Paolo Carlo Gardella

Paolo Carlo Gardella was born on 1 November 1856m in Roccatagliata, Neirone, Genova, the son of Carlo Andrea Gardella (1826–1889) and Maddalena Caterina Gardella (1835– ), from a Waldensian family. His sister was Angela (later 'Jennie' Cereghino) Gardella (1874–1957), who arrived in the USA in 1890, and married Umberto Cereghino (1865–1935); his brother Andrea seems to have remained in Neirone. The Gardella-Cereghino nexus was to be important in the Chicago Italian Protestant community established by Michele Nardi and pastored by Filippo Grilli.

In 1880, Paolo married Rosa Anna Lidia Cereghino (13 May 1859, Castello, Favale di Malvaro, Genova) in Castello, Favale di Malvaro. Together they would have 11 surviving children, including Dora (4 Sep 1881, New York; m. Alberto DiCicco, b. 2 Oct 1879, Abruzzi, Italy); Adelina (b. Abt 1882, New York, ); Caterina (Kathryn) (24 Feb 1885, New York; m. Michele Palma, qv) (qv); Paolo Carlo [Paul Charles, 'Charlie'] (29 Nov 1886, Chicago, ); Lydia Adeline (23 Jul 1889, Chicago; died young, 1891); Amelia Rose (23 Jul 1889, Chicago ); Stefano Paolo (Stephen) (2 Jul 1891, Chicago); Guglielmo Giuseppe (William) (29 Mar 1893, Chicago m. Flossie Hilden); Ester Adele (Esther) (12 Mar 1895, Chicago); Adelina Bianca (Adeline) (3 May 1898, Chicago ); Richard Beniamino Gustavo (21 Jul 1902, Chicago)

On 22 February 1881 he arrived in the USA, and spent several years in New York. By the time Paolo was born in 1886, they were living in Chicago, and Paolo was working as a weight master on the city's grain silos.

Paolo and Lidia were admitted as members of First Italian Presbyterian Church on 3 January 1892, after having been a member for some time. Giulio Cereghino was admitted on the same day. In April 1892, Paolo was made one of the founding elders of Grilli's church, and would remain so for many years. His large family grew up in that context.

Paolo and Lidia travelled to Italy in 1922 to settle an estate - possibly that of Lidia's brother. By the time that they applied for a passport the previous year, their application indicated that Paolo's left hand had been amputated, possibly due to an industrial accident. Lidia died on 27 Jun 1922 aboard the SS Conte Rosso while returning from that trip. Paolo died on 7 June 1952, in Genova, Liguria, Italy.