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Special Collections Research Center
William & Mary Special Collections Research CenterEarl Gregg Swem Library
400 Landrum Dr
Williamsburg, Virginia
Business Number: 757-221-3090
spcoll@wm.edu
URL: https://libraries.wm.edu/libraries-spaces/special-collections
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Use
Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.
Preferred Citation:
Biographical/ Historical
Joseph Frank Ferritta was born on December 10, 1924 in Erie, Pennsylvania. He was registered for the draft in 1942 and served from June 1943 to February 1946. He did not serve overseas. He died on July 29, 2004. Anna Romeo was born around 1908 in Erie, Pennsylvania to Italian parents. She married Pasquale "Patsy" Ferrita and gave birth to Joseph and Frank Ferritta, and later married Serafino "Sam" Romeo. She died in 1960. Frank Serefino Ferritta was born on November 3, 1926 in Erie, Pennsylvania. He was registered for the draft in 1944 and served briefly starting January 1945. He did not serve overseas.
Content Description
Letters to and from family of Joseph Ferritta during the end of World War II and after, August 1944- January 1946 . Most of the letters concern family events and issues and army life.
Significant Persons Associated With the Collection
- Ferritta, Joseph Frank
- Romeo, Anna Ferritta
Container List
Letters between Anna Romeo and her sons Joe and Frank Ferritta, who are both in the military. Joe writes to Frank from Fort Sam Houston, Texas to comfort him after he is drafted, and later Frank writes to Anna Romeo from training in New Cumberland. Also included is a communique to soldiers from headquarters warning them not to discuss military movements, from one of Joe's letters.
Two letters from Frank Ferritta to Anna Romeo, one from training in Cumberland, Pennsylvania and one when he is stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Also an application for soldiers' life insurance and a war bond in Frank's name with Anna Romeo as beneficiary, and an unsigned card for Anna Romeo.
Letters from various family members and friends for Anna Romeo and Frank and Joe Ferritta. Joe's friend Cpl. Joe Saia writes Anna Romeo from California, Joe and Frank's aunt Mary Golino writes Frank, and Joe writes his mother.
Three letters and one telegram from Joe Ferritta to his mother Anna Romeo. Joe is still stationed in Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and is preparing for a furlough. Frank has been depressed, and young cousin Frankie has health problems.
Three letters from Joe to his mother Anna, and one from Anna to Joe. Joe writes about leisure time activities, cousin Frankie's health, and strife in that branch of the family.
Two letters from Joe to Anna, one from Joe's friend Robert "Chris" Crisafulli urging Joe to undergo officer training, and a letter from Veterans' Affairs to Frank following his discharge.
Letters from Joe to Anna, about celebrating the end of the war, planning for college after his discharge, and concern over disputes within the family and its circle of friends.
Two letters from Joe to Anna about the relaxation of army policies and planning for his next assignment; one letter from Anna to Joe about having talked by telephone the previous night and family issues. Also a letter from Josie to Joe which mentions finding a new job, and a telegram from P. Staliano to Sam Romeo.
Three letters to Joe, one from his friend Joe Saia and two from Anna; one from Joe to Anna. Joe Saia has been transferred to Bad Wildungen, Germany, and Joe has been transferred to Camp Swift, Texas.
Letters to Joe, two from Anna, one from aunt Mary Golino, and one from newly married cousin Sarina. Anna informs Joe that his father sold part of his business and the family profited $43,000.
Letters between Joe, Anna, and Frank, largely about a dispute between Frank and their father concerning gambling.
Three letters to Joe, two from female friends and one from Anna, and one from Joe to Anna. The letters concern work and school situations, and who has come home from the war so far.
Three letters to Joe about how the family is doing at home, and one letter back from Joe with newspaper clippings for his mother.
Letters between Joe, Frank, and Anna. Frank writes to Joe to reconcile after his bad behavior, Anna writes to tell Joe what has been happening in the family.
Letters between Joe and Anna, about town and family gossip, furlough plans, and people coming home from the war.
Three letters from Anna to Joe and one back, largely regarding the hope that Joe will be able to schedule his furlough to allow him to be home for Christmas.
Three letters between Anna and Joe, about home issues, waiting for a definite confirmation on the furlough, war bonds, and hearing from old friends. Also a letter to Joe from Jim [[Pide]], who is frustrated because he will not have Christmas off from his office job.
One letter from Joe to Anna after returning to Camp Swift from his Christmas furlough, mostly about hearing how many soldiers are being discharged and hoping he will soon. Also an unfinished response from Anna.
Undated materials, including a letter to Frank, birthday cards probably for Joe, a note about Joe on an envelope, an empty envelope, and a newspaper clipping about Joe's discharge.