Dennis tells his family’s story

I’m 50% Italian and 50% mongrel. My father’s family came from southern Italy, near Naples. My grandfather came to the U.S. before 1910 and worked in Pennsylvania. He went back to his hometown of San Marco di Cavoli to find a wife. It was an arranged marriage; his bride was 19. They married in October 1909. Both were from families with seven children.

They arrived in New York on New Year’s Eve of 1910. My grandmother’s brother’s family, the Riccis, lived here in Voorheesville, so they came here to be with them. Their family name was originally Iuliano.

Although he was born in the U.S., my father didn’t speak English until he was six. Consequently, I never learned Italian. My father said “My son will be an American!”

I have three documents: their Italian marriage certificate, one passport (my grandmother came on her husband’s passport) and a large framed photograph of my Grandfather, Nicola, in the military, with two other soldiers. I don't even actually know which one he is in the picture.