need help translating letter on back of photo

[GeneTree]

I have received several photos from Italy about my wife's maternal grandfather's, Vincenzo Falvo, family from Gizzeria, Catanzaro, Italy.

The face of this photo a family of six and the rear of the photo is a letter dated 1959. My wife's grandfather Vincenzo visited his home town in 1964 to see his sister and many cousins. He had a heart attack and died while he was visiting.

Vincenzo retired as a Tailor in Pittsburgh and came to live with my wife's family in 1961.

I would appreciate a transcription and translation of the letter to be used in my book I am writing for my wife titled, "My Wife's Italian Immigrant Ancestors"

[delfgill]

Hi GeneTree,

This is my first attempt at transcribing. There were a few phrases I wasn't sure about and have marked those in brackets. This particular note resonated with me because it is written in a form of dialect I speak, write, and grew up with. I'm confident the professionals on this forum will update the post with an accurate/formal transcription.

~~

Gizzeria 31 July 1959

Dearest sister-in-law, it is with great pleasure I received your letter and that you are all well. I can assure you all that we are all well. Dearest sister-in-law, imagine when I heard through the letter that my grandchildren received a college degree how happy it made me. I am sending you the grandest of wishes and happiness and [God will see that you are old and will also be happy for having helped them].

Many greetings to your family. We thank you very much for the money you sent in the envelope. Teresina and son send their best regards. My wife and my son send their best regards. My brother Vincenzo, my nephew, and his wife Colomba send their best regards. Vincenzino and Alfredo and their wives and children send their best regards. To my sister-in-law Rosina Capo(?), I send wishes to you from the bottom of my heart. Your brother-in-law, Alfredo.

~~

[PippoM]

Gizzeria 31 July 1959

Dearest sister-in-law, it is with great pleasure I received your letter and that you are all well. I can assure you all that we are all well. Dearest sister-in-law, imagine when I heard through the letter that my grandchildren received a university degree how happy it made me. I am sending you the grandest of wishes and happiness and God will help you, and now that you are old, they will help you, as you helped them .

Many greetings to your family. We thank you very much for the money you sent in the envelope. Teresina and children send their best regards. My wife and my son with his wife and daughter send their best regards. I send regards to my brother Vincenzo, my niece Colomba with husband and children. I send regards to Vincenzino and Alfredo and their wives and children. I send regards to my sister-in-law Rosina. In the end, I send wishes to you from the bottom of my heart. Your brother-in-law, Alfredo.

~~

Very well, delfgill, it was a very hard "Italian"!!

[GeneTree]

I want to thank you delfgill for your attempt at your first translation of the letter on back of the photo. Perhaps you will encourage others to try their hand at translation. It was interesting to note that you said "it is written in a form of dialect I speak, write, and grew up with." When I used Google Translate, it made suggestions about changing the spelling some of the Italian words I could make out. That probably reflects the difference in dialect. What you shared was very helpful.

Thank you PippoM for the final translation. It was exciting to be able to read in an understanding way what was written so long ago. The names are common to the families so it is hard to know exactly who the relations are spoken of. Names such as Teresina, Colomba, Vincenzino, and Alfredo are very common names to the family. My wife's maternal grandmother was the writer of letters to family in Gizzeria. I wish she was alive to tell me the relationships.

My wife really enjoyed reading the translation as her mother was named Colly (Colomba) and her uncles are Vincent (Vincenzo) and Alfred (Alfredo). We will share this picture and translation at the family reunion this July.

Thank you both for your help and time.