Today marks the one hundred and eighth year since our family arrived in America. On October 26, 1912, my great-grandfather, Saverio Magro arrived at Ellis Island, New York from Palermo, Sicily.
Saverio, like many from his time fled Sicily and Southern Italy seeking a better life and relief from the oppressive political regime that left the region in social and economic turmoil (this was the era in the south, in which the mafia was born and flourished in response to government corruption and social injustice).
When Saverio landed at Ellis Island, he was 23 years old, didn’t have much money, and couldn’t speak a word of English, let alone read or write it. He clearly had a plan though.
He worked hard, moved his family to the United States and successfully launched his own business, which is still owned, and operated by his descendants today. Twenty-eight years after his arrival in America, Saverio became a naturalized citizen of the United States.
Our family is now five generations deep into the great American experiment and we span the entire continent, from sea to shining sea. It’s hard to say whether we American Magros are better off in the New World. But what can be said is that the New World is better off because of the Magros!
October is Italian/Sicilian-American Heritage month – Celebrate your roots!