OUR ANCESTORS - FROM TRENTINO TO THE COLORADO MINES

During the late 1800's and early 1900's, emigrants from Trentino found work in the coal mines surrounding the Las Animas County town of Trinidad (Hastings, Ludlow, Primero, Starkville, Segundo), located 15 miles from the Colorado - New Mexico border.  During the 1880's, Trinidad was a rest stop on the historic Santa Fe trail and home to such famous "Old West" personalities as "Doc" Holliday and Bat Masterson.  Additionally, famed lawman Wyatt Earp drove a stagecoach between Trinidad and other southwestern towns.  These mines and those of other areas of Colorado (Silverton, Walsenburg, Leadville, Central City) attracted our ancestors, who worked long days for low pay. The dangers of mining is evident by the hundreds of graves around the mining towns.

PHOTOVIEWS OF COLORADO MINES AND MINING TOWNS

Early Photos of Colorado mining camps and towns.  Perhap your ancestor lived or worked here.
Click on the photo for a larger version and explanation of the scenes.
(courtesy of Denver Public Library, Western History Department)

Mine accidents were common, and many Trentini are buried at Catholic Cemetery, Trinidad, including my three grand-uncles --

"Frank JOB, one of the best known mine bosses in the southern tier of the state, was mangled and killed in a terrific explosion in the Victor Fuel Company's mine at Hastings late Friday night. ....." Trinidad Advertiser, Nov 4, 1906

Here is a complete transcript of the newspaper article describing the mine accident.  The newspaper reporting during that time was quite graphic, and gives you an idea of the perils faced by the miners in Colorado.  As can be seen, the obituaries written during the early 1900's were generally quite graphic.

Leonardo Jacob Banaletti (originally from the town of Bronzollo) emigrated to the US in 1891.  After spending time in Ohio, he travelled to Colorado where he worked in the coal mines.  He was killed under a fall of coal at the Herzon mine 14 Sep 1905. According to the newspapers, a dozen men worked for 24 hours trying to get him out, but were too late.   The Herzon mine was about 7 miles south of Walsenburg, and operated by the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company.  It closed permanently in 1928;

Giuseppe Jacob Banaletti (brother of Leonardo), killed in an accident at Primero 12 Feb 1903.

Colorado mining fatality listing -- provided by the Denver Public Library, the list gives details on many of the miners (including emigrants from Trentino) who lost their lives in mine accidents.  The list is not all inclusive.

Microfilmed Records -- listing of some of the films containing copies of birth, death, and marriage documents.  The films are available at LDS Family History Centers worldwide.

Naturalization Petitions -- this listing includes emigrants from Trentino who petitioned to become US citizens in the Walsenburg, Colorado area.  Listing is by last name, and copies of documents may be ordered.  Includes names such as Andreatta, Bellotti, Benedetti, Bergamo, Brentari, Brunelli, Mattivi, Menapace, Micheli, Zancanella, and others.

Gilpin County Marriages Index -- a listing of brides and grooms marrying in the county.   Search is by last name, and copies of the documents may be ordered.  Includes names such as Casagrande, Dalsant, Eccker, Moser, Pinamonti, Valentini.

 TrinidadCo - devoted to activities in and around Trinidad, Colorado. This site provides a historical walking tour of Trinidad, building a bridge from the past to the future.

Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries -- On-line catalog of books held by various libraries in Colorado. You can search by subject, author, title, or word. Inputting a surname, place name, or other search term will bring up a listing of books on that term and the location of the library holding a copy. Once you know the name or author of the book, you may be able to arrange an interlibrary loan of the book through your local public or school library.

Hillside Cemetery is located near the former Silverton mining camp.  Many of our ancestors from Trentino are buried here.  They bear names such as Andreatta, Anesi, Casagrande, Corazza, Dalla (Dallavalle), Dallapiccola, Dalsant, Dalpra, Eccher, Fedriiz, Mattivi, Zancanella, and Zanoni.  This site also contains interesting articles on  the "Americanization" of Trentino surnames (Dallavalle in Trentino to Dalla in the US; Maffei in Trentino to Maffey in the US).

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