Guide to the Order Italian Sons and Daughters of America Records 1928-1970
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- Order Italian Sons and Daughters of America Records
- Creator
- Order Italian Sons and Daughters of America.
- Collection Number
- MSS 724
- Extent
- 4.5 linear feet (5 boxes)
- Date
- 1928-1970
- Abstract
- Founded in 1930 in Pittsburgh, Pa., the Order Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA) embraced the mission of fostering Italian American culture and values through the organization of events and programs for its members. Beyond fostering various social and cultural events, this fraternal organization also adopted the mission of providing active members with financial security in the event that they could not support themselves. The Order Italian Sons and Daughters Records mainly consist of organization and administrative records, correspondence, pamphlets, news clippings, convention materials, and other ephemera. This collection also includes printed booklets relating to the financial expenditures of ISDA lodges.
- Language
- The material in this collection is in English and Italian.
- Sponsor
- This collection has been made accessible as part of an NHPRC-funded Basic Processing grant.
- Publisher
- Heinz History Center
- Address
- 1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org
History
Founded in 1930, the Order Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA) embraced the mission of fostering Italian American culture and values through the organization of events and programs for its members. Upon its founding, the ISDA offered membership to all persons of Italian descent in America. As time passed however, the ISDA opened membership to those who married to an individual of Italian descent or to anyone who fostered a passion for Italian American culture. Although founded in 1930, the ISDA was officially chartered in 1960 by its members in Pittsburgh, Pa. Beyond hosting various social and cultural events for its members, this fraternal organization also adopted the mission of providing active members with financial benefits in the event that they could not support themselves. In particular, the ISDA dedicated itself to offering death and insurance benefits to its members.
In their role as advocates for Italian American culture and values, the ISDA became embroiled in national debates concerning portrayals of Italian Americans in the media. In 1959, the ISDA launched an anti-defamation campaign meant to combat the adverse depictions of Italian Americans as gangsters and Mafiosi. This campaign included an attack on the Columbia Broadcasting Company (CBS), who planned on airing "The Lawbreakers," a television series featuring Italian American gangsters.
Since its founding, ISDA regional lodges have extended throughout the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, New York, Michigan, Florida, California, Illinois and Indiana. While ISDA lodges in each state annually convene for a convention, ISDA lodges across the country meet biennially at a national convention. The central offices of the ISDA are located in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Scope and Content Notes
The Order Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA) Records are housed in five archival boxes and mainly consist of correspondence and other records surrounding the business and social functions of ISDA lodges throughout the early years of the organization (1930-c1960). The bulk of this correspondence can be found in boxes 1-3. This collection also consists of records that document ISDA's involvement in the reception of visiting dignitaries from Italy, including the Italian Consul in 1933 and the 1957 Italian Ambassador to the United States. In addition, this collection also includes material such as pamphlets, programs, correspondence, invitations, and drafts of speeches relating to ISDA state conventions from 1932 to c1958. This collection also contains papers relating to celebrations of Italian Day beginning in 1935, the ISDA Anti-Defamation campaign of 1959, and the establishment of the Italian Room in the Cathedral of Learning in 1934.
The oversized material in this collection (box 4) is comprised of newsprint from the 1930s relating to ISDA events, a 1935 commissioning certificate from the Italian Department of War, and photocopies of newspapers relating to various research topics regarding Italian American life in Western Pennsylvania, including the Black Hand Society and the Monongah, W.Va. coal mine disaster in 1907.
Box 5 contains printed booklets relating to the financial expenditures of ISDA lodges throughout the state of Pennsylvania. Booklets dating from 1932 to 1946 detail the financial statements for ISDA lodges in Pennsylvania, with particular emphasis placed on the finances disbursed for death benefits. In addition, this collection also includes minutes from the Pennsylvania state ISDA convention in 1944 and a program relating to the 1961 Maytime Ball, which honored the Order Italian Sons and Daughters of America Lodge Presidents of Western Pennsylvania. Concerning ISDA national conventions, this collection also contains a booklet of financial statements from 1960 to 1961 and national convention minutes in 1962.
Conditions Governing Access
None.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
These materials came in two accessions:
Internal transfer from Nick Ciotola in 2003.
Archives accession # 2003.0171
Gift from Joseph D'Andrea in 2011.
Archives accession # 2011.0177
Preferred Citation
Order Italian Sons and Daughters of America Records, 1928-1970, MSS 724, Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center.
Processing Information
Preliminary processing by Sierra Green on 02/10/2012. Finding aid revised and 2011 accession added by Sierra Green on 08/27/2012. Inventory created by volunteer staff in 2011.
Conditions Governing Use
Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.
Related Materials
Charter for the Italian Sons and Daughters Regina Elana Lodge no. 36, North Side, Pittsburgh, Pa., 1930, 1995.0324, Italian American Collection, Detre Library and Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center.
Joseph Mule collection, 1930-1981, includes photographs (14), videotape and audiotape, 1995.0007, Italian American Collection, Detre Library and Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center.
Unione, Pittsburgh, Pa.: Italian Consolidated Press, 1924-1962, 1985-present. Italian American Collection, Detre Library and Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center.
Subjects
- Order Italian Sons and Daughters of America (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
- Italians-- Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh.
- Italian Americans--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh.
- Fraternal organizations--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh.
- Italian Americans--Social life and customs.