Coming to America

Here’s how six members of La Famiglia Panettieri (Vincenzo and Rosa, and their children Giuseppe, Giovanna, Stefano & Salvatore) immigrated from Stromboli, Italy and reunited in Brooklyn, New York. The two-part journey (in 1915 and 1920) required five years of family separation. But the move from Stromboli to Brooklyn set the stage for five generations of family prosperity. Here’s how…

1915: Father, Son Depart

The first voyage (in 1915) involved Vincenzo Panettieri (1871-1963) and his oldest teenage son, Giuseppe Panettieri (1898-1954). The rest of the family remained in Stromboli for five years because of limited finances.

For Vincenzo and Giuseppe, the 1915 journey to America involved these steps:

  • September 25, 1915 - Ferry to Lipari: They likely took a ferry from Stromboli to Lipari — a sister Aeolian Island that’s 26 nautical miles (or three to four hours) away.

  • September 26, 1915 - Ferry to Napoli: Next, they likely transferred to a faster steam ship for the trip from Lipari to Napoli (Naples) — a major city on Italy’s mainland (134 nautical miles, or 12 to 14 hours from Lipari).

  • September 28, 1915 - On to America: In Napoli, they boarded the S.S. Ancona (pictured) for the 4,400 nautical mile journey across the Atlantic Ocean to New York. The 420-foot steam ship could carry 2,700 immigrants. Moving roughly 17 knots (or about 19 miles per hour), the voyage required roughly two weeks.

  • October 11, 1915 - Arriving in New York: The S.S. Ancona — with Vincenzo and Giuseppe aboard — arrived in New York Harbor.

In America, Vincenzo and Giuseppe likely pursued work first as fishermen and then as grocery clerks, and finally as entrepreneurs focused on fruit and vegetable markets.

1915: The Ship Manifest

Click on S.S. Ancona ship manifest photo to see Vincenzo & Giuseppe listed.

Meanwhile, In Stromboli

While her husband and oldest son immigrated to New York in 1915, limited finances forced Rosa Panettieri (1872-1953, pictured in the early to mid 1920s) and the rest of the family to remain in Stromboli until 1920.

Rosa courageously raised and supported three children (Giovanna, 1905-1927; Stefano, 1906-1991; and Salvatore, 1911-1990) on her own during that time. We don’t know exact details. But evidence suggests Rosa’s mother (Caterina Di Mattina, born about 1849) assisted Rosa in Stromboli from 1915 to 1920 (based on a ship manifest that mentioned Caterina living in Stromboli as of 1920).

Stromboli’s culture, which respects and honors women, is well-documented. According to a book titled Famiglie Strombolani: "While the menfolk often left the island to seek work in other parts of the world, women held positions of respect and authority within the community and in their homes. In fact, mothers were considered the heart of the family.”

All decisions regarding the children, their education, household finances, and working the land were typically made by the mother, the book notes. The island’s children worked alongside their mothers while tending to capers, grapes and olives. And the children watched closely as they were shown how to make wine and bake bread for the household. Every day after school, their special task was to feed the chickens and rabbits – everyone worked together, Famiglie Strombolani stated.

1920: La Famiglia Reunited

By 1920, La Famiglia Panettieri — separated for five years — somehow earned and saved enough money to fund the next round of immigration. Here’s the reunification journey:

  • October 1, 1920: Rosa and three of her children (Giovanna, Stefano and Salvatore) likely began the trip from Stromboli to Lipari and then Napoli.

  • October 5, 1920: In Napoli, the foursome boarded the S.S. Re D Italia (pictured), a 430-foot steam ship capable of carrying roughly 2,000 passengers to America.

  • October 24, 1920: They arrived in New York and reunited with Vincenzo and Giuseppe.

After five long years of separation, the family of six from Stromboli was finally together again in Brooklyn, New York.

Click on ship manifest photo from 1920 to see Rosa Panettieri and three of her children (Giovanna, Stefano and Salvatore) listed. Also, Bartola Tesoriero, married to Rosa’s sister Christina, is listed.

1920: The Ship Manifest

1925: Dreams Fulfilled

In Brookly, La Famiglia became entrepreneurs, opening and operating one or more Panettieri Brothers Fruit and Vegetable Markets sometime after 1915. The building photo likely features Vincenzo Panettieri (1871-1963) and son Stefano (1906-1991) in the 1930s or 1940s.

According to the 1925 New York City Census:

  • Father Vincenzo (age 55) was a grocery clerk while mother Rosa (54) raised the children. Rosa maintained the home, and influenced financial decisions with the family business.

  • Eldest son Giuseppe (27) was a fruit and vegetable store owner.

  • Daughter Giovanna (21) focused on factory work.

  • Son Stefano (19) was a partner in the fruit and vegetable store.

  • Son Salvatore (13) focused on his school work.

Click the image below to see each family member and their occupation in 1925, according to the New York City Census:

In Più La Familia Panettieri

The journey doesn’t end there. With each successive generation, La Famiglia Panettieri and close relatives (including the Renda and Cincotta families) expanded across America. Check our blog for deeper context and regular updates.