This is my family. My grandfather, Peter Coletti, emigrated from Italy to America in 1909. After he was established working as a coal miner in Cumberland, Wyoming, he sent for his wife Josephine, my grandmother, and son Anthony. My grandparents raised their four children in this immigrant mining town owned by Union Pacific Coal Company. This photo was taken in Wyoming circa 1918: children, left to right, Joseph, James, baby Matilda, and Anthony (my father) referenced in Marcello’s Promise as Tony.
From 1912-1927 the Coletti’s home was Cumberland, Wyoming. To be specific there were two Cumberlands, #1 and #2 with about 350 people in each town, immigrants from Italy, Russia, Austria, Poland, Finland, Wales and Scotland. Both towns had a company store, and LDS Church, a school with grades kindergarten through twelve, and a Catholic Church halfway between the two.
Here is my family hunting sage hens in Wyoming circa 1924 and referenced in Marcello’s Promise Chapter Twenty-four. If you haven’t read the the Corsi’s memorable story—inspired by the Colettis—please consider it for yourself or someone special. My grandpa (Nonno in Italian) is standing and my father is to the left.
By the way, have you explored your own family’s history? I urge you to search your family roots, honor those who came before you and uphold their dreams for the future. We discover ourselves in the process. I’d love to hear from you!
#immigration #ItalianImmigration #marcellospromise https://www.amazon.com/kindle…/entity/author/B07W4DGQY5…
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