Italian immigrants, Ontario. One by One...Passo dopo passo...History of the Italian Community in Sarnia-Lambton. Storia Della Comunita’ Italiana di Sarnia-Lambton, 1870-1990.

Rome, Italy, 1991.  The scarce hardcover edition of an uncommon book, in green cloth, with some marks on back cover, otherwise fine. 148 pages.  Contributing authors: Caroline DiCocco, Claudio Holzer, Nella D'Agostini, and Antonio Ambrose.  Profusely illustrated with black-and-white  photographs.  Texts in English and Italian. Not issued with ISBN number. Summary:

One by One... Passo dopo passo (1990) is a specialized, bilingual historical record documenting the migratory and cultural evolution of the Italian-Canadian population in the Sarnia-Lambton region of Ontario. Published to commemorate over a century of heritage, the book serves as both a genealogical resource and a sociological study of a specific immigrant enclave.

Core Themes and Content

• The "Step-by-Step" Migration: The title reflects the "chain migration" pattern typical of the region. It details how early pioneers arrived in the late 19th century—often working on the railroads or in the burgeoning petrochemical industry—and gradually brought families over "one by one" from regions like Molise, Lazio, and Calabria.

• Industrial Synergy: A significant portion of the book explores the relationship between the Italian community and Sarnia’s "Chemical Valley." It chronicles how Italian laborers, stonemasons, and tradespeople provided the essential backbone for the construction and maintenance of the refineries that defined the local economy.

• Cultural Preservation: The text highlights the founding of vital community pillars, such as the Dante Club and local Italian-language parishes. It documents the transition from the struggle of the "Great Depression" years to the post-WWII boom, where the community transitioned from temporary laborers to established business owners and civic leaders.

Structure and Significance

• Bilingual Record: By presenting the text in both English and Italian, the book bridges the generational gap between the original immigrants (primogeniti) and their Canadian-born descendants.

• Archival Photography: The book is rich with rare family photographs, manifestos from immigrant ships, and early snapshots of Sarnia’s North End, providing a visual "extra finish" to the oral histories and statistical data.