Letter from Italy 1905

Description:
First page of a letter addressed to "[illegible] Carlino" and signed by "Avanzino, Giovanni." As indicated on the envelope, It was mailed from Torriglia, Italy to "V. Casazza, 4609 Shattuck Avenue, Alden, Alameda Co., Cal, America del Nord." "Carlino" was Carlo Avanzino's nickname.

Date of Document:
6-Jan-05

Document Author:
Giovanni Avanzino

Geographic Location:
411 48th Street, Oakland, Calif.

Context:
Vincenza Casazza had opened a grocery store at 4609 Shattuck Avenue (west side) in Temescal (sometimes referred to then as "Alden") around 1894 when he was 49 years old. In 1912 Vincenza (although the receipt is signed by A. Casazza) sold the store to his nephews, Carlo and his brother Luigi "Lui" Avanzino (d. April 20, 1962). Carlo Giuseppe Avanzino (1869-1945) was born in Torriglia, Italy. His wife, Pasqualina Palmira (Costa) Avanzino (1885-1965) was born in Donetta, a village that is part of Torriglia. They married in October 1909, following Pasqualina's arrival in February 1909 (via Ellis island) to the U.S. from Italy. Carlo and Pasqualina were living at 566 45th Street in Temescal when their first child, Joseph, was born on November 14, 1910. Soon after, on November 25, 1910, Carlo bought the house at 415 48th Street (it is uncertain whether they ever lived there, but they probably did). On July 29, 1915, Carlo bought the house at 409 48th Street and moved in just before their son, Tillio, was born. (In 1922, he paid taxes on the 415 48th Street house, and in January 1923 he had some painting and electrical work done at the property, so it is assumed he continued to own it.) In around 1926, Carlo moved the 409 48th Street house to the back of the property and built a new house, 411 48th Street, at the front of the property. In April 28, 1928, Carlo bought the house at 413 48th Street from his uncle, Vincenzo Casazza. They rented out 411 48th Street until 1945, when Carlo died, and then Pasqualina, their daughter, Elvira, and Tillio moved into 411 48th Street and rented out 409, 413, and 415 48th Street. Ron's parents, Joseph and Lenore Avanzino rented the house at 413 48th Street. Carlo and Pasqualina probably never lived at 413 48th Street, because it was small (700 sq. ft.). They most likely rented it out to others before Ron's mother and father moved in. Pasqualina s cousin lived there for a while. On Tillio Avanzino s birth certificate from Nov.