Photograph of the Orlando children, Toronto, ON, date unknown - solo in inglese

Black and white photograph of Italo, Lidia, and Roy Orlando, Toronto, ON, date unknown. Based on the appearance of the two little boys, this picture was likely taken in the late 1920s. The three are children of Eliseo and Maria Orlando. 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 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.

Designated an enemy alien herself on June 10, 1940, Antoinette (Toni) Ciccarelli was asked by Maria Orlando to bring sweaters to her sons at the Canadian National Exhibition grounds where they were being held after the mass arrests. Both boys had been taken with no warning from school and had not been allowed to return home. Maria also sent through Toni their prayer book and rosary. Toni was able to hand the materials to the police and see the boys, whom she told "And your mother said to please say your rosaries and your prayer book. And God will will look after you."

For more, see related interviews.