Download (14Mb) - VUIR - Victoria University

possibly as labourers. The closure of the borders with Lombardy reduced the family's
income earnings capacity, forcing a total dependency on the meagre earnings of the
farm. When bad weather resuUed in crop failures and a rise in food prices, the family
became desperate to save itself from financial min and possible death. The sons,
seeing little hope for a secure future in their village, looked to the 'new' southem
continent for solutions.
In 1853, Battista, who was then 27 years old, and Maurizio, who was only
eighteen, became the first of their brothers to emigrate. They were also possibly
accompanied by Giacomo, who was 21.'* In 1852, the village council of Someo had
begun making loans available to those citizens wishing to emigrate to California,
funding the project, in large part, through the continued logging and sale of its forests.*
The Someo council had also tried to overcome the unemployment problem by
providing work opportunities for its citizens on local projects; as the village coffers
were almost empty, these projects were funded through the donations of various
charitable organisations. When large numbers of men began to emigrate to Australia in
1853, these programs were aborted and the remaining money diverted to help the
travellers with their transport fares. Battista and Maurizio Morganti each borrowed
1,400 francs, a large amount, indicating a lack of personal funds. Fourteen hundred
francs were considered sufficient for all foreseeable expenses: the travel fare of around
560 francs, additional money for a passport, clothes and board and lodging on first
arrival. Almost half Someo's emigrants to Australia were eventually to borrow money
from the village Council, the remainder availing themselves of private loans or drawing
on their own savings.^ The funds from the charitable organisations were only made
65