In the last century Fontanarossa (as all the villages in the Trebbia Valley), suffered a strong emigration both towards the near cities of Genoa and Milan, and towards North America, particularly in California. We quote an article of someone emigrated to this state, where still lives today:
“Back in 1906, after the famous earthquake that damaged San Francisco, some Fontanarossa’s emigrated in that city looking for fortune. What they found in America was not a simple life but, adapting themselves and overcoming many various difficulties, they succeeded in building a serene and quiet existence, thanks to their tenacity in the job. Most of them were devoted to the garbage collection; it was a very hard work but allowed to get a certain comfort. As many other Italians, they succeeded in acquiring a good reputation thanks to their capacity and ability. First starting from the groups without a direct organization in this sector, they founded the two most important Italian companies that today still work with efficiency and success thanks to modern and specialized equipments.

He worked for 7 years before coming back to Fontanarossa for a visit to his relatives and marrying Maria Moscone. He returned in visit in 1931 and in 1949 and he was so enthusiastic of the beauties of Fontanarossa that he always extolled them; also living far, he was always near to his country of origin both with pleasant memories and contributing to each initiative taken for its improvement. This man is one of the most valid examples which show how many of our emigrants succeeded in building a new life in a foreign country without forgetting their homeland.