The great arrival of Italian immigrants in America was between 1900 and 1910. My grandmother was born in Benevento, Italy and lived there till the age of 29. She lived with her mother, father, brother and sister on a small farm where she would work for her family in the fields. Agricultural workers had few rights and unemployment ran high. Her family was poor and she had little opportunities in Italy. Her older sister met an American man who she soon married and together they left to live in America. My grandmother shortly did the same and got married to an American man who was visiting Italy. My grandfather is also 100% Italian and can speak it fluently. America was the key to a better life similar to many of the individuals in the “roots”
