Italian stonecutters

[Kayak 712]

Many Italian stonecutters immigrated to our area (Stonington, Maine, USA)in the early 1900's. From the birth records of their children, I know where many of them were born. I would like to know if they might have had connections with each other before leaving Italy - also if they might have come from neighboring towns, presumably near quarries. How should I begin?

[Tessa78]

Many Italian stonecutters immigrated to our area (Stonington, Maine, USA)in the early 1900's. From the birth records of their children, I know where many of them were born. I would like to know if they might have had connections with each other before leaving Italy - also if they might have come from neighboring towns, presumably near quarries. How should I begin?

It is my understanding that quarries would "recruit" stonecutters from towns near quarries in Italy that were known for their artisans. So, you are correct in suggesting that they came from neighboring towns.

You might want to check out the Maine Granite Industry Historical Society Museum

Maine Granite Industry Historical Society Museum, which is non-profit, is housed in the Haynes Toro Shop building at 62 Beech Hill Crossroad, Mount Desert ME 04660. You can email them with questions relating to the Maine stone quarries. (You might want to visit the Maine Granite Industry Historical Society Museum web site

Lots of good resources/links at this site
http://quarriesandbeyond.org/states/me/ ... ml#carvers

And this site "Stoncutters Online"
http://www.stonecuttersonline.org/
T.

[pbperazzo]

You will find many interviews of stone cutters and quarriers and their relatives who came from outside of the U.S. from many countries such as Italy and Scotland and U.S. states by searching the "WPA Life Histories from Vermont" section of American Memory, Library of Congress, at the link below.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/wpaintro/vtcat.html

Here in California we had a lot of the Italian stone workers immigrate to here – many via San Francisco. Several Italians worked the quarries in the Gold Rush area of California - especially in Amador County. One man that comes to mind is Giacomo Cuneo, who worked in Amador County and died in San Francisco. (The following obituary is from the "Fresno Bee," Monday, June 20, 1927, page 2, column 4.)

California Pioneer, Marble Miner, Is Dead

"San Francisco, June 20...Giacomo Cuneo, 85, member of a prominent local family, and for nearly seventy years a resident of California, died here yesterday at the home of a nephew.

"Coming to California from Italy in 1860, Cuneo became extensively connected with many mining enterprises in Amador County, operating a marble quarry there for some time. Five nieces and four nephews survive him."

Peggy B. Perazzo
Stone Quarries and Beyond
http://quarriesandbeyond.org/