Entry 7: A Wife and Mother with Nine Children - Na Muggheri e na Mamma cu Novi Figghi

Location: Calabria, Italy

Date: 1874 to 1914

Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there was a little Calabrese girl named Angela …

Actually, this story isn’t about childish daydreaming, flying unicorns or fairy tales ending with “... they lived happily ever after.” So I’ll start again:

Angela Galea was born in Siderno, Calabria in 1874 during an era where childhood years were short-lived and within a family culture where her life was predetermined at birth - the moment it was announced she was a girl. Her future path pointed in one direction, straight towards marriage, domestic duties and babies. Angela grew up at an accelerated pace, experiencing limited years of carefree play. From a young age, she developed a very serious approach to life that was guided by a strong, Catholic faith.

... and then, one day, as had been expected, Angela’s future with adult responsibilities suddenly arrived.

Angela was a teenager when she married Peppe Trimboli (u Mulinaru) and she was still a teenager when she gave birth to their first surviving child – Girolama (Gioma), in 1891. For the next twenty-three years she balanced home duties, farming chores and caring for her husband and children, all while in various stages of pregnancy. This young woman was petite and short in height, but she was a 150 cm powerhouse of energy, slowing down only when forced to by either childbirth or recurring miscarriages. The years spanning 1899, 1900 and 1901 were particularly difficult with three babies born in three consecutive years. It’s awe-inspiring how this resilient, superwoman endured day-to-day challenges in a home without the luxuries of electricity and plumbing, during an era where baby conveniences like disposable nappies weren’t yet invented. Her roles of full-time wife and mother were not easy.

On New Year’s Day 1914, Angela gave birth to her ninth and final baby – a boy named Domenico (Micu). She was thirty-nine years old. Her family of five daughters and four sons was now complete according to ‘a volonta di Diu’ – the will of God.

The childbearing years were a significant period of Angela’s life, worthy to be given singular recognition and acknowledgement. Taking more than two decades to achieve, the Trimboli dynasty was formed, consisting of the family members pictured below.