These kitchen tools, the soup ladle, egg beater, ravioli maker, masher, cork screw and nut cracker belong to my great great grandmother. Her and her sister immigrated here in 1920 at the age of 10 along with her parents from Lombardy Italy. Her parents were told, “the streets were paved in gold” in America. Their dream was to open a restaurant in the United States. In 1920 when they came over to Ellis Island they took a train across the United States to Oakdale California. In Oakdale they used these tools to help cook for farm workers. They made raviolis, which is a popular Italian dish. After years of farming and developing amazing cooking skills that they learned in their home country , the local families here in America began to hire my great great grandmother to cook for them at the young age of 14. Eventually she and her family opened a cafe in Oakdale California named Park Cafe. The tools in the pictures were used daily. These tools are now in my great grandmother's home where they sit in a basket by the window as a reminder of the hard work and love that is passed down from generation to generation. 

– Kiera Davis

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