Roots BY MICHAEL KRAUSE

Oreste and Lodovina Gherardi Oreste Gherardi was born in Pescia, Italy on March 24, 1885. Lodovina Bottaini was also born in Pescia, Italy on February 23, 1890. They married on May 25, 1913. They are my Great Great Grandpaents.

Pescia, Italy

The wrong trainIn 1908 Oreste Gherardi came to America. He was suppose to get on a train to homestead in British Columbia. But by accident he ended up Bovey, Minnesota. He got a job as miner. In 1913 he returned back to Italy to marry Lodovina.

On the left is the ship Oreste came to America on. On the right is the mine he worked in.

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Hibbing, Minnesota This is the house Oreste and Lodovina lived in. This is also where they started their family.

Oreste and Lodovinas childrenThey had eight children, Ann, Roger, Mary, Ferra (my great grandma) Lola, Leno, Alfonso, and Harry.

Ferra Gherardi Shega My Great Grandmother Ferra was born in Hibbing on December 28, 1917. She married Edward Shega in a double wedding with her sister Mary. Soon after they wed they moved to Cleveland, Ohio.

Great Grandfather Enlists in the War In January 1943 my great grandfather joined army during WW2. He was sent to Europe. He spent most of his service in Belgium. Where he earned a purple heart and a bronze star for bravery. After the war they moved back to Hibbing Minnesota.

The Shega FamilyIn 1954 they moved to a town called Babbitt. They had five children, Yvonne, Rebecca, Christine, John and Virginia (my grandma).

My Grandma and Grandpa My grandmother Ginger was born in Babbitt on May 27, 1955. She married Gary Krause on may 31, 1973 ( they are now divorced) They had three children together who were all born in Babbitt. Donald, Nicole(my mom), and Kelly.

My MomMy mother Nicole was born on July 19, 1977 in Babbitt Minnesota. She moved to California in 1983. Since then she had one child (me).

MeI was born in Glendora California on January 19, 1995. I have lived here in California my entire life.

Italian Food Since my family is from Italy we have a ton of influence in our food. Here you see my Grandma making pasta for Christmas dinner. She does this every year.

Italian FoodHere you see my family making pasta for this upcoming Christmas.

Family Traditions My family has a lot of traditions. It always brings the family together. Here you see my Grandpa and me making homemade ice cream

Family Traditions Every five years our family has a family reunion in Hibbing Minnesota.

Family Traditions Every two years or so my family goes on camping trips.

Fond Memories Here is my great grandmother and I fishing in Hibbing Minnesota.

Fond Memories Here is my family in California. This is us at Christmas. We all spend this Christmas together.