Physical description: Gaetano DeBell, Denver, about 1900. See also PCCLI1387 and 1385
This photograph is a digital scan of an original photograph lent for copying during the Italians of Colorado project. The original photograph is not owned by History Colorado. The digital scan was donated with permissions (see permissions in Registrar's file) and accessioned into the History Colorado collection.
Project description:
In 2002, the Colorado Historical Society (now known as History Colorado) founded the Colorado Italian American Preservation Association (CIAPA). A volunteer organization, CIAPA’s mission is to work collaboratively with the Society and other organizations to develop, support and coordinate projects that preserve, promote and celebrate Italian American culture and heritage. Since 2002, CIAPA has carried out its mission by meeting with people from the Colorado Italian American community, recording their stories and creating an archive of research materials that includes oral histories, photographs, moving images, sound recordings and artifacts. To date, CIAPA has helped the Society acquire over 200 oral histories, 600 artifacts and nearly 6,000 photographs. Since 2002, CIAPA has developed over 4,000 research files, all of which document the history, culture and traditions of Italian American families in Colorado.
Notes:
See MSS.02595 Mary DeBell, Mike "Smokey" Marchese and Ralph and Rosemary Mancinelli files for additional information and images.
From the book Italy in Colorado by Alisa DiGiacomo:
DiBello/DeBell
Gaetano “Clyde” and Concetta “Clara” DiBello/DeBell
In the 1870s, Gaetano DiBello and other men from southern Potenza, Italy, immigrated to America, seeking refuge from harsh and unstable social and economic conditions in their homeland. After a short stay in New York, Gaetano and others from the group traveled to Colorado, where they had acquaintances in Denver.
Once settled, Gaetano sent for his fiancée, Concetta. Upon her arrival with her mother Pauline LaSala in 1878, Gaetano and Concetta were married at Sacred Heart parish. Shortly after their marriage, the couple bought a small farm in an area of Denver referred to as “White City.” White City was located about one-half mile north of where Regis College is today. The DiBellos remained on their farm with Gaetano working in truck gardening until he fell ill and ultimately died in 1925.
Gaetano and Concetta DiBello had fourteen children born between 1888 and 1908: Roxie, Pasquale, Mary, Michael, Rose, Angelo, George, Louise, Joseph, John, Carl, Lucia, Vincent, and Gerald.