Entry 4: A Farmer Marries an Only Child - U Cuntadinu Spuso na Figghia Unica
- Basilia Staltari
- Jan 5
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 30
Location: Siderno, Calabria
Date: 1800's
To say I am very excited, and hugely overwhelmed to discover photographs of Genny’s maternal nonna and nonno would be an understatement. Who owned a camera in poverty stricken Siderno during this era? More puzzling, what inspired her grandparents to divert a portion of the little money they had, towards paying for professional, studio photographs? Their daily life was permanently focused on survival - working hard to provide their family with the basic needs of food, clothing, housing, and fresh water. Money wasn't spent thoughtlessly on non-essential items, suggesting there must have been a significant reason for these photographs.
The intrigue sparked by these rare images has diverted me from my original plan. Rather than focusing on Genny’s life in Australia after her marriage to Martino Casella (which will be postponed), I will now venture further into the past to discover my Italian heritage and the cultural legacies of my ancestors.
A captivating journey, to unexplored destinations, is about to begin.
Genny’s nonno, Giuseppe Trimboli, was born in Siderno, Calabria on 24 December, 1860. Sons were highly valued, so by arriving a day before Christmas, he was the perfect gift for his father, Vincenzo.
Thirteen years later, on 23 February, 1874 Genny’s nonna, Angela Galea, was also born in Siderno, Calabria. She was a ‘figghia unica’. She too was highly cherished simply because she was an only child.
During this era, Calabrese gender roles were uncomplicated. As a male, Giuseppe grew up on the land, becoming a miller and all-round farmer who cultivated the ‘terra’ with grains, vegetables and fruit, while also tending to a variety of animals such as a donkey, ox, sheep, pigs, goats, cows and chickens. Meanwhile, with Angela being female, domestic duty ambitions were nurtured during her upbringing, aiming to fulfil the ideal aspiration of becoming a devoted wife and capable mother.
Around 1889, Giuseppe and Vincenzo visited the Galea home to discuss the possibility of a marriage. Giuseppe was deeply disappointed when Angela’s parents initially rejected his proposal. However, he didn’t give up. It’s easy to image Giuseppe occasionally popping in to Angela’s home to deliver a small gift for her family: a bottle of red wine made from his grapes, half a dozen eggs freshly laid by his hens, or a bag full of olives picked from his trees. There was no better way than through food, for a potential husband to prove he was a good provider, capable of taking care of their ‘figghia unica’. And perhaps, Angela too played a role in convincing her parents to reconsider their decision because eventually they granted Giuseppe permission to marry their daughter.
However, with one obstacle out of the way, the couple was about to encounter a second issue. When the Trimboli and Galea families approached the local priest to organise the marriage ceremony, he refused to consider the idea. His concern was Angela's age - being only 15 years old, she was merely a child and much too young to get married. Without his blessing, they had no choice but to wait a little longer.
Giuseppe and Angela were destined to be together. Their desire to marry remained strong, their union continued to be supported by their parents and eventually their second complication was overcome when the priest finally agreed to marry them.
In October 1891, at the age of seventeen, Angela gave birth to her first baby. During her long, long lifetime with Giuseppe they created quite a substantial branch to the Trimboli family tree with nine children surviving into adulthood.
Genny’s mother, Concetta was their eighth child born on 15 May 1911.
EXTRA INFORMATION 1
A TRULY SPECIAL PHOTO PORTRAYING THREE GENERATIONS
From the onset of World War Two, Angela and Giuseppe's youngest son, Domenico (Micu) was a soldier in the Italian army . The photo of his young wife, son and parents was posted to him during the time he was away from home on active duty.
STANDING: Angela aged 65 years with husband Giuseppe aged 79 years
SEATED: Micu's wife - Marietta (Birth name - Filomena Fragomeni).
CHILD: Micu and Marietta's firstborn, named Giuseppe
STUDIO PHOTO DATED LATE 1939 (Photographer unknown)
EXTRA INFORMATION 2
A new development in the marriage of Angela Galea and Peppe Trimboli has emerged, resulting in a slight change to the story written in this post. This has led to the unexpected and exciting discovery of new, historical information. To learn more about this twist, click on the link below:
Comments