Location: Sicily, Italy
Date: Circa late 1939
While the current focus has been (and will continue to be) on the lives of Peppe Trimboli and Angela Galea in Calabria, it’s time to draw awareness to another family on the nearby island of Sicily who were also battling their own challenges. These two families are unrelated, unconnected and completely unaware of each other’s existence. In the distant future, in a different country, a link will be established through marriage, but this won't happen for another twenty-three years. Interestingly, in 1939, the future bride wasn't even born yet.
The photograph below provides an ideal way to introduce Giuseppe Casella, his wife Basilia Pintabona and their eight children. Particular attention needs to be given to its importance, as there are no other photographs showing the entire family assembled in one place at the same time. Therefore, the purpose of this post is to feature this singular image and the heart-warming, initial glimpse it provides of the Casella family.
Considerable effort went into organising the outdoor shot - from setting up the tapestries to hang as a backdrop, to ensuring all the children were dressed in their best clothing, complete with shoes, socks and tights. Which makes it even more endearing, that no one thought to clean the dirt off the little toddler’s cheeks!
From left to right, with ages:
Martino – 6
Rosaria (Sarina) – 15
Annita – 12
Salvatore (Sam) – 3
Basilia (Mother) – 42
Giuseppe (Father) – 45
Giuseppe – 1
Francesca (Ciccina) – 19
Costantino (Con) – 18
Rita – 9
Although the Casella family are currently in the background, they will eventually be a significant and central part of the whole story. In the meantime, the small six year old boy on the far left, named Martino Casella, is the same individual who, as an adult, invites a bridesmaid to dance at a wedding (See Entry 1).
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