Overview
La famiglia è la patria del cuore - Family is the homeland of the heart. Italy in the late 1800s was a land of dichotomy: a breathtakingly beautiful country, rich with traditions and love of family, trapped in truly dire economic conditions for a majority of its citizens. For most Italians, the idea of leaving their beloved birthplace proved to be a heartbreaking choice, especially for Italian mothers who realized they might not ever see their sons again.