Another “Back to your Roots” Tour, Another Happy Friend of ItalianSide
June 7, 2015Sailing to Palermo (part 1)
September 11, 2015
| While planning a trip to Sorrento with my wife, I knew that I would be only about a 1.5 hour drive from the town of my ancestors, Calabritto. This small town in the mountains, inland from Salerno and Naples, is where my great grandfather and grandmother were born and got married before they emigrated to the U.S. in 1892 (she was pregnant with my grandfather on her arrival). |
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I had limited information about my early family origins and connections, and while searching the internet I came across ItalianSide.com and sent them a brief inquiry.
Soon thereafter, I was in touch with Michele and a local genealogist, Alessandro.
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Before our arrival in Italy, the genealogists did extensive research in the local and regional archives where most of the records are hand written, and provided me with an extensive packet of information with family tree and photographs of birth records, marriage records, etc. This was just the beginning, and we set up a visit to Calabritto on May 29th, 2015. We rented a car in Sorrento and drove to the town. |
We had a fantastic day in Calabritto and the nearby area.
We walked in the town, saw the streets where my great grandparents lived, visited the church with the parish priest and explored the many hand written records in the town hall in search of my ancestors.
Although we were not able to find any living relatives still in Calabritto, I found the search process fascinating.
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I quickly realized that I could not have done this on my own. We also had a unique and delicious “hands on” lunch at a nearby agritourismo, where we made our own pasta in the kitchen. We then visited the town of Quaglietta (part of the comune of Calabritto, where some of my family also lived) where Rocco graciously welcomed us and allowed us to have a private tour of the medieval castle in town. |
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Based on our findings, ItalianSide will be able to update my family tree to include some of the new connections we discovered on site.
It was an unforgettable experience, and I am grateful that I discovered your site and services!
Tony Mattia
3 Comments
Hello Tony Mattia,
I was interested to read about your search and visit to Calibritto. I went to Calibrotto in the 70s in search of family history. I was also lucky to see this small Italian town before the destructive earthquake. I did find a few living relatives. Frank M and Angelina M. It was a wonderful experience.
A Mattia
Thanks for posting your travel experience. It is good to know that you were so pleased with everything. My cousins and I are planning to visit our fathers hometown San Bartolomeo in Galdo next Spring, meanwhile waiting eagerly for results of genealogy research into grand- and great-grandparents. Thanks again! — Marianne
Alessandro does an awesome job. Sounds so much like my experience. It is a great time that will never be forgotten.