About
Known as the Scalabrinian Fathers, they established an organization, the Società San Raffaele per gli Italiani Immigranti in 1890, modeled after German and Irish societies by the same name already in existence in the United States. The main focus was to assist Italian immigrants upon their arrival in America, and if necessary to provide them with temporary shelter and subsistence in the New World as well as offer spiritual guidance. To do this, the Fathers purchased two townhouses at 8-10 Charlton Street in Manhattan which became Casa di San Raffaele. Many Italian immigrants stayed for a short period of time in the houses.
This database, derived from the archives of the Center for Migration Studies, provides information about those who stayed there from 1909 through 1912. During the early years, the Society helped the newly arrived, mostly men, to obtain housing and work. Later, as more women came – some widowed with children – attention was given to them getting properly married. Many of these women married men from their home town with whom they shared the same traditions, language and values.
IGG volunteers are currently indexing these records. Records for arrivals from March through May, 1911 are currently available – please search any term (surname, vessel, street name, etc.) in the box below:
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