During the Great Migration, countless Italians chose to settle in Newark, New Jersey. These immigrants developed their own Italian enclaves and preserved their culture in their own way. Churches were erected and clubs were formed. Many came with only a few dollars and were listed as “peasant” or “laborer” when they entered the United States. They came with no language skills and faced challenges they couldn’t have imagined. Still they persevered. They succeeded.

Author Andrea Lyn Cammarato-Van Benschoten is currently working on a book that will share the history and stories of the Italian immigration experience in Newark, New Jersey. As a piece of nonfiction, it will mix historical facts and information with stories of immigrants told by their descendants. This would be a book of the everyday people who made Newark their home and worked hard to become “American.”

Andrea is now looking for stories and photos of Italian immigrants that settled in the Italian neighborhoods of Newark. If interested in sharing an immigration story, please contact Andrea at jerseygirlitalianroots@gmail.com and use the subject "The Italians of Newark" when responding.