Page 37 - A Life - my Live - my path

The journey - coal miner’s community

brother , a man who has always earned a great deal of
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respect from the villagers. After a few days' reflection, they
both agreed in principle to the marriage.
A few weeks passed and on 2 June 1945 the date was set for
my father and his family to visit my mother's family.

Her brother asked her: "What do you think?"
My mother replied: "At 16, I don't know what to say. If you
and Mum agree, I agree."
My uncle then clarified:
"The situation is very simple, they're coming, so
either it's Yes and it stays Yes, or it's No and it
stays No."

In those days, people married young, so they were part of the
trend. She answered Yes to her brother's question and the
marriage was decided. Despite their young age, it wasn't a
real 'arranged' marriage; it was simply a little
accommodated.
The wedding took place on Sunday 19 August 1945, two
and a half months after the two families had officially
agreed. My mother was 16 years and 7 months old and my
father was 17 years and 10 months old.
The ceremony began in the morning. They went to the
town hall to carry out civil procedures. The religious
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ceremony took place during Sunday mass .
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32 Giuseppe (for us, zio Peppe)
33 My father and mother, together with their brothers.
34 n the presence of my father's brother and his wife.
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