During the early twentieth century in the United States, a wave of Italian immigrants came to America seeking economic opportunities, many with hopes to create a better life back home. In her book on Italy’s migration patterns, historian Donna R. Gabaccia referred to these as “Conservative Adventurers”, men who would migrant to work wage jobs, and then return to Italy with the spoils of their American escapade.[1]
Many Italian immigrants–whether because of the lack of funds or interest in staying in the United States permanently–also did not buy homes. This is supported by the fact that out of the 39 Italians immigrants listed in the 1920 U.S. Census for Alexandria, Virginia, 17 did not own a home and only 2 reported that they had become citizens.[2] Citizenship also was not among the top priorities for a migrant who planned to return to Italy.
Status of Italian Immigrants in the Alexandria
| Year | Citizen Status |
| 1920 | 19 Non-Citizen
2 Citizen |
| 1940 | 41 Citizen
24 Non-Citizen |
(Data collected from 1920 and 1940 US Federal Census (population schedule) records, accessed from http://www.ancestry.com/)
By 1940, many Italian immigrants had begun to find their prospects in U.S. better than war-torn Europe. Even before the outbreak of war, Benito Mussolini’s abolition of constitutional rights and establishment of a police state in Italy would have been a damper on many immigrants’ plans to return home. The 1940 U.S. Census also shows an increase in Italian immigrants taking more skilled jobs, starting their own businesses, buying homes, and gaining citizenship and, for their children, an education.[4] Italian immigrants found that life in the United States had become more attractive than returning to an uncertain conflict and repressive regime back in Italy.
Housing Situations for Italian Immigrants in Alexandria
| Year | Housing |
| 1920 | 20 Listed as renting, boarding, lodging |
| 1940 | 25 Owned
12 Rented |
(Data collected from 1920 and 1940 US Federal Census (population schedule) records, accessed from http://www.ancestry.com/)
The lack of education also impacted the ability of Italian immigrants to access certain types of jobs. According to census data from 1920, out of forty Italian immigrants, only half claimed that they were literate, 7 were illiterate and many did not disclose.[5] The 1940 U.S. Census, however, did not include questions about literacy, but educational level. Interestingly, about half of Italian immigrants stated that they had completed some elementary education and a fourth had some high school or college education. Whether this group of immigrants, many of whom were new to the area, went to school in Italy or the U.S. is unknown.
Even the cultural barriers for women working began to dissolve between 1920 to 1940. One example in the 1940 U.S. Census was Mary LItterio whose husband owned a construction business. She was born in Virginia; it is unclear whether she is of Italian ancestry, but she found employment as a typist for the government and made more than a male relative in their household.[4] Women’s role in the workplace had become a necessity for the onset of war in Europe and the Great Depression.
Example of female work opportunity in the United States, 1940
| Lunzio Creiv | cousin | M | bricklayer | building | $1,166 |
| Mary Litterio | wife | F | typist | gov’t | $1,456 |
(Data collected from 1940 US Federal Census (population schedule) records, accessed from http://www.ancestry.com/)
Whether motivated by terrible prospects back at home or genuine interest in pursuing citizen, between 1920 and 1940, there was a serious shift among Italian immigrants in Alexandria to remain in the U.S.
[1] Donna R. Gabaccia, Italy’s Many Diasporas (New York: Routledge, 2000) 94.
[2] 1920 US Federal Census (population schedule) Alexandria, Virginia, digital image, accessed on October 11, 2016, http://www.ancestry.com/.
[3] 1940 US Federal Census (population schedule) Alexandria, Virginia, sheet number 19A, line 1-3, digital image, accessed on October 11, 2016, http://www.ancestry.com/.
[4] 1920 US Federal Census (population schedule) Alexandria, Virginia, digital image, accessed on October 11, 2016, http://www.ancestry.com/.
[5] 1940 US Federal Census (population schedule) Alexandria, Virginia, sheet number 19A, line 1-3, digital image, accessed on October 11, 2016, http://www.ancestry.com/.
