Our Sicilian-American Immigration Story
This site is dedicated to Domenico and Agatina Bruno and to the families of Antonino (Poppa Nino) and Antonina (Momma Nina) Bruno -- Domenico's parents. Immigrants from Nicolosi Sicily Antonino and Antonina hoped for a better life for their children. On February 4, 1906 Antonino set sail for America and arrived through Ellis Island on February 23rd where he eventually settled in Lawrence, MA and would begin establishing a better life for his family.
Before 1880 less than 1,000 Sicilians immigrated to America per year. But by 1906 over 100,000 Sicilians left for the States in that year alone. Ultimately, out of the 4.5 million Italians that immigrated to the United States between the years 1880 and 1930, one out of every four was a Sicilian.
Later that year, on October 10, 1906 Antonina would set sail for America to join Antonino. She had to make the heartbreaking decision to leave their two infant daughters behind with their Nonna Bruno. Antonina was very torn - baby Domenica was literally pulled from her arms for the departure to America. Antonina arrived at Ellis Island on October 24th. Nonna Bruno did a wonderful job mothering the little girls. She found a nursing mother for Domenica and Giuseppina was a helpful big sister.In America Antonino become ill. Unfortunately, a great deal of the wages they had earned had to be spent on doctor bills. But good things came to them in America also. On April 30, 1908 their son Domenico was born while they were working and living in Lawrence Massachusettes. The home that still stands today was located 130 Common Street. It was very important for Antonina to live close to the Catholic Church where she would take her daily five minute walk to the Holy Rosary Church and where they would have their son Domenico baptized.
Some Italian immigrants celebrated Mass in the basement chapel of the largely Irish St. Laurence O’Toole Church, at the intersection of East Haverhill Street and Newbury Street, until they had collected sufficient funds to erect the Holy Rosary Church in 1909 nearby at the intersection of Union Street and Essex Street. Immigrants from Lentini (a city in the Sicilian province of Syracuse) and from the Sicilian province of Catania maintained a particular devotion to three Catholic martyrs, Saint Alfio, Saint Filadelfo and Saint Cirino, and in 1923 began celebrating a procession on their feast day. Although most of the participants live in neighboring towns, the Feast of Three Saints festival continues in Lawrence today. Holy Rosary has since been renamed Corpus Christi Parish.
Antonina missed her daughters beyond words and by mid-1912 Antonino and Antonina felt it was time to bring their family to America and asked Nonna Bruno to send the girls, but Nonna -- would not. She missed her son Antonino and said they must return to Nicolosi if they want to get their children. Like any parent they could not be without their children - so in September 1912 after almost six years in America Antonino and Antonina packed up and returned to Nicolosi with Domenico.
Shortly after returning to Nicolosi, their second son Giuseppi was born. Then came number three Concetto, and baby daughter Rosa, completing the family of three sons and three daughters. Life was difficult in Nicolosi, so in 1923 Poppa Nino and Momma Nina decided that at the young age of 15 their son Domenico would continue that journey and the dream of life in America (View Domenico'passport). From 1923 to 1937 Domenico supported his family in Sicily from America before returning to Nicolosi, Sicily in February 1937. In a few months he would meet his soul mate Agatina -- marry in 40 days and bring her to America where they enjoyed 50 years of marriage. We'll never forget the sacrifes they made for us -- their children - grandchildren and great-grandchildren. This is our family -- The Bruno Family!.
The vessel above known as the SS Algeria brought Antonino Bruno to America through Ellis Island. Traveling with Antonino were several closes friends and family that was learned from reading the ship manifest.
Check out the MORE button(s) below to see the Ellis Island Manifests.The vessel below known as the Transatlantic Conte di Savoia brought Domenico and his bride Agatina to America on December 5, 1937.
More Antonino Bruno More Antonina Bruno More Domenico Bruno More Agatina Bruno
In the late 1990's I sat down with my Nonna Bruno (Agatina) and recorded her version of how her life was transformed from the modest setting of Nicolosi, Sicily to the grandiose setting of the United States of America. I hope you enjoy reading their story as much as I have enjoyed telling it over and over again. Ciao !
As mentioned in the opening paragraph on December 10, 1923 at the young age of 15, Domenico began his voyage to America, leaving his parents and siblings behind. The day Domenico arrived in the United States was December 23rd and was the same day his relatives received a telegram that they were to pick him up at the train station. When Domenico's cousins arrived at the train station he was sitting with an attendent watching over him until someone arrived. (The family suspects that the letter was on the same vessel that brought Domenico to America). Working for his uncle as a steam fitter, the young Domenico would finish his work and want to go play with his friends, however, the uncle would just pile on more work. After a few years of being taken advantage, Domenico ventured out on his own and put himself through barber school and eventually opened his own barber shop. At the age of 28 he was a successful barber and after thirteen years away from his family he had saved enough money and decided it was time to visit his family in Nicolosi, Sicily. Domenico arrived in Nicolosi in February 1937. In January of that same year, Agatina's mother Maria Spina had passed away from what she believes was stomach cancer, leaving Agatina and her father Vito Finochiarro all alone. Now we fast forward to May where a friend tells Agatina that she has mourned long enough and brought her out on to the terrace to breathe in the fresh Spring air. While outside, Agatina noticed two Bruno men (Giuseppe and Concetto) walking with another man who was dressed in fancy clothing, so she asked her friend,"Who is that man with the Bruno boys?" Her friend replied,"That is their brother, Domenico, from America and the talk of the town is that he is looking for a wife." Agatina thought to herself that a man like Domenico would be looking to receive a nice dalary and she coming from a modest family would be of no interest.
(Let's switch over to Domenico).Domenico's mother, Antonina, said to her son, "You are 28 years old, you should get married." Domenico's response was, "Momma,if I am to get married, I need to find an orphan". "Why an orphan ?", she asked. "Because I support our family from America and it's only fair that I would support my wife's family and I can't afford to do both". It didn't take long for Antonina to provide an answer. She responded, "Domenico, there is a lovely young girl Agatina Finnichiaro whose mother just passed away and her father is 85 years old - you should meet her". Domenico agreed.
(Now we switch back to Agatina).In the 1930's in Sicily, if someone sits down behind you, the polite thing to say is "Excuse my back". So the following Sunday in church, Agatina turns around to say, "Excuse my back" and to her surprise she sees Domenico with his two sisters (Domenica and Rosa). Agatina was confused why they were in her church, because the Catholic church the Bruno's attend was across the street. But we now know that Domenico was brought there by his sisters to check her out. Agatina later learned that Domenico stood around the corner with his sisters as Agatina walked out of church, asking him, "So do you want to me her?". Domenico liked what he saw and his answer was, "YES"!
(Now we switch over to the Finichiarro house)A few days later a mutual friend, Mr. Borzi,knocks on the door of Vito Finichiarro. "What brings you here", Vito says. Mr. Borzi says to Vito, "Don Vito, Domenico Bruno would like to meet your daughter and if it works out and with your permission, he would like ask you for her hand in marriage and bring her back to America. Does he have you permission to meet her ?. Vito replies, "I am 85 years old, how many more years do I have. If my daughter wants to go to America, she has my blessing". So Mr. Borzi calls down Agatina and says,"Agatina, I am going to ask you one question. If you answer Yes, I will tell you more. Do you want to go to America ?". Agatina quickly replied, "YES!". All Agatina knew about America was Domenico Bruno, nothing else. Mr. Borzi responded, "Domenico Bruno would like to meet you and if it works out, you get married and go with him to America".
Nina's story as she remembers it.
Anthony's story as he remembers it.
Mary's story as she remembers it.
Christina's story as she remembers it.
We make every effort to document our research. If you have something you would like to add, please contact us.