The Archives of

Il Circolo Filippo Mazzei

Part 9

Last updated October 31, 2003

Il Circolo Filippo Mazzei (POINTers-In Person Chapter #6) opened its first quarterly meeting of the year at 10:00 a.m. on January 11, 2003, at the Dolley Madison Public Library in McLean, Virginia. Due to the cold weather and other commitments on the part of some members, only 11 persons attended. In Paul Traunero's absence, Lou Alfano chaired the meeting. After the meeting, a handful of members enjoyed a convivial luncheon at Pulcinella's restaurant, nearby. Our next meeting will take place at the Library on April 12, 2003, at which time the dates of our remaining meetings for 2003 will be announced.

Andrea ZANARDELLI (#4552) is a new to our Chapter. She recently began researching her ancestors, who are from Brescia, Pistoia, and Caserta.

Mirella BARONI (#4215) reported that she has hit a frustration point in her research. She also told us that while she was in New York recently for a family wedding, she visited the Italian American Museum at the John D Calandra Italian American Institute on West 43rd Street in Manhattan. The museum is dedicated to Italian-Americans in the United States. The current exhibit presents materials concerning the detention of Italian-Americans at Ellis Island immediately after the declaration of WWII. Included among them were some prominent Italians as opera singers and professionals as well as ordinary citizens and housewives, who had not yet applied for citizenship.

John IACONIS (#2953) told us that he needs some help with Napoli records. He is not certain if the family he is researching came from Napoli proper, or from some other "Napolitano" comune.

Dan ELSE wanted to know how much one should pay a researcher, based upon the type of research that was being requested. Several members suggested that the simpler research should be done without hiring anyone because paying a researcher can often be costly. A number of Italian researchers were recommended to him.

Margaret CUTINO (#3538), who came with her mother, Rose, and husband Joe PELCZAR, announced that Rose will celebrate her 91st birthday on January 27. Buon compleanno!! Margaret advised that in researching the 1930 Census, she had found information about the Italian Orphanage in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. She also told us about the "old cemeteries" information on the New Jersey Turnpike Website; it seems that when the Turnpike was being built several cemeteries were uprooted and the bodies were exhumed and re-buried elsewhere. Margaret also advised that she had been doing some research on William Paca of Maryland, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. It is uncertain if Paca was of Italian ancestry, but many anglophiles are apparently determined to "keep him English."

Lou De SANTI, who was here with his daughter Nancy, contined the thread of conversation about signers of the Declaration of Independence. Lou's research has determined that Caesar Rodney of Delaware was descended from a doctor who came from Treviso.

Richard Camaur (#3158) reported on his recent research trip to Italy. He went to several churches, comuni, and Archivi di Stato. He found Napoleonic era records in the Archivi of Genova, and Udine, and also advised that the Piacenza Archivio di Stato has microfilms of early 19th Century church records, which he later detemined had been made by the LDS Church and are thus available through their Family History Centers. He told us that the civil and church officials with whom he had met in the course of his research had attitudes which ranged from very cooperative to almost belligerent. Richard also advised us that in researching confirmation records he learned that many families tended to have as many children as possible confirmed at the same time.

Lou ALFANO (#2114) reported on the POINT National Conference in Salt Lake City, where he spoke on the subject of Immigrant Passenger Lists. He advised that about 200 people had attended. Lou found the Molecular Genealogy project of Brigham Young University to be of particular interest. The objective of this project is to collect DNA samples and pedigree charts of as many people as possible and to hopefully link them through their DNA. There is no cost to participate in the study. Information about the project can be found at: http://molecular-genealogy.byu.edu. Lou also announced that the next POINT Conference will take place in Kansas City in 2004.

Our next meeting will be on Saturday, April 12, 2003, at 10:00 a.m. at the Dolley Madison Library, McLean, VA.

As always, we invite you to our website at

for past minutes and future meetings and events.

or e-mail Paul Traunero or Lou Alfano for additional information.

Il Circolo Filippo Mazzei (POINTers-In Person Chapter #6) opened its second quarterly meeting of the year at 10:00 a.m. on April 12, 2003, at the Dolley Madison Public Library in McLean, Virginia. 13 members werer present and 4 sent regrets via email: Paul Traunero, who was leaving for Italy on the meeting day; Bill Menza who was attending a class; Richard Camaur and Jay Pulli, both of whom were out of town. In Paul Traunero's absence, Lou Alfano chaired the meeting. After the meeting, about half the group enjoyed a convivial luncheon at Pulcinella's restaurant, nearby. Remaining meetings for the year will take place at the Library on July 12 and October 11, 2003.

Lou ALFANO (#2114) spoke about his short article in the Spring 2003 issue of POINTERS about the Certificato di Povertą, and showed examples of the special stamps issued by the Comune of Treviso for use on documents issued to persons who qualified for the Certificato. He also told us that in exploring the Web site of the National Archives, he had come across information about several series of passenger list microfilms which are not listed in the Archives' printed "Immigrant & Passenger Arrivals" microfilm catalog, and briefly described each series. Lou is preparing this information for inclusion in a forthcoming issue of POINTERS. Finally, he exhibited a photo of an automobile that had been owned by his second cousin, twice removed, Al Capone, which had been given to him by a woman who teaches with his wife.

Margaret CUTINO (#3538) is helping some Jewish friends of Polish ancestry do some genealogical research. She indicated that doing this work brought back memories of when she first started doing her own Italian research - everything seemed so strange, dealing with a different culture, set of customs and language.

Joe PELCZAR, Margaret's husband, told us that Margaret had discovered that one of his relatives of Polish ancestry was related to a bishop who had recently been canonized by the Catholic Church.

Jerry POLIZZI (#4530) is starting research on the Ghiselini surname for one of his nieces.

Art MANFREDI (#3414) became a grandpa in January. He is also embarking upon a second trip on the good ship matrimony in two weeks. Congratulatzioni !!! Art also advised us that he was communicating with someone with whom he has some common Manfredi ancestors, it appears that this family line can be traced back to the 1500s.

Jane FERRIGNO (#3693) told us that she had traced her husband's family back to a Nicolo Ferringo in 1641, but she can't seem to find a birth/baptismal record for him. She's also seraching his Milana line - a family which went from Napoli to Palermo; she advised that one of the Milanas was married to the daughter of a Cavaliere, Filippo Palomba. He was described on his atto de morte as a capitano of the royal army and cavaliere de ordine reunione, possibly from the Napoleonic era in southern Italy. She was seeking information on Napoleonic orders of chivalry, and was advised to try an Internet search on the subject, since there are some excellent Web sites on the general subject area.

Bob CARRUBBA (#4406) is nearly finished tracing his mother's family in Menfi, Sicilia. Using addresses founs in an Internet phone directory, Bob wrote to about 50 people in Menfi with the names Mitrano and DiCarlo. He got 5 replies, all of which were of interest, whether or not they turned out to be related.

Nancy DiSANTI advised us that her father, Lou DiSANTI could not attend because of an appointment he couldn't reschedule. He will be going to Italy in June, is planning to visit some archives and will have a full report at the next meeting. Nancy also told us that her Italian teacher, a signora Lecce, comes from the comune of Lecce. She advised us that her teacher is Jewish, and that many Italian Jews took the names of their towns of residence.

Donna DENGLER hasn't been doing much research herself lately, but has helped many on-line friends with theirs. From time to time these friends send her "surprise" e-mails with information which helps in her research.

Dan ELSE, Donna's other half, was present, but said he hadn't done any research of interest lately.

John IACONIS (#2953) advised us that the George Washington Lodge of the Sons of Italy was having a lecture on the Norman conquest of Southern Italy and Sicily on April 13th.

Kay TORPEY (#2543) has been searching for family in the recently-released 1930 Census. She found her great-grandfather at two addresses - once at his own home, and once more at the home of his son, whom he must have been visiting when the Census taker came around.

Mirella BARONI (#4215) has been seeking information about relatives in West Virginia ans in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. She is hoping to travel to both locations later this year to pursue this research. Mirella also told us that the Club Trentino in New York City, which she helped to found, had a 40th anniversary dinner in New York on March 1, during which she was presented with a plaque in commemoration of the event.

As always, we invite you to our website at

for past minutes and future meetings and events.

or e-mail Paul Traunero or Lou Alfano for additional information.

The Mazzei PIP met in the morning of July 12th, 2003 at the regular meeting place, the Dolley Madison Library in McLean, Virginia. Seventeen members attended and several sources of information were exchanged during and after the meeting. Some in of the members followed the meeting with lunch at a restaurant, nearby. Our next meeting is on October 11, 2003. Visit the our homepage for complete details --

Paul Traunero (#1541) related some details from his trip to Italy in April. He acquired a church record from 1722 which adds another generation to his tree. His rental car received significant damage in the rear from a collision. As a result, he gained some insight into how an accident is reported. The glove box contained a report form identical to that presented by the other driver, who admitted fault. No police were involved since no injuries were involved.

Bill Menza attends the meetings in order to "stay motivated." He is known as the family information gatherer. He treated us to recent copies of Voce Italiana.

Kay Torpey and her husband traveled to Valva, Salerno. Now their Irish relatives are planning trips to Italy! She reported that LDS was filming in Salerno; however, since the meeting, another source could not verify it.

John Tromba provided a new URL of interest -- www.bklyn-geneaology-info.com.

Marie and Alden Bestul have encountered four "brick walls" in her research. She is considering hiring some help in Italy. Several members noted their experiences in this area.

Linda Moran and Earl Jones received an extract of a birth certificate from a person in Sicilia. Unfortunately, he did not source the information. They are planning to visit Sicilia and Linda would like to take an language immersion class sometime.

Nancy and Louis DeSanti. Louis traveled with his son to Italy for two weeks recently. His son was last there 19 years ago. Due to a family connection, they gained access to six church registry books that were brought to the house in which they visited.

John DiBella is busy scanning family photographs and is seeking printer recommendations. He brought some announcements for an upcoming Sons of Italy festival in Alexandria, Virginia.

Richard Camaur spoke at the NGS national conference in Pittsburgh in May. He noted that fellow Mazzei member, Marie Melchiori also spoke. Richard told us of a triple great-grandfather from 1787 who lived in four countries without ever leaving his birth town!

Art Manfredi is trying to solve the riddle of his late wife's Italian side. He is also trying to resolve a WWI registration for her grandfather. He has dispatched a batch of letters to Italy and is awaiting replies.

Donna Dengler is continuing research in Palermo and Messina (SI). She received two recent emails from a 1999 Internet posting. She was able to make a link between the two senders.

Dan Else mentioned an old publication called "American Folklife" (http://www.loc.gov/folklife) connected with the Library of Congress. They sponsored many projects and may provide a source of information.

Jerry Polizzi recently visited an aunt in Connecticut for her 100th birthday.

As always, we invite you to our website at

for past minutes and future meetings and events.

or e-mail Paul Traunero or Lou Alfano for additional information.

The Filippo Mazzei Chapter (#6) of POINTers in Person met on the morning of October 11, 2003. The meetings continue to be held at the Dolley Madison Public Library in McLean, Virginia. Eighteen members participated in animated conversation. We missed the presence of Lou Alfano, but thank him for reserving the room for our future meetings on January 10 and April 10, 2004.

Kay Torpey announced that she and an uncle have committed to writing and compiling a three-volume set of books covering their joint research. The volumes will entail the family story, records and photos, respectively. The pair are to work virtually to supplement their sparse meetings. She was given some sources for printing and was reminded to copyright the works.

Ann Jeffery found our group via the Web. Ann has recently received some photographs and information from her mother. She has many names, but few dates. Her father's surname is Ciafre.

Marie Bestul with her husband, Alden, are going to hire Trafford Cole for some research in Abruzzo.

Dan Else is in a lull regarding research of his ancestors from Avellino.

Donna Dengler 'lurks' on various Internet listservs trying to help others where she is able.

Jerry Polizzi is planning to purchase a 1998 archeological history of Sicily. He has also scheduled a trip to Sicily for March of 2004.

Rita Warren found our group via a chance meeting of a Mazzei member at the DMV. (We won't repeat WHY they were both there!) She was born in Napoli. Her father had a glove factory there and returned to it during the depression in the United States. The factory was destroyed during W.W.II. She married and came to America. She keeps busy lobbying Congress on various topics of Italian interest.

Jay Pulli brought several books on Italian history for others to view. Recently, a two-year old parking ticket made its way from Italy! So goes the DMV woes for Jay!

Nancy De Santi has signed on to go on the NIAF sponsored trip to Campania.

Louis De Santi advised two fourth generation Italian-American relatives prior to their trip to Italy this past August. They rented a car during the trip. He received an email after their return and commented how everywhere you go there is beauty, either man-made of formed by nature.

Art Manfredi is planning a trip to the Amalfi coast for April of 2004. He remains frustrated about finding no records relating to his late wife's great-great-grandparents in New York City around 1880.

Vince Manara is currently in an immersion phase of his cyclic researching. He has been a volunteer at the National Archives in Washington. The NARA is currently undergoing some moves of their holdings. He has also been taking Italian lessons, with an emphasis on travelers.

Bob Carrubba has concentrated in the past on researching his mother's side; they had not moved prior to emigrating from Italy. He is now focusing on his father's side. His research is in the Enna province of Sicily.

John Tromba gave an example of a small-lot publishing house that his wife is using for her current book.

Hope Bogorad, a cousin of John's, presented a list of some Italian historical research centers. The Immigration Historical Research Center at the University of Minnesota can be located on the Web at www.umn.edu/ihrc.

Bill Menza recently visited his old high school, Christopher Columbus, in Boston and discovered that it is now a condominium.

As always, we invite you to our website at

for past minutes and future meetings and events.

or e-mail Paul Traunero or Lou Alfano for additional information.