Crocheting on underwear at home. Carmina Caruso, 10 years old, a regular worker. Sister Mary, 5 years old, learning; mother sitting out in unkept [i.e., unkempt?] side yard all day long. Sometimes they walk up and down the street as they work. 18 South Street, Somerville, Mass., August 1912, Lewis Hine.

Carmina Caruso was photographed in Somerville, Massachusetts, not New York City, and she was crocheting, not making flowers; but her situation would have been markedly similar.

Somerville is only three miles from Boston. In 1910, the population was about 75,000. According to family history information and various government documents, Carmina Caruso was born in Gaeta, Italy, on January 17, 1902. She was one of at least nine children born to Salvatore Caruso and Maria Antonia Cavicchio, who married in 1891. Most information indicates that Salvatore came alone to the US about 1909, and the rest of his family arrived in 1910. So when Carmina was photographed in 1912, she had been in the US two years and probably spoke only Italian.

Carmina married Cosmo Leccese in 1918. They had five children, including Raymond, born in 1925. I contacted Raymond, who lives near Boston. He had never seen the Lewis Hine photos of his mother. Although he was not able to participate in a telephone interview, I had an enjoyable conversation with his wife, Frances, who provided considerable information about Carmina.

Crocheting on underwear at home. Carmina Caruso, 10 years old, a regular worker; sister Mary, 5 years old, learning; mother and neighbor sitting out in unkept [i.e., unkempt?] side yard all day long. Sometimes they walk up and down the street as they work. 18 South Street, Somerville, Mass., August 1912, Lewis Hine.