At noon of the same day we (?) a range of mountains a short distance inland from Genoa, something wonderful at night. We put up for the night at Piacenca (?) following morning at 8 AM started once more this time to the plains of the Piamonde, a pretty farming country.
7 PM we pulled into city of Mantova; struck our pup tents; had Mass at 8:30. Camped at Casino of Palazzo Del Te just outside of the city gates. A very fine position, under large trees. Am Sect. stayed until the 25th. Meanwhile a few carloads of freight arrived in at station for us. They consisted of 4 large casks. These contained 4 GMC chassis. These were put up and towed to camp. We also received a numerous amount of cases containing GMC parts and Dodge tires and tube, motorcycle tires and tubes. Some cases weighed up to 750 lbs.
On evening of the 24th I was told by VanWinkle that 5 of us were to report the following morning to the Serg. of MSIN 350 who accompanied us from Genoa, in that crowd was VanWinkle, Walsh Kark, Kearny and myself. I never saw the Serg. from that time on, the ?=!------?!------ (pardon this) but Capt. Tomlin the following morning told me that we would be sent up to the Sect. in about 4 or 5 days. This sounded somewhat good to me. If it was true but it was not. I never got there. In fact, none of us did. About the middle of Sept I was sent to Vicrmyn (?) to our dentist to get one of my teeth fixed, also a wonderful trip. There I met Capt. Tomlin, Frank Vistine, Plimpton and Wilkerson. It felt good to see them once more.
The early part of October I was detailed to officers villa as (?). On the 21st of Oct I was moved to the informary at the Dural Palace with Spanish Influenza, sick pretty bad for about 2 weeks. Got out of bed for the first time just to walk around on the 7th of Nov. On the 10th went out for the first time, walked about 3 1/4 miles and also went to church to assist at Mass. Afternoon 11th (really difficult for me to read but looks like) Bentley reverend Parade commemorate the supposed hour Germany was supposed to sign the Armistice. Quite a Parade.
Did you catch that your grandfather survived the Spanish Flu? This epidemic killed millions of people (up to 5% of the world's population) worldwide 1918-1919, targeting healthy young adults in particular. The first and best recorded case was in a Kansas military camp. The American military apparently carried it to Europe with them. Due to the war, countries involved in the war censored their health reports so it wasn't known worldwide until it hit Spain. Thus, Spanish Influenza.
There were 3 waves of the spread of this deadly flu. The first was wildly contagious, the second very deadly and the 3rd spread as people celebrated the end of the War with the Armistice. Your grandfather's journal seems to indicate he fell ill either at the end of the second wave or was part of the very beginning of the third wave. I believe his comment that he was "sick pretty bad" was likely a tremendous understatement. There are those that believe that people who survived this flu developed very strong resistance to similar illnesses. Regardless, your grandfather survived to return to his home and begin a family after having been an integral part of world history. How cool is that?
Monday, February 25, 2013
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Here are some random (or not so random) pictures from the photo album. I thought I'd take a little break from the journal this time. I got a new toy for myself--a portable, mobile scanner called a Flip Pal (oh, Bobbie you need to check these out for yourself!). It's a device that you can take to the picture you want scanned rather than bring the picture to the scanner. I think the quality is quite good and that you will enjoy the following.
This appears to be the same woman on the same day as above (or wearing the same outfit). It also appears to be the same man in both--I'm not sure this man is your grandfather James (but I'm not sure it isn't). Of course, he has a brother Joe as referred to here.
I am not sure who Funny Face is either but it's on the family side of the photo collection. There is another picture with a similar looking child referred to as a nephew. James' oldest sister Margaret/Innocencia has two boys in the late 1910s so so perhaps it's one of them. Of course, I am assuming these all to be Coffarellis prior to James' marriage. This could be a huge mistaken assumption.
This is the frontispiece of a small white Bible contained within the box of memorabilia. It nicely ties up the little remaining mystery of how James got referred to as Samuel in at least one census. He apparently received Holy Communion and was confirmed at the same ceremony. Now I understand the Samuel references!
I hope you are all safe and warm and enjoying Presidents Weekend. Happy belated Birthday to Amanda and Miles!
I do not recognize Steeplechase--perhaps it's a resort? Or a game at a resort?
James was the youngest so perhaps this is the youngest female sibling Lena/Louise. Any thoughts?
I hope you are all safe and warm and enjoying Presidents Weekend. Happy belated Birthday to Amanda and Miles!
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
A Trip We Thought That Would Never Finish
7AM June 23rd. The northwest coast of Africa was sighted. Passed thru straights 1 PM anchored in harbor of Gibraltar 3 hours. Docked to take a supply of coal at 5 PM. Was there to the following day.
June 24th After a good look at the rock of Gibraltar we set sail again. About 4 PM amid cheers and shouts of Bon Voyage, Give Them Hell, Best of Luck and the like from our (jackirs ?) we were on our way once more to Italy, a trip we thought that would never finish.
June 26th We saw nothing out of the ordinary up to today, but about 2 PM one of our convoys, the English Destroyer, sighted something about 2 miles on our left. She quickly left us in charge of our other convoy the little sturdy American. She was gone for about 1/2 hour and then back in her place again. In Genoa British jackirs claimed to have sunk a German sub. But we were ignorant of it all as it all happened too far from sight.
June 27th about 5 AM we reached the coast of Italy. 6 AM we were in the port of Genoa. 7 AM we were in our dock. The port looked very queer to us compared to what we had left just 2 weeks ago. We were not allowed off until sundown, with the exception of the boys that took charge of the officers baggage. Our section was placed on guard around the dock. Here we had all our cars and supplies strewed all over the docks, these being taken off the U.S.S. Plymouth. About 5:30 PM the boys started to come off our ship with full field equipment. Our boys lined up in parade formation, left the dock of Genoa for a parade through the city. This is undoubtedly the end of the story of our safe trip across the pond on the good ship U.S.S. Giuseppe Verdi as far as the rest of the boys were concerned. But it was still in our midst for we were to guard our own supplies. We had the privilege of using the showeres and baths while we were there.
566 Done the guarding until 5 PM Sunday June 30 when we were relieved by soe other section. Monday 566 had the distinction of being made the Provo Guards in Genow. I was put on the afternoon shift from 1:30 - 5--along with Dan Couston. Our post was along the main thoroughfare of the City.
Via XX September. It was a very nice post being cool and shady, it also was a good opportunity to see the sights of Genoa. This job lasted 3 weeks. Our Sect 566 left Genoa for the front as we thought on the 19th of July at 8 AM. I was assigned as an assistant to Dan Couston on an ambulance at noon of the same day.
There will be another similar installment from your grandfather's World War I journal. The anniversary of his early death is coming up Feb 20 and it's hard to think of him falling ill at such a young age when you see pictures like this:
It's a great gift to feel as though we can get to know him a little better through his journal, pictures and trinkets. How lucky you all are to have had someone document so well!
And one more treat from this album in light of Valentine's Day:
June 24th After a good look at the rock of Gibraltar we set sail again. About 4 PM amid cheers and shouts of Bon Voyage, Give Them Hell, Best of Luck and the like from our (jackirs ?) we were on our way once more to Italy, a trip we thought that would never finish.
June 26th We saw nothing out of the ordinary up to today, but about 2 PM one of our convoys, the English Destroyer, sighted something about 2 miles on our left. She quickly left us in charge of our other convoy the little sturdy American. She was gone for about 1/2 hour and then back in her place again. In Genoa British jackirs claimed to have sunk a German sub. But we were ignorant of it all as it all happened too far from sight.
June 27th about 5 AM we reached the coast of Italy. 6 AM we were in the port of Genoa. 7 AM we were in our dock. The port looked very queer to us compared to what we had left just 2 weeks ago. We were not allowed off until sundown, with the exception of the boys that took charge of the officers baggage. Our section was placed on guard around the dock. Here we had all our cars and supplies strewed all over the docks, these being taken off the U.S.S. Plymouth. About 5:30 PM the boys started to come off our ship with full field equipment. Our boys lined up in parade formation, left the dock of Genoa for a parade through the city. This is undoubtedly the end of the story of our safe trip across the pond on the good ship U.S.S. Giuseppe Verdi as far as the rest of the boys were concerned. But it was still in our midst for we were to guard our own supplies. We had the privilege of using the showeres and baths while we were there.
566 Done the guarding until 5 PM Sunday June 30 when we were relieved by soe other section. Monday 566 had the distinction of being made the Provo Guards in Genow. I was put on the afternoon shift from 1:30 - 5--along with Dan Couston. Our post was along the main thoroughfare of the City.
Via XX September. It was a very nice post being cool and shady, it also was a good opportunity to see the sights of Genoa. This job lasted 3 weeks. Our Sect 566 left Genoa for the front as we thought on the 19th of July at 8 AM. I was assigned as an assistant to Dan Couston on an ambulance at noon of the same day.
There will be another similar installment from your grandfather's World War I journal. The anniversary of his early death is coming up Feb 20 and it's hard to think of him falling ill at such a young age when you see pictures like this:
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Out of Sight of Everything
Transcription of your Grandfather James Coffarelli's war journal (accuracy NOT guaranteed!):
I enlisted in the U.S.A.A.S. at Fort Jay, Governors Isl. N.Y. on Apri 22nd 1918. Reported at said place on 23rd and got transportation and left on 12:30 Black Diamond for Allentown Pa. Arrived at 4 - rode to Headquarters of (Amb.) Camp Crane. Was placed in the Casual Det. Build 17.
Got uniform April 24th.
Went through one months drilling with the rookies, on May 25 was put into Sect. 566 Bat 12. My first trench digging experience was on the 26 of May. June 1st was my starting of hikes and Equipt. C. Insp. June 3rd while on a hike somewhere in Penna I was overcome by the heat and was taken to camp in an Amb. It resembled a hearse to me, the way I felt, on the 5th. Poison Ivy broke out on my face, I was some sight.
On June 12th 11:30 PM Our contingent left Camp Crane on the illustrious C.R.R. of N.J. for the POrt of N.Y. We got in the Jersey City Terminal at 5:30 AM. Ferried to Hoboken to the Giuseppe Verdi.
Boarded, at 8 AM. Laid in dick until 3:30 PM. All were ordered down in the holds and port holes were closed. With a loud shrill blast our tub left our dear U.S.A. for Italy. We crept down the Hudson and into the bay, without even another glance of our Statue of Liberty. This made some of us feel uneasy thinking it was our last sight of the emblem which we meant to do our utmost to preserve. We arrived at the Ambrose Light about 6 P.M. and anchored, and waited for a convoy at this time there was a big sub scare along our coast. At 7 P.M. we were picked up by 3 boats from our Navy. A Yacht, Torpedo Boat and Sub. chaser.
We started on a south western course accompanied by our three guardians. The folloiwing morning June 14th we were out of sight of everything but water and sky.
On the high seas the first few days out on the Atlantic was enjoyed by us all. The sky was bright both night and day, the sea was as calm as an ordinary river. But there had to be a change. We got up one morning at our usual time. Everything was dark, our ship was rolling and dipping at the same time. It sure was some sensation.
We had the life of Reilly on our tub. Our hours were from 6 AM to 9:30 PM. We got out of our two by four cots or runks at 6 AM. Some mornings we answered roll call. This started after some of the boys got sick and there may have been some possibility of some of the boys feeding their bodies to the fishes instead of the contents of them.
Sick call at 6:30 AM.
Breakfast Mass at 7 AM.
Boat drill at 9:15 AM.
Setting up exercises 10 AM.
Instructions in Italian 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM.
Noon Mass at 12.
Medical examination at 2 PM
Supper Mass at 6 PM.
No lights on deck after 8 PM.
All below decks at 9:30 PM.
Silence at 10 PM.
Words cannot express our wonderful meals on board. A certain amount of men were consigned to every individual boat. We were consigned to our boat as we boarded.
When the life boat call was sounded, you had to stop everything; sling and fasten your life belt and get to the ladning platform of the boats and stand at attention and answer roll call. All this was done in silence. We then proceeded to our hangouts on deck.
The setting up exercise was about the hardest this we done. It was very hard on our muscles.
Our Italian instructions were a continuous joke. We learned the curses first and later on a few valuable words.
In the afternoon all was left for us to do was read and count the ripples on the water.
After mess: read and smike until 8 o'clock, when it started to get dark.
When we got into our cubby holes it was a case of laying awake listening to rumors of sub. being on our neighborhood and that we were to be torpedoes that night without fail about 11 PM. It go so bad that some of us slept with our clothes on especially while on the M. S. There were a few boys who slept on the floor at the foot of the stairs leading to the decks.
I enlisted in the U.S.A.A.S. at Fort Jay, Governors Isl. N.Y. on Apri 22nd 1918. Reported at said place on 23rd and got transportation and left on 12:30 Black Diamond for Allentown Pa. Arrived at 4 - rode to Headquarters of (Amb.) Camp Crane. Was placed in the Casual Det. Build 17.
Got uniform April 24th.
Went through one months drilling with the rookies, on May 25 was put into Sect. 566 Bat 12. My first trench digging experience was on the 26 of May. June 1st was my starting of hikes and Equipt. C. Insp. June 3rd while on a hike somewhere in Penna I was overcome by the heat and was taken to camp in an Amb. It resembled a hearse to me, the way I felt, on the 5th. Poison Ivy broke out on my face, I was some sight.
On June 12th 11:30 PM Our contingent left Camp Crane on the illustrious C.R.R. of N.J. for the POrt of N.Y. We got in the Jersey City Terminal at 5:30 AM. Ferried to Hoboken to the Giuseppe Verdi.
Boarded, at 8 AM. Laid in dick until 3:30 PM. All were ordered down in the holds and port holes were closed. With a loud shrill blast our tub left our dear U.S.A. for Italy. We crept down the Hudson and into the bay, without even another glance of our Statue of Liberty. This made some of us feel uneasy thinking it was our last sight of the emblem which we meant to do our utmost to preserve. We arrived at the Ambrose Light about 6 P.M. and anchored, and waited for a convoy at this time there was a big sub scare along our coast. At 7 P.M. we were picked up by 3 boats from our Navy. A Yacht, Torpedo Boat and Sub. chaser.
We started on a south western course accompanied by our three guardians. The folloiwing morning June 14th we were out of sight of everything but water and sky.
On the high seas the first few days out on the Atlantic was enjoyed by us all. The sky was bright both night and day, the sea was as calm as an ordinary river. But there had to be a change. We got up one morning at our usual time. Everything was dark, our ship was rolling and dipping at the same time. It sure was some sensation.
We had the life of Reilly on our tub. Our hours were from 6 AM to 9:30 PM. We got out of our two by four cots or runks at 6 AM. Some mornings we answered roll call. This started after some of the boys got sick and there may have been some possibility of some of the boys feeding their bodies to the fishes instead of the contents of them.
Sick call at 6:30 AM.
Breakfast Mass at 7 AM.
Boat drill at 9:15 AM.
Setting up exercises 10 AM.
Instructions in Italian 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM.
Noon Mass at 12.
Medical examination at 2 PM
Supper Mass at 6 PM.
No lights on deck after 8 PM.
All below decks at 9:30 PM.
Silence at 10 PM.
Words cannot express our wonderful meals on board. A certain amount of men were consigned to every individual boat. We were consigned to our boat as we boarded.
When the life boat call was sounded, you had to stop everything; sling and fasten your life belt and get to the ladning platform of the boats and stand at attention and answer roll call. All this was done in silence. We then proceeded to our hangouts on deck.
The setting up exercise was about the hardest this we done. It was very hard on our muscles.
Our Italian instructions were a continuous joke. We learned the curses first and later on a few valuable words.
In the afternoon all was left for us to do was read and count the ripples on the water.
After mess: read and smike until 8 o'clock, when it started to get dark.
When we got into our cubby holes it was a case of laying awake listening to rumors of sub. being on our neighborhood and that we were to be torpedoes that night without fail about 11 PM. It go so bad that some of us slept with our clothes on especially while on the M. S. There were a few boys who slept on the floor at the foot of the stairs leading to the decks.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Illustrious Signor
A transcription of a couple of pages in your grandfather's war journal:
Illustrious Signor- There are tears of emotion which have no words and therefore I am sending you flowers that they may speak in my stead to the generous American soldiers.
Until the world will not have sentiment for a basis, it cannot be called civil; and now the sons of the United States have some to us impelled by only one cause-that of the heart - to defend humanity, insulted and torn to pieces; today the tears of so many mothers in anguish and sorrow. Be they blessed with all my motherly soul and for all the mothers of Europe, and be they blessed for the glorious light which will resplend upon them for all the eternity of Centuries.
And to you, sir, the dearest gratitude of an Italian woman and may you be pleased to accept kindly my poor flowers.
Erminla D'Ilsbilo
Above letter sent to Col. Persons on arrival of the 4th Amb. Contingent in Italy June 27 1918.
Wow! What an interesting perspective. I don't often think about the citizens in the countries occupied by foreign military in wartime. I also find it very interesting that your grandfather took the time to include this in his journal.
Illustrious Signor- There are tears of emotion which have no words and therefore I am sending you flowers that they may speak in my stead to the generous American soldiers.
Until the world will not have sentiment for a basis, it cannot be called civil; and now the sons of the United States have some to us impelled by only one cause-that of the heart - to defend humanity, insulted and torn to pieces; today the tears of so many mothers in anguish and sorrow. Be they blessed with all my motherly soul and for all the mothers of Europe, and be they blessed for the glorious light which will resplend upon them for all the eternity of Centuries.
And to you, sir, the dearest gratitude of an Italian woman and may you be pleased to accept kindly my poor flowers.
Erminla D'Ilsbilo
Above letter sent to Col. Persons on arrival of the 4th Amb. Contingent in Italy June 27 1918.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
"You Are Here"
And here I am. It's been a while since I've posted and I don't have any good stories about why. I've just been a little bit stuck. Perhaps the same has happened to you and I appreciate your patience. I'm glad to be back and I am glad you came back too.
Did you realize this is the blog's 5th birthday??? Time flies, right? The very first post was right after Christmas 2007. Think how the family has changed in the last 5 years! Wow. I'm humbled.
I was listening to an interview with author Simon Garfield recently on NPR. He has recently released a book called On the Map. I love maps and this interview pointed out an interesting outcome of the digital revolution. It's not as often that we open a paper map and use our finger to pinpoint our location by dragging your finger up and down, back and forth. We have to locate ourselves on the map before we can figure out how to reach the destination-- at least that's how it works on a paper map.
These days, we are much more likely to open a map app which automatically points to our location. We start out right at our location without having to find it for ourselves. And then the app locates our destination without any finger dragging, index checking and G-down- 4 across style searches. Technology puts us in the center of our worlds. It's no wonder digital natives can seem so self centered! It really is all about them.
But, back in the day, there were other means of finding ourselves and those we loved. The newspapers kept us informed and made sure the entire neighborhood knew:
Local newspapers kept careful track of residents, so it should be no surprise that people like your grandfather kept careful track of their own lives. Thanks to Angela and family, we have some very precious memories from James Coffarelli's time in service of his country.
James clearly had a sense of humor:
These are pictures carefully pasted into an album specifically about his time in the service during World War I when he was shipped to Italy.
I don't believe this soldier is your grandfather, but I think the little heart and arrow draw a pretty accurate picture of him without using film.
I had to include this one because it reminds me so much of the pictures Nick took while in Italy last spring.
Think perhaps these women were related? I think they all know EXACTLY where they are!
Did you realize this is the blog's 5th birthday??? Time flies, right? The very first post was right after Christmas 2007. Think how the family has changed in the last 5 years! Wow. I'm humbled.
I was listening to an interview with author Simon Garfield recently on NPR. He has recently released a book called On the Map. I love maps and this interview pointed out an interesting outcome of the digital revolution. It's not as often that we open a paper map and use our finger to pinpoint our location by dragging your finger up and down, back and forth. We have to locate ourselves on the map before we can figure out how to reach the destination-- at least that's how it works on a paper map.
These days, we are much more likely to open a map app which automatically points to our location. We start out right at our location without having to find it for ourselves. And then the app locates our destination without any finger dragging, index checking and G-down- 4 across style searches. Technology puts us in the center of our worlds. It's no wonder digital natives can seem so self centered! It really is all about them.
But, back in the day, there were other means of finding ourselves and those we loved. The newspapers kept us informed and made sure the entire neighborhood knew:
James clearly had a sense of humor:
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
I'll be giving you an inside view on my family study methodology so that you can see how it happens that I seem to never get anything DONE!
First, thank you Angela for being so generous in sharing the ephemera from your Dad's collection. I spent much of Christmas afternoon scanning and researching. Here's one example of the trail I followed until I was well off the trail.
As you can see, this is a vehicle registration from 1931 for your grandfather James. I notice the vehicle is a Willys 6. This was not familiar to me, so I can't resist doing a little further research. And this is exactly where the scanning stops and the off course wandering begins.
This is a 1931 Willys Six Model 97. Pretty snappy. First it occurs to me that James had a very up-to-date vehicle for himself. I don't really know what it might mean to be a chauffeur in Freeport NY in the late 1920s and early 1930s. He consistently held a chauffeur's license but I don't know what it was needed or used for. So I take another detour to check the 1930 census record which indicates his occupation as coal weigher. This detour led me to a Freeport City Directory from 1926:
James is listed with Margaret as foreman but, interestingly for me--also listed are James' elusive siblings Elizabeth and Phillip! Bazinga (as Sheldon would say on The Big Bang Theory). Of course, I have to link this to these two as well and now the original research is well off track. But I'm having a grand time and I'm so happy to be able to share it with you all. More to come.
First, thank you Angela for being so generous in sharing the ephemera from your Dad's collection. I spent much of Christmas afternoon scanning and researching. Here's one example of the trail I followed until I was well off the trail.
This is a 1931 Willys Six Model 97. Pretty snappy. First it occurs to me that James had a very up-to-date vehicle for himself. I don't really know what it might mean to be a chauffeur in Freeport NY in the late 1920s and early 1930s. He consistently held a chauffeur's license but I don't know what it was needed or used for. So I take another detour to check the 1930 census record which indicates his occupation as coal weigher. This detour led me to a Freeport City Directory from 1926:
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