Wooden pestle c1950

Description:
Photograph of wooden pestle used by Elvira Avanzino (b. circa 1913) to grind basil when making pesto.

Date of Document:
circa 1950

Document Author:
Unknown

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

Context:
Elvira Avanzino's father, Carlo Giuseppe Avanzino (1869-1945), was born in Torriglia, Italy. Her mother, 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. 23, 1915 Carlo listed his occupation as Scavenger.  Carlo s application for an annuity from the Sacramento Northern Railway indicates that he worked for the railroad from April 20, 1922 to August 31, 1940. Ron's aunt Elvira told Ron before she died that Carlo s last job was that of a gardener at UC Berk