Asturian-American Migration Forum

Paul's message raises an interesting question. In Asturias, the workers from Arnao who lived in that town were living in a fairly good-sized pueblo, I think. It certainly wasn't urban. I think Mafalda told me that they had gardens. Some may have had chickens or even a cow, I suppose. Mafalda could tell us better. But others walked to work from outlying areas, some from quite a distance. They were probably farmers.

In Asturias there are a few urban centers (Avilés, Oviedo, Gijón) and then a lot of more rural pueblos. I don't think there were many people who lived on farms. Farmers tended to live in pueblos in Europe.

Even though the people of Arnao worked in the factory, I'd guess that they still had a relatively rural, pueblo mindset. But I could be wrong about that. One difference, though, is that Arnao had an excellent school system and health care, both very advanced for that day.

Farming and factory work aren't mutually exclusive. In the US today, many farmers work in factories to augment their income.

Many of the workers in Anmoore and Spelter (and other zinc plants in the US) came the the US from the plant in Arnao. That area is very heavily represented in the Asturian immigration to the US because they were skilled workers, hired because they already knew the job. So even though they left home to come to the US, they were here with family and neighbors from Asturias. This is probably not typical in immigration. It certainly gave them an easier time maintaining their social network and culture, at least in the early years.

My own family weren't from Arnao, and they weren't zinc workers in either the US or Asturias. On my grandmother's side they were farmers from San Cristóbal (now part of Avilés). On my grandfather's side they were seamen and artists/writers from Sabugo (the fisherman's pueblo now part of Avilés). But Avilés is only a couple of miles from Arnao, and they went to WV to live with the WV Asturians. I assume that the people of Arnao and Avilés had regular communication of some sort back in Asturias and word got out about the opportunities in the US.

Actually, my family first went to Cuba, where several of my grandmother's brothers were working. The brothers went to Cuba, ran a bodega, and then took their earnings back home. Several bought small farms, from what I've heard, but one bought nice clothes with his money! He must have been the spendthrift youngest child.

I assume that my grandfather didn't see a future for himself in Asturias, but he did okay here in the US, mostly as a professional painter, painting businesses and homes. His hobby was painting pictures.

The American Dream? Hmm. I've never heard anyone talk about that and they're all gone so I can't ask them. Economic conditions in Asturias were terrible in those decades. I have a letter in which my great-grandmother talks about there not being any work for some of my Asturian relatives, and I think she talked about not having enough food. So in terms of finances, they did better in the US. Later, with the political trouble and Civil War, I'm sure that my grandfather was glad he was here and not there. He told his brothers who returned that they were fools.

I think of the Asturian-Americans of that era as being intensely pragmatic rather than dreamers. Many of the Asturians came to work in the US, saved money, and then returned home better off. Many never planned to stay forever, but ended up doing so anyway. Some went home to visit family and couldn't get back into the US when the immigration laws changed. A few even had a wife and kids here and another family there! (That's reflected in what Bob's great-grandmother said: "Too many men forgot their families once they left Asturias.")

Hope that helps. By the way, there's a "s" at the end of the name of the place: "Asturias."

Maybe Ron has some Asturian music he can share with you. It's not exactly like Scottish pipe music. The bagpipe is called a "gaita."

Here's a friend, Flavio Rodríguez Benito, who is a very respected gaitero and gaita teacher:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7N6Y4S-kmQ
You'll get a good look at the gaita in this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oyg5ZiiuccE

This is Felpeyu, one of Asturias' most exciting bands. Their gaitero is Diego Pangua:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NhjEP72 ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUHfXpBD ... re=related
Paul (Is) and I took lessons from Diego last October. Diego is a real charmer and a magician on the gaita.

This is Xuacu Amieva:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl11kAak ... re=related

Here's a folk/rock group, Tejedor, with features the gaita:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4I8GNB4 ... re=related

Probably the gaitero best known outside Asturias is Hevia:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvQ3vSbQ ... re=related
The single drummer and single piper is the traditional format for the music.

Although only three of you have responded, I feel like I'm reading so many differnet perspectives, that I don't think I'll be able to capture them all. I'm trying!!! Thanks for the music sources!

My Grandparents came to the USA in 1906 with their children. They settled in Grasselli and my Grandfather worked in the Zinc Works.

Their intention was to save enough money and go back to Asturias and buy a farm. They did this probably in the early 1920's. They left all their children in the USA, except for a son who was mentally challenged.

It is my understanding they raised vegetables and they had a cow. I don't know if they had more than one. It had to be hard though, because my Dad sent them money every month to help. Whenever a Merchant Seaman who the family knew came, my Dad would sent a trunk load of things for them.

When they left for Spain they never returned.

Barbara

I've been thinking a lot about the perspective of the American Dream...Many of you have stated that your ancestors didn't think of their travels here as a "dream." And that the dream aspect wasn't their purpose...However, I believe they did accomplish the "American Dream" whether they knew it or wanted it...They worked hard and managed to prosper...Perhaps, they weren't rich...But it seems they provided a better life for their decendents..And their decendents provided more for their decendents...I would say that (at least my definition of the American Dream) the American Dream is providing a better existence for those who come after you...through hard work....

From the town's perspective...I believe the town wanted everyone to prosper...and today, it would like to prosper again...Prosper is differnet to everyone...for some of your ancestors, they returned home...and through their time in Spelter they seemingly had a better life when they returned to Spain...or, by their hard work in America, their families had a better life...

Once again, I am an outsider...and this is an outsider's perspective...And, my story...from the perspective of the town...is idealistic...

Barbara,
Hi, thanks for your story! Do you think your grandparents would have been happier had they stayed in America? Do you know why they returned to their homeland? If life was tough there, and their children were here, why didn't they return to America?

Not all returns to Asturias were happy. My great uncle Manuel worked in the US for many years (mostly heavy industry in Ohio), and returned to Spain only because he was not allowed to bring his wife and sons to the EEUU (thanks, land of the free). During the guerra civil, he was beaten and tortured by the Franco forces, and barely escaped to France. He later emigrated to Mexico and his family joined him there (I met them all in 1961).

That is a very good question.

I guess he just wanted to own a farm back in Spain. During the Civil War he was arrested by Franco's forces and sentenced to death. As the story goes, he was accused of giving/selling cattle to the opposition. He was sentenced to hanging. But...he was an American Citizen and I had an uncle in the Foreign Service in England...he was able to have my Grandfather released. Still he remained in Spain.

I don't know if they would have been happier if they stayed in the USA. When they returned my Dad went back with them...but soon after returned to the USA. I think my Grandfather was a very hard man to know...so why was he able to go back to Spain and leave his children back here? I have no clue. Anyone who would have the answer has passed...I just remember stories my Dad told and wrote in a Journal he had.

I think you might find this interesting...it is a passage in my father's journal.

"When immigration started from Arnao, Spain, to the USA, the man in the steamship ticket business was Pacho of Piedras Blancas. He became rich at this game. Not only did he help those that wanted to come to America to seek a job, but also those who wanted to escape the compulsory miitary service. For these he used different names. First my father, then Marcelo Luz and Tomasa with another family and as they were minors, Pacho slipped them in with another family as their offsprings. This allowed for much confusion at the time they wanted to get their citizenship papers when they had to establish their entry to the USA. Even in my case, the Department of Justice was not sure that I was nine months old when I came over with my mother. (He was) On the original entry, I was listed as being older than my other two brothers, one being two years older and the other four years older.'

I guess this probably happened to many families at that time.

Barbara

Barbara Alonso Novellino wrote:...First my father, then Marcelo Luz and Tomasa with another family and as they were minors, Pacho slipped them in with another family as their offsprings. This allowed for much confusion at the time they wanted to get their citizenship papers when they had to establish their entry to the USA. Even in my case, the Department of Justice was not sure that I was nine months old when I came over with my mother. (He was) On the original entry, I was listed as being older than my other two brothers, one being two years older and the other four years older.' ...

That's very interesting, Barbara. When Ron's family came, they had a child listed that Ron doesn't recognize. This could explain it.

I can see that life was very difficult for your ancestors...I understand that...And I'm not trying to down play or take away from their suffrage...But, would you say that your lives have been better BECAUSE they came here? Did their struggle provide a better life for your parents and for you? Do you believe there is no such thing as the American Dream?

I believe I'm living it....I'm not exactly sure what my roots are...some German (Dutchess (my grandfather thinks it was changed from deutches or deutcher ) mixed with who knows what...However, my parents have provided a better life for me (it wasn't easy...my mom--a single mom-- worked three jobs at one point..., and although I'm still young and my sons are just babies (and who knows what the future holds)...I'm trying to provide a better life for them...I want them to do the same for their children....

Here is my newest script...I haven't proof read yet, so I apologize for any spelling errors...I've made many changes! Thank you for your help, and I'm still open to suggestions.

When I look in the mirror, I still see myself as I once was: Young, Vibrant, Thriving. Land of Opportunity. Part of the American Dream.
I am small town West Virginia. Powder Hill, Ziesing, Spelter. Call me what you want, but don’t call me dead. I am the West Virginia town that most people think of when they hear “Country Roads.” But I am not dead. I am like the old man in the nursing home who’s not gone—yet—but his children are fighting over his last will and testament. I’m watching my offspring fight over their right to make my choices. Some want to pull my plug and let me die. Others want me and my doctors to fight to survive.
You see, it wasn’t always this way. The people—my people—those who molded me---shaped me—--made me --- a small, rural WV town, sought the REAL American Dream. They wanted a better life for themselves and their families. Those courageous men of the 1900s left their families behind in the small town of Asturias, Spain and sailed to the Americas—WV specifically—to provide more for their families. And they were willing to work for it. Some brought their families with them while others, only after saving their money, could send for their families.
I like to think of myself as a welcoming town. I was their home-away-from-home. I looked like where they came from. And the Asturians formed a community within my community. Yes, I was welcoming, but it didn’t mean all my people who immigrated before those lovely Asturians were. Some wore white sheets and tried to chase my Asturians away.
Many of my Asturians came to work in the zinc plant, but it was just the beginning. Sure, to modern day people, living in a company town, working in a treacherous environment, doesn’t sound luxurious or like the achievement of the American Dream. However, that company provided jobs and possibilities. More people immigrated to create other businesses. Families prospered. Generation after generation called me, Spelter, home, and each generation had more opportunities than the generation before. The people of Asturias were hardworking and frugal. One family—I remember fondly—paid cash for their home, car, and their two youngest children’s college education. Other families sent all their earnings to their homeland.
I was happy to be part of the American Dream. Sure—the zinc plant was an eye sore—the remnants are still offensive—But nothing’s perfect. There were multiple owners—the economy changed—the zinc industry became outsourced. Technology advanced. Many of my people left. They sought bigger and better things.
Sure, some people still live here. And yes. There is some pollution, but where isn’t there pollution?
All my people have different stories. They came to me for different reasons. Most of my people remember me and love me for the good I’ve provided. They’re happy to leave me alone and let me be—They’d even be willing to help rejuvenate me and bring me back to prosperity.
In retrospect—their story is my story. As I, the town of Spelter, lay dying –I am STILL the American Dream. I want only the best for my people. I don’t want them to suffer. I want them to build me up or leave me alone. I want them to give back and quit taking. OR, I want them to let me die in peace.

Finally--I will put a disclaimer at the end that this is NOT all your opinions or views, but I couldn't have done/do this without your help, so I'd like to give you credit...

Will you please send me a way to recognize you? (Your name as you would like it to appear in the credits)

Thank you again!
Amy

The temptation is to see history as linear, and moving in only one direction. The truth, I think, is that the fortunes of families who stayed put and families who emigrated have risen and fallen almost randomly. To cite only one economic example, look at the relative values of the dollar and the euro in recent years.

"Would I be better off if my grandparents had never emigrated?" is a question that can never be answered. Had they not done so, I would never had existed at all.

I'd agree with Bob that we can't answer that question. My Asturian cousins, for the most part seem to be doing well. Their economy is younger and so they're working hard, but they're living pretty well, too.

But it's apples and oranges. Their lifestyle is different. A lot of the reason why the Asturians living in communities with other Asturians when they came here was because they preferred that lifestyle. My grandmother certainly did and I think my grandfather did, too.

On the American Dream, I think it's better to simply try to understand what someone else experienced rather than to try to label it according to the categories you already know. You're trying to smash a square peg into a round hole. It won't fit. I think the Asturian-American immigrant experience is outside of our contemporaray experience, so it'l be hard to fit into what we know already.

A favorite professor of mine... almost 30 years ago now... once told me that I was "forcing my conclusions." It was important feedback for me. I'd tell you the same, that we can't go into a project with preordained conclusions. To be intellectually honest, we have to let the data speak to us and draw the conclusions from the data.

You've gotten a lot of feedback that the American Dream idea doesn't fit. Some of them were pleased to be here, yes, but they were proud of their homeland and of their heritage. You could equally well say "Human Dream" or "Asturian Dream."

(Sorry, I'm running today, so I haven't got the time to read the new script. I'm sure others will.)

My name is Art Zoller Wagner and I'm the site admin here.

I appreciate all your help...and feedback....Iwill post my final project as soon as it's finished...My deadline is tomorrow afternoon...I will use what I can, but I am going to use the "muse" within myself...I will write my story, and I will not reserve rights...with that being said, I will allow you to modify as you wish to make it yours...

Have fun! I don't know if this'll help, but I do my best thinking in the shower!