.There are aspects of these letters which are most interesting. Letter no. 390 sent by Felicita Leoni says: "Sad happenings, that is great droughts that are occurring in these our towns are incredible. All are lamenting, all say that if this keeps on, we can do nothing." This phrase indicates that here in Ticino there was no water and this rendered the work even more difficult.However, this letter (no. 730) is written by a gentleman, whose name is not given, sent to brother Pompeo: "In whatever time you wish to come, you need not do any more than let me know, and I shall forward you the money necessary for the trip, and if you need to keep it for some years, I will ask no interest on it." Herein we note how the emigrants aided those that were still in Ticino to prepare them for the departure.The trip to CaliforniaThe emigrants left Valle Maggia for a long and tiring trip. From Valle Maggia, they went to Locarno by stagecoach, took the train for Bellinzona, traveled the Leventine Valley, the tunnel of Gottardo, crossed Switzerland and arrived at Le Havre, France. Once reaching Le Havre, the emigrants embarked toward America. They took about 13 days to make the Atlantic crossing. The thirteenth day they arrived in New York and then by train continued their trip to San Francisco. (California)The trip from Locarno to San Francisco cost about 400 Fr. in third class and lasted two or three weeks. To the emigrants on the steamship were assigned some cots with straw for bedding and small and prickly blankets. All found themselves in the same compartment. This made the trip uncomfortable and tiring.At times the trip was stormy, others more tranquil. When there were storms and gales the trip became perilous and the people were gripped with fear: "The sea from that day was most agitated. I believed that it was truly the end of the world." (Letter no. 853, Beniamino Tomasini)At CaliforniaThe Ticinese emigrants, on arriving at New York, found great differences: They were impressed by the very wide streets, by very tall buildings, by the perfect order. "Everything was colossal, grandiose city blocks, wide streets in straight lines and very long, great and luxurious trains with every imaginable commodity." (letter no. 730)At New York they took the train for California. The Ticinese emigrants, immediately debarking, found at their arrival parents, friends, acquaintances with whom they sought hospitality. They were happy but had problems with banks and language: they had to learn English and find jobs at once. Furthermore, they had to adapt to the climate of the place and obtain clothing adequate for the rain.The life in the "ranches" was most difficult. "When finally the first rains began, the work life became even more heavy, here a weak cow was stuck in mud, another caught in some ditch, another in muck up to her belly and they needed to go with horses to free them from the dangers with ropes and chains." (letter no. 730) Almost all worked in ranches but some remained in cities and worked in restaurants, hotels or stores. In the cities were hotels with names such as: "Hotel Gottardo", "Ticino" and thus they found themselves at once with a sense of home.Life on the RanchThe major part of the Ticinese arriving in California went to work in ranches that were large farms. We have read some letters of Ticinese emigrants, in one is written that in their ranch were more than 90 animals, 29 or 30 cows, a large number of chickens, 2 goats, 2 dogs and some horses. The work in the ranches was most time consuming, having to arise very early:"In the morning we must awake at 4 am and must saddle the horse and go round up the cows, then milk them. Having done that we must go cut wood until it is milking time again." Letter no. 226 Venanzi)They also had to mow hay, cut wood, plow the fields, clean the horses, feed the pigs, and toward evening round up the cows to milk them again. At the end they had to clean the stalls. Not all the Ticinese did these peasant jobs when they emigrated to California: Some worked for travel agencies, others as watchmakers, or worked in stores, some were artisans, bakers, vintners or opened restaurants, trattorie and small hotels.The LettersThe emigrants of California communicated with parents remaining in Ticino by letter. The letters were written with many spelling errors; but in those times many had only the opportunity of attending the elementary schools and some had no schooling at all. Also in these times we spoke mainly in dialect. In the letters which were sent asking about the health of their parents, they related their own health and living conditions, which animals they had, if they earned well, and the natural disasters happening in California."Suddenly I saw a huge flash of light above me, and a thunderbolt landed right on the fork I was holding on my shoulder, smashing it, and even the hat I was wearing was completely burned and I remained safe only by a miracle. I think I was indeed saved by a miracle by Our Madonna of The Graces to whom I pray you to have a painting made by some good artist to put into our church with all the others. I send you $50 to have this painting done, and if perchance more is requested, let me know in your letter." (Letter no. 634, Luigi)They also would write about how much money they would send to Ticino. They also sent cashiers' checks. Some funds also served to pay the debts for the trip: they had to refund parents that which they had borrowed to go to California. In California we earned more, and there was more work available. The nephew, the son or the parent would always send funds to support the family remaining in Ticino or to have some house built.We have noted that the letters of the time sent to emigrants and families are written with many errors of spelling and syntax, there are many words in dialect and some in English. However, they are most interesting letters telling of the life that the emigrants from Valle Maggia led in California.

People of Maggia Interwiew

In the centuries past the people lived mostly by agriculture and raising of animals. They worked as farmers, but were forced to emigrate anyway because there was no work available. Every patch of soil was worked assiduously, and the farmers pieced together bits of gardens among the great boulders of glacial or flood origins which we find here in Valle Maggia in order to plant something. Hunger was always present and our people lived out their lives even in danger. In letters of Ticinese emigrants who left for California we have found that to be able to leave for the trip (emigration) they asked their parents for funds. We left at about the age of 18 years. Some emigrants, in their letters, have recounted and explained their lives. They said that even in California, the life was hard. The people, parents who remained in Ticino waited with anxiety for letters and funds from America. In particular were the wives remaining at home, having to raise their children and busy themselves caring for animals and doing work in the fields. There are aspects of these letters which are most interesting. Letter no. 390 sent by Felicita Leoni says: "Sad happenings, that is great droughts that are occurring in these our towns are incredible. All are lamenting, all say that if this keeps on, we can do nothing." This phrase indicates that here in Ticino there was no water and this rendered the work even more difficult. However, this letter (no. 730) is written by a gentleman, whose name is not given, sent to brother Pompeo: "In whatever time you wish to come, you need not do any more than let me know, and I shall forward you the money necessary for the trip, and if you need to keep it for some years, I will ask no interest on it." Herein we note how the emigrants aided those that were still in Ticino to prepare them for the departure. The trip to California The emigrants left Valle Maggia for a long and tiring trip. From Valle Maggia, they went to Locarno by stagecoach, took the train for Bellinzona, traveled the Leventine Valley, the tunnel of Gottardo, crossed Switzerland and arrived at Le Havre, France. Once reaching Le Havre, the emigrants embarked toward America. They took about 13 days to make the Atlantic crossing. The thirteenth day they arrived in New York and then by train continued their trip to San Francisco. (California) The trip from Locarno to San Francisco cost about 400 Fr. in third class and lasted two or three weeks. To the emigrants on the steamship were assigned some cots with straw for bedding and small and prickly blankets. All found themselves in the same compartment. This made the trip uncomfortable and tiring. At times the trip was stormy, others more tranquil. When there were storms and gales the trip became perilous and the people were gripped with fear: "The sea from that day was most agitated. I believed that it was truly the end of the world." (Letter no. 853, Beniamino Tomasini) At California The Ticinese emigrants, on arriving at New York, found great differences: They were impressed by the very wide streets, by very tall buildings, by the perfect order. "Everything was colossal, grandiose city blocks, wide streets in straight lines and very long, great and luxurious trains with every imaginable commodity." (letter no. 730) At New York they took the train for California. The Ticinese emigrants, immediately debarking, found at their arrival parents, friends, acquaintances with whom they sought hospitality. They were happy but had problems with banks and language: they had to learn English and find jobs at once. Furthermore, they had to adapt to the climate of the place and obtain clothing adequate for the rain. The life in the "ranches" was most difficult. "When finally the first rains began, the work life became even more heavy, here a weak cow was stuck in mud, another caught in some ditch, another in muck up to her belly and they needed to go with horses to free them from the dangers with ropes and chains." (letter no. 730) Almost all worked in ranches but some remained in cities and worked in restaurants, hotels or stores. In the cities were hotels with names such as: "Hotel Gottardo", "Ticino" and thus they found themselves at once with a sense of home. Life on the Ranch The major part of the Ticinese arriving in California went to work in ranches that were large farms. We have read some letters of Ticinese emigrants, in one is written that in their ranch were more than 90 animals, 29 or 30 cows, a large number of chickens, 2 goats, 2 dogs and some horses. The work in the ranches was most time consuming, having to arise very early:"In the morning we must awake at 4 am and must saddle the horse and go round up the cows, then milk them. Having done that we must go cut wood until it is milking time again." Letter no. 226 Venanzi) They also had to mow hay, cut wood, plow the fields, clean the horses, feed the pigs, and toward evening round up the cows to milk them again. At the end they had to clean the stalls. Not all the Ticinese did these peasant jobs when they emigrated to California: Some worked for travel agencies, others as watchmakers, or worked in stores, some were artisans, bakers, vintners or opened restaurants, trattorie and small hotels. The Letters The emigrants of California communicated with parents remaining in Ticino by letter. The letters were written with many spelling errors; but in those times many had only the opportunity of attending the elementary schools and some had no schooling at all. Also in these times we spoke mainly in dialect. In the letters which were sent asking about the health of their parents, they related their own health and living conditions, which animals they had, if they earned well, and the natural disasters happening in California. "Suddenly I saw a huge flash of light above me, and a thunderbolt landed right on the fork I was holding on my shoulder, smashing it, and even the hat I was wearing was completely burned and I remained safe only by a miracle. I think I was indeed saved by a miracle by Our Madonna of The Graces to whom I pray you to have a painting made by some good artist to put into our church with all the others. I send you $50 to have this painting done, and if perchance more is requested, let me know in your letter." (Letter no. 634, Luigi) They also would write about how much money they would send to Ticino. They also sent cashiers' checks. Some funds also served to pay the debts for the trip: they had to refund parents that which they had borrowed to go to California. In California we earned more, and there was more work available. The nephew, the son or the parent would always send funds to support the family remaining in Ticino or to have some house built. We have noted that the letters of the time sent to emigrants and families are written with many errors of spelling and syntax, there are many words in dialect and some in English. However, they are most interesting letters telling of the life that the emigrants from Valle Maggia led in California.

Un libro sulla storia di una famiglia emigrata in California

Circa nel 1920, tanti italiani sono emigrati sulla costa di Santa Cruz in California.

Louis Poletti era uno di questi emigranti.

Nel libro quì di seguito presentato, l'autore descrive questa specifica zona americana.

titolo del libro:

LA NOSTRA COSTA # 34082

Il Viaggio d'una Famiglia Andata e Ritorno dalla Costa del Nord di Santa Cruz, California Autore: Ivano Franco COMELLI Editore: AUTHORHOUSE PRESS RELEASE - MARCH 2006 La storia dell’ autore comincia à Nimis, un piccolo villaggio agricoturale nella zona nord est d'italia chiamata Friuli. L'anno era il 1923. Benito Mussolini e suoi fascisti in camicia nera avevano preso il potere. Il padre dell’ autore, Gervasio Comelli, doveva decidersi. Di aggiungersi di nuovo nell’ esercito o venire in America. Ha scelto il secondo proposito. Conoscendo altri emigranti che avevano scelto la severa costa del nord della contea di Santa Cruz per costruire loro case, Gervasio si decise di fare la stessa cosa. Situato pochi chilometri a sud di San Francisco, Gervasio trovò lavoro facendo l'agricoltore. Questi posti, chiamati ranches in inglese, gli italiani li chiamarono ranci. I lavoranti dunque erano ranceri. Questo posto fu nominato "La Costa". Siccome Gervasio sapeva poco di questo mestiere, gli altri ranceri gli diedero il nomigliolo di Bronco (cavallo selvatico). Bronco fece presto ad’abituarsi al suo nuovo lavoro. Bronco lavorò nei ranch dal 1924 fino al 1931. Poi tornò à Nimis per cercare moglie. Quindi trovò Valentina Bressani, una bella e vivace fanciulla 17 enne. Facendole la testa piena di storie meravigliose del'america e come era facile guadagnare soldi là, l'innamorato Bronco convinse Valentina di sposarlo. Poi tornò “sulla costa”, con la promess, per la sua giovane sposa, che non appena Le avrebbe procurato i documenti necessari, l’avrebbe fatta venire anche lei in America. Valentina arrivò “sulla costa” nel 1933. Ben presto scoprì che le storie di Bronco sui soldi facili non erano più attuali. L’America era sul fondo della depressione economica e quindi non ha trovato altro che lavoro faticoso e i venti infernali della severa costa del nord. Usando eventi storici, mescolando cognomi locali con figure storiche, alcune famose, altre poco conosciute, come Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Herbert Hoover, Joe DiMaggio, Benito Mussolini, Adolf Hitler, ed Alfonso “Al” Capone, l'autore fa rivivere l'avventurosa storia degli emigranti italiani che vivevano e lavoravano “su per la costa”. Tra suoi occhi di giovane, ci dice come trascorreva la vita per la sua famiglia; dichiarati d'essere stranieri nemici durante la seconda guerra mondiale. Allo stesso tempo, ci riporta di nuovo à Nimis in Italia, e ci racconta come erano le condizioni di vita dei loro parenti che vivevano sotto la dura pressione dell’occupazione da parte delle forze naziste. Ci racconta la storia della sorellina di Valentina che è sopravissuta alla guerra, poi trovandosi tacciata, dai partigiani, di essere una collaboratrice dei fascisti. Di come sua madre ebbe la saggezza di farla venira in America. L'autore, usando dettagli e numerose foto, dipinge la vita per la gente della costa, come vivevano, come parlavano, cantavano, brontolavano, e bestemmiavano. Nel suo proprio stile "saporito", ci dice anche come sua madre faceva la cuoca per i ranceri. Nel mondo dell'autore,davanti alla televisione ed ai video-giochi, descrive come egli e i suoi amici di gioventù si divertivano giocando nella "grande piazza di ghiaia" e sulla loro spiaggia privata. Con un po' di “humor”, ci dice come egli e suoi giovani amici, praticando una loro forma di “voyerismo” grossolano, hanno scoperto di nascosto come gli umani si riproducono. Dunque, essendo cosi istruiti, l'autore spiega come i ragazzi della squadra della "piazza di ghiaia" si si accingevano alla ricerca delle dolci fanciulle Nel 1959, l'autore partendo dalla costa, entrò nel corpo della polizia di San Jose. Qui molto freddamente descrive come la sua vita venne cambiata per sempre da certi atti di violenza, per esempio, l'assassinio del suo migliore amico. Usando eventi di attualità, l'autore ci dà una panoramica del mondo un po’ nebbioso della polizia di quegli anni e sottolinea le sue regole personali che ha seguito per sopravvivere in quel periodo. A quei lettori ai quali piace la storia espressa in forma narrativa e contestualizzata nella vita quotidiana delle persone, il libro “La Nostra Costa” è ottimo. Questa storia, prima d'ora mai scritta, potrà intrattenere il lettore sfogliando pagine, cercando il risultato del viaggio di questa famiglia verso la costa e di ritorno. Publicato da Authorhouse publishers, all’indirizzo: http://www.authorhouse.com/. Per favore di fare connessione con nostra libreria ed inserire il nome del'autore: Ivano Franco Comelli; oppure il titolo del libro "La Nostra Costa". Si puo ordinare per telefono 001.888.280.7715. Si puo anche visitare La Nostra Costa Blog: http://www.nostra-costa.blogspot.com/

Condino, il luogo dove la storia ebbe inizio

Il Comune di Condino è situato in Valle del Chiese, nel Trentino sud - occidentale. L'abitato si sviluppa lungo lo stretto fondovalle, seguendo il corso del fiume principale, il Chiese, ad un altitudine di 444 metri sul livello del mare; rappresenta uno dei centri più popolosi (circa 1.500 abitanti) ed economicamente dinamici delle Giudicarie, che posizionate a ridosso della Regione Lombardia, costituirono storicamente uno dei valichi strategici di accesso al mondo alpino. Il paese è delimitato da possenti catene montuose, sulle quali gli abitanti locali costruirono baite, fienili e malghe, funzionali ad un sistema che in passato si basava principalmente sulle risorse silvo-pastorali. Ad est troviamo il Monte Rango; ad ovest sono situate le località Coldom, Gabbione, Prà Serol e le principali malghe, tra cui citiamo Romantera, Bondolo e Valle Aperta. Sullo stesso versante svetta la cima più imponente: il Monte Bruffione (2.664 metri), mèta di affascinanti escursioni che in specifici periodi dell'anno offrono anche la suggestiva opportunità di assistere alla fioritura di specie floreali pregiate, come il rododendro e l'arnica. La conoscenza del territorio è garantita anche dalla possibilità di percorrere numerosi itinerari ciclo-pedonali e sentieri che si sviluppano sia sul fondovalle che in quota. La vegetazione è tipicamente prealpina con una massiccia presenza di castagni, carpini, faggi e conifere; tra le varietà faunistiche ricordiamo il cinghiale, il capriolo, il cervo, il camoscio, la marmotta, la volpe, la lepre e lo scoiattolo, oltre a svariate tipologie di uccelli (tra le quali domina l'aquila) e pesci (come la trota fario e mormorata) che offrono la possibilità di pesca sportiva. Il paese è urbanisticamente disposto in modo razionale ed era anticamente formato da nove contrade: da nord a sud, Sassolo, Preda, Pagne, Fucina, Acquaiolo, Villa, Cron, Gàrzole e Cantagallo, che tuttora costituiscono il centro storico di un abitato che ha progressivamente esteso il proprio perimetro, soprattutto dopo la realizzazione di via Roma, attuale arteria principale. All’interno del centro urbano sono presenti elementi di particolare pregio architettonico e storico - culturale: in particolare la Pieve di Santa Maria Assunta, che rappresenta un monumento di assoluto pregio artistico e monumentale e che ha recentemente recuperato la pienezza del suo antico splendore, grazie ad un prolungato lavoro di restauro; la Piazza di San Rocco, dove si innalza l'omonima Chiesa ed il Palazzo municipale (con la sua magnifica "sala consigliare" affrescata), collegato alla torre civica; il Palazzo Belli; il Convento di San Gregorio; la Chiesetta di San Lorenzo, che è posizionata "a mezza montagna" sul versante est ed è raggiungibile con un'escursione di circa mezzora; le suggestive vie Sassolo e La Marmora; meritevole di menzione anche la zona rurale di Mon, situata a sud del nucleo urbano. L'economia locale si basa principalmente sull’industria e sull'artigianato, dove il settore della lavorazione del legno ha rappresentato storicamente una delle risorse primarie e dove oggi ritroviamo aziende all'avanguardia; pure il settore ricettivo e quello dei servizi occupano un cospicuo numero di persone, evidenziando anche la potenziale ambizione turistica del Comune di Condino. L'agricoltura, pur avendo perso la propria prerogativa di settore trainante dell'economia, vanta la presenza di aziende che producono prodotti di nicchia, come l'uva, i formaggi, il granoturco e il miele.

Hello America !!!

Welcome to all the guest....here you can write èven in english

Operazione ricostruzione storica

Questo Blog lo dedico alla mia famiglia, e, qual'ora mi riesca, alla ricostruzione della sua storia, che cominciata dal piccolo paese di Condino, in provincia di Trento, all'epoca dell'Impero Austro-ungarico, si è articolata in America durante il periodo antecedente la Grande Guerra.. e poi in Svizzera. Oggi alcuni discendenti sono ancora negli States, altri sono arrivati persino in Nuova Zelanda, ma la maggiorparte sono ancora in Italia....tra Condino...Merano...Padova.... e il Kosovo ! Benvenuti siano quindi tutti coloro che verranno ospiti e compagni di questo viaggio alla ricerca della storia.