Collection context
Summary
- Abstract:
- This collection contains 22 photographs and 1 newspaper clipping of the Virgilio Family, a local ethnic Italian family in Albany, New York. It centers mainly on George and John Virgilio and their tailor and laundry business.
- Extent:
- 1 box
- Language:
- English
Background
- Scope and Content:
There are three series in this collection: Business, John Virgilio, and George Virgilio. John Virgilio photographs have him at work and leisure time. These photographs range from the early 1900’s to the 1980’s. George Virgilio photographs have him also at work, leisure, and in the military service. There is a small newspaper clipping with this series. The Business series have pictures that focus on the Virgilio’s Tailor and Laundromat. No Virgilio or other persons are in these photos.
The earliest dated photograph in this collection is from 1907 of John Virgilio behind the tailor shop at 102 Madison Ave. with George Farinacci and other neighborhood businessmen, and a few of the undated pictures (John standing in front of tailor shop and the Italian Community Center dinner party) look to be taken around the same time period. The newest item is of Pat Bulgaro, a grand nephew of John Virgilio, with his daughters.
- Biographical / Historical:
John Virgilio was born Giovannino Virgilio and in 1921 Changed his name to John. In 1910 he married a woman named Rose Calavecchio. The couple lived at 18 Fulton from 1907 to 1912, which at that time they moved to 102 Madison Ave. John ran Virgilio’s Tailor and Laundromat from 1907 until his death in 1967.
George Virgilio was the son of John and Rose Virgilio. He was born in 1919. He had several occupations before settling as a tailor. From 1936 to 1940 he was a salesman for W.L. Douglas Shoe Co. Then from 1941 to 1942 he ran George’s Fruit & Vegetable Garden. He joined the military service during the period of 1942 to 1944. During his time in service he was stationed in the Pacific for three years, fought at Luzon and was with the first wave of troops to occupy Yokohama. He returned to the Albany area after being discharged on October 22, 1945. He is listed as not having a job from 1946 to 1948. In 1949 he joined his father as a tailor at Virgilio’s Tailor and Laundromat and stayed there until 1975. George also lived at 102 Madison and is not listed to have a wife.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: a Content Standard
Indexed Terms
- Subjects:
-
Italian Americans
Tailors
Laundry industry
World War, 1939-1945
Photographs - Places:
- Albany (N.Y.)
Access
- RESTRICTIONS:
-
This collection is open for research according to the regulations of the Albany Institute of History & Art without any additional restrictions.
- TERMS OF ACCESS:
-
The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of copyright. Whenever possible, the Albany Institute of History & Art Library will provide information about copyright owners and other restrictions, but the legal determination ultimately rests with the researcher. Requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be discussed with the Archivist/Librarian.
- LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
- BEFORE YOU VISIT:
- https://www.albanyinstitute.org/library.html
- CONTACT:
-
mccombsd@albanyInstitute.org