KELOWNA CANADIAN ITALIAN CLUB
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Le prime famiglie italiane di Kelowna 

The first Italian families of Kelowna

Nicola (Nicholas) Ceresi and Elizabeth Latka

6/3/2021

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Picture
The Ceresi name was first seen in an article titled: “An Italian Immigrant looks back on life’s grand adventure” by Samuele Turri (Okanagan Historical Society #64 Report, 2000).  Samuele and five friends (Angelo Guidi, Amos Guidi and Pietro Guidi, Carlo Cavani and Cesare Bertucci) arrived in Kelowna in 1912.  In this article, Samuele states “At first I stayed with a dear friend, Nicola Ceresi….”. 

Nicola was born on July 24, 1883 in Lucca, Tuscany, Italy.  A 1909, Le Havre, France,  to New York manifest, listed Nicola, age 25, single, laborer, leaving his father Battista Rossi, in Massa Carrare (Tuscany).  His destination was listed as Kelowna, Canada to meet a friend Ulissi Guidi.  Two travelling mates, Enrico Alberti and Alfredo Biagioni, were also early Kelowna arrivals.

The 1911 census for Kelowna, showed that Nicholas Ceresi (26), Joseph Rossi (24) and Chance Guidi (25) were lodgers with Ambrogio Suffredini (39).  Nicola’s occupation was listed as labourer and his employment as “building”.  A 1913 manifest showed Palmizio Favali at Ellis Island, travelling to Kelowna, to meet cousin Nicola Ceresi in Kelowna, BC.

On November 3, 1913 there was a display ad in the Daily News from Nelson, BC, for the “New Grand Hotel… Best Place in Town, $1.00 A DAY UP.”  It listed Nicola Ceresi , Joseph Rossi (Nicola’s uncle) and H Wassick of Crescent Valley and a C Fiorenza as owners of the hotel.  Crescent Valley is halfway between Castelgar and Nelson, on highway #6, on the way to Slocan, BC.

On June 15, 1944, Nicola married Elizabeth (Betty) Theresa Latka, in Michel Natal, BC.  Elizabeth was born on December 19, 1914, in Michel Natal, to Czechoslovakian parents: John Latka and Theresa Hlicke.  The 1946 obituary for Alberto Ulissi Guidi indicated that Nicola was his brother in law.  Alberto had married Nicola’s sister, Adela Maria Rossi.
​
The 1949 Voters List listed Nicholas (carpenter) and Elizabeth Betty Ceresi living in Natal, BC,.  The 1974 voters listed them retired, in Sparwood, BC.  Nicola and Elizabeth  are interred at the Elk Valley Cemetery in Sparwood. Nicola passed in 1975 and Elizabeth, in 2002.  They had no children.

Don Rampone
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    Research and photos of First Families by Don Rampone

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The Kelowna Canadian Italian Club acknowledges that our clubhouse is situated on the beautiful unceded traditional territory of the Syilx/Okanagan people. Who, for thousands of years, have lived in harmony with nature and continue to this day to offer us so much culture and understanding.
  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
    • About KCIC and Our History
    • President's Message
    • Vice President's Message
    • Executive and Directors
    • Membership
    • Volunteers
  • NEWS & ARTICLES
    • The Grapevine Newsletter
    • THE ITALIAN GARDENER
    • Kelowna's First Families
  • WHAT'S HAPPENING AT KCIC
    • 2025 Calendar
    • Club Happenings >
      • Giuseppe's Cafe
      • Trattoria Dinners
      • Bocce
      • LUNCH Open House
      • La Bella Tavola - Cooking Classes
      • KCIC Library
      • La Nostra Famiglia Italiana >
        • Order First Family Books!
        • CASORSO DOCUMENTARY
        • Upcoming NFI Events
        • Il Nostro Lascito Legacy Project
        • Past NFI Events >
          • NFI - ROOTS TO RESILIENCE
          • NFI - Follow That Bell!
          • NFI - Spaghetti
          • NFI - Bisnonno
          • NFI - L'Acqua
          • NFI - Terrazzo
          • NFI - Guerra
          • NFI - Lilia
          • Coming to Pier 21
          • Dalla Terra
          • Dialetti!
          • Sveva Caetani
          • Emilio Picariello
          • Between Neighbours
      • Ladies Night Out
      • Vendemmia Highlights 2024
      • Family Games Night
      • Ferragosto Family Picnic
      • Festa Della Repubblica
    • Our 55th Birthday!
  • More From Us
    • CONTACT US
    • Clubhouse Rentals
    • 50th ANNIVERSARY >
      • 50th Anniversary
      • Mercato
      • Dinner & Dance Gala
    • Miss Kelowna Cdn. Italian Club
    • Calendar Page
  • Take Out Dinners
  • Family Games Night