In 1964, History professors A. R. Mortensen and Gregory Crampton conceived the University of Utah's American West Center (originally called the Western History Center) as an institution devoted exclusively to research on the American West. As a part of its mission to create and disseminate knowledge about the American West, the center established the ongoing Ethnic Oral Histories Project to explore the experiences of Utah members of Native American and ethnic immigrant communities, including Italian Americans.
Many Italians immigrated to Utah during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Although some came because they were Mormon converts, more were attracted to Utah as laborers for the state's railroad and mining industries in Salt Lake, Weber and Carbon Counties. Although varying degrees of strife existed between the Italian immigrants, other residents of Utah, the Ku Klux Klan, and even between immigrants from Northern and Southern Italy, Italian Americans developed active communities like the "Little Italy" near Salt Lake City's Rio Grande Station and established lodges and societies in mining towns like Bingham and Castle Gate. Miners joined labor unions and were active in several strikes in the early twentieth century. The interviews in this collection focus on these early days, but they also more loosely encompass the Italian American experience in Utah from the end of the nineteenth century to the mid-late twentieth century when these oral histories were compiled.
The Italian oral history project audio recordings (1970-1987) were recorded initially on reel-to-reel audiotape and later on audiocassettes. They consist of interviews with subjects who either immigrated directly from Italy or were born in the United States immediately after their parents arrived in this country. Each interview begins with a short biography of the subject and then expands to include various topics such as discrimination, early union organizational efforts, social events, etc. Other topics are covered in this register. Some of the interviews are in Italian.
The materials are arranged in loose chronological order and by format.
Audio-visual materials can be fragile and require specialized equipment to play back. For this reason, access to audio-visual materials is provided through digital copies, and it might take longer to provide access to items that are not yet digitized. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law, condition of the material, or by donor.
Transcripts of the Italian oral history project are available in the Manuscripts Division of Special Collections (Accn 1031).
Processed by Christopher Drew in 1988.
Interview with Joseph Merabelle, who immigrated to the United States from Italy in 1911 and was a founder of the Italian American Civic League. The interview was conducted in Salt Lake City, Utah.
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Interview with Frank Notarianni, who immigrated to the United States from Italy in 1914. He discusses learning English, gaining citizenship, working for the Union Pacific Railroad, and the culture he found in Utah. The interview was conducted by Phil Notarianni in Salt Lake City, Utah.
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This reel-to-reel audiotape contains a copy of an interview in Italian with Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Cannariato, formerly of Price, Utah. The interview was conducted by Joseph J. Cannariato in Fair Oaks, California.
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Interview with Angelo Calfo, who talks about mining conditions in Carbon County and more personal aspects of his own life including living in a boxcar, starting a hotel and getting married. The interview was conducted by Phil Notarianni in Salt Lake City, Utah.
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Interview in Italian with Giovanni Canepari. The interview was conducted by Renzo Canepari and Phil Notarianni in Salt Lake City, Utah.
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Interview with Dan Percerelli, who worked for the Union Pacific Railroad, lost his brother in World War I and spent six months in the Italian army after having spent time in the United States. The interview was conducted by Phil Notarianni in Magna, Utah.
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Interview with Al Veltri, who speaks on Ku Klux Klan activities in Helper, Utah. He also talks about integration, experiences in religion, education, Italian superstitions and home remedies, and the Carbon County mine strike. The interview was conducted by Kent Powell and Phil Notarianni in Helper, Utah.
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Interview with Stanley V. Litizzette, who speaks about working in the mines, the strike of 1903, the animosity between Northern and Southern Italians and discrimination towards Italians. The interview was conducted by Kent Powell and Phil Notarianni in Helper, Utah.
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Interview in Italian and some English with Luigi Nicoletti, who briefly describes the village where he was born and the family business ("Ranching"). The interview was conducted by Mrs. Mary Peterson (Nicoletti's daughter) and Phil Notarianni in Midvale, Utah.
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Interview with Catherine Fratto, who discusses midwifery, which was used quite often during the era when she was born. She also tells much about superstitions and home remedies. The interview was conducted by Phil Notarianni in Hunter, Utah.
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Interview with Mr. and Mrs. Jim Chiodo. Chiodo worked for the Denver and Rio Grande (D.&R.G.) Railroad. The couple witnessed the strike of 1923. The interview was conducted by Phil Notarianni in Salt Lake City, Utah.
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Interview with Rocco Razzeca and his son, Paul Razzeca. Rocco worked as the rigger foreman for Kenneott Copper. Most of this interview is based upon the recollection of Rocco's son, Paul. He tells of his father's marriage, United States citizenship, and the treatment of Italians in Tooele. The interview is conducted by Phil Notarianni in Magna, Utah.
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Interview with Charles Barber, a retired Salt Lake City employee born in 1895 in Pedivigliano, Italy. He discusses the treatment of Italians in Garfield, differences between Greeks and Italians, unions, strikes, railroad work, World War I, and social organizations. The interview was conducted by Phil Notarianni in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Interview with Fr. Frank Pellgrino, who was very knowledgeable about religion and superstition among early Italian immigrants. He also speaks about liquor activities during the Prohibition period and talks about the 1923 strike in Carbon County and the explosion that killed 179 men. The interview was conducted by Phil Notarianni in Salt Lake City, Utah.
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Interview with Joe Merabelle. The interview revolves completely around early Italian lodges and societies in Utah. The interview was conducted by Phil Notarianni in Salt Lake City, Utah.
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Interview with Dr. Joe Dalplaz, who discusses the Castle Gate coal strike of 1903, the brutality of the company guards, and the Black Hand (Mafia) activity in the area. The interview was conducted by Phil Notarianni in Helper, Utah.
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Conclusion of an interview with Dr. Joe Dalplaz, who discusses the Castle Gate coal strike of 1903, the brutality of the company guards, and the Black Hand (Mafia) activity in the area. The interview was conducted by Phil Notarianni in Helper, Utah.
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Interview with Sam Siciliano. The bulk of this interview centers around Siciliano's father, who immigrated to the United States from Italy in 1889. The interview was conducted by Phil Notarianni in Salt Lake City, utah.
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Interview with Marion Bonacci Lupo, who speaks about her father, Frank Bonacci, and his work with labor unions and the Utah House of Representatives. Bonacci was a labor leader in Carbon County, and he served as a representative for 12 years, and was the first Italian born citizen to be elected to this position. This interview also reveals more about the brutality against union workers, along with the competition that existed between unions at that time. The interview was conducted by Helen Papnikolas.
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Interview with Antonio Guadagnoli, who immigrated in 1910 from Grimardi, Italy. He discusses miners' unions, Sunnyside, and the strike of 1922. The interview was conducted by Phil Notarianni in Price, Utah.
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Conclusion of an interview with Antonio Guadagnoli, who immigrated in 1910 from Grimardi, Italy. He discusses miners' unions, Sunnyside, and the strike of 1922. The interview was conducted by Phil Notarianni in Price, Utah.
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Interview with Joseph Cannariato, who speaks about the strikes in 1913 and 1922 and a lynching in 1925, as well as the Black Hand, the Works Progress Administration (WPA), and Italian beliefs and superstitions. The interview was conducted by Phil Notarianni in Price, Utah.
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Interview with John Bernardo, who provides information on "Little Italy," his days while working, and union progress and strength. The interview was conducted by Phil Notarianni in Magna, Utah.
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This reel-to-reel audiotape is an off-air recording of the CBS News Special, "Essay on the Mafia", which explores subjects including: Italian writer Luigi Barzini, Italian rally participants, the film
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Interview with Harold Nielsen, who was a teacher in Bingham, UT. He gives his views and recollections of the various ethnic groups in Bingham. The interview was conducted by Vince Mayer and Phil Notarianni in Sandy, Utah.
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Interview with Mike and Joe Lewis, who discuss prejudices that existed against Italians early during the 20th century. The interview was conducted by Phil Notarianni in Magna, Utah.
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Conclusion of an interview with Mike and Joe Lewis, who discuss prejudices that existed against Italians early during the 20th century. The interview was conducted by Phil Notarianni in Magna, Utah.
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Interview with Margaret B. Bertolina, who speaks at length about her family's store in Helper, Utah. The interview was conducted by Phil Notarianni in Salt Lake City, Utah.
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Interview with Louis Falvo, who tells briefly of life in Italy, his immigration to the United States and how he got started in business. The interview was conducted by Phil Notarianni in Magna, Utah.
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Interview with Joseph Tome, who discusses his early years in Italy, his family's move to the United States in 1913, Ellis Island, and the ship to the United States. Tome recalls his first jobs, playing in an orchestra, working in Nevada, having currency in gold, and his military service. He talks about Lodge No. 68, single men, lodge activities, and his blacksmith work. He also discusses various ethnic populations in Bingham, Utah, Prohibition, the Ku Klux Klan, the Lopez incident, the Depression, and World War II. The interview was conducted by Phil Notarianni in Sandy, Utah.
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Conclusion of an interview with Joseph Tome, who discusses his early years in Italy, his family's move to the United States in 1913, Ellis Island, and the ship to the United States. Tome recalls his first jobs, playing in an orchestra, working in Nevada, having currency in gold, and his military service. He talks about Lodge No. 68, single men, lodge activities, and his blacksmith work. He also discusses various ethnic populations in Bingham, Utah, Prohibition, the Ku Klux Klan, the Lopez incident, the Depression, and World War II. The interview was conducted by Phil Notarianni in Sandy, Utah.
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Interview with Rose and Charlie Leonelli, who discuss ethnic communities in Tooele, along with union activities, the Depression, and Italian Prisoners of War. The interview was conducted by Phil Notarianni in Tooele, Utah.
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Interview with Antonio Guadagnoli, who speaks about the Sunnyside Italian Band. The interview was conducted by Phil Notarianni in Price, Utah.
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Intervew with Vincent Massari, who talks about family life in Italy and his father's labor union strikes, including The United Mine Workers Strikes of 1898 and 1914. The interview was conducted by Phil Notarianni and Joe Stipanovich in Pueblo, Colorado.
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Interview with Mary Juliano, who discusses Italian American experiences in Utah.
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Interview with Mary Juliano, who discusses Italian American experiences in Utah.
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Interview with Philip Notarianni, Jr., who discusses Italian American experiences in Utah.
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Material about Italians living and working in the town of Helper, Utah. Phil Notarianni is currently (as of June 2008) the Director of the Utah State Historical Society.
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Interview with Vito Bonaci, who discusses Italian American experiences in Utah.
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One side of this audiocassette contains the conclusion of an interview with Vito Bonaci, who discusses Italian American experiences in Utah. The other side contains an interview with Filomena (Fazzio) Bonaci.
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Interview with Joseph S. Bonaci, who discusses Italian American experiences in Utah.
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Interview with Mary (Angotti) Palomi and John Angotti, who discuss Italian American experiences in Utah.
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Conclusion of an interview with Mary (Angotti) Paloni and John Angotti, who discuss Italian American experiences in Utah.
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Interview with the Oliveto Sisters: Helen O. Smith, Rose O. Craven, Jennie O. Felice and Angelina O. King, who discuss Italian American experiences in Utah.
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Conclusion of an interview with the Oliveto Sisters: Helen O. Smith, Rose O. Craven, Jennie O. Felice and Angelina O. King, who discuss Italian American experiences in Utah.
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