Shortly after getting married in Salice, Calabria, Italy, in 1927, my great-grandfather Frank Joseph Foti and my great-grandmother Giovanna Graza Foti immigrated from Italy to Elizabeth, New Jersey. Although formal schooling was not permitted after the third grade, Giovanna was taken to Reggio in her teens and taught tailoring and sewing there. She developed a strong talent for sewing. She hand-made every member of the family's clothing, even the clothes for her grandchildren. She even created the bridal gown for my grandmother. In her village, women would gather around oil lamps at night to work on needlework, and some had Mulberry Trees where they could gather silk. The process of weaving began after the silk had been cleaned, spun, and colored. Back then, it was customary for women to create their own trousseau, which contained items like towels and bedspreads. Giovanna made a decorative needle-threaded case during her immigration voyage by wrapping thread around a piece of bamboo. She engraved the date 1928, the initials G Foti, and the presumed initials of her unborn child on the other side. She always cherished her beautiful case since it was special to her. However, she didn't use this case on a daily basis because it didn't protect her needle as well as her Brass case did. Giovanna has been linked to later generations through the art of sewing. Giovanna taught sewing to her daughters and grandkids. My aunt received the needle case when Giovanna taught her how to sew.

– Jayden

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more