Table of Contents
Maria Falco, interviewed by Jasmin Bailey
Abstract:
For the Heritage assignment, I met with Maria Falco to discuss her experience immigrating to Canada. Maria immigrated to Canada in July 1963 when she was sixteen years old. Maria immigrated to Canada by herself because her mother wanted her to be with her elder sister – who had immigrated years prior. She travelled by boat and arrived in Brantford, Ontario. Her then boyfriend joined her in Canada where they married and started a family. Overall, Maria stated that her experience immigrating to Canada was positive, and that she enjoys living in Brantford.
Interview transcript with Maria Falco interviewed by Jasmin Bailey
Interviewer: What first brought you to Canada?
Interviewee: Really it was something my mom wanted. My older sister was here, and she wanted someone else to come and she said to my mom, “why don’t you let Maria come to Canada.” But I was sixteen years old when I came over here to Canada. I came by myself on a boat.
Interviewer: Where did you first arrive?
Interviewee: Here, I came to Brantford.
Interviewer: Was there any other family here?
Interviewee: No, just my sister. And I came from Italy from a small town, it’s called Celle di San Vito. And that’s when my mom said, “why don’t you go over there.” And I came, and when I came it was strange because I was sixteen and I was all by myself. But anyway, it was scary inside the boat by myself because I didn’t know anybody. But it was nice, I found some guy, met some friends. Then when I came over here, I started to work. I didn’t know how to speak English though so sometimes I didn’t know what my boss was saying. I liked the job. Anyway, my boyfriend was in Italy, so he came to Canada. Then we got married and had kids and it was nice.
Interviewer: Were there any obstacles when you came to Canada?
(confusion)
Interviewer: You mentioned you came over by boat, was that a smooth process?
Interviewee: No, it was okay, we were a little sick on the boat. There was three of us girls inside the room, two of us were sixteen and one was twenty-one. We were sick for a little while, but it passed, and it was nice. It was a little scary though, when I came (to Canada) no one came and picked me up due to the hours (from the boat where she was dropped off). But when I came things were strange because I was young and coming to Canada when I was sixteen. I came in 1963.
Interviewer: Did you bring any items of importance with you when you came to Canada?
Interviewee: Yes, I brought a huge package. Like everything, clothes and stuff. People would send cheese, pots, and things for friends. My mom sent me with pots and pans and things. She’d send blankets, that’s the way it was over there. But I like Canada, it is nice. I worked and I met friends when I was working, and they were so nice to me. I was joking with them.
Interviewer: Did you bring any photographs with you from Italy? And mementos?
Interviewee: Yes, I even have some from inside the boat. I have quite a few things, I just need to find where they are.
Interviewer: Am I allowed to take a picture of these photos? Am I able to use them in this assignment?
Interviewee: Yes, you can do whatever. If you want to know something else, I can help.
Interviewer: Did you exchange any letters with relatives in Italy?
Interviewee: Oh yes.
Interviewer: Do you have any of the letters with you still?
Interviewee: Oh, I don’t know. I have so many that were exchanged with my boyfriend, Haley’s nonna (Haley is her granddaughter). Lots of cards, love cards. But I don’t think I have them anymore, I said one day that I don’t want to keep them. But I don’t know, maybe I have some. But I’m not sure if I could find them. If I find some later, I can give them to you.
Interviewer: That’s no problem. Okay, one more question – looking back on this experience, is there anything you would have done differently?
Interviewee: I don’t know, maybe I wouldn’t have come. Well, because I was sixteen and I was young, I was not thinking to come. It was my mom, she wanted me to come over here. But I don’t know, maybe I did. Sixteen years old is young. And then I got married fast.
Interviewer: Were you married in Canada?
Interviewee: Yes.
Interviewer: Would you have waited longer before coming to Canada?
Interviewee: Yes, because I do like it over here. I was just young.
Interviewer: I see, well thank you so much for sharing your story with me Maria.
Interviewee: Of course.
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