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In 1905, Dr. Vincent Sellaro founded the Order Sons of
Italy in America to "unite in one single family all the Italians scattered throughout the Americas...".
The first Canadian lodge of this fraternal organization was
founded in Sault Ste Marie in 1915. By 1940, the Order
had 29 lodges across Ontario. Currently, there are 15 lodges
and a total of approximately 2300 members. | ![[Illustration of Sons of Italy Letter]](sons/sonsdocth.jpg)
Click to see a larger version (94K) |
| Through the Order, Italian Canadians have helped
each other to adapt to their new country while also preserving
their culture and instilling a sense of pride and community. |
Click to see a larger version (51K) |
Miriam McTiernan, Archivist of Ontario,
is pleased to announce the acquisition of the records of the
Order Sons of Italy of Canada (formerly the Order Sons of Italy
in Ontario). |
The records, which date from 1915 to the
1990s, include membership forms, insurance forms, and correspondence
from local lodges across Ontario. Grand Lodge records also
reveal special programs, events, and charitable
causes supported by the Order. The collection is further
enhanced by memorabilia and over 100 photographs,
memorabilia.
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Click to see a larger version (42K) |
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For the academic researcher, these records serve
to document the experiences of Italian Canadians in the 20th century,
and the role they have played in Ontario's history. Those tracing
their family roots will find the membership and insurance forms
an excellent resource, as they often record details about the applicant's
family members, place of origin in Italy, and medical conditions.
| Photo
taken at the National Convention of the Order
Sons of Italy in Canada, Hamilton,
May 4 2002.
Left to right: Chris Bennedsen
(Archivist/Historian, Order of the Sons of Italy),
Miriam McTiernan (Archivist of Ontario), Gabrielle
Prefontaine (Archivist, Archives of Ontario), Joanne Messina,
Bob Messina (Microfilm Technician, Archives
of Ontario), Joseph Solovitch (Archivist, Archives of Ontario),
Vincenzo Bueti (Sons of Italy National President), Sandy Bueti,
Jane Silver (seated). |
This project is a joint undertaking with the Order
Sons of Italy of Canada
and the Frank
Iacobucci Centre for Italian-Canadian Studies
in the Department of Italian Studies at the University
of Toronto. These records are available in the Main Reading
Room at the Archives of Ontario, and through its
Microfilm Interloan Service. |
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