The New York Story You Never Knew You Needed

Finding Philomena A Brand New Family History Podcast Series

The New York Story You Never Knew You Needed

Finding Philomena A Brand New Family History Podcast Series

A Journey to the Beating Heart of the American Dream

Welcome to Finding Philomena, a family history Podcast uncovering the secret life of my great-grandmother Philomena, a Neapolitan immigrant in New York's Greenwich Village at the turn of the century. Creating this Podcast was the perfect excuse for me, a third-generation Italian-American, to learn some history--American history, New York history, Italian history, and even my own family's history. I was fascinated with what I learned. Here, I mingle personal and family stories with a review of the history "books" for a fresh look at the first Italian diaspora, the birth of Italian America, and the American Dream.

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About Finding Philomena (Podcast)

Welcome

A family history podcast told through the collective memory of one large extended Italian American family. Finding Philomena (Podcast) believes that history is alive in each of us, though we often think of it as a thing of the past. We aim to discover the world of Philomena, a turn of the century New York bookmaker while discovering ourselves, and creating a space for conversations and insights into the ever-evolving American dream.

Meet the Host

Our host is passionate about --no, obsessed with-- discovering and imaging the life of her great grandmother, Philomena. To aid in this journey, she brings a passion for storytelling, a background in media, limitless curiosity, a love of New York, and access to some of the best cousins and uncles around anywhere.

And Your "Co-Narrator"

One of the highlights of this Podcast has been the opportunity to talk with Marie, our 96-year old matriarch of the large extended family. Marie grew up right next door to her grandmother Philomena and knew her well. History has never sounded so interesting as when told through Marie's stories.

One New York Woman’s Story, With a Curious Twist

Philomena immigrated to New York City’s Greenwich Village from Naples, Italy, at the age of 20 in 1890. There, as the country transitioned from America’s Industrial Revolution period (also called the Second Industrial Revolution) to the Progressive Era, she and her husband had and raised ten sons. Taking cues from Italian tradition, Philomena organized her sons to maximize success in the family carting business, making some sons laborers and others business managers. As the family established itself over three decades, they built a three-story shared residence and workspace on their beloved Christopher Street where the second half of Philomena’s story unfolds.

Newly widowed in 1923 at the age of 47 years old, Philomena’s life was reportedly “downstairs with the boys” in the garage’s kitchen slash office. There, she cooked three meals daily for her sons and associates. It was a tradition that would last decades, even as her sons–ten handsome and charismatic men– married and had families of their own. It was a busy place with a dizzying cast of characters, a cross-section of the social and cultural strata of the day, and a microcosm of New York and Urban America in the Jazz Age.

It’s an exciting story in its own right, but there is another piece of family lore. As the story goes, Philomena ran another business — one outside the law. Some say she was a bookmaker while others say she was the mastermind behind a successful gambling operation. A story that becomes only more complicated by history.

An Investigation Into a Hidden History

Until recently, bookmaking operated in the shadows of legality. My initial Google dives revealed a murky depiction, steeped in negativity and confusion surrounding bookmakers and the numbers racket. Delving deeper, I unearthed layers of classism and racism embedded within these portrayals. Further investigation revealed the persistence of erroneous ideas, stubbornly clinging to prominence, especially when endorsed by prestigious publications. But setting aside issues of racism, classism, and political agendas, there's another facet to explore: the involvement of Italian American, working-class, and immigrant women in bookmaking during that era. These resilient women, often overlooked, defied limited opportunities with their determination and resourcefulness.

Hints suggesting the prevalence of bookmaking among Italian American women emerged sporadically. An offhand remark from a friend acknowledged my great-grandmother's involvement as typical for Italian women, akin to Jewish women's role as matchmakers. Entertainer Joey Diaz's anecdotes about his Cuban American mother running a Bolita ring shed further light on the topic. Rumors swirled about podcaster Joe Rogan's grandmother serving prison time for her involvement in the numbers racket. An Italian American author shared tales of her bootlegger grandmother in her memoir. Not to forget Stephanie St. Claire, the formidable Black figure known as Queenie, Madam Queen, or the Queen of the Policy Rackets, who defiantly defended her successful operation in 1920s Harlem against encroaching Italian and Jewish mafias.

The subject brims with complexity, with diverse perspectives ranging from neighborhood lore to the disdainful views of policymakers and Progressives, immortalized in century-old newspapers and persisting today on the internet. My aim is to recount Philomena's story from her perspective, drawing from cherished family anecdotes.

This ambitious endeavor is a labor of love, tracing the journey of one woman bookmaker through the bustling Interwar period of New York, navigating the challenges of 19th-century womanhood and the pursuit of the American Dream. Journey with me to reclaim a nearly forgotten piece of history.

Finding Philomena A Brand New Family History Podcast Series

Finding Philomena A Brand New Family History Podcast Series

A Journey to the Beating Heart of the American Dream

About Finding Philomena (Podcast)

Welcome

Meet the Host

And Your "Co-Narrator"

Indeed, everything has a history, and it matters

Listen Now! Preview Episode

Stay in The Loop

One New York Woman’s Story, With a Curious Twist

Leave a Tip

An Investigation Into a Hidden History

"So You Sow — So Shall Ye Reap."

Let's Work Together

Have a story to share or a contribution to make? Reach out. Use the form below or email findingphilomenapodcast@gmail.com

Better yet, send me a text

Finding Philomena (Podcast)

Finding Philomena A Brand New Family History Podcast Series

Finding Philomena A Brand New Family History Podcast Series

A Journey to the Beating Heart of the American Dream

About Finding Philomena (Podcast)

Welcome

Meet the Host

And Your "Co-Narrator"

Indeed, everything has a history, and it matters

Listen Now! Preview Episode

Stay in The Loop

One New York Woman’s Story, With a Curious Twist

Leave a Tip

An Investigation Into a Hidden History

"So You Sow — So Shall Ye Reap."

Let's Work Together

Have a story to share or a contribution to make? Reach out. Use the form below or email findingphilomenapodcast@gmail.com

Better yet, send me a text

Finding Philomena (Podcast)

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