by Tony Quinn
The Swiss American Historical Society has just published a new book that was sent to all its members, “Emigrant Paths, Encounters with 20th Century Swiss Americans.” Among the people portrayed in the book is Maurice Perret, a French Swiss geographer from Neuchatel who was born in 1911 and died in 1996. Continue reading
by Amy Lacy, United States
I wonder if there are more Americans or other English speaking people like me, who have “Returned” to Ticino, either full or part-time and have purchased the old family houses–it would be fun to share these stories. Continue reading
by Robert J. Ransom, Jr., United States
My grandfather Cesare Augusto Tamagni, 1882-1962 was born in Bellinzona and my grandmother Giuseppa (Buletti) Tamagni, 1889-1997 in St. Antonio. I believe my grandmother was raised around the small villages of Carena and Mellirolo, the villages of my Sarina and Buletti ancestors. Continue reading
By genealogist Jill Sybalsky, United States
Are any of these names in your family tree?
Marci, Cerini, Malugani, Lanini, Patà, Ferrini, Giottonini, Lesnini, Tamò, Perozzi, Sonognini, Gernardini, Matasci, Volpini, Lucchini, Berunda, Bianchi, Ferrasci, Dughi, Cantoni, Jop/Joppi, Miossi, Pinana, Martella, Fratessa, Franchini, Bustelli, Capini, Carletta and Danini. Continue reading
by Amy Lacy, United States
The youngest daughter of five, born of Luigi Bisi, I spent time with dad when he was dying of cancer in 1984…His New World experience having begun from Gordola/Gordemo in 1930 at the tender age of 18… Continue reading
by Mark Lesina, United States
Elvezio Giuliano Lesina was born April 18, 1878 in Giumaglio to Giuliano and AnnaMaria Giumini-Lesina and died February 26, 1951 in Crescent City, California. He was the youngest of five children, three of whom immigrated to California. Continue reading
by Amy Lacy, United States
To the person in Sonogno (Old World Gallery) What was the name of your ancestor with a bar in Soledad, CA? I stopped by your bar in Sonogno summer 2008 and saw the note but the person there did not know the name of your ancestor.
I have relatives in Soledad too.
If you read my last blog post from beginning to end, you may have seen the picture of the Olema cemetery where many emigranti are buried. I didn’t mention how similar I found the monuments and mausoleums to the ones in the so-called “American” cemetery in the Ticino village of Someo. Continue reading
I don’t want to leave San Francisco before I visit a neighbourhood known for its recent immigrant population. Only in this way, can I get a true impression of what it’s like to be a new arrival in a strange place.
Typical third – or economy – class travel is a lot cheaper nowadays than it was 100 years ago, or when the mass migrations overseas began in the mid 19th century. Continue reading
by genealogist, Ronald Willemse
Genealogical research and the drawing up of a family tree is neither a short-term nor a simple task. You need to consult registers and documents which in many cases are not easily accessible. Continue reading
by Amy Lacy, United States
I am located in Northern CA and have ancestors from Brione, Gane, and Gordola/Gordemo. Perhaps if any of you are from those areas we can share stories…you could be a long lost cousin??? Continue reading
by Nicole Tami, United States
My father moved North to the German-speaking part of Switzerland in his early twenties and married my mother who came from Bern. I was born in Zurich. After my parents separated, my mother and I immigrated to the United States which has been my primary home since I was eight years old. Our Ticino heritage is preserved primarily through cultural practices such as food and language. We regularly eat dishes such as polenta, risotto, and pasta. Continue reading
by Carol Grossi Ryan, United States
My grandfather, Domenico Grossi, immigrated to Northern California from Ticino in 1892 from Monte Carasso via Ellis Island. Continue reading
by Jurg Siegenthaler, United States
There is a great book by a Swiss immigrant to California that contains many references to Ticino-Swiss immigrants around him: Jakob Otto Wyss, Postmaster in Klau: Letters from California. Rockland, ME: Picton Press, 2007. Write to Melody at Maravan@aol.com for a copy at a reduced price!
By Giorgio Cheda
The idea of preserving the memory of the Ticinesi who emigrated to California between 1850 and 1950 dates from my adolescent years. My reading of Salgari and Kipling inspired me to travel the world in the footsteps of their intrepid heroes, comparing their stories with the unembellished, but true, accounts of my father and grandfather, both of whom had survived an experience common to many peasant farmers from the Alps. Continue reading
By Paula Clark, United States
The name of my ancestor who last lived in Ticino was my mother, Pierina Martignoni Breschini. She was born in Bellinzona, Cantone Ticino on 8-11-1902 to Rocco Martignoni and Rosa Paganetti. The family home was located in San Nazzaro, on Lago Maggiore.
by Paul Burns, United States
My maternal grandfather Achille Adami, whom we called Papa BX was born in Cresciano, Ticino in 1897. Continue reading
By Tony Quinn, United States
Hello, I am Tony Quinn and I am happy to share some of my research with you. Continue reading
By Jessie, United States
I am a second generation descendant of Ticino-born ancestors. My grandfather was Raimondo Vosti who emigrated from Gerra Verzasca Continue reading
