This path-breaking study explores the experience of Italian migrants to
Australia between 1860 and 1962. Jackie Templeton employs the letters exchanged
between Valtellinese migrants and their families to trace the extraordinary
story of these sojourners who came from the mountains to the bush. Complemented
by fascinating family and social histories, 124 letters are reproduced in full.
Italian migrants did vital work and enriched their communities of adoption
from the mining camps of Western Australia to the canefields of north
Queensland. Many became permanent migrants who inevitably had to ask themselves:
'Where is home?' Letters were the means by which, during long absences, they
attempted to maintain contact with their parents, siblings, wives and children,
and to preserve some sense of continuity and stability. Today their letters
allow us to peer behind the 'salt-water curtain' and understand both sides of
the migration story.
Contents:
Preface
Editorial Notes
Conversions
List of Illustrations
Part 1: The Valtellina-Australia Migrations
1. Behind the Salt-Water Curtain
2. Sojourners
3. The Home Front
4. 'What Sort of Life is This?'
Part 2: The Migrants and their Letters
Reading the Letters
The Letters
- Antonio Crameri, 1861-1865
- Bombardieri-Molinari 1881-1896
- Pozzi-Beccaria 1875-1876
- Battista Cabassi 1883
- Lorenzo Bonadeo 1893-1904
- The A. and L. Families 1900-1940
- Nazzari 1912-1930
- Salandi-De Campo 1912-1918
- The G. Family 1934-1962
- Romedietti 1931-1955
- Agostino Candiani 1937-1960
- The O. and S. Families 1949-1952
- Tarcisio Crapella 1952-1953
Bibliography
Biographical and Family Sources for the Letters
Translations and Transcriptions
Photograph Acknowledgments
