I believe this is the Brondolo family. This family picture was taken sometime between May of 1934 and September of 1934 in Vesime, Italy. My paternal grandmother, Terry Brondolo (Boothby), is the first young lady standing on the left. This looks like a fun bunch! Even the dog made it into the picture. Is that Pietro Brondolo pretending to play the violin?
The theme for this week is Family Gathering. My paternal grandmother (Nino) took a trip from San Francisco in the spring of 1934 to meet her Italian family in Vesime, northern Italy. She was 23 years old at the time, and traveled by herself. These are some of the pictures she took of family while she was visiting. Unfortunately, none of the photographs were labeled or identified and the only person I recognize is my grandmother.
Original picture. This was an oversize enlargement of the original.
Nino arrived in Genoa on May 20, 1934. She wrote a little note to her mother Nona back in San Francisco to let her know she was ok. She had planned a trip to the Consul before she traveled on to Vesime. Her handwriting style, which was very distinctive, stayed the same for the rest of her life.
5" X 3 1/2"
It looks like it was written on the back of a small notebook.
The back of her little letter gives us the name of the ship she started her trip on...the California. In my post of 3/31/22 I shared pictures of the passport she used on her trip. She came home on the S.S.S. Rex, arriving in New York on October 3, 1934. In her letter she let her mother know that she was going to write or telegraph her Papa (Pietro Brondolo) letting him know of her arrival.
Nino may have taken this picture. It looks like the same group as above, but without her. The picture is a little fuzzy, too.
Same outing. The man waving his hat may have been Nino's father, Pietro Brondolo.
Pietro came to America with his sons Emilio and Francesco (Uncle Frank) in March of 1913. Nino's sister Celestina came over in October of 1913 by herself at the age of 16. Nino came over with her mother Caterina and her brothers Augustino and Guilio in 1917 when she was 6 years old.
Pietro and his wife, Caterina Bertanosco, separated after 1917 and Pietro went back to Vesime. I believe that Nino's older brother Guilio went back to Italy as well. Nino had not seen her extended family back in Italy since 1917 so this trip must have been very special.
These next pictures look like they were taken at the same home in Vesime.
Nino is standing in the middle with unknown Brondolo relatives. 1934.
Same location as above picture. 1934.
Enlarged. Nino is in the middle of the girls on the stairs. Someone looks down from the upper story. Two men walk by the scene.
Possibly Pietro Brondolo on the right. Guilio would have been 27 at this time. He may also be in the picture. A grape arbor can be seen in the background. This looks like it was taken on the top balcony area of the above home. 1934.
Unknown Brondolo relative. 1934.
Possibly Pietro Brondolo in the middle. 1934. Location unknown.
Brondolo or Bertanosco family? 1934.
Unknown family member. Brondolo or Bertanosco? 1934.
Unknown family member. Brondolo or Bertanosco? 1934.
A family home in Vesime. Which one? Photograph taken in 1934.
This is a list that Nino typed up sometime around her trip. It appears to be a list of jobs in Vesime and who held that particular occupation. I see Mayor (podesta), pharmacist (farmacisti), electric lighting/power (illuminazione elettrica...job held by Edoardo Bertonasco), baker (panettieri), grocer (pizzicagnoli...job held by Francesco Bertonasco), tailor or dressmaker (sarti....job held by Onorina Brondolo), etc. I hope Nino figured it all out when she got there!
"Dearest Sister"
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