(Lunch includes: Salad, sandwich, dessert, and all soft drinks)
The Spring luncheon of Chapter #3 of POINT was held April 2, 2005 at the Waterloo Gun and Bocci Club in Stockton, CA. Fifty (50) members enjoyed the lunch and our Italian get together. It was a very lively group that shared stories and experiences with one another. Your hostesses were Norma Hurley and Margaret Lattimer. Unfortunately Margaret was not able to attend the day of the luncheon.
The Bocci kitchen served delicious Sausage, Chicken Cacciatore, and Polenta buffet style, and had strawberry shortcake for desert.
As an extra we sent out flyers to many Italian names that were in the white pages of the telephone book. It has been our experience that many in this area did not know that our organization existed. And some people responded to our advertisement.
Our speaker for the luncheon was Donald Donato, Executive Director of Pacific Italian Alliance, a nonprofit cultural organization, which celebrates the heritage and promises the culture of Italians in California’s Central Valley. He presented to all attendees a monthly issue of their magazine. “Corriere della Valle.” In the issue was an article about the history and migration of the Italians to California. He discussed the reasons for the influx into this valley. It had very little to do with the “Gold Rush,” but more to do with the “golden opportunities” that existed in the late 1800’s. Farming, fishing, bakeries, restaurants, etc. Most of those that came into the valley were from Genoa, and were and still are, farmers in this area. Another reason was the climate. Norma said “My grandmother used to tell me that where she was born in Sicily was just like California. Oranges, Lemons, Cherries, Sun and Sea." Thousands of Italians were willing to give up their labor and talent to make a better life for themselves and their families
Bob Chase told us about a letter that he had received from a woman in Formia (near Rome) sending him her family tree connecting him to her family. Ironically enough, Bob has been friendly with a confectioner in San Marco, when he was in Italy, and this confectioner had told this woman to contact Bob about the Jansiti family or “Iansiti “J” became “I”) or Iansiti. He was emphasizing how unusual contacts can often get you the information you are researching.
Bob also presented to the group information about a California Assembly Bill that was in presentation by Assemblyman Joe Canciamilla. AB390. The bill is an equal-opportunity proposal for California schools to teach students about Italian Americans. The bill also aims to erase “organized crimes” stereotypes of Italian Americans. He passed out information concerning the bill, and who to contact for your imput.
The meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m. But everyone hung around for a while still conversing and sharing stories.
Chapter #3 of POINTers in Person held their 18th lunch gathering October 13th at LeBistro Restaurant in Stockton. Hosting our lunch were Josephine and Frank Uomini (#606). They had personally invited POINT's Dr. Tom Militello, his wife Phyllis and their daughter, Lisa. We were all so pleased to hear they would be joining us. Unfortunately they were unable to attend and sent their regrets, regards and gifts of POINT pins to all. We were disappointed, but understood and hope they will join us another time. Art Dieli (#3142) had a Chapter #3 Honorary Membership certificate for Dr. Tom, which will be sent to him.
Josephine had a Sicilian map silk scarf on display and also a poster from the Comune di Militello in Val di Catania (Chiese S'Maria della Stella). Art made up table signs of famous Italians listing their accomplishments. Those Italians were Pirandello, Bellini, Titian, Verdi, Verga, Vespucci, Raphael, Puccini, Toscanini, Mascagni, Cicero, Columbus, Rossini, Stradivarius, da Vinci, Calvino, Boccaccio, Michelangelo, Virgil, Giotto, Leoncavallo, and Dante. Thanks to Josephine we had Italian candies to enjoy and decorate our tables.
We had 73 folks at our lunch, and for our enjoyment Josephine and Frank provided music by Don Garibaldi .
Carol (#188) and Roy Ferrari from Chapter #23 joined us as Carol's brother lives in Stockton.
Our guest speaker was the Honorable Ann Chargin, Judge Retired, of Stockton who asked: What does it mean to you to be Italian? She said, "What does it mean? IT IS WHO I AM! I'm FBI - full-blooded Italian and proudly. How fortunate we are to live in this great country where if you are willing to work you can achieve your goals."
Her parents came from the same small town in central Italy and shared the same values - the same sense of family and personal pride in who they were. They first immigrated to Springfield, MA with its sizable Italian settlement. At their first home there was a large garden of vegetables and fruit. What wasn't eaten was dried or canned and stored in the cellar. Her Mother's love was her flower garden, and she was a wonderful cook and baker and doer. She would make rolls that were timed to come out of the oven as the children came home after school. They could smell those rolls from the corner of their street! Food and mealtimes were important in Italian families where they shared time around the table.
The family picnics at Couture's Grove with five other families were memorable. Children would play on the huge water slide and play baseball and volleyball. Lunch was a feast of hot pasta, freshly cooked, for about 30 folks. In the evening, they had hot dogs and hamburgers with all the fixings. Then the musician in the group would take out their instruments, the accordion, guitar and mandolin, and all joined in a song feast.
All these things she took for granted thinking that's what families do. As she grew and became more aware, she found that her friends and neighbors did not do all these things. Ann noted how fortunate are we who were raised "old-country style" in a family that grew, worked, played and prayed together, united in their goals. That is her (and our) heritage and that is what it means to Ann to be an Italian.
Several POINT members had announcements. Rosemarie Vasquez (#4506) expressed her thanks to POINT. She had overlooked the POINT Directory's listing of towns when researching. Upon checking, she noted Al Rhone in Ohio was also researching in Cerro Al Volturno and the same surname. Al was so pleased when she called him. He has belonged to POINT for years and is still trying to find information. Rosemarie sent him copies of her documents. Connections is what POINT is all about.
Bob Chase (#1023) advised that a genealogical packet is available from the Press Office of the Washington, DC Italian Consulate Bob held a silent auction and monies were put in the mailing kitty. Thanks, Bob.
Carolyn Ferrari (#188) received a book from Saponara in the Basillicata region which included names of immigrants from 1901-1940. Many settled in the San Francisco area and in Los Banos, CA .
The POINT National Conference - 2002 flyer was handed out. Folks are looking forward to that conference in Salt Lake City .
Spence Burton (#1889 ) asked members with a family web page to contact him so that he could link up information for them. Spence is the keeper of the Chapter's web page. Thanks, Spence.
Art is organizing a Sicilian Studies Group to preserve the Sicilian language and culture. He has been translating Sicilian poetry and includes Today's Sicilian Word at the end of his e-mails. He told about nonsolo.cap.it , a web site for ZIP codes. One can list your surname, and they will tell you where the surname is located on an Italian map . You can then order a t-shirt with this map. He also noted Frank Viviano's book "Blood Washes Blood," and "Beginner's Sicilian" by Joseph F. Privitera.
Jeanne Torre (#3367) requested members up-date their email addresses with her. She attended an Italian language school in Todi this year. One attends one week of morning classes and can stay with a family or in an apartment for $400. She says she is better at reading and writing Italian, but not much better at speaking. She found it delightful. She also had copies of the tourist map for Fontanabuona (LI) for members researching there.
June and Neil Chichizola (#519) proudly announced that GrandBaby Allison Marie has been added to their family tree as of 9/19/01.
As always, a good time was had by all. Our next lunch will be hosted by Angela DiBerardino (#3001) on April 6, 2002.
In these times, we learn once again the importance of family and friends and our Italian families too.
Sincerely, June Chichizola #519
The 17th lunch of Chapter #3 of POINTers in Person was held April 7, 2001 at the Aviator's Restaurant at the Sacramento Executive Airport and was hosted by Art Dieli (#3142). Forty-one POINT members and thirteen non-POINT members enjoyed the lunch and our Italian get-together.
Art introduced Toni LaMaritate (#2537) who just returned from researching in Sicily. She made arrangements to hire Emilio Terrazzino for twelve research hours ($200) in Agrigento. They located the church where her grandmother and first husband were married and learned about her children. She noted that the countryside is beautiful with farmlands as far as the eye can see. She plans to write her research story for POINT.
Elizabeth Basile (#1671) told of her father coming from Naples in 1892. The family lived at 81 Mulberry Street (in Hell's Kitchen) where the family had a bakery and grocery. (The store is now a Chinese bakery.) Her father was eleven years old when he was taken out of school and put to work in the bakery. He also carried a bread basket to sell bread on the street. Well, the NIAT's Ambassador magazine (Winter 2001) ran a story called "Little Italy Then and Now" with a photograph of Elizabeth's father! She's written to the magazine and sent a similar photograph of father and the family. Elizabeth advised that education was always very important in her family; when her father was asked at his 75th birthday party what he was most proud of, he said, "My three children all have masters degrees."
Art had asked folks to bring a regional specialty for show and tell. Vince and Cloie Militello (#273) brought an authentic 1745 French map of Naples and Sicily.Helen and Evo Baldocchi (#299) brought silk fabric from Lake Como and a ceramic pitcher from the Valtellina area. Angie DiBerardino (#3001) brought colorful ceramics from Gubbio, Bergama, Cortona, Deruta and Abruzzo . June Chichizola (#519) brought "ul talamun (Vocabalario Talamonese)" book from Talamona and a research file on Great-Grandfather Dominic Olzeri of Baceno . Lois Smith (#2089) brought her Family Reunion papers for 100 years of the Queirolos, Garavantes, Fregulias, Ferraris and Noces . Jeanne Torre (#3367) brought a Fontanatuona topographic map of her Chiavari region.
Art provided a really special treat with a Neapolitan Sing-Along by Tony Damiani and son, Sal, playing their mandolins (see photo and contact information above). We sang Sole Mio, Ah Marie, Funiculi Funicula among others and were in fine voice! The music prompted Alice Petta-Goldie (#3973) to dance the tarantella, and she was joined by Toni, Angie, Clare Edwards, and Margaret Latimer's husband!!
Many folks are traveling to Italy this year. Carol Kwolek (#2040) advised she's taking her 20 years old grandson.
Thanks to Bob Chase (#1023) and to Art for contributions to the silent auction for the mailing kitty.
A good time was had by all as we talked about ancestors, our research, gathered research information, and became part of another Italian family.
Our next lunch is scheduled for October 13th at LeBistro in Stockton to be hosted by Josephine and Frank Uomini (#606) .
All for now and best wishes from Chapter #3 to you and your/our family,
Spence Burton (#1889) prepared the day's program. He introduced Maria Gloria (#909) for the L'Italo Americano , weekly English and Italian language newspaper (begun in 1908). It is a wonderful means of communication among various Italian organizations and has publicized our POINTers in Person lunches. Maria offered a special subscription to everyone.
The recent POINT Conference in Austin was reviewed by Bob Chase (#1023), Connie Gallina (#1978), Norma Hurley (#3852), Carol Kwolek (#2040), Marie Leonard (#1976), and Jeanne Torre (#3367). All agreed that Chapter #10 did a fabulous job putting on the Conference! It was well organized, many good presentations, and a great Conference book. Connie advised that she met a potential cousin and will work with her to make a family connection. Jeanne finally met "face to face" with a corresponding POINT member. Note: one should e-mail LDS and request that your region be scheduled for LDS filming. They noted that because of unexpected rain, Chapter #10 members provided folks with jackets, sweater etc., to keep them warm and dry! That's Texas hospitality!
The POINT Conference 2002 is scheduled for Salt Lake City hosted by Chapter #24 . Big plans are in the works. There is the possibility of providing members with research assistance at LDS. E-mail Mike Madeo at mmadeo@mstar2.net to advise that you are coming to Salt Lake so that arrangements can be made for you.
Tom Slattery (#720) has prepared Italian letters for corresponding with Italian resources and would be happy to send them to members.
Spence discussed how digital cameras are used in recording old photographs . He recommends the Epson 850Z . He showed us cemetery photos and even photos taken during our lunch.
Angela DiBerardino (#3001) told of writing to the Abruzzo Archivo di Stato and receiving information to help her find the family town of Chieti. She is in touch with a woman in town who may be a descendant of her great-grandfather's sibling. Angela suggests taking notes when interviewing and reviewing those notes from time to time as connection can be made by the mere mention of a town.
Rick and Rose Zasquez brought a visual display of WWI military records for their Nicolas Z's 1917-1919 service and Antonio Ialongo's 1918-1919 service . Through Antonio's records , Rose was able to learn where he was born in Italy, additional family names, his occupation, and from a letter he had written, she has his signature. "I see my own handwriting in his," she said.
Elizabeth had a display regarding her Gonnella Occidental family , the 3" Gonnella Family History, photos of 35 family members trip to Coreglia Antelmineli in 1990, etc.
Carol Kwolek introduced her Aunt Clare Edwards who brought a photograph of Carol's great-grandmother as well as a painting of the Capistrano house .
Bob Chase had some POINT Conference items for sale and conducted a silent auction for the mailing kitty.
Our next POINT lunch will be April 7, 2001 in Sacramento hosted by Art Dieli (#3142).
We all send you and yours our very best and hope that you and Phyllis will be able to join us one day for lunch.
All for now.
Sincerely, June Chichizola (#519)
It was agreed to send $50 for a door prize at the October POINT National Convention in Austin . Seven folks are planning to attend. Convention info was available thanks to Bob Chase (#1023).
Last year’s S an Francisco American Italian Historical Conference was discussed. It dealt with the American part of Italian-American experience and included many exhibits and workshops. Angela DiBerardino (#3001) recommended "Building Little Italy" by Richard N. Juliani regarding the early Genovese in Philadelphia.
Leon J. Radomile (#4247) spoke about his book "Heritage: Italian American Style." The book covers notable Italian achievements in many fields.
Stan Roberti (#1740) discussed the Sept. 16/17 Festa Italiano in Oakland and requested help in the information booth. Bob Chase advised the folks of the Aug. 5/6 Festa in Sacramento.
Jeanne will contact folks regarding their e-mail addresses ; do they want to be contacted through this means rather than by post card? Jeanne requested help to man a POINT booth at the April California Genealogical Society’s meeting in Pleasanton. She had a wonderful topographic map of the Fontanabuono region of Liguira from the regional tourist office.
Jeanne then introduced Spence Burton (#1889) who maintains our Chapter web page . Thanks, Spence! His presentation was "Getting your Family Tree Online." There are many web sites and books that can guide us through the process. He stated we must find an ISP or web server to store the family tree, plan the layout and content, determine how much info to make available, create the web page, verify and proofread, upload the pages to your ISP, promote your web page via links, and keep your page current. Additional help can be found on Cyndi’s List and also "Publishing your Family History on the Internet" by Richard S. Wilson. Regarding photos on the web, he suggested no higher resolution than 80 dpi. We found that over half the folks use the internet.
Art Diehl’s (#3142) presentation concerned using publicly accessible computers to help you do genealogical research. Go to the public library, the senior citizens center, and community or four-year colleges for access. He noted the need to develop good computer strategies to be sure that you make the most of your computer time. He listed many web sites useful to the Italian researcher. One can research on the internet with a local telephone call.
Art also discussed passenger lists and the important information they contain, such as ship’s name, other family members traveling together, etc. Form 81 must be completed and sent to the National Archives in Atlanta, GA. The "Italians to America" series beginning 1880 - 1899 is now 12 volumes , and names are listed alphabetically.
Jeanne handed out her "Italian Citizenship for Americans of Italian Descent" which noted that Italian citizenship is con sanguine - it runs with the blood - unlike other countries for which citizenship depends on where you were born. Certain documents are required, such as an Apostille . Jeanne was hoping to show us her dual citizenship papers, but they’ve not arrived yet.
Jeanne suggested that folks might like to prepare a visual display (showing family photos, family tree, documents, etc.) for the next lunch . Everyone thought it was a good idea and another means of sharing our research.
Helen Baldocchi ( #299) told of her grand-daughter’s visit. She asked "Nona, tell me something old, show me something old, tell me the old stories." She yearned to hear Nona’s stories. We must remember to tell them something old!
Bob conducted another successful silent auction for the mailing kitty.
Our next POINT lunch will be October 28, 2000 in Occidental (Sonoma County) with Elizabeth Mazzotti (#1084) hosting and Spence Burton preparing the program.
As always, Chapter #3 sends you and yours our very best wishes.
Folks were reminded of the POINT National Convention in Austin, TX Oct. 6-9 in 2000, eight plan to attend. Copies of the Convention Registration info were handed out.
A listing of Italian cultural associations in the Bay Area and a listing of favorite Italian travel books, novels, histories, etc., was available.
Guest speaker Carol Kwolek (#2040) discussed the Family History Center’s information. She handed out their "Using Ancestral File," "Correcting Information in Ancestral File," "International Genealogical Index," and "Family History Library Catalog" brochures. The IGI Index has 187 million names. One should check the Family History Catalog for your Italian town to see what town records are available. Be sure to check the listing of books in Salt Lake, request a copy of the book index for further research.
Carol noted that Salt Lake will be filming in Northern Italy in the next 3-5 years. Jeanne Torre (#3367) said that one should let Salt Lake know of your interest in filming your town, this may encourage the filming of your town’s records.
Carol said, "Stick with your research, dig in and research, and have patience."
Michael Soranno (#2994), new to genealogy, shared his success story of obtaining family records from LDS microfilm.
Our next guest speaker was Art Dieli (#3142). His daughter, Nancy, scheduled her visit from the East to attend our gathering. Art and his wife, Alice, spent five months in Sicily "to find out where I came from." He gave us a history of Sicily noting the various peoples who came to the island. His ancestral town of Caltagirone has 40,000 people. His cousin, Dante, works at the Comune where records date back to 1820. For information before that date, he turned to the churches.
He would hand-copy info and then enter that info into his notebook computer. He gathered a wealth of family history and met family members. Upon renting and apartment, Dieli cousins appeared with bedding, pots, etc. Art and Alice were introduced to the shop keepers by family members too. Market day was a joy, and feast days another delight. And the food, excellent! We all shared Art’s enthusiasm of their sojourn in Caltagirone.
Art had one piece of advice regarding researching in Italy – be aware of the slow, easy, relaxed pace of Italian life. An appointment made is not necessarily an appointment kept.
Angela DiBerardino (#3001) told us of her trip to Italy to take the American cousins to meet the Italian cousins. "It certainly was an emotional surge," she said. They plan to restore the great-grandparents grave. A second cousin on her Mother’s side had already worked on the family genealogy and presented Angela with that information. Family sharing with family.
Bob Chase (#1023) conducted a silent auction for the mailing kitty.
Our next POINT gathering is scheduled for April 1, 2000 in the San Jose or Bay Area and to be hosted by Jeanne Torre and Angela DiBerardino .
Chapter #3 of POINTers in Person met on April 4, 1998 at Frankie, Johnnie & Luigi II in Yountville, CA for our 11th gathering. Tony DiPasquale (#2143) hosted our group of 60 (including 18 non-POINTers). Tony’s luncheon reservations continued coming in until the very last evening. We are fortunate that the adjoining room was available for the group.
Shared information began with Roy Mancuso (#2684) showing us church records from Serrastretta which he got from Giulio Salemme, who had contacted the priest and municipio prior to his research visit. The church records date back to 1787. Roy’s brother, Harold, also attended our gathering.
Elizabeth Mazzotti (#1084) told of the Gonnella Family Association’s Historical Memorial of September, 1997 in Occidental . Honored were "those rugged individuals who braved the unknown, left their homeland and families, and started a new life here." A proclamation from Corlia near Lucca and an award from the Sonoma Historical Association have been received. Elizabeth encouraged all to write their family book telling what their Italian ancestors did when they came to America. Seven members of Elizabeth’s family from Brazil are coming to visit in July after 40 years of having lost touch.
Bop Masullo visited Cava de Tierreni and obtained his grandparents’ birth certificates (for 600 lira). His grandmother was called Assunta in America, but the records revealed she was named Maria Santola . Bob noted that his great-grandfather brought his grandmother to the city hall to be registered and signed the record book. Bob had corresponded with a gentleman in Naples and was invited to a 20-course dinner - a wonderful evening with new friends and family.
Louis Bavo (#2207) , who is researching in Pedesina (LO) , brought photos of the palace in Dongo and told of Mussolini’s capture .
Jean Torre (#3367) is still corresponding with a man in Calvari who has copied all the Torre names from 1580 to mid-1700’s. Jean now has her Torre line back to 1580.
Angela DeBerardino (#3001) noted that in many cases family members had double names.
Lorraine Raffaelli (#1413) told of corresponding with POINTer Bob Lindeborg , a fourth cousin. Lorraine and Al will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this year in Collodi , their family town.
Spence Burton (#1889) has a web page available for members use. He is also working on his German ancestors.
Bob Chase (#1023) requested help on composing a letter to people in the Benevento telephone book. He noted that civil records show his surname as Iansitis, while Ionzitis is the family spelling. Two letters were returned from Italy marked "Deceased." Envelopes should have notations: "Or Deliver to Next of Kin" or "For Current Occupant of House," so that letters are forwarded. Spence suggested we send metered mail, as stamps are removed from envelopes and never delivered.
Carol Kwolok (#2040) gave us an overview of Family History Center files. The IGI (International Genealogical Index) contains names put in by church members, while anyone can submit names to the Ancestral File .
Sister Diane Smith (#1375) has invited Chapter #3 members to attend the meetings of Chapter #19 in Reno. Some said they’d like to attend.
We talked about the POINT National Conference in Las Vegas and ten indicated they would be going.
Thanks to Bob Chase for his lively auction to raise funds for the mailing "kitty." Connie Gallina (#1978) won the door prize.
Our next luncheon will be on November 7, 1998 in Occidental, CA, hosted by Elizabeth Mazzotti, and then, in April, 1999, we will meet in Sacramento.
P/S: Thanks again, Tom, for all your efforts on behalf of us Italian researchers. Neil and I had lunch in San Carlos with Carlos Chichizola (#3570), who lives in Argentina . His ancestors came from Quinto al Mare in Genoa , north of our town of Zoagli . This was another delightful meeting of family.
Sincerely, Mrs. J. Neil Chichizola
We discussed Chapter #11's Southwest Regional Conference Planning Survey, and we will send our comments along to Chuck Panico (#1848) . The group was enthusiastic about the possible Conference! Thirty folks indicated they would like to attend.
Mickey advised us of the Genealogical Room at the Santa Clara Library and its Italian-American Collection. She told of receiving a marriage record from Philadelphia for her great-grandmother's brother from a POINT member. Because of that member, she's aware of the brother's name and the Philadelphia church. She suggested checking godparents names on baptismal and confirmation records as additional sources.
Judy Peterson told us of her trip to Sicily where she met relatives. She took copies of family photos for family identification. "That's me when I was a little girl," a family member told her. Judy was dressed in the wedding clothes of the town and took part in the traditions of the town. Judy said, "I understand about who I am now." Her photo album was enjoyed by everyone.
Someone asked about a group trip to Salt Lake City. Carol Kwolek (#2040) advised that the Genealogical Association of Sacramento will make a trip the week of May 18th to LDS which is open M 7:30-6, T-S 7:30-10:00.
Art Dieli (#3142) and his wife, Alice, spent five months in Caltagirone, Sicily . They began their research at the Comune where records began 1820, then to the San Giorgio Church where the priest opened up the archives for them and gave them free reign. Those archives, written in Latin on parchment, began in 1560. They researched the baptismal records first and then proceeded to the marriage records. They filled in their work sheets every night with new information. They were able to trace their family to 1730.
Kathy Kramer (#2843) attended with her husband, Mike. She received family information from a document admitting her grandfather's brother into an institution. She is looking for a good book on Italian history , information on travel to Sicily and help in translating Italian documents. Al Ferrari's (#2054) guest, Matilde Oliveria, who teaches Italian, was gracious enough to translate them for Kathy!
Toni LaMaritate (#2537) found much information on her father's draft registration card from 1899. She's had to research her surname by looking for various versions of the name.
Bob Chase (#1023) donated Italian items for a successful silent auction with the monies going into the "kitty." Patrick August Found the 1000 lira note under his plate and was given a copy of "The Italians."
We were able to answer questions from those just beginning their Italian research. We share in their enthusiasm in finding their Italian roots.
Our next luncheon is scheduled for October 25th in Stockton hosted by Sarah and Joe Morabito (#1418). Tony DiPasquale (#2143) has agreed to host us in Napa next April.
The talking continued long after the "meeting" and lunch were over and that's the joy of POINTers. Thanks once again, Tom, for making it all possible.
Elizabeth Basile (#1671) hosted our lunch. She discussed her “Pascale Family, From the Hills of Monteforto to the Shores of Brooklyn.” It contains family descendant charts and a biography for each family. And she sold 100 copies to the family members.
Elizabeth Mazzotti (#1084) talked about her Grandfather Giovanni Gonnella who came to America in 1874 from Corlia near Lucca. Her family book is entitled “One Man’s Family from Italy to Occidental (CA).” The family formed a family association, have made up tee shirts and cups, and have 175 members on the mailing list. She told of being raised in an Italian community surrounded by family.
Connie Gallina (#1978) was very interested in both books as she is planning a family history book.
Lou and Jane Bavo (#2207) have visited family in Pedesina and spoke highly of Trafford Cole’s book, “Italian Genealogical Records.”
Carol Kwolek (#2040) is working on the Capestrano town extractions.
Arthur and Alice Dieli , plus daughter Nancy, met our POINT member’s Sal and Judy Dieli (#1058). Arthur met Sal’s nephew in the family town of Caltagirone. Arthur is planning another trip there and hopes to make the family connection.
Chandler Cameron (#2651) has finally found the Italian family town and requested form letter for Italy.
Bob and Lillieanne Chase (#1023) told of writing to Ianziti folks to Australia, but the letter was returned marked “undeliverable.” About a year later he received a letter addressed only to his home address which simply asked “What do you want?” Bob responded, and he found a cousin in Australia from the family town of San Giogio la Molara. ( Webmaster Note:The person in Australia who originally responded was informed of Bob’s original letter by a MAILMAN, and that started the ball rolling!!)
Katie Murphy (#2564) found the Pannesi phone pages in the Genoa phone book.
Spence Burton (#1889) told of researching in Santa Margherita di Belice and Sciacca where his wife, Cathy , said, “We visited the living and the dead (cemetery).” Spence received a document from the town clerk and then showed her a large computer print-out whereupon the clerk’s eyes grew large. Cathy told her, “Il fanatico!” Cathy will teach Italian in the Spring at her high school, and she’s very excited about it.
Spence showed us a Study Guide entitled “Italian Americans, Looking Back, Moving Forward,” from the University of the State of New York in Albany which sells for $5. It looks like an excellent book.
Angelo and Sara Granzotti (#2969) stopped by to say hello. Angelo called me regarding the Santa Rosa lunch. As we talked, I told him of the Chichizola’s from Zoagli and my problem of obtaining Tomaso’s death certificate. Angelo attended the merchant marine school in Camogli, has a friend still living there, and will ask him to go to the Zoagli chiesa to obtain the certificate. This is just another way that POINT works for all of us.
Leona August (#2104) is researching Leonetti near Cosenza and also the surname Garcea. She asked her brother, Larry, to write a brief story about Uncle Bobby who was an Air Force pilot killed in WWII. Well, the brief story became 70 pages filled with much information supplied Larry from around the world.
We were all pleased to see Sister Diane Smith’s (#1375) story about Nona Brigida from Cavaso del Tomba in the summer 1996 issue of POINT.
Our next luncheon is scheduled for April 19, 1997 in San Jose hosted by Mickey McGinnis (#1360).
Needless to say, we enjoyed being together and sharing our Italian ancestors, research, and stories. Thanks once again for making us family.
Sincerely
Mrs. J. Neil Chichizola CLICK HERE to return to the top of the page!
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