Italians of Fort William's East End, 1907-1969

"For Italian immigrants to willingly settle in an isolated northwestern Ontario city like Fort William took courage and resourcefulness. Here, the winters were long and at times severe, and their neighbourhood lacked the amenities of other city districts. Small wonder that so many endured long separations from their familiies with the hope that eventually they would return to Italy. Once the decision was made to make Fort William's East End home, they demonstrated a remarkable capacity for collective action to offset economic and social insecurities. Their stories draw admiration from a later generation who must credit them with raising families and creating institutions which have become so important to the lives of others. For Italian immigrants, the East End is remembered with nostalgia rather than longing as a place where they began their new life in Canada or where they spent a happy childhood."--Back cover.

"This is the first study to be published on a major ethnic group in Fort William's East End during the period 1907-1969 based on archival collections available in Thunder Bay and on the internet. Italian immigrants settled in the part of the East End commonly referred to as the "Coal Docks". Roy Piovesana describes the development of the Coal Docks from its origins as the location of the Northwest Company's fur trade post, constructed in 1803, to the period of its rapid settlement by various immigrant groups during the first two decades of the twentieth century and writes in vivid detail of the harsh conditions of life in that district. In addition, he explores several questions relating to the experiences of Italian immigrants in the neighbourhood. What changes took place in their personal lives as they moved from being sojourners to immigrants? How did they act collectively to achieve economic and social stability? Why was St. Dominic's Parish an integral part of their lives? What leadership role did Pietro Belluz, Emilio Marino, and Frank Charry play in the affairs of the Italian community? What settlement patterns emerged for Italian immigrants in the Coal Docks and in the area west of the CPR tracks? And finally, to what extent did the elementary school population reflect the demographics of the district? These are some of the themes developed in the Italians of Fort William's East End."--Www.iislu.com/article/publications-127.asp.