Dimensions
129 x 198 x 33mm
Most people dabble in a bit of family history. Tony De Bolfo's interest in his family's migration from Italy has led him on an incredible and moving journey through the lives of hundreds of migrant families.
In 1994, Melbourne journalist Tony De Bolfo developed a burning need to discover what prompted his grandfather and his two brothers to leave their homeland in northern Italy for a new life in Australia. He turned to his great uncle, Igino De Bolfo - the only surviving member of the original trio who undertook that arduous forty-six day voyage aboard the steamship "Re d'Italia" (King of Italy) - seventy-five years ago this November.
But what began as simple curiosity became an overwhelming obsession for Tony, which led him on his own unbelievable voyage of discovery. Working from the original passenger list, he set out to uncover the life stories of the 107 men, women and children who accompanied his forebears down the gangway, into the unknown.
Tony's search took him interstate and overseas and brought him in contact with the many descendants, and in some cases passengers themselves. Eight years later, the author has uncovered extraordinary tales of love and friendship, suicide and murder, tragedy and success.
