Photograph of ladies sewing, Toronto, ON, 1955-1960 - solo in inglese

Black and white photograph of ladies sewing, Toronto, ON, 1955-1960. The purpose of the sewing is not known, whether for pay or a volunteer effort.

An elderly Maria Orlando appears at the bottom right. Maria had immigrated to Toronto with her daughter Lidia ca. 1920 to join her husband who had come to Canada in search of work. The family first settled on Queen Street before moving to the Beaches area. Eliseo Orlando was a tailor and his wife Maria was also an exceptional sewer.

In 1940, Eliseo and his two sons Italo and Roy Orlando were arrested and interned. At 16 years of age, Roy Orlando was likely the youngest Italian Canadian among the internees.