Fishing

Our Stories

Many thanks to our generous Italian American friends, families, and neighbors who have contributed to preserving the history of our Central Coast by sharing their photos, videos and stories.

We are looking for Italian American stories relating to fishing, canning industry or community service, where individuals help promote our Italian Heritage.

Wondering about how to get started? Talk to relatives, look at your grandparents' photo albums. Our volunteers. can help you overcome inertia and get you. started on your own story or photo album..

Have a story to share?

8 min

Wharf 1 History

It has seen bales of Chinese silks and barrels of Spanish wine, whaling ships, Navy cutters, and fishing boats by the score; Fisherman's...

3 min

Where I Get My Strength

There are those of us who believe in a higher power and have had the privilege to witness the taking place of the strength and the power...

2 min

Storms and Boat Wrecks

New Hope and the Cerrito Brothers purse seiners wash up on the beach near Wharf II after a storm hit MontereyBay on February23, 1953...

1 min

Sicilian Carreto

The Carretto is a utilitarian Sicilian cart used to transport family members, farm produce and equipment from 800A.D. to the present....

2 min

Pittsburg, Ca: The Black Diamond Connection

Italians started migrating to the United States before 1850 with the discovery of gold in California at Sutter’s Mill around 1848. ...

2 min

Isola delle Femmine Sister City

Isola delle Femmine, Sicily, became a Sister City to Monterey, California, on September 8, 2017. Instrumental in getting this Sister...

3 min

Gill, Lampara and Seine Nets: A Day in the Life of a Fisherman

The mending and repair of fishing nets is an art form, a special skill which takes time to learn. We will take a look at three types of...

5 min

Giovanni Pennisi

Keeping the Sicilian tradition of fishing alive The village of Torre Archirafi, Sicily, was shrinking. It seemed that men and families...

5 min

Fishing for a Comeback

Third-generation Monterey fisherman John Pennisi is preparing to relaunch his boat, The Irene’s Way, after eight years of keeping it...

10 min

Fishing Boats

Fishing in Monterey Bay was mainly for salmon and was done by the sail boat or what the Italians call felucca. Salmon were caught with...

10 min

Common Heritage Shared by California Sister Communities

Isola delle Femmine in Sicily, Pittsburg, Calif., and Monterey. What do they have in common? Why do stories with a Pittsburg dateline...

2 min

Frank Ferrante 1910-1960

Written by: Frank Ferrante Jr. (Son) and Nadine Leyva (daughter) Frank was born on July 22,1910 in Pittsburg, California to Angelina...

7 min

Salvatore Ventimiglia

Memoir Written in 1920 The following is an autobiography of Salvatore Ventimiglia, which he wrote in 1920 in pencil, given to me by Cathy...

2 min

John Russo 1913-2002

My fishing career started at the age of 13 in Pittsburg, California where I was born. During vacations from school I fished with my...

3 min

Giuseppe "Joe" Pennisi - Fisherman Buys Buyer

Giuseppe “Joe” Pennisi Intro for Fisherman Buys Buyer Giuseppe “Joe” Pennisi was born to Giovanni and Giuseppa Vasta Pennisi in Catania,...

4 min

Giovanni "John" Pennisi

Giovanni “John” Pennisi was born in Monterey, California, on July 20, 1963, to Giuseppe and Elaine Pennisi. He was named after his Nonno,...

3 min

David "Rowdy" Pennisi, Lost at Sea, 1962-2004

Rowdy Pennisi--Still seeking answers for fisher's disappearance We found out the Coast Guard was looking for my brother Rowdy's boat, the...

3 min

Francisco "Frank" Mineo 1899-1961

Francisco "Frank" Mineo was born in February, 1899 in a small fishing village on the island of Marettimo, in the Province of Trapani,...

3 min

Giuseppe "Joe" Davi 1938-2010

My name is Giuseppe (Joe) Davi. I was born in Isola delle Femmine, Sicily, on December 6, 1938 to parents Guerina (Gina) Cardinale and...

4 min

Cosimo "Gus" Peter Bruno

Cosimo "Gus" Bruno was born in Pittsburg, California, on December 14, 1908, on an exceptionally dark and rainy night. In 1919 at the age...