MovingImage

Five women ranging in age from 77 to 91, residence of Long Branch New Jersey recount family histories, friendships, and connections that span over a century and remain strong in 2016. The interviews were conducted at their 110-year-old Church, Holy Trinity located in Long Branch. The church built and parish established in 1906 by Italian immigrants from Calabria. The common thread that unites and binds the women is the immigration of their grandparents and parents from the town of Amaroni in Calabria, Italy to America with all settling in the seaside community of Long Branch New Jersey. They are Mickie Gagliano, Rose Lagrotteria, Mary DeLisa, Josephine Chevalier, and Barbara Heggie. Their stories and family histories open up a portal. A clear picture emerges of the Italian immigrant experience in the seaside community of Long Branch in early 20th century America. Their stories paint a warm and rich portrait. Demonstrating how they recreated in Long Branch the village life and traditions from their homes by the Mediterranean Sea in Calabria to ground and establish them in their new country America. The 100-year-old stature of St Barbara brought with them from Calabria still graces the church chapel today.

doi:10.7282/T3CC130X

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