52 Ancestors Week 25: Groups

 From Amy Johnson Crow: Humans are generally social creatures; that is, we tend to form or join groups. These groups could be familial or they could be by choice. Think about church groups, fraternal organizations, schools, jobs/trades, sports teams, or clubs that an ancestor belonged to.

This isn't the fantasy-based webcomic by the same name.

    Friend, are you an immigrant who just got off the boat at Ellis Island? Are you having trouble finding work in a strange new country? Are you perhaps having difficulty learning the language and assimilating into a culture that is very different to the one you left behind in the old country? Well, you're in luck! Many organizations will help you and your loved ones settle into American life just as long as you pay your dues and help others in the same predicament! 

Why did they call him "Bunny"?

    For as long as I can remember, I knew there were several groups out there designed to help immigrants in America. Some groups like the Order of the Sons of Italy in America were founded to help Italians assimilate into American society during the early 20th century. The organization was founded in New York in 1905 by a man named Vincenzo Sellaro. Over time, the organization expanded to include chapters wherever Italian immigrants were found. This included places like Chicago, Illinois and even Woburn and Haverhill, Massachusetts!

    I don't have any direct ancestors who were in the organization. However, my great-uncle Arnold Villanucci certainly was! I happened upon finding his application on Ancestry and I was surprised by what I found. It was nothing out of the ordinary. Arnold applied in 1951 and on the application was the lodge he was a part of (Victor Emmanuel), where he lived, who his parents were, who his wife was and everything else. What was surprising to me was that Arnold was born in Haverhill. Why was he a member?    

    Well, it turns out that if your parents were in the Sons of Italy, the door was open for the children of immigrants to join and help future immigrants find their way in a strange new country. Think of it as a way to keep the membership fresh whenever someone would pass away or for some reason they had to leave the order.

    The Order still exists today. Only now their efforts have turned to other issues such as encouraging others to study Italian, the preservation of Italian American culture, tradition, history and heritage. As an added bonus, the Order serves to promote close relations with the United States and Italy.

    I've found several other relatives who were part of the Sons of Italy in Haverhill or in the chapter in Woburn, Massachusetts. What was interesting to me was that sometimes the applications were in English and sometimes they were in Italian. That made a lot of sense to me because when you get off of the boat, you're not going to know the language. So, the organization likely had people who met immigrants at Ellis Island and showed them the ropes. I know it sounds like a devious way to recruit people. But, it works and it makes sense. If you don't already have family in America who can help you, what are you going to do once you're in America? That's where the Order came in. They can teach you the language and help you if you are discriminated against (As it often happened). However, once you're settled you're going to need money. That's where another organization called the Italian American Credit Union comes in.

    Not only was my great-grandfather, Giuseppe Carrabs, a custodian at Pentucket Five Cent Savings Bank, he was one of the founders of the Haverhill Italian-American Credit Union! The organization was founded in 1934 as a way to provide a sound financial institution for the Italian community during the height of the Great Depression. 

    Like the Sons of Italy, the Italian-American Credit Union started in New York City. Giuseppe was a founder of the Haverhill branch and what he and others like him did was to grant loans, fair interest rates and be a safe place for Italians to hold their money. Not a bad deal! And like the Sons of Italy they still exist!

    The Italian-American Credit Union and the Sons of Italy are just two of the major organizations out there helping Italian immigrants to succeed in a strange country. Over time, both organizations grew into powerhouses with a lot of clout among the Italian-American community. Other immigrant communities have organizations like these which help meet the needs of people new to America. It's a great concept and it seems to work very well. 

    It's very cool knowing that my great-grandfather and others in the family played a role in helping immigrants like themselves. They gave back to a community which needed them and helped protect against the prejudices they faced on a day-to-day basis back in the day. These days, the organizations thrive and still help those in need. I don't think you can ask for a better legacy. 'Nuff said!

See ya next time!