Ellis Island Graffiti

MauroMags · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 1:22 pm Post subject: Ellis Island Graffiti

I was at Ellis Island today and one of the many profound things found there is the graffiti that was uncovered during the restoration of the 1980s.

Check out the link below to see an example of graffiti written on one of the columns. Some of you may have seen this before.

http://home.comcast.net/~magarelli/HPIM2849.JPG

I was able to find Giuseppe & Achille's manifest online. I wonder if his family knows this piece of graffiti genealogy exists?

nuccia · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 1:33 pm Post subject: Re: Ellis Island Graffiti

How cool is that! Can't wait to see Ellis Island. Can't believe I never saw it.

Cathy · V.I.P. Joined: Jul 10, 2007 Posts: 2681

MauroMags wrote:

I was at Ellis Island today and one of the many profound things found there is the graffiti that was uncovered during the restoration of the 1980s.

Check out the link below to see an example of graffiti written on one of the columns. Some of you may have seen this before.

http://home.comcast.net/~magarelli/HPIM2849.JPG

I was able to find Giuseppe & Achille's manifest online. I wonder if his family knows this piece of graffiti genealogy exists?

WOW Mauro - that is amazing! You didn't see Giuseppe Napolitano there did you? Smile

I bet they don't know about it. I have been to many immigration sites and have never seen or heard anything about grafitti. Great find! Thanks for sharing.

wldspirit · V.I.P. Joined: Jul 10, 2007 Posts: 109 Location: Usa

Bad eyes here..... Embarassed

What does all of it say?? I could only make out some of it....
I can't wait to see Ellis Island!!!
Lee

ricbru · Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 3:25 am Post subject: Re: Ellis Island Graffiti

wldspirit wrote:

Bad eyes here..... Embarassed

What does all of it say?? I could only make out some of it....
I can't wait to see Ellis Island!!!
Lee

it says Achille Cecchini arrived to Ellis Island on Saturday 12 May 1901
ciao Riccardo

Cathy · V.I.P. Joined: Jul 10, 2007 Posts: 2681

Mauro - was there more grafitti? Did you get pictures? I'm really curious now.

MauroMags · Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 4:34 am Post subject: Re: Ellis Island Graffiti

There is quite a bit of graffiti and supposedly alot more in the un-restored buildings. I've been told its been documented, not sure if it is published anywhere.

Of course, the graffiti is not only in Italian, there are more than 12 languages in existence. I did get picture of a patch of graffiti in one of the exhibits of a outlined hand and the words "Maledetto Vapone" There is more written but i can't make it out. I think it means "Damn the ship??" When i go through all of my pics i'll put it up on the board

JamesBianco · Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 4:39 am Post subject: Re: Ellis Island Graffiti

That is so kool!!!

ricbru · Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 4:42 am Post subject: Re: Ellis Island Graffiti

MauroMags wrote:

I was at Ellis Island today and one of the many profound things found there is the graffiti that was uncovered during the restoration of the 1980s.

Check out the link below to see an example of graffiti written on one of the columns. Some of you may have seen this before.

http://home.comcast.net/~magarelli/HPIM2849.JPG

I was able to find Giuseppe & Achille's manifest online. I wonder if his family knows this piece of graffiti genealogy exists?

I WISH I WAS THERE....I REALLY WANT TO GO THERE AND VISIT
CIAO AND THANKS FOR SHARING THAT PICTURE
RICCARDO

Cathy · V.I.P. Joined: Jul 10, 2007 Posts: 2681

MauroMags wrote:

There is quite a bit of graffiti and supposedly alot more in the un-restored buildings. I've been told its been documented, not sure if it is published anywhere.

Of course, the graffiti is not only in Italian, there are more than 12 languages in existence. I did get picture of a patch of graffiti in one of the exhibits of a outlined hand and the words "Maledetto Vapone" There is more written but i can't make it out. I think it means "Damn the ship??" When i go through all of my pics i'll put it up on the board

WOW! That's really cool. He was probably seasick. My great aunt wouldn't even talk about her ship journey but her daughter told me she was seasick the whole trip! I can't immagine being stuck on a smelly old ship with seasickness for 10 days!

wldspirit · V.I.P. Joined: Jul 10, 2007 Posts: 109 Location: Usa

Imagine that.......graffitti from 1901....now that would make for some interesting documentation!!!!
Lee

exdem · Member Joined: Jul 23, 2007 Posts: 10 Location: New Jersey

great post Mauro...

The Washington monument has graffeti inside.. It was used as a civil war prison, holding souther soldiers, when they recently did the restoration they left all the graffiti. Hope to someday check it out.

MauroMags · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 1:35 am Post subject: Re: Ellis Island Graffiti

Here is that other piece of graffiti on display at Ellis Island. I believe it says "Maledetto Vapone Neustria," which I think means "Damn the ship Neustria." If thats what it says i think that is a very profound statement

Cathy · V.I.P. Joined: Jul 10, 2007 Posts: 2681

WOW - Mauro, amazing picture! And truly a profound statement. It really gives you a glimpse of how they suffered on those ships. I don't think many people think about that. It had to be a very frightening experience too. Especially for women travelling alone with children to meet their husbands.

ricbru · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 3:08 am Post subject: Re: Ellis Island Graffiti

Yes it said "Damn ship Neustria"
ciao Riccardo