Immigration in the United States is important to the integrity and diversity of the state in that it has contributed to a rich social, political, and cultural atmosphere across the nation. Immigration has brought new religions, foods, music, and more to the country and has fostered an identity founded on the idea of being an ever, ever-changing, beautiful melting pot.

Timeline

Families

The Sola-Cerruti Family

The wedding of Ida Sola and Eugenio Cerruti in New Jersey on April 22, 1905 (Courtesy of Claudia Cerruti Rogers).

The story of the Sola Cerruti Family begins with Ida Sola and Eugenio Cerruti, two Italian immigrants from the Biella area who met in New Jersey in 1905. Eugenio arrived in 1902 , and Ida in 1904. Our recounting of their lives in America will begin with their journeys from Italy. Eugenio and Ida left their country to the United States and met in New Jersey where they raised their family. They were involved in local politics and the rights of workers and left behind a successful generation of Italian-Americans. Their story is one of hard work and personal growth that has turned into a lineage of success.

The Foti Family

Salvatore Foti & Anna Cucinotta on June 7, 1908  St. Rocco’s Church Brooklyn, New York. (Courtesy of Arlene Maresca).

Salvatore Foti migrated from Messina, Sicily to the United States in 1902. He enlisted in the American Navy as a musician for four years.  His first assignment was the U.S.S. Buffalo.  He subsequently served in the U.S.S. Columbia, and the U.S.S. Franklin.  In November of 1903 the Navy sent Salvatore to Washington, D.C.  He remained there for 20 months.  In 1905 he was transferred to the U.S.S. Mayflower.  Salvatore’s years in the Navy ended on board the U.S.S. Mayflower.

Salvatore settled in Brooklyn, NY and worked at the New York Telephone Company from 1906 until 1949.  In 1908 he married Anna Cucinotta whom  he had known growing up in Messina.   They raised five children and remained in Brooklyn all their lives.  Salvatore died on October 18, 1969 at 85 and Anna died on May 12, 1973 at 84 years old.