Projects + Publications
Projects
SERIES LAUNCH
Gloucester's Hidden History of "Enemy Aliens"
I have completed two articles documenting the untold stories of Sicilian and Italian Americans in Gloucester during World War II.
After Pearl Harbor in 1941, Italian immigrants across the nation were classified as "enemy aliens" by the U.S. government. Over 600,000 Italian Americans nationwide were forced to register, carry ID cards, and follow travel restrictions. Sicilian and Italian fishermen were barred from the waterfront and cut off from their livelihoods.
The first in this series chronicles my grandfathers, Pietro Favazza and Filippo Millefoglie, who emigrated from Sicily to Gloucester as teenagers for a life at sea. With the outbreak of the war, they and many other Gloucester immigrants faced discrimination and restrictions. The second article focused on the impact of the Proclamation 2527 on Italian Fishermen and families living in Gloucester during World War II.
If you or your family have personal stories, photographs, or historical insights, we'd love to hear from you. Share your story: Email Maria (Mia) Millefoglie at mmillef@hotmail.com This project is a partnership between Maria (Mia) Millefoglie, Sal Zerilli, and the Down the Fort Documentary and Archive Project, supported by an Awesome Gloucester grant.
Publications
Our People Our Stories
"Our People Our Stories," an anthology featuring more than eighty stories, poems, vignettes, and photos celebrating Gloucester's rich history and the resilient individuals who call Gloucester home. I was honored to contribute stories to this book and work with several writers.
Books are available at:
- The Bookstore (61 Main Street, Gloucester)
- Cape Ann Museum (27 Pleasant Street, Gloucester - soft cover only)
- Dogtown Book Shop (132 Main Street, Gloucester - soft cover only)
