The Italian Connection

While in Sydney we visited Adeline, the first cousin of Rob’s Mum. She lives in an amazing old house in Bexley (near the airport) that was built in 1888. The Callose family purchased the house in 1919 as a weekender to escape their business in Sydney. Then the house was among dairy farms! While visiting we discussed some very interesting family history with Adeline, who for an 86 year old has a very sharp memory. Rob’s Great Grandfather (Batholomeo Callose, top left wedding photo) and Great Grandmother (Katherine, bottom left wedding photo) first emigrated from Italy in 1884. In 1903 when naturalised Batholomeo was a fruiterer. At some point later he begun a manufacturing and import business. B Callose and Sons Pty Ltd were the first manufacturers of pasta in Sydney (maybe Australia) and imported goods from Italy. A photo below shows a lorry picking up goods from the wharf at Circular Key. The Great Grandparents had five children including another Katherine (Auntie Katie, getting married below) who is Adeline’s mother and Angelo (second from left top wedding photo) who is Rob’s Grandfather. After marrying Auntie Katie moved into the Bexley house where Adeline was born. Adeline has lived there since. There is an amazing amount of history in the house with many old ornaments and fittings. Most of the lights are turned on by pull cords. Symi has been taking great delight in nearly being as big as her Grandmother (left) and Adeline (right).