No problem. I'm not in any rush. I was actually attempting to add a link to my blog beneath my signature when I managed to post the same images twice. I didn't see any parameters for doing that.

Tom - Here are Pages 1 & 2

I haven't time just at the moment for the others...Livio is away for seven days, but maybe Luca can help. If not - I'll get back to 3 & 4 later - OK?


Page 1.
Belmonte Mezzagno 27 November 1935

My loving brother it is with much delay I have received one of your awaited letters in which it pleases me to read that you are in good health, together with your dear wife and your loving children, as indeed the family of your mother-in-law and the whole family. As how can I tell you am I and my wife and dear children and all the family, beloved brother, I have written to you with a bit of a delay, I've been missing for 10 days chopping wood in the country and sowing wheat, further away from Pizza xxxxxx.....

Page 2.
... than you would imagine, dearest brother you cannot know what thoughts I have had in my heart thinking of your lateness and I didn't have other to think, and I said perhaps my brother is complaing about some words I have said, but pay no attention, it is enough that you are well dear brother. Regarding the children I have understood that you have six children and they are 3 males and 3 females, and another is on the way, dear brother God wishes it this way even my wife has had many children 4 females and only one male and it will be Stefano and another it will be days and moments, I am content that your children go to school, as my children have done their school, Loving brother...

Absolutely, Carole. I really am not in any rush. By the way your Bangers and Mash dish reminded me of one of my favorite episodes on a show based on the Harriot books, All Creatures.

Tom,

DO you need help adding your blog to your signature? I can help there.

OK. I didn't know how the site interpreted the link info.

OK Tom..your blog has now been entered as part of your signature!

Hugs!

tjbrn wrote:

27 Nov 1935 Page3 img210.imageshack.us/i...ge3wx7.jpg

(from page 2): non ti posso...
(page 3)... mandare qualche fotografia mia o dei miei figli per farteli conoscere, caro fratello, perché Dio vuole così, che non si riesce più a campare e non c'è nemmeno lavoro; amato fratello, tu mi dici che non mi puoi mandare qualche xxx xxx perché anche il lavoro dei campi va male, caro fratello: non importa, basta che Dio ci dia sempre la salute. Non puoi sapere quale gioia e piacere ho avuto nel vedere la fotografia di tuo figlio che è venuto molto bene; desidero sapere come si chiama questo mio caro nipote a cui mando un saluto e un pensiero affettuoso ed anche un bacio di cuore, anche se non lo conosco, dallo zio Tano Dragotta. Addio, addio buone cose il tuo zio che non ti dimentica Tano.

Luca

Lucca,
Is Terni near Valle San Giovanni?

oops, I meant Luca.

Luca wrote:

tjbrn wrote: 27 Nov 1935 Page3 img210.imageshack.us/i...ge3wx7.jpg (from page 2): ...non ti posso... (page 3)... mandare qualche fotografia mia o dei miei figli per farteli conoscere, caro fratello, perché Dio vuole così, che non si riesce più a campare e non c'è nemmeno lavoro; amato fratello, tu mi dici che non mi puoi mandare qualche xxx xxx perché anche il lavoro dei campi va male, caro fratello: non importa, basta che Dio ci dia sempre la salute. Non puoi sapere quale gioia e piacere ho avuto nel vedere la fotografia di tuo figlio che è venuto molto bene; desidero sapere come si chiama questo mio caro nipote a cui mando un saluto e un pensiero affettuoso ed anche un bacio di cuore, anche se non lo conosco, dallo zio Tano Dragotta. Addio, addio buone cose il tuo zio che non ti dimentica Tano. Luca

From Luca's transcription:


from Page 2
....I cannot

Page 3
...send some of my photographs or of my children to let you know them, dear brother because God wishes it like this, that we cannot manage to make a living any more and there is no work; loved brother, you say to me that you cannot send me any little xxxxxx because even the work in the fields is not good, dear brother: it's not important, it's enough that God always give us our health. You cannot know what joy and pleasure I had when I saw the photograph of your son that came out really well; I would like to know what this dear nephew is called, to who I send my wishes and an affectionate thought and also a heartfelt kiss, even if I don't know him, fro uncle Tano Dragotta.
Goodbye, goodbye good things your uncle who will not forget you Tano

tjbrn wrote:

Luca, Is Terni near Valle San Giovanni?

Do you mean Valle San Giovanni near Teramo, or Villa San Giovanni near Reggio Calabria? Or same other place?

tjbrn wrote:

27 Nov 1935 Page4 img89.imageshack.us/im...ge4um8.jpg

Amata cognata Giuseppina un saluto e un pensiero da tutta la famiglia, e un saluto da vostra sorella Carmela, il marito e i suoi figli che vi baciano le mani e ci domandano le xxx a vostra suocera. I miei figli mandano un bacio ai loro cugini. Noi tutti salutiamo la tua famiglia, te e mio fratello Ignazio, e vi bacio di cuore il vostro caro cognato Tano Dragotta.
Addio, Addio buone cose e mandateci sempre vostre notizie due volte al mese, cara cognata; mi sono ricordato di questo vostro figlio che si chiama Stefano e ha 19 anni: non potete sapere che piacere abbiamo avuto, sembrava [forse si riferiscono ad una fotografia di Stefano spedita loro dagli Stati Uniti] di vedere mio fratello Ignazio.
Amato fratello sono desideroso di vederti; ti saluto, il tuo amato fratello che sempre ti pensa.

Per Carole
Forse potresti spiegare a Tom l'uso del voi a posto del tu in segno di rispetto che si usa ancora oggi in alcune zone d'Italia (anche se in queste lettere, a causa della non perfetta padronanza della lingua, Tano li alterna senza regola).
Ciao
Luca

Valle San Giovanni. One of my aunts was a Parente and she and her family emigrated from there. Many who who came from Valle San Giovanni settled in Penns Grove, NJ, which is only about 12 miles from where I was born. In fact Valle San Giovanni's web site has a link to Penns Grove.

Luca,
I appreciate all of your efforts. I realize how poorly written these letters are which is one reason, armed only with a dictionary, I stumble on anything beyond the general sense of what is written. I am woefully ignorant of what educational opportunities were available for someone like Tano at that time. Most of what is written reflects the sense of confusion, abandonment, and desperation one may be haunted by when one's living becomes marginal and survival itself is questionable. The next letter is a bit different and refers to a rather tragic event I only recently became aware of. Even Dante would have a time with dear old Tano

Valle S. Giovanni is about 80 Km. from my town, but I never visited it. I just read the articles on Valle San Giovanni-Penns Grove: very interesting and able to show us how difficult had to be immigrant's life, how much nostalgia was in their heart.
I'm waiting for the next!
Ciao
Luca