Summary

Memo book containing a collection of handwritten recipes in Italian, recorded by Giuseppe (Joe) Tesoriero probably from his Italian customers while working in his family's fruit shop business during the 1950s. Giuseppe had migrated from Italy in 1937 and was detained as an enemy alien during World War II.

Joe Tesoriero was born in 1925 in Sicily, Italy. In 1937, Joe migrated to Australia with his brother Sam, joining their father who had previously migrated to Melbourne around 1926. They worked in fruit shops around Melbourne and were reunited with their mother and sister in Melbourne after the war had ended. In 1943, Joe and Sam were detained as enemy aliens as were many Italians during World War II. They were sent to cut wood, first in East Gippsland and then at Butler's Gorge in Tasmania. After the War the brothers returned to their fruit shop business, with Sam and his wife returning to Sicily in 1965. Joe purchased the family business in Chapel Street, but retired in 1970 to care for his elderly mother.

Physical Description

Memo book with lined pages, about one third filled with handwritten text. Front cover blue card with red spine.

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