A letter from Mary Upton (#1570) appeared in the Summer 1993 issue of POINTers, the American Journal of Italian Genealogy, announcing the intention to form a Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area Chapter of POINTers-In-Person, the social arm of POINT, Pursuing Our Italian Names Together. By November, Mary and Paul Traunero (#1541) had conducted the first meeting of the Chapter. The Meeting Reports which follow document the growth and development of the group.

On the evening of November 10, 1993, 15 people met at The Italian Oven in McLean; Virginia for the Inauguration of the Metro D.C.Chapter of POINTers In Person.

Paul TRAUNERO (#1541) set up the meeting by contacting 50 POINTers in the VA-DC-MD area. A big "Thank You" to Paul for his diligence and hard work - not to mention the postage.

Mike INGRISANO (#908) jumped right in with a talk on his good luck in finding numerous records through the LDS Church in McLean. He told of his trip to Sturno, near Naples.

Tom BRIGGS (#1383) told us that his original name was Briguglio and that his ancestors came ftom Messina, Sicily. Tom visited there and is now anticipating a reply from a professor in Sicily whom he contacted for genealogical information through Internet on his computer.

Mary UPTON (#1570) spoke about her trip to Minori, near Amalfi, with her family, mother and uncle. She met 20 relatives in just a few hours. She showed a book she was given about Minori which was written by her mother's cousin, Luigi DiLieto, whom she met in Minori. She also mentioned The Official CatholicDirectory at the Catholic University Library. It lists all the Catholic Churches in the United States, with current addresses and phone numbers. The library also has issues datingback to 1850.

Mary ("Pinky") PALLADINO (#937) told of her extensive use of the LDS films. She has traced her husband's lineage back to the1700's. They are now looking for other branches of the family.

Gina MERRIS, a new member, told of her grandmother Lucy Palermo,the first Italian-American woman to hold public office in the United States. She is entered in the Archives of the University of Illinois, Chicago. Gina is in the process of obtaining dual citizenship and would like help on becoming an Italian citizen.

Anna SMITH (#1482) is looking for information in Sardinia and is not finding much. She would like to obtain a list of Churches in the areas of Domus Novus and Iglesias.

Bill MENZA (#1029) told of his research trip to San Gregorio near Salerno and the contact he has made with relatives there. He is also researching his Vernieri line.

Dorothy NATELLA (#1073) told of her visit to Salerno and the castle in which her husband's ancestors lived. She paid her relatives a surprise visit because her letter arrived after she did!

Marie POTTER (#1147) is researching her father's surname, Zaso. Her findings have been especially enlightening because she didn't live with him as a child.

Paul TRAUNERO (#1541) spoke of his trip to Artegna in Northern Italy and of the three Traunero families in the town. He struck out on the trip because one died before Paul could see him, one was not a relative and one was on vacation. However, the vacationing Traunero turned out to be the missing link in Paul's search for his ancestors.

We all feel lucky to be living in an area that has wonderful sources for research: The National Archives, the DAR, the Library of Congress, the National Genealogical Society, the Italian American Heritage Center at American University and the numerous LDS Family History Centers.

Hopefully, more POINTers will attend our next meeting in late January - date and time to be announced.

On Saturday, October 15, 1994, the Metro D.C. Chapter of POINTersIn Person met for the second time at Pulcinella's Restaurant (formerly Italian Oven) in McLean, Virginia. Our first meeting was in November of 1993, so it was good to see everyone again and meet some new members.

After lunch, we went over to the Dolley Madison Library in McLean so we could hear each other talk. We agreed to meet there on a quarterly basis and skip the meal. We decided we would rather meet to discuss our research problems and successes and help each other than spend time eating.

Our next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, January 21, 1995 at the same library on Oak Ridge Avenue, beginning at 10a.m. (in the meeting room, side entrance). RSVP to Paul Traunero (#1541) if you can come.

There were 10 members and five guests present at the October meeting. Members included:

Paul TRAUNERO (#1541) and his wife Carda. Thanks to Paul and Carda for all your hard work setting up the lunch and the meeting afterward. Paul brought his copy of Finding Italian Rootsby John Philip Colletta. He also brought his notebook computer and showed us the Roots Genealogy Computer Program. He has access to postal codes for many Italian cities and a great map book of Italy.

New member Fred GRIMANI (#952) told us the noble Grimani namegoes back to the 4th Century.

New member Steve CARFORA (#1279) told us he has traced his grandmother's name to the 1400's. He has had much success through Prodigy and Compuserve.

New member Hope BOGORAD (#1629) made the POINTers Four Star Surname list with the name DeCola.

Mike INGRISANO (#905) told us a story about growing up Italian in New York.

Bill MENZA (#1029) passed around some information on Joining the National Italian American Foundation and mentioned that there are many organizations working to stop prejudice against Italians.

Anna SMITH (#1482) mentioned she received a free copy ofFinding Italian Roots by joining the NIAF.

Marie POTTER (#1147) mentioned she has a Sicilian telephone directory if any D.C. PIPsters need information.

Mary UPTON (#1570) passed around her copies of Italian FamilyResearch and Ships Arriving From Italian Ports to America. Her article about her trip to Minori, Salerno had just appeared in the Autumn, 1994 issue of POINTers.

Gina MERRIS (#1846) Is still trying to acquire dual citizenship. She gave us an update on her grandmother, Lucy Palermo, the first Italian-American woman to hold elected office in the US (Cook County Commissioner). She was posthumously awarded the Impresa Award for Outstanding Italian-American Women by FraNoi, the Chicago Italian American newspaper.

Hope to see more DC PIPsters on January 21, 1995.

Keep digging!

On Saturday, January 21, 1995, the Metro D.C. Chapter of POINTers In Person (Chapter #6) met for our second quarterly meeting at the Dolley Madison Library in McLean, Virginia. There were 10 members, two guests and the father of Nicholas J. Barbella(#1908) of Miami.

Vincent BONZAGNI (#1893) is new to the group. Vincent has been researching for 25 years and has lots of information on his great-grandfather of the same name who was a prominent restaurateur in Boston and owned seven patents on improving ways to clean the piping for the wine and beer kegs in bars. He showed us his great-grandfather's original naturalization certificate from 1891.

Pierre SCALISI (#2128) made the POINTers Four Star Surname Listwith his sumame and town of Angoli, Catanzaro, Calabria. His great-grandfather, Francesco Scalise, paid $1.50 in 1891 for his naturalization certificate. Most of his ancestors are in Warren,PA. Pierre is also new to the group.

Judy GARDINER (#2167), another new member, visited Italy and her ancestral town as a student and has been researching for 15 years. Her grandfather came from Corotto in Bari. She showed us her hand-made and extensive family tree.

Nicholas G. BARBELLA (#2245), whose son is Nicholas J. Barbella(#1908), was given lots of information on the research facilities in the area and computer programs, etc.

Anna SMITH (#1482) was back with an update on her research. Anna is researching Sardinia and has made contact with several cousins. They have since called her and sent a family tree.

Bill MENZA (#1029) mentioned that his Vernieri ancestors were also from Boston and that he had a Dipesa in his ancestral line. Vincent Bonzagni said the Dipesa surname is in his line also.

Gina MERRIS (#1846) is in the process of getting her grandfather's birth certificate so she can continue to pursue her dual citizenship. A fellow POINTer in Phoenix gave her a lot of information about her ancestral town, Potenza, Basilicata.

David NATELLA (#1073) and mother Dorothy showed us pamphlets from the LDS Library: Genealogical Research In Italy andMajor Genealogical Research Sources for Italy. The Salerno area has not yet been filmed by the LDS but David does have theSalerno telephone book if any DC area members need information. He mentioned that he received a Certificato Penalifrom the local police department showing that his ancestor was free to emigrate to the US.

Irv COSTANZO (#752) related a story about how he was passing through the town of Coreno Assonio when he came across an English speaking Costanzo at the town hall who offered to help him. He ended up staying a week and was able to obtain records of his ancestors and other familiar surnames from his childhood. His parents settled in Mechanicsville, NY, along, with many others from the same town. Records from the town were buried during various wars and were extremely hard to read. Irv lucked out in that his town was one of the first to be visited by the LDS.

Paul TRAUNERO (#1541) showed us the original photographs from the belongings of his recently deceased grandfather who lived to be 103 years old. The photos were of his great-grandparents.

Mary UPTON (#1570) related the story of her maiden name Davneiro being changed from the original DiVerneiri and how it took 3 years of research to find the correct name and ancestral town, Altavilla Silentina, Salerno, Campania. She is now trying to track down the (bogus) arrival ship listed on her great-uncle's naturalization papers. The Mariners' Museum in Newport News,Virginia has been very helpful in obtaining pictures and information on ancestors' arrival ships.

We all agreed to meet again at 10:00 am, Saturday, May 13, 1995 at the Dolley Madison Library, Oak Ridge Ave., McLean, Virginia, side entrance meeting room.

RSVP to Paul Traunero (#1541) if you plan to attend. SEE YOU THERE!!

The Metro D.C. Chapter of POINTers In Person (Chapter #6) met at the Dolley Madison Library in McLean, Virginia on Saturday, May 13, 1995. There were 12 members present. Some new faces were Elisa ULINO, Mr. Jean EVANS, and Lou ALFANO (#2114). Lou brought a suitcase full of binders, books, papers, etc. He had much information to share.

Dave NATELLA (#1073) accompanied by his mother, Dorothy NATELLA,is currently trying to obtain dual citizenship with Italy and explained the repetitive and drawn-out process that is necessary.All paperwork must be in by August, 1995.

Jean EVANS (#1670) is researching the name Vedovelli and we had fun trying to translate what the name means.

Mike INGRISANO (#905) was congratulated on his Ingrisano Family article that appeared in the Spring, 1995 issue of POINTers (V9, Nl, P9). He said he received two letters from fellow POINTers and a phone call before he received his copy of the magazine.

Bill MENZA (#1029) gave us information on Bulletin Board services in the area. He received a letter from someone in his ancestral town, inviting him to come visit. He also told us that a chapter member, Gina MERRIS (#1846) was currently in Chicago attending a POINTers In Person chapter meeting there and we will be hearing about that trip.

Vince BONZAGNI (#1893) has someone doing research for him in the Andover, Massachusetts area. The researcher is an advertiser inPOINTers, Diane's Desk, and he is very happy with her services. He is researching six generations and their descendants.

Anna SMITH (#1482) has been on a trip to Sardinia since our last meeting. She was corresponding with cousins that she found there, and they invited her to come for a visit. She stayed with them a week and toured for a week. She had a great time.

Mary UPTON (#1570) received a letter from a possible relative in Altavilla Silentina, Salerno. He may be a distant cousin of her DiVerniere line. She wrote to some names from the phone book and got lucky. He is going to do some research for her in the town. He invited her to come for a visit also. She also received a photo of her grandfather, Giulio Pagano, and his brothers from a cousin in England.

Judy GARDNER (#2167) has had some luck researching her maternal grandparents in the LDS Family History Center. They have filmed her ancestral town of Corato, Bari. She needs some more current information since the filming ends in the 1860's.

Paul TRAUNERO (#1541) announced the birth of a new baby daughter. Congratulations!

Out next meeting is on Saturday, September 30, 1995 at 10 AM at the Dolley Madison Library, Oak Ridge Ave., McLean, Virginia, side entrance meeting room. RSVP to Paul Traunero (#1541).

POINTers In Person Chapter #6 met on September 30, 1995 with 12 people in attendance. Members brought in their materials for discussion and problem solving.

Newcomers Tom FUSCO (#2292) and Jim MAROLDO (#1917) introduced their research interests.

Dave and Dorothy NATELLA (#1073) reported on his progress to become an Italian citizen. He now needs to submit some final documentation. Dave also distributed information on the Italian Genealogy homepage of the WWW on the Internet.

Gina Martoccio MERRIS (#1846) shared issues of Fra Noi and her recent visit with an Italian-born relative.

Judy Tavano GARDNER (#2167) is awaiting information from the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) regarding some relatives.

Mike INGRISANO (#905) announced that the Italians toAmerica series is available at the Fairfax, Virginia Central Library.

Vince BONZAGNI (#1893) has received some documents from a researcher in Massachusetts and is expecting more.

Bill MENZA (#1029) distributed a compendium of various sources regarding Italian genealogy.

Lou ALFANO (#2114) brought several resources of information and photos he has received.

Mary UPTON (#1570) described her attendance at a recent function at the Italian Embassy.

Stephen CARFORA (#1279) reported on his research efforts.

Paul TRAUNERO (#1541) shared that Italian postal codes (CAP) formost cities are available on the World Wide Web (WWW) on the Internet. Jump to www.crs4.it/~france/CAP/cap.html and search by city.

The chapter decided to be known known henceforth as Il Circolo Filippo Mazzei in honor of the man who influenced the Founding Fathers, including Thomas Jefferson. An essay about him was inserted into the Congressional Record of September 12, 1984.

We invite other chapters to honor other Italo-Americans.

The next meeting of the Philip Mazzei Chapter (#6) will be on 27Jan 1996 at the Dolley Madison Library in McLean, VA.

Please contact Paul Traunero (#1541) (traunero@ix.netcom.com) for details.