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Message
Italian Immigration to Louisiana
Posted on 3/17/24 at 11:08 am
Posted on 3/17/24 at 11:08 am
When people talk about the historical national influences of Louisiana, most people think of the French and Spanish, which of course, were the dominant European influences on Louisiana. There were also the Irish and Germans who immigrated here and left their mark on our state. My grandfather’s family were descendants of Irish immigrants to New Orleans.
I just find it amazing that not many people talk about the Italian influence on this state, particularly New Orleans. Especially since, according to this article I linked, in a 50 year span, 300,000 Italians (primarily Sicilians) immigrated to the New Orleans area. I read an article once years ago, I wish I could find it now, but it said in the 19th century, New Orleans had more Italian immigrants than New York City.
I’m not Italian, but have always appreciated their culture. They, like the Irish, were treated badly when they came to America. They deserve recognition for their accomplishments and what they brought to Louisiana.
LINK
I just find it amazing that not many people talk about the Italian influence on this state, particularly New Orleans. Especially since, according to this article I linked, in a 50 year span, 300,000 Italians (primarily Sicilians) immigrated to the New Orleans area. I read an article once years ago, I wish I could find it now, but it said in the 19th century, New Orleans had more Italian immigrants than New York City.
I’m not Italian, but have always appreciated their culture. They, like the Irish, were treated badly when they came to America. They deserve recognition for their accomplishments and what they brought to Louisiana.
LINK
Posted on 3/17/24 at 11:10 am to SaintlyTiger88
quote:
300,000 Italians (primarily Sicilians)
My dad would have legit fought you for calling Sicilians, Italians
Posted on 3/17/24 at 11:12 am to SlowFlowPro
quote:
My dad would have legit fought you for calling Sicilians, Italians
Hey, I was just quoting the article LOL!!
Posted on 3/17/24 at 11:14 am to SaintlyTiger88
Fun fact: the largest lynching of a group was perpetrated against Italians in New Orleans.
Posted on 3/17/24 at 11:15 am to SaintlyTiger88
Houma has/had a pretty large Italian influence as well.
Posted on 3/17/24 at 11:17 am to 3deadtrolls
quote:
Houma has/had a pretty large Italian influence as well.
So does Tangipahoa Parish. Independence has the Italian Cultural Museum.
Posted on 3/17/24 at 11:26 am to SaintlyTiger88
New Orleans had the 2nd largest Irish immigration behind New York.
Posted on 3/17/24 at 11:30 am to SaintlyTiger88
Yep, second only to New York
Posted on 3/17/24 at 11:33 am to SaintlyTiger88
quote:
Sicilians
1/2 moors
Posted on 3/17/24 at 11:36 am to GeauxLSUGeaux
Many Italians and def Irish were treated pretty bad when they first came to this area
Posted on 3/17/24 at 11:38 am to brewhan davey
quote:
So does Tangipahoa Parish. Independence has the Italian Cultural Museum.
Hammond to Independence is where most settled. Until the late 60’s Italians or Sicilians which what settled here, they were not allowed in Ponchatoula
Posted on 3/17/24 at 11:52 am to SaintlyTiger88
quote:
I just find it amazing that not many people talk about the Italian influence on this state, particularly New Orleans
We hear about it all the time
Posted on 3/17/24 at 11:53 am to SaintlyTiger88
quote:I have to explain this to people all the time. The only really mainstream reference I've ever seen was on an episode of Finding Your Roots where Tony Danza was a guest. He lived his whole life as a proud NYC Italian (it was his brand, really) and was pretty stunned to find out his ancestors had started in New Orleans.
Italian Immigration to Louisiana
A lot of the Sicilians that came, never got to see Ellis Island. I believe there are significant pockets in Jacksonville and Mobile as well, with NOLA getting the lion's share.
Posted on 3/17/24 at 11:56 am to notiger1997
quote:
Many Italians and def Irish were treated pretty bad when they first came to this area
My mother-in-law - RIP - was Italian. She said when she was a young adult that would have been in the early 50's, Italians were not allowed in the Baton Rouge Country Club.
I know Country Clubs were and still to some extent are exclusive by nature, but this surprised me. I guess it should not have.
Posted on 3/17/24 at 12:01 pm to SaintlyTiger88
My great grandparents immigrated from Corleone, Sicily in the early 1900s and settled in the Irish Channel in New Orleans.
Posted on 3/17/24 at 12:02 pm to Tiger Ugly
My family came to America through New Orleans.
This is true.
quote:
Italians were not allowed in the Baton Rouge Country Club
This is true.
Posted on 3/17/24 at 12:07 pm to SaintlyTiger88
my maternal great grandparents emigrated from Sicily at the turn of the century. They came in at Ellis Island and settled in and around White Castle and Baton Rouge.
their parents were from martirano in Calabria. Upon entering the United States they anglicized their surname to “martrain”. My grandfather was born here and he and his brothers ran several businesses in Baton Rouge including service grocery on east blvd, martrain marine on airline and a construction company in denham
Both my mother and her sister married anglos which was not exactly common procedure in the early 60s, but all turned out well
Growing up we had dinner together every Sunday at my grandparents house…fried chicken, Sunday gravy, olive salad and spinach
their parents were from martirano in Calabria. Upon entering the United States they anglicized their surname to “martrain”. My grandfather was born here and he and his brothers ran several businesses in Baton Rouge including service grocery on east blvd, martrain marine on airline and a construction company in denham
Both my mother and her sister married anglos which was not exactly common procedure in the early 60s, but all turned out well
Growing up we had dinner together every Sunday at my grandparents house…fried chicken, Sunday gravy, olive salad and spinach
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