Linda Tennant poses with the book which she and family members created.

Linda Tennant, a member of the Upper Vandalia Historical Society, discussed her family history at the society’s quarterly meeting held on Sunday, October 26, at the Bancroft Mission. She and her three sisters recently wrote a book about their grandparents, who immigrated from Calabria, Italy, to Marion County, West Virginia, in 1920. The book, Giorgio & Maria: Speak Their Names, compiles oral history, historical documents, international records, military transcripts, photographs, and interviews with relatives to weave together the story of Giorgio and Maria Simonetti of Rivesville, West Virginia.

The idea to write a book about the Simonetti family originated with Linda’s aunt, and the challenge was taken up by her four nieces. Over the course of a year, Janet Dunn, Nancy Tennant, Linda Tennant, and Diane Rudash researched family history and strategized how they might compile their findings into a book.

The book is titled Speak Their Names, a reference to the Italian tradition of continuing to talk about one’s ancestors to keep their memories alive.

Giorgio and Maria Simonetti were born in Calabria, Italy, which is considered one of the poorest regions of Western Europe. Giorgio was a shoemaker who designed shoes for actors and musicians at the Municipal Theater of Catanzaro.

After World War I, representatives from coal companies went to Italy to recruit workers for the mines in West Virginia. Seeing this as an opportunity for a better life, Giorgio and Maria embarked upon a twenty-day voyage to Ellis Island. Once arriving in the United States, they continued the rest of their journey to their ultimate destination of Rivesville, West Virginia.

While Giorgio had intended to work in the coal mines, he soon found that this work was not for him. He returned to his roots as a shoemaker, and started a shoe store for the miners. He and Maria went on to raise five children, Thresia, Carmella, Ralphine, Frank, and Anita.

“For readers who appreciate rich historical narratives and the enduring strength of family, Giorgio and Maria is a powerful dual story—one about the immigrant experience and another about lives forever changed a century later by uncovering and preserving that legacy,” reads the blurb on the back of Giorgio & Maria: Speak Their Names. “As four sisters delve into their grandparents’ journey, they not only bring to life a tale of resilience, sacrifice, and the pursuit of the American dream but also find themselves transformed in the process. A poignant tribute to heritage, perseverance, and the unbreakable bonds that connect generations, Giorgio and Maria is an unforgettable tale of love, family, and the lasting impact of honoring the past.”

Giorgio & Maria: Speak Their Names can be purchased in softcover, hardcover, and Kindle formats on Amazon. The book can also be found in paperback format at Barnes & Noble.

The Upper Vandalia Historical Society meets four times a year to discuss Putnam County and local history. Anyone who has an interest in local history and trivia is invited to attend meetings.

If you have Facebook, you can also become a member of the “Upper Vandalia Historical Society (Putnam County, WV)” group by going to https://www.facebook.com/groups/431246375713984