Giovanni sailed from Napoli (Naples) 24 March 1906 on the S. S. Lazio. He arrived at the port of New York 9 April 1906. The ship registry listed him age 29. This would have made his birthyear 1873. He must have left for America just after the Simplon Tunnel, that he worked on, was completed. Accordingly he stated he was destined for his brother, Antonio 208 (W) Elizabeth Street. He was traveling my himself and paid for his passage by himself with only $12 in his possession. There were 82 immigrants on board the ship with him, several from Italy south. This information was obtained by the National Archives and Records Administration, Washington DC. Microfilm T715, roll 689, page 82, line 2, S.S. Lazio arriving at port New York 9 April 1906. I now know that the Antonio he listed as brother was his first cousin, Antonio Triolo. Antonio was killed in a coal mine accident in Kimball, WV. Concetta Zucco b.ca 1880 d. Nov.1941 Concetta would recall that while living in Reggio De Calabria, she could hear a rooster crow on the Island of Sicily. She hoped to never see another world war. She died in November before the war broke out on December 7, 1941. Immigration is the act of coming to a foreign country to live. Throughout history, people have moved from country to country for many reasons. They may seek better jobs, new land, or escape from political or religious persecution. The act of leaving one's own country to settle in another is called emigration.
So it was the Italians came mainly between 1880's to the 1920's, about 4 1/2 million made the crossing. Escaping poverty and over population, they came to the land of opportunity, America. The United States is sometimes called the Nation of Immigrants because it has received more immigrants than any other country in history.
These groups who arrived during the late 1800's and early 1900's were called the new immigration. As opposed to the earlier settlers who are called the old immigration. Ellis Island chief U. S. reception center for immigrants. Today the island is part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument. They left their home land for America, a fast growing country with a world of opportunity. Imagine what it was like to leave your home, family and country. It must have taken great courage for Giovanni Lagana and the millions of others. They probably headed for Naples, home of Italy's largest seaports, having very little money and only a change of clothes in their luggage. After passage was secure on the ship to America, they would agree to work on board doing odd jobs to help pay their way. The steerage section was the part of a ship occupied by passengers traveling for the cheapest fare. Most of the time it was top side, on deck, anywhere they could find a space.
Arriving at Ellis Island in New York, the trip took twenty-eight days and nights. Speaking little or no English it must have been a struggle in this new country. Being unskilled, Italian and other immigrants had to take work where ever they could. Mostly back breaking, hazardous jobs, with small wages. Work on the railroad, in coal mines, or steel mills all were demanding physical jobs.
This is a personal account of the Larkin family. Giovanni Lagana and wife Concetta Zucco were just two in the over 4 1/2 million Italian immigrants, who made the crossings. For the future generations of Larkins they are a very important two. We can be proud of them for what they have achieved. Immigrants have helped make the United States the huge, powerful, and wealthy nation it is today. We hope our ancestors can also be proud of us and all the generations that are to come. The American Dream has become a reality.
The following history is a first hand account of what can be remembered about Giovanni and Concetta by their son Joe.
Before my father came to America, he told the story of working on the railroad tunnel that was built between Switzerland and Italy through the Alps. When completed it stretched 12.3 miles long. Giovanni was out of a job and came to find work on the tunnel. The foreman said he didn't have any openings so Giovanni left. He kept coming and asking for the job only to be refused. One day in desperation he took off his jacket and started to work anyway. When the foreman approached him to see what he was doing here working. Giovanni replied I have to find work. The foreman told him if he needed a job that bad he had a job. When work on the tunnel was finished Giovanni was awarded a medal for his work.
The Simplon Tunnel, the longest Alpine railroad tunnel, opened in 1906. SIHM plahn, are inportant gateways through the Swiss Alps. Napoleon built a military road over the pass in the early 1800's. The present road leading to the pass begins at Brig in the Rhone Valley. It reaches an elevation of 6,592 ft., then descends into the Lake District of northern Italy. The Simplon Tunnel is one of the longest railroad tunnels in the world.
Giovanni came to this country ca 1906 to work in the coal mines. He came by himself and saved money until he could send for his wife Concetta and three children, Angeline, Philip, and Jim. Giovanni had two half brothers whom he brought to this country, Dominque and Jim.
Giovanna's son,Jim Lagana<>Larkin, had the Lagana name legally changed to Larkin so they could be more American. Mary Larkin, Jim's widow recalls he did this not long after they were married in 1931. So Giovanni Lagana became John Larkin. At that time life in the coal fields was quite harsh. It was hard work and so many times dangerous. The Italian community was segregated from the other groups, either by choice or not cannot be determined. They called the place were all the Italians lived Tally Hill or Tally Bottom.
After John Larkin had a good job and money, other Italian people would come and stay with them, until they also were established. Concetta Zucco ( Lagana) Larkin was the wife of John. In the coal fields, Their son, Joe can remember large outdoor ovens where his mother baked bread. You could smell the bread baking all over camp. American peddlers came selling their wares. The Italian community called them farmeola. They were farmers on horseback. They carried chickens with their heads sticking out and they brought butter. His mother would buy this butter for 10 cents a pound. She'd buy the hens and always inspect them to make sure that they also contained an egg.
They always had wine at their house, homemade grape wine. They always had wine for company, but he never remembers his father either drink or smoke in his lifetime. His mother he recalls would give him good advice. She didn't work outside the home, ruled the roost, and tried to raise her children as best as she could. This is some of the good advice that Joe can remember. Never follow a crowd. She would say if you make one dollar and spent one dollar and ten cents, you haven't accomplished anything. But if you make one dollar and save ninety cents you have accomplished something. Save money. Joe was working at a garage making one dollar a week. She would say when you save one hundred pennies, she would go to the Bank of Keystone and buy a silver dollar. This she did. Also a rolling stone gathers no moss. Meaning not to jump around at jobs
Mary Larkin Faulds recalls, that her father Charlie son of Giovanni Lagana>John Larkin, said the elder Larkin started out in Giato (over near Matoaka), but after a year Concetta was not happy so they moved to King (near Kimball). I understand that Giato was a very rough place at that time. He worked at Carswell and maybe others. Also that he was a tall man, maybe 6 foot and Concetta was only 5 foot tall. Giovanni had his back broken in the coal mines at Carswell and that caused him to walk humped over. Joe (son of Giovanni) recalls being told his father walked on his hands and feet for two years so he could make money to bring over his family. He was a sharp shooter and would kill wild turkeys with his Wincester rifle, for his families dinner table. Concetta always made enough meatballs, so that every one could sample one and still had plenty for dinner. Email Laura for more informationllarkin@hotmail.com The Larkin Family in Pictures The Larkin Genealogy in Pictures Back to Laura's Genealogy Verduchi Genealogy Calabria Online Italy, World Genweb Calabrian LINKS Home Page Varapodio Laura's Calabrian Links Go to John's Stock Page
