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Below the pictures is an article submitted by Joseph Citro about the history of Italians in Omaha, Nebraska

This building was originally Chiodo Hall and was the location of the Italian Consulate in Omaha. Then for many years after the consulate in Omaha was closed it served as the haome of Rotella’s Bakery before they relocated to a new bakery in west Omaha.
Located on 24th street and Pierce.





This was Mason Elementary School where many Italian children from the neighborhood went to grade school. It is almost across the street from Chiodo Hall and has now been transformed into apartments.





This is Saint Francis Cabrini Church, it was originally St. Filomena and is the location of the marriage of many Italian immigrants in Omaha. My grandparents were married in this church.
Located at 1335 South 10th street.





Saint Ann Church.
Located at 2247 Poppleton Avenue.





The Santa Lucia Festival Committee Hall located at 725 Pierce street.

Marino’s Grocery. I think this is the last Italian grocer left in Omaha.
Located at 1716 South 13th street.

The Sons Of Italy Hall located at 1238 South 10th street

This is Orsi’s bakery, located in what was the heart of Omaha’s “Little Italy” at 621 Pacific street.

Right around the corner from Orsi’s is the original Caniglia’s restaurant at 1114 South 7th street. Eating at Caniglia’s is one of the fond memories I have from my childhood.

Caniglia’s Restaurant

In the early 1900s (around 1905) four families came from Carlentini, Sicily to America. They arrived in Omaha to work, meet with relatives already here, and also open their own businesses in what became Omaha’s Little Italy section of town.

Mister C’s father (Cirino) worked in his fathers (Rosario’s) bakery. Eventually Mister C and his brothers would all work in the family business. Bread was originally delivered to Mom and Pop Italian grocery stores byhorse and buggy.

In August of 1946, after WW II, Mister C (Sebastiano) and his four brothers Ross, Lou, Eli and Al put their money together and converted the bakery to Caniglia’s Pizzaria. From the bakery ovens of Cirino and Giovanna Caniglia the boys made Omaha’s original pizza.

Mrs Malara’s restaurant at 2123 Pierce street. Catherine Malara was one of my grandmother’s dearest friends





This is the house where my grandparents lived on 25th and Pierce

Last but not least is the American Italian Historical Society located at 1430 South 14th street. The AIHS has purchased ground for construction of a new building and hopes to start construction in the near future. Donations gladly accepted to further the cause and membership is also available.

The Italians of Nebraska by Joseph A. Citro

Italy! The land of the olive. And the grape. And the Mediterranean sunshine.
Nebraska! The land of the windswept plains. And the snow. And the subzero temperatures. What could they have in common? Italians!

In the middle of the 19th century, began a mass exodus from Italy to other countries, including the United States. Recognizing a good source of cheap labor the Union Pacific Railroad and the Big stockyards in Nebraska would send recruiters to Italy to convince the people, particularly young males, aged 14 to 25, to come to Omaha. By 1930, Nebraska could claim 6,000 of these immigrants (according to the 1990 census, there are more than 35,000 Italians in Nebraska today). This movement was not a result of any religious or political oppression but rather a result of a chain of causes, partly natural, partly man-made.

The northern Italians were the first to emigrate – primarily to other European countries and to South America. Their goal was to improve their economic conditions. They wanted to save money, buy land and a home, or open a shop or business of their own. Emigration from southern Italy was a result of backward social conditions and outright poverty. Italy was predominantly an agricultural country, yet most of the land could hardly be called fertile. The dry air and soil of southern Italy are the conditions that contributed to the low crop yield. In Sicily, absentee landlords owned much of the land, charged high rents and paid miserably low wages. These, along with high taxes, were inducement enough to leave.

Malaria was also a contributing factor in the exodus. In 1887, 21,000 people died of malaria in Italy. In 1905 more than 300,000 persons were infected with the disease. The promise of jobs and prosperity in the United States was attractive to the Italians. in the 1880s. Many Italians who had emigrated to the United States returned to Italy and boasted of their wealth and success in America. This convinced even more to leave Italy. Even the Italian government encouraged emmigration. Luigi Bodio, head of the Italian Immigration Bureau in 1894/95 praised emmigration as a step toward bettering and equalizing conditions for Italians. Emmigration was almost a patriotic duty! Several Italians who were originally from Carlentini, Sicily, about 20 miles inland from the southeast Sicilian coast, and had worked in Omaha as common laborers, returned home to visit parents and relatives. They were the picture of prosperity. They wore expensive clothes and a lot of jewelry. They flouted hands-full of paper money. They spoke continually of the prosperity in Nebraska. They encouraged those who were dissatisfied with their lot to return with them to Nebraska where they too would make a lot of money and return to Italy as rich men.

Between 1850 and 1930 four million Italians came to the United States. Of these, only 6000 came to Nebraska. Those that came to the midwest were skilled artisans, farmers and professional people. There came also the common laborers that were attracted by jobs on the railroad. It’s interesting to note that most of the Italians coming to America had less than $20 in their pockets when they arrived. Omaha and Lincoln, the two largest cities in Nebraska provided most of the jobs for the immigrants. The large populations also protected them from the scorn felt by newcomers. They lived with their own kind. Other than the occassional name-calling, there never was the hardcore discrimination as there was in other states, such as Massachusetts. Here, in Nebraska, the Italian immigrants could set up as barbers, shoemakers, tailors, carpenters and bakers and make a good living. Unskilled laborers could also make a good living in the factories, railroads, meat packing plants and “The Smelter”. The smelter was a plant, on the Missouri River, that converted raw ore into lead.

The majority of the Italians coming to Nebraska were from Southern Italy and Sicily. They were predominantly Roman Catholic. By 1900, there were two, distinct Italian colonies in Omaha. Those from Southern Italy, mostly from Calabria, settled around 10th and Leavenworth Streets. Those who came from Sicily settled in the area between the Missouri River and 10th Street. In 1907, a new church was erected at 10th and William Streets. It was called St. Philomena (it’s now called St. Frances Cabrini). It bordered the northeast side of the Italian colony, and area which was mostly Irish at that time. As the Italian population grew, it took over the area and became known as “Little Italy”. The members of this church were primarily Sicilian from Carlentini and Lentini.

By 1920, the area south of Dodge Street and bordered by the Missouri River on the east and 24th Street on the west became known as “Little Italy”. In this early period prejudices brought from the old country prevented the Calabrese from having anything to do with the Sicilians. This was largely because of antagonisms, based on sectional differences. In Italy, the feelings between Northern and Southern Italians are much like the attitudes between North and South in the United States. These attitudes had not yet been erased from the hearts and minds of the immigrants.

Between 1904 and 1910, hundreds of Sicilians came to Omaha as a result of the efforts of two brothers – Joseph and Sebastiano Salerno. The brothers had come to Omaha in 1904 from Carlentini, Sicily. They had opened a shoe repair shop (at 6th and Pierce Streets) and then a grocery store (at the same location). By 1908, they owned the Bank of Sicily. The Salerno brothers arranged for the passage of Sicilians to come to America (passage at that time cost about $28). Since these immigrants were indebted to the Salerno brothers, it was only natural that they live in the rooming houses owned by the brothers. “When the people would come, they would rent them housing. Most of them were given jobs at the Union Pacific Railroad and in the Smelter.” says Lucille Gibilisco, niece of the Salerno brothers. “My uncles invested money,” she adds, ” some of it was wise, some of it was not wise. They went to Florida and invested their banks money and it turned out to be swamp land. So they lost quite a bit of money. In 1929, the year of the crash, they also crashed.”

By 1915, the majority of Italians working for the railroad were employed in terminals and shops. Since these were close by the Sicilian settlement on Pierce Street, it served as an added incentive to come to the district. Lucille Gibilisco recalls when she was a girl, the people, “…we used to call them bums”, would come up and knock on her mother’s back door and ask for something to eat . “The Italians in the neighborhood would always give then soup or a sandwich. They were always pretty generous that way.” “There was a big, white building that they all used to live in. It was called the Immigrant House,” says Fred Gibilisco, Lucille’s husband. “That was for single men that came to Omaha and didn’t have families.” “It was a big, big boarding house,” Lucille adds , “it was located around 13th and Harney Streets.” In the 1920s and 1930s, a fusion occurred between the Calabrese and the Sicilians primarily due to an increase in population of both groups. Old prejudices were lost in the vestiges of time, and new generations of Italian-Americans were inter-marrying.

The 1920s also brought prohibition. Italians didn’t care much for it. They were accustomed to their wine and beer. To them it wasn’t a luxury, it was a necessity. Many hard-working Italians found that bootlegging was an easy way to make a lot of money. “My uncles had a farm out in Sarpy county that had a cave way down in the meadow somewhere,” Fred explains, “they used to make it down in there. Somebody squealed on them a couple times and they had to stop.” Because the Italian immigrant found he could get justice from the Nebraska legal system, he did not take justice into his own hands. As opposed to Italy where he received little justice from the courts. In Italy he was forced to take action himself or turn to the Mafia to get justice. For this reason, the Mafia, the organized crime group of Sicilian origin did not exist in Nebraska.

The “Little Italy” of Omaha before World War II retained much of the flavor of the Old World. The foreign-born Italians were a strong influence for the preservation of Italian traditions. The stores and shops would display cheeses, pasta, olive oil, salami and garlic. You could smell the aroma of highly seasoned tomato sauce. Lucille and Fred Gibilisco both waxed nostalgic about the peddlers who used to drive their horses and buggies through the neighborhoods. “Rag bought!” one used to shout. he bought up all the old rags that no one used anymore. There were also the vegetable peddlers. “There was a man who used to sell fish. The whole back end of the horse and buggy was all ice and they used to have fish laying on the ice,”Lucille recalls. “Yeah,” adds Fred, “fresh sardines.” “Oh,” Lucille says, “they were delicious.”

And the ice man, the ice cream man, the coal man – they all made deliveries. “We used to put a sign up in the window, it was like a triangle with 10, 15 or 20, (pounds) ” Lucille explains, “Whichever amount you wanted, you would put that number on top so the ice man would know how much to leave.” Fred told how he used to help the coal man deliver. He would be black from coal when he came home. His place didn’t have a bathtub – they used to use those big old wash tubs to take a bath. He would go over to his cousin’s house to take a bath because they had a tub. For entertainment they would go to movies. There was, of course, no television. They did have radio but not every family had one. “Every Sunday, we would have dinner – at noon – and then go to a movie. The women would go,” Lucille explains, “The men would stay home and take their naps.” Weddings were another source of entertainment. When people got married, whole families – including all the children – used to go to the reception. The children were never left with babysitters. They would all have a good time.

The neighborhoods then were a lot friendlier than they are today. According to Lucille, families used to have neighbors who cared about them. “Every night we would go out and sit in our screened-in front porch and the neighbors across the street would come over.” People would come from all over the neighborhood – just to sit and talk. Someone would make lemonade and serve it. Someone would bring some biscotti. Maybe someone would bring a guitar and another a mandolin. Still another an accordion. And there was always a “Fischietto” – a whistle type instrument, usually hand made. It made for an impromptu sing-along session with everyone joining in. Uncles and aunts who lived close by would come over and they would play games such; as “L’anello” (Pass the Ring) – this was similar to “Button, Button who’s got the button”. They also played a lot of card games, “Sette Mezzo”( seven and a half), “Scopa” (broom or Sweep), and “Briscola”.

During this era, the fathers were pretty much the breadwinners. At least until the Depression when mothers had to go out and get work too. Most of the Italian women worked in sewing factories. Pendelton’s woolen mills was in Omaha as was Appleman’s, a suit manufacturing firm. When it came to births, doctors were an expense few Italians could afford. Most of the babies were delivered by a midwife. One of the busiest was Rosa Pattavina. “I think she delivered a lot of babies,” Lucille says. 1941! World War II! Things began to change. America was changing and the Italian community had to change too. Most of the young men were going off to war. Some wouldn’t return. As with the rest of America, the women – in increasing numbers – were leaving the homes to take over the jobs that were held by men. For four long years this would go on. In the meantime another generation was growing up – with different sets of values. The old traditions were being forgotten by many of the young Italians. This generation was much better educated thanks to their parents.

The end of the war brought a prosperity that lasted throughout the 1950s. As the younger Italians worked for success they didn’t have time for tradition. They were fully integrated into the “American Way of Life”. Many years later, some would realize that they were missing out on some of the finer things in their heritage. “We were sitting around a table – at a picnic at my house – discussing our Italian heritage, and I remembered things that I had done that weren’t being done anymore,” says Dr. Ted Bolamperti.” Ted Bolamperti, 57, is a whirlwind of a man who kicks up a lot of dust but never stands still long enough to get dirt in his eyes. He is one of Omaha’s leading dentists and the driving force behind the birth of the American Italian Heritage Society. He saw that tradition was going away and he was determined to do something about it. He decided, along with some friends and classmates from grade school who had recently attended a class reunion, that some of the tradition they experienced there should be preserved. They were going to do something about it. “I knew all these people from going to grade school with them. When I was growing up, I lived around 22 Street and I was supposed to go to the public elementary school in our neighborhood (The Train School, named after a real estate dealer) but my mother insisted that I go to a Catholic School, so I went to St. Wenceslaus on 14th Street,” Ted recalls. “I was fortunate, I got to have two groups – one from 10th Street and one from 22nd Street.” He had finished grade school, graduated from Creighton Preparatory High School in 1958 and went on to Creighton University. It was in 1980 that the group started talking about their lost heritage. They began, informally, to discuss ways to renew the interest of other Italians in keeping their heritage alive. They contacted friends and they contacted friends of friends. Slowly the little group grew. “We would use the phone book and invite anyone who we even thought might be Italian,” Ted explains.

In December, 1980, the American Italian Heritage Society was born. It was a fully incorporated, non-profit club dedicated to preserving the rich, ethnic traditions of the Italians. Since they didn’t have an official meeting place at first, they would meet anyplace where they could find room. They would meet at each others houses, at social halls, club houses, libraries, business offices and at St. Francis Cabrini Church. They would also meet at Cantoni’s Restaurant (which no longer exists). As the membership grew, the need for a permanent meeting place became a real necessity. In 1983, the American Italian Heritage Society bought a building. St. Wenceslaus Parish was closing down so they bought the church and school buildings from the Archdiocese (for $20,000),” Ted says , “It’s the same building where I went to school as a kid.” The building is right in the middle of what used to be “Little Italy”. Although many Italians still live in the area, it’s not the same as it was 40 years ago. Except for Marino’s on South 13th Street, gone are all the “Mom and Pop” stores that used decorate each corner. The supermarkets drove most of them out of business. Many of the second and third generation Italians migrated to the west side of the city – where the money is. A few of the old restaurants are still around and still serving great Italian food. But the flavor and ambience of Little Italy is no more. The Sons of Italy, a national, fraternal organization, still has their facility in the area. They serve spaghetti for lunch every Thursday during the winter months. This lunch is so popular that you see all manners of people from celebrities to the homeless. During election time, there’s not a politician in the state who doesn’t show up to look for votes. The Santa Lucia Committee sponsors an annual festival each June to honor the patron saint of Sicily. The festival is complete with processions to begin and end the event. This year (1997) marks their 73rd anniversary.

There are many Italian Americans who have made significant contributions to the history of Omaha include a judge of the State Supreme Court (Samuel P. Caniglia), a current member of the Omaha City Council (Subby Anzaldo). Rotella’s Bakery, in Omaha, was founded by immigrants and today ships Italian bread all over the United States. The Caniglia brothers- Lou, Yano, Al, Eli, and Ross, who established fine restaurants all over the city. Pietro Cosentino’s marching band was a legend in Little Italy. He played several instruments himself and taught many of the young men in the area to play. John Scigliano, the son of an immigrant, was the first of his family to go to college. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from Creighton University. He would go on to earn a Master’s Degree in Bacteriology and a Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacy(Analytical Chemistry). He served for 32 years in the Public Health Service. Together with his brother Joe and his sister Elizabeth Scigliano Stanker, he established the John A. Scigliano Scholarship. This scholarship is intended to recruit students for Creighton University for pursuit of careers in certain fields in medical sciences. In 1984, the American Italian Heritage Society decided to put on an Italian festival to showcase Italian traditions. They wanted to do something different than the religious or carnival type exposition. They wanted to show the Omaha community what the traditions were. They also wanted a venue to rediscover for themselves how rich the heritage was. The Festival was the means to accomplish these goals. And so “La Festa” was born.

In 1984, the festival was held at the Civic Auditorium in downtown Omaha, but was ultimately moved to Peony Park where the ambience was more conducive to that type of event. Peony Park was an Amusement Park, but it was more. There was a swimming pool and a very large, tree-lined garden area with an outdoor stage. It was in this area that food booths were set up to sell traditional Italian foods – all made from family recipes. La Festa was held at Peony Park over the Labor Day weekend every year until 1993. Peony Park closed in 1994 and there was no alternative place to hold the even so it was canceled. But it came back, strong as ever, in 1995 when it was held on the campus of the College of St. Mary. Food is a large part of the Italian heritage. In preparation for an event such as “La Festa” many volunteers have to be taught how to prepare and serve food – the right way. This is one way to perpetuate the traditions. None of the food is brought in from restaurants. Song and dance is also a large part of the Italian heritage. Anyone attending “La Festa” will see a display of Italian folk dancing being done by members ranging in age from 5 years old to 90 years young. Through the efforts and interest of many volunteers, young and old, the traditions and heritage of the Italians will remain for generations to come. The future of the heritage is reflected by the light in the little girls’ eyes and the smiles on the lips of the young boys as they swirl and dance the Tarantella during La Festa.

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Philadelphia has two great marketplaces: The Reading Terminal is one, and this is the other." Outdoors and five blocks long, it has stalls stocking everything "from clams to wool socks. You can't buy (just) one of anything…and why should you when the guy with the booming, nasal South Philly accent is offering you 10 tomatoes for $1?"

The Italian Market
Ninth Street between Christian Street and Washington Avenue

Mural of former Philadelphia Mayor Frank Rizzo

at the NW corner of 9th & Montrose Sts.
in the heart of the South Philly Italian Market.

There are a few famous spots particularly noted for their steaks (Philly Cheese Steaks), including:

Pat's in South Philly

1237 East Passyunk Ave
The original Cheese Steak

 Geno's in South Philly

9th and Passyunk Ave.

Owner, Joseph Vento learned the cheese steak business from his father, who came from Naples in the early 1940s and opened "Jim's Steaks". Serving cheese steaks since1966, Geno's is a Philly icon and should not be missed by anyone living in, or visiting the Philadelphia area.

Open 24 hours, 7 days a week

Italian American Traditions: Family and Community (Exhibit online):

http://www.balchinstitute.org/museum/italian/italian.html

Saint Rita's Shrine:
http://www.saintritashrine.org/index.html

Santa Rita

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The origin of Saint Rita''s Shrine is intimately tied both to the story of Italian immigration to the United States and to popular religious devotion at the beginning of the 20th Century.

In the year 1907 the Augustinian Friars from Villanova, one of the suburbs surrounding the City of Philadelphia, were asked to found a parish to assist in the care of the tens of thousands of Italian families coming into the city. When they did, they chose Saint Rita as the patron of the new foundation – a wise and providential choice, not only because Rita herself was a daughter of Italian soil, but also because her canonization just a few years earlier in 1900, was quickly bringing her to the attention of people far and wide as a sympathetic and attractive model of holiness and a powerful intercessor in the most needy of cases.

The friars soon established a novena to Saint Rita, conducted 13 times each Sunday and Wednesday to accommodate the thousands of people who flocked to the basement church each week to seek favors or to give thanks for graces received.

In 1915 the magnificent upper church was completed and has continued to operate both as a parish church and as the center of devotion to the Saint of Cascia in the United States. Today, several generations after the original immigrants have gone, the parish population is very small, but devotion to Saint Rita continues strong among people near and far.

Fante

Fante's is one of the oldest and most distinguished shops for kitchenwares. This site is extensive and not to be missed (online or in person)

http://www.fantes.com/italian_market.htmÂ

About 9th Street Italian Market

http://www.phillyitalianmarket.com/market/9thstreet.htm

Anastacio Coffee

http://www.anastasiocoffee.com

The Spice Corner – In the World Famous Philadelphia Italian Market

http://www.thespicecorner.com

904 South Ninth Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Dibruno House of Cheese

www.dibruno.com

Danny and Joe DiBruno proudly introduced the House of Cheese to Philadelphia's Italian Market in April 1939. Initially, the store stocked only a small variety of Italian cheese and grocery items. However, Danny realized that in order to compete with the larger and more established grocers in the area, he needed to specialize. After a vacation to Switzerland, Danny determined that cheese was the vehicle that would make the DiBruno name famous. He introduced the largest selection of imported and domestic cheeses available to Philadelphians.
To complement the selection of over 400 cheeses, Danny keenly tapped into the great demand for high-quality olives, olive oils and vinegars, which have certainly made the flagship store a one-stop, gourmet shopping destination.

Termini Brothers :: http://www.termini.com

A FAMILY TRADITION FOR MORE THAN 80 YEARS

As our family bakery business continues to grow, we never forget its foundation in family tradition. We believe that our children and grandchildren will be serving our grandfather's recipes to our customers for generations to come!

Our authentic Italian pastries contain no artificial flavors, artificial colors, or preservatives. We encourage you to enjoy them as soon as they arrive.

D'Angelo Brothers Meat Market

http://www.dangelobros.com/Â

D'Angelo Bros. has been at the same location for over 70 years and we have a reputation of excellence. D'Angelo Bros. produces a pure product with no nitrates or any other preservatives. In addition there are no artificial colors added or fillers.

D'Angelo Bros. offers these products and more: FRESH GAME PREPARED MEATS SAUSAGES PÂTÉ HIDES / FURS ROASTS MAIL ORDER

D'ANGELO BROS. offers mail order to anywhere in the Continental U.S.
For mail orders please call:

215-923-5637

909 South 9th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147

Ralph's Italian Restaurant

Ralph's in South Philadelphia is well-known not just locally, but all over the United States. When Frank Sinatra wrote his book, "The Way I Wear My Hat", he listed the restaurant as one of his three favorites in Philadelphia

Many famous diners, including Theodore Roosevelt, have eaten at the three-story brownstone in the Italian Market area. Francesco Dispigno and his wife, Catherine, opened the restaurant in May 1900. They named it after their 10-year-old son.Â

Since then, four generations of the family have continued the tradition. A fifth generation is now coming into the picture.

960 South Ninth, Philadelphia, PA
15-627-6011

http://www.ralphsrestaurant.com/inframes.htm

 Antique Row – between 10th and 12th Streets

The Deal

Along the south side of Pine Street, between Pennsylvania Hospital and Kahn Park, 15 antique shops open and close their doors when they want. Collectors, historians, art aficionados and just plain packrats own these places, and most of these owners keep hours that are as inimitable as their collections.

"Just Arrived: Shipment from France," a permanent sign declares from one dealer's window. In others, see 200 year-old samplers, thick, leaded stained glass, giant white Art Deco vases, or perfectly preserved china tea sets. Treasures are too numerous and too various to list, from tiny silver salt dishes to mammoth Colonial chiffoniers. Each store claims a specialty that might not be apparent by window-shopping alone. Try the knob; if not, then the bell. With any luck, they'll let you in.

Jewelers Row – Sansom Between 7th and 8th and 8th between Chestnut and Walnut

The blocks that intersect at Eighth and Sansom have a fair claim to the title of Philadelphia's glitziest spot–there's more diamonds per square foot than a post-Oscar party. Jewelry stores squeeze into every available space, both above and below street level, ranging from tiny family businesses that handcraft every piece to shiny, spacious showrooms full of the latest designer wares. Along this brilliant block stroll cash-flashing businessmen, mink-clad society ladies, couples picking engagement rings and women of all ages wistfully gazing into store windows.

You'll find jewelry and gemstones to suit every taste, from simple stud earrings and classic solitaires to unique Victorian estate pieces and flashy baubles that scream "Rich boyfriend!"

Tony and Tina's Wedding

Venice Plaza :: 18th & Snyder :: Philadelphia, PA

Ticket Sales and Information: 1-800-660-TINA

"Tony n Tina's Wedding" is the wildest, wackiest wedding you've ever experienced. Join the happy couple as they tie the knot. Then on to the reception, featuring a dinner buffet and dancing to the melodious strains of "Donnie Dolce and Fusion". You can throw rice, kiss the families and interact with a vivacious variety of loveable lunatics, zany relatives, and far out friends. It's a fun time for everyone.

Be Smart – Be Safe

Philadelphia is a very large city – the population consists of millions and there are visitors daily. The link is the Philadelphia Police Department's recommendations for ensuring your safety while visiting the City of Brotherly Love -

During a blizzard in the 90s a bus broke down in South Philly. It was obvious the City was paralyzed and would remain so for a few days. Philadelphia is not well equipped for large amounts of snow removal. It just so happens that the bus was in Little Italy; needless to say, the passengers were well fed during our blizzard and recovery as those who reside in Little Italy opened their kitchens and their hearts to total strangers.Â

Philadelphia – The Place That Loves You Back!!! Â

http://www.pcvb.org/ab_phil/index.asp

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In 1801 the first conservatory of music in the nation was founded in Boston by Filippo Traetta, a Venetian Musician. In 1861, after Italian unification, Gustavo Finotti is appointed the first Consul of the Kingdom of Italy in Boston. The main Italian immigrants in the 1860′s were Genovese with Southern Italians and Sicilians making up the bulk of the immigrants after 1880.
Saint Leonard’s Church on Prince Street, founded 1873 by Italian immigrants, is the oldest Italian Church in Boston and the second oldest in America.

For a more complete timeline visit Boston Family History.com at: http://www.bostonfamilyhistory.com/ita_main.html Boston’s North End began it’s transformation to “Little Italy” about 1900. Between 1890 and 1910 the Jewish residents moved further south and the Italian immigrants settled into the North End. 90% of the North End was Italian by 1920.

In 1919 a 4 story molasses storage tank on Commercial street burst sending over 2.2 million gallons of molasses flooding the North End. Many people were either swept out into the harbor or smothered as the molasses overtook them. Twenty one people were killed and at least one hundred fifty more were injured. The cleanup process took over six months. Today residents claim you can still smell molasses on a hot summer day.

Boston was the distilling capital of the USA at that time and molasses was the primary sweetener used. The company blamed it on anarchists But finally was forced to pay restitution. Add to this the trial of Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti, a quota on immigration and the Italians in the North End turned back towards their own ethnicity by the end of the 1920′s, creating an even tighter knit community. The effects of which can still be seen today in the “Old World” atmosphere in the North End.

The end of the 1920′s also signaled the end of the unskilled Italian itinerant worker as they moved up from bootblack, to cart owner, to shop owner or to skilled or semi skilled tradesman or to a professional occupation. Trade unionism also had strong support in Boston. There were many fishermen among the Italians of Boston and the Fisherman’s Feast, which began in 1911, is a tradition that goes back to Sciacca Sicily and the 16th century.

Links for Boston:

North End

Welcome to the historic North End, America's most vibrant Italian neighbourhood

The Fisherman's Feast

Boston's Oldest Italian Festival:

Order Sons of Italy in Massachusetts

The Dante Alighieri Society of Massachusetts

The Dante Alighieri Society of Massachusetts is a non profit organization whose objective is to promote and foster Italian culture by: Helping to develop a consciousness of Italian achievements in the arts, literature, science, and industry. Promoting the study of Italian. Promoting a spirit of understanding among all people through the arts and other cultural activities.

The Pirandello Lyceum

The Lyceum aims to encourage a greater understanding and appreciation of Italian culture among all people. Its various programs reflect significant accomplishments of Italian thinkers in the areas of art, science, culture and humanitarianism.

Italia Unita

Italia Unita, Inc. is a non-profit organization founded in 1995 in East Boston, Massachusetts. Italia Unita is dedicated to preserving Italian heritage and promoting Italian culture. We honour Italian Americans who have contributed to American society.

MITALY

The MIT Italian Association

Harvard Italian Cultural Society

Submitted by Rose Albrizio

Here is an early 20th century postcard of a street scene in Boston’s Little Italy. Probably day laborers standing around waiting for work – a familiar sight in a working-class neighborhood. In the background is the Bank of Ettore Forte.

The next four pictures below have been submitted by Paul Laforest of Cape Cod

Europe? No. It’s Paul Revere Square in the North End?





Salem Street in the North End. Shoppers heading toward Haymarket Square





Saturday morning on Hanover Street, the North End’s main street.





An Italian fruit and vegetable seller in Haymarket Square

OTHER FACTS ABOUT BOSTON

- As early as 1640 there are records of trade between Massachusetts and Italy.

- The ancestors of prominent New England families, Robert Child and Henry Saltonstall, (circa 1649) were educated at the University of Padua.

- The first conductor of the Handel and Haydn Society was Louis Astinelli, an Italian, in 1815.

– Filippo Traetta (also spelled Trajetta) arrived in Boston in 1799. As a music student in Naples, he was caught up in the Parthenopian revolt and with the collapse of the Republic he was able to escape to America. He was born in Venice, January 9, 1777 and was the son of Tommaso Traetta, born in Bitonto (Bari), a noted composer, who held positions in the courts of Spain and Russia. Filippo was not only a musician, but a singer and performed in concerts throughout America.

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This is the Italian Cultural Center in Des Moines, Iowa.

It’s located at 1961 Indianola Avenue in the building that was the bakery owned by the Marasco family.

The following photos are of some of the collections maintained inside the center.





On the left is Pat Civitate, who has been one of the driving forces behind the center and who volunteers countless hours of her time to maintain and improve things at the center and it’s museum.

On the right is COI listmember Kathy Foggia who was kind enough to accompany me to the center and to lunch at Noah’s Ark, a restaurant owned by the uncle of COI listmember Valerie Lacona.

Here are the photos and the letter from the mayor of Scala Coeli from Valerie Lacona, on exhibition at the center.

I had an excellent meal at Mama Lacona’s restaurant located at 2743 86th Street.

The restaurant is owned by the Lacona family and I got to meet Valerie (below) and her father and brother at the restaurant and also got the first taste of her new batch of homemade Crema Limoncello (it was excellent as was the meal).

Below is Graziano’s Italian Grocery, they have a very nice selection of items there along with some great Italian bread selections made fresh daily from the 3 Italian bakeries in the area. It’s located not far from the Cultural center.

Also, you can check out Bambino’s Restaurant and Des Moines nightlife

This is the picture of the Genealogy Group at the Cultural Center

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This page is for those traveling in places other than Italy looking for Italian Culture, places to eat, places to visit, etc.

The information on these pages has been submitted by members of the Comunes of Italy mailing list.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Iowa :: Des Moines

Massachusetts :: Boston

Nebraska :: Omaha

Pennsylvania :: Philadelphia

Links to Other Little Italy Webpages

These are links to external sites. Many of them are commercial. These are not sites owned or operated by the Comunes of Italy and we have no influence or responsibility for the content located there or for their privacy policies.

Please visit these sites at your own risk. We do not endorse anything on these sites We have only listed them here for your own personal viewing. Please do not contact us regarding these sites.

NEW YORK

New York City

The official website for Little Italy in New York City

Group of Little Italy residents who want to ensure that the community has a voice in neighborhood development. Includes a bulletin and news.

An online gallery of Curt Hoppe’s photorealist paintings of the landmarks of Little Italy.

This provides information about local events including the Miss L’Idea contest and the annual feasts of St. Joseph, San Gennaro, and St. Nicholas.

Features various photo tours of areas in the New York City area. Includes everal old railroad route walking tours.

PGNY: The Paperless Guide to New York City — Your guide to the city that never sleeps.

Greenbush Cookbooks

NYC Photo

Buffalo

Buffalo

NEW JERSEY

Trenton

Chambersburg 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s. 1916: Italian flavor adds to the ‘Burg

Book for sale

Camden

History

LOUISIANA

The American Italians in Louisiana Exhibition focuses on the contribution of descendants of Italian immigrants and includes individuals and families from all parts of the state.

MARYLAND

Baltimore

Maryland’s leading online source for community, local, state information

Baltimore Neighborhood Heritage Projec

Near the Korean War Memorial) Anchoring the east end of the Promenade, Canton Waterfront Park

PENNSYLVANIA

Philadelphia

Bella Vista

Pittsburg

Ethnic-Italian

DELAWARE

Wilmington

Welcome to Little Italy – Wilmington, Delaware | Home of Saint Anthony’s Italian Festival, fine dining, night life, and family neighborhood community.

OHIO

Cleveland

Galleria Gianna

INDIANA

Clinton

Welcome to the official website of Clinton, Indiana’s Little Italy Festival.

Evansville

Indianapolis

Holy Rosary Church

ILLINOIS

Chicago

Welcome to the Bridgeport history home page

Chicago

City Search

CALIFORNIA

San Francisco

from the SF Underground guide.

Federal Hill Gazette

San Diego

A profile of the community by Tom Blair, published in San Diego Magazine.

Little Italy today represents Downtown San Diego’s oldest continuous neighborhood business district.

San Diego’s Little Italy

Martinez

About Martinez

WISCONSIN

Madison

Madison These cookbooks have become emotional return visits to Madison, Wisconsin’s old Italian Greenbush neighborhood that lost its identity and disiappeared in the mid-1960s.

OREGON

Portland

Index: Resource for Italians, Italian culture and business in Portland, Oregon

MISSOURI

St. Louis

Dining on the Hill

Guides to St Louis

the St. Louis Gateway Arch

Features in St Louis

MINNESOTA

Cossettas

MICHIGAN

Detroit

Italians in Detroit

WASHINGTON

Seattle

Judkins

Italian Story

CANADA

Ottawa

Welcome to the official web site for Preston Street – Ottawa’s Little Italy!

Preston Street

Windsor, Ontario

Here you will find information about the beautiful Via Italia – Windsor, Ontario’s “Little Italy!”

Toronto

Hans Boldt’s photographs of Toronto, Canada

a interactive toronto guide to toronto’s college st and little italy showing,bars,cafes,night clubs,restaurants,bistros

Ontario

Ontario

BRAZIL

Sao Paolo

Sao Paolo

MISCELLANEOUS

Photos

Semiotics

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Submitted by Riccarda Mescola

NOTICE: This story was written in 2002. The pictures on the next Page were taken in April 2003 of Ricci’s second annual coloring sessions

At Easter, I invited my nephew Simone’s friend Leo to come and dye Easter Eggs with us this Friday. Leo is the son of Simone’s teacher, Caterina.
Caterina called me to ask me if it would be possible for me to come and explain how American children dye Easter Eggs. I said, thanks to the generosity of my COI friends, I can do one better, I can bring Easter Egg coloring kits and we can color Easter Eggs.

She gasped, is that even possible? I assured her that it was, so we made arrangements for me to go down there (last) Saturday to talk with the other 4 teachers. There were three, fifth grade classes, one fourth grade, and one English Class, roughly 50 children.

I told them that I thought we could accommodate them quite easily, and to have each child hardboil a couple eggs each. Well, to say that they were incredulous would be saying little, they just could not believe that I would have the supplies to bring a bit of American tradition to Italian children, but they underestimated my COI friends.

I left some glow in the dark and some glitter crayons to be used to decorate the eggs prior to dipping. I also scanned and printed the egg holders that came with the kits, as well as some that I got from the Internet. I included a short account of the history of coloring eggs for the English teacher, and left all these things for them to plan a lesson around.

Caterina brought jars to dip the eggs into, and I brought 4 traditional egg coloring kits, some that you had to add vinegar to, some that didn’t need it. I handed each of the first batch of 24 children a tablet, let them plop it into the water and stir, when it was ready, they could introduce their decorated eggs.

The children were very hesitant at first, both in choosing a color, as well as dipping the eggs. “E’ pronto, è pronto?” Is it ready, is it ready…the children were asking. I stopped them and told them that coloring eggs was as unique as each of them, indeed, as each of their designed eggs. If they were happy with the color of their egg, then it was “pronto”, if not, then they should wait until they were happy with the color.

For two and a half hours we colored eggs, as the first group finished and waited for theirs to dry, they began to color the holders, and staple them to hold their eggs. When that was done, they placed their eggs in the holders, wrapped them in clear cellophane, and tied them up with a ribbon, while the next group began dying their eggs. I had some of those shrinky dink sleeves, so I prepared 5 eggs at home, one for each of the teachers. I did not have enough for each of the children, and I preferred they learn the “traditional” way, the teachers loved them.

I cannot tell you how hard these kids worked, when someone was stuck, someone else helped out. Some brave souls tried dying one color on top of the other, AND even the teachers got into the act, each one designing and dying their own eggs. This was a first for all of them, young and old alike…America and Italy meeting at the Easter Egg coloring tables.

At the end of the day, the children presented me with a pretty begonia plant, and thanked me for the wonderful experience. I thanked them as well, and told them that without my wonderful friends at COI, my kind and generous friends who sent me Easter Egg coloring kits, none of this could have been possible. Their teachers said…”Ringraziamo gli amici Americani della Riccarda/Let’s thank Riccarda’s American friends”, and they all shouted “Grazie, amici Americani di Riccarda”, I am sure you had to have heard them, my ears are still ringing, lol.

I always say that it takes so little to make people happy, but you my friends, made 50+ people happy today, and these people went home and told their parents, and neighbors about their wonderful, marvelous, incredible Easter Egg coloring day, and you know, it doesn’t get much better than that. Thank-you my friends, from my heart, and each of the hearts you touched today…Buona Pasqua, the children asked me to tell you, and Buona Pasqua from me too.

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My Long And Winding Road to Dual Citizenship :: Submitted by Riccarda Mescola

First of all, people need to know that it is easier for a non Italian citizen to re-acquire Italian citizenship than for one born here. According to the Italian Consulate, I gave up all rights to my Italian citizenship when I became an American citizen. My mother passed the citizenship exam in 1959, and the law at the time was that any minor children that weren’t American citizens, became American citizens automatically…I was eleven years old. So, now I have to jump through hoops to re-acquire my Italian citizenship.
In December of 1999, I contacted the Italian Consulate in San Francisco, stating that I wished to return to Italy to live, and what did I need to do, what documents did I need to get…they said no problem, American citizens could remain in Italy for 3 months without a visa, but I would have to notify the local authorities that I was there, and apply for a Permesso di Soggiorno for Tourism.

They are many types of Permessi di Soggiorno, there are different ones for work, residency, tourism, etc. What documents did I need to take, “oh, nothing in particular”, was the response, so other than my passport, I left all my other documents in California.

The Permesso For Soggiorno for Tourism requires, among other things; documents from those who you are staying with, stating that you are their guest, a bank draft or cash totally roughly five million lire, which is about two thousand, three hundred dollars, (just in case the people I am staying with kick me out, I have something to fall back on) health insurance covering sickness, accidents or pregnancy, (in case I get sick, hurt or pregnant…yeah, pregnant at age 53) and photocopies, and photocopies, and photocopies. I had verification of my health plan, but the Consulate told me I didn’t need it, so I left all that behind – remember, no problem.

The Beginning

I arrived in Italy in August of 2000, and immediately go down to our Comune (city hall) to check my status as an Italian citizen. The Comune tells me that they can only certify that I was an Italian citizen UNTIL the moment I left Italy… June 4, 1950. Since I was born July 15, 1948, that meant that the Comune would only certify that I was an Italian citizen for 23 months. I asked them what they thought I was from age 24 months until I turned 11, and became an American citizen? They said they didn’t know, but couldn’t certify that I was an Italian citizen.

I requested they contact the American government, who would surely tell them that I was an Italian citizen; resident, complete with green card, in the U.S. Nothing doing…no one speaks English at the Comune…so they suggested they send a fax to the Italian Consulate in San Francisco. The Comune felt confident they would get a response in a few days.

I came home and emailed the consulate, supplying all the details, and received a reply in 3 days. They asked me if mine and my parent’s citizenship papers were on file with them, the Consulate, how was I to know? They checked and found nothing.

They told me that I would have to get certified copies of my, and my parent’s citizenship papers and take them to the Consulate in San Francisco. I asked them if they were aware that I was writing to them from Italy? So, they said I could mail them. Well I had none of them…remember they told me that I wouldn’t have a problem staying in Italy. In the meantime I got on the internet and requested a copy of my father’s citizenship papers from NARA, the National Archives and Record Administration, in San Bruno, which is not far from San Francisco, for 20 dollars.

Three weeks after their fax was sent, the Comune got a reply, by fax, saying the same thing I was told in my email. Now, months are going by as I try to scramble to get all this stuff, and I am getting really concerned about being here illegally. I spoke to friends who asked Carabinieri, and the Vigili, the local cops about it. The consensus being that NO ONE would send away an American citizen, so that made me a little calmer.

Still trying to get the Italian government/comune to recognize my Italian citizenship, I am directed to the Prefettura’s citizenship office in Vicenza. The Prefettura is like the county seat. It took me a month to get the woman, Signora Polito, who runs that department to answer the phone. One week she was out sick, one week she was on vacation, one week was the Christmas holidays and holy days, and she finally answered on the third day of the fourth week. I explained my situation to her, she said come in next week. I would have gladly gone down there immediately, but nothing is done immediately in Italy.

The following week, my girlfriend Rosamaria and I go down there. I explain about my mother becoming a citizen, and how I became one automatically, yadda, yadda, and she says “Well, I believe that you are still an Italian citizen, but let me check with one of my colleagues”. She comes back and says that they both agree that I am still an Italian citizen, and as such, I do not have to apply for a Permesso Di Soggiorno, because that is only for Non-Citizens.

I ask her for her phone number, because I am sure that when I get down to the Comune, they will want verification. She gives it to me, and says…no problem, just have them call. I leave thinking I have finally gotten this settled, WRONG!

The next day I go down to the Comune, and I explain what the woman at the Prefettura said…and Daniela, our Anagrafe/Record Keeper says…”let me call her”. Which she does, and Signora Polito tells her that she never said any such thing to me, back to square one. Now I am starting to get worried.

Daniela at the comune says that if I want, she can draw up a document, an Atto di Famiglia, that shows that my grandfather, his siblings and their children, were born here, that my mother and her siblings and their children were born here, and that I, also was born here, for ten thousand lire a name…roughly four and a half bucks per name. This way, according to Daniela, if I ever get stopped, and taken in to the police department, all I have to do is show them this paper, and they can’t send me away. So I have to carry a family tree in my purse at all times, I ask? Well, yes, somewhat, was the response. Now this family tree document could cost me up to two hundred dollars, I can print up the same information for free, at home from my computer, I tell her I will keep it in mind.

We had also heard that another way to remain in Italy is to have someone in your family, up to a relative thrice removed, re-assume me into their family, sounds easy? Well, that relative has to show all their and their spouse’s income tax papers for God knows how many years, has to show the design of their house is large enough to accommodate an extra person, designating a room for me to sleep in (I must have my own room), and show the ability to support me, and those are just the easy things. Good God, I wouldn’t ask that of a friend, much less a relative, so I pass on that one, thinking it not important, and no one mentioned it to us again.

In the meantime my father’s citizenship papers arrive, I take them to the Anagrafe/Daniela and I am told that “this is a photocopy”. Yes, I reply, NO ONE gives you the originals, but if you turn it over, you will see that it is a stamped certified copy. She does not accept it because she doesn’t think she can. I come home, email the consulate and tell them…they write me back saying…take it back to the comune, and tell them to mail it to us for verification, which I do.

While I am there, Daniela says to me, “I don’t know why you are bothering with your father’s citizenship papers, if you re-acquire your Italian citizenship, it will be through your mother’s side”. I said, just send it to them.

In the meantime, I get an email from the woman who was helping me at the Italian Consulate stating that she is not as familiar as her colleague about citizenship issues. Her colleague sits across the desk from her, but does not have a computer. She tells me that I must now fax all copies of our emails etc. to her colleague. Now, could she not just have printed out our emails and handed them to her…of course not, this is Italy, even if the Consulate is in the United States.

When I asked her to tell me specifically what I needed to do to regain my citizenship, and remain in Italy, she responded that I needed to take both my citizenship papers and those of my parents down to the comune and have them enter me in the AIRES ledger. AIRES stands for Anagrafe Italiani Residenti al Estero, Vital Statistics of Italians Resident outside of Italy, and in a year I could re-acquire my citizenship. She also tells me to ask her colleague what I need to do to get a Visto Per Dimora, a permission to live here.

I fax all these papers to her colleague, asking for her help. Three weeks later, I get an envelope from the Italian Consulate in San Francisco, with no reference to WHO specifically is sending it, other than the Consulate. Inside are photocopies of two documents, one is for the Visto Per Dimora, the other is the Permesso Di Soggiorno per Lavoro, (for work). The Visto Per Dimora states that if I want to live in Italy, I absolutely cannot work. The Permesso Di Soggiorno states that if I want to work here, I must return to California, request permission to work here, and wait for the necessary paperwork to go through the channels, which can take up to 3 or more years. Depressed, I decide not to do anything more until I return to California in September of 2001. And remember, I was born in this town, you can see the house I was born in from the Comune, and the Comune has all of my and my family’s Italian documents.

Gathering up the paperwork

I flew back to California the first of September, 2001, and the first opportunity I had, I went over to where my stuff is stored, and began the task of going through a lifetime of accumulations. One of the first things I found was one of my black plastic hanging file folders, I have all my genealogy stuff in these portable hanging file folders. Thank God for genealogy, it is ONLY because of my genealogical researches that I had all these documents and that I have all the important stuff in one place.

In one folder I had original copies of my; birth certificate, baptism certificate, and my original Citizenship certificate. I had certified copies of both of my parent’s birth certificates, their marriage certificate, my father’s death certificate, both sets of grandparent’s birth certificates, and my maternal grandparent’s marriage certificate, as well as a certified copy of my mother’s Citizenship papers, Wow! So the next day I drove over to the Italian Consulate in San Francisco, a lovely 45 minute drive.

The Italian Consulate only sees human beings from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, except for holidays, American, and perhaps Italian. After waiting for over an hour, a woman came up to the window and asked me what I was there for, and I said Città dinanza, citizenship. I asked for Dr. L, the woman I had been corresponding with, and as luck would have it, that’s who she was.

I told her my name, and asked her if she remembered our many emails…she wasn’t sure she remembered me. At anyrate, I explained that according to them, I had lost my Italian citizenship the moment my mother and I became American citizens, and that I wanted to re-acquire my Italian Citizenship, and have dual citizenship. I also reminded her that she had said for me to bring all my important documents to the Consulate when I was in California, and here I was! She did not seem very enthusiastic about this whole thing. So she begins by saying that the Italian government, not the Consulate said I lost my Italian citizenship. She then began a roll call of the documents I needed to supply them with; my birth certificate…check; my mother’s birth certificate…present; my father’s birth certificate…check, and so on down the list. When she finished that roll call, I told her that I also had birth certificates for my maternal and paternal grandparents, and the wedding certificate for my maternal grandparents, as well as my father’s death certificate. She wrinkled up her nose at that one, and said, “No, we will not need that” (my father’s death certificate). She then asked for my citizenship certificate, and my mother’s, which I gave her. She then picked up the photocopy of my father’s citizenship papers, with two fingers, as if it were contaminated, and said “THIS is a photocopy”, I gently took it back from her, and said, “Yes, it is MY photocopy, I took the liberty of making a photocopy of it before the certified copy was mailed from Italy”.

Well, the consulate NEVER received the certified copy of my father’s citizenship papers that the comune had mailed months ago. You remember, the one I sent to NARA for, which is in San Bruno, not 10 minutes from San Francisco. Ok, so I had to get another one of those.

She said ONCE I had regained my Italian citizenship, I would have to create a history of my life for the Italian government. That would require my taking the following (original or certified copies, preferably original) documents down to the Comune where I will be living; my marriage certificate, even if I am divorced, I asked? She looked at me and continued, AND your final Divorce papers, as well as the birth certificates of any children you have. Ok…so what will the Comune do with these papers, I asked.

Well, it seems that the Comune will make a photocopy for their records, and send my original or certified copies to the Italian Consulate in San Francisco for verification, great! Ok, I told her, I will be back next week. I ran off to find the nearest phone to call NARA. Since I am in San Francisco, it is only 10 minutes or so to their offices. I call NARA and ask if I can get a certified copy of my father’s Citizenship papers.

They wanted to know how I knew that those particular documents were at that location, and I told them that I had already gotten one copy, but it got lost. They said they could be done in minutes if I had the docket number, which was on my photocopy. I gave them the docket number, and they said it would be ready in 15 minutes or less, and would be at the main desk. I asked who I was speaking to, and the woman said, Rosemary. I asked, Kennedy? She said yes. Well, lo and behold this was the woman who did the original footwork at NARA and sent me the documents that subsequently got lost. I told her, “It’s me, Riccarda Mescola, do you remember my corresponding with you by email, and your sending me my father’s papers in Italy”. She remembered and said, we already sent you those. Yeah, well I explained that they got lost. These wonderful people had those documents ready for me when I arrived, stamped and certified, and when I mentioned that the docket number might be a tad light on the final page, they made another darker copy of that page, and included a copy of the card that was in their card catalog, which also showed the docket number. Success.

The following day, I spent a lot of time in Martinez, our county seat getting certified copies of my marriage license, my final divorce judgment, and both of my children’s birth certificates, roughly averaging about fifteen dollars a document, that’s about sixty bucks. Now I am thinking, since my father’s citizenship papers got lost, did I want to take the chance of losing another sixty dollars worth of documents, no way! So I thought, since the Comune has to send these documents to the Consulate for authentication, I would eliminate the middle man, and leave them with the Consulate. I did make photocopies for the Comune though.

The following week I am back at the Italian Consulate, and after a wait, I ask for Dr. L, who, I am told is on vacation. Did I not mention to her that I would be back this week? Yes, and did she mention that she would be on vacation—no. Now, I am getting depressed, and I asked if there was someone else who could help me with citizenship issues. That brought another woman to the window.

I explained everything to this woman, telling her that I brought the documents that Dr. L said I would need. She said, That’s nice, now you have to take them to the Secretary of State for an Apostille. What, and where to? She said I needed to mail them to Sacramento, to the Secretary of State and get an Apostille, a verification of the signature. I asked her even if it was a certified copy, not a photocopy? Yes, they ALL have to have an Apostille.

When I mentioned that I would be leaving the following week, she said I could take them to the Secretary of State’s offices there in San Francisco, and then bring them back to the Consulate. I know that they only see real people until twelve thirty each afternoon, and it was almost that, so I told her that I lived quite a ways away, and was there anyway I could drop these papers and their Apostille’s off. She reluctantly gave me a large envelope, and said to address it to Dr. L, explaining about the papers inside, and to drop it off in their mailbox, which came right into their Consulate.

Now I am off to find the offices of the Secretary of State, I find a parking garage who will let me park my car for twenty bucks, great. These offices are down in one of the rough areas of San Francisco, lots of homeless people, and several rehab clinics, so twenty bucks was a bargain to feel secure about my car. After going through the security check in order to enter the building, I made my way up to the second floor offices of the Secretary of State. I tell the woman there that I need an Apostille on these documents, and she said fine, have a seat.

While I am there I am looking at the price chart, it says Apostille, mail in: $20.00, in person: $26.00. I asked about the price difference, and was told that the extra six dollars is because you get it immediately instead of waiting for it to come back in the mail. I then asked a very dumb question…$26.00 per document? Yes, $26.00 PER document, it cost me $60.00 for those documents, and an additional $104.00 to verify that the signatures were correct.

What a racket, but they also have you over a barrel, so you pay through the nose. I get the documents with their Apostille, and I put them in the envelope with an explanation, drive across town to the Consulate, and deposit them in their mailbox.

A few days later, I was on my way back to Italy, with all of my documents firmly in hand, because by now, I don’t trust anybody. With my luck the only suitcase that got lost would be the one with my documents in it.

Back In Italy

Before leaving CALIfornia for Italy, I asked Dr. L at the Consulate what I had to do now. She said that within eight working days from my arrival into Italy, I had to go to the local police and tell them that I was here in Italy, state my intentions on remaining, i.e. that I needed to stay for a year to re-acquire my Italian citizenship, and get a Permesso di Soggiorno.

A Permesso di Soggiorno is basically permission to remain in Italy, and there are several of them. Sandro and I go to Vicenza, which is the province/county seat, to the Questura, which is the County Government offices. The citizenship offices open at eight thirty, we got there early, but believe me, there is a sea of humanity waiting to get permission to stay.

Almost four hours later, my name was called, so we went in to speak to a policeman, whose job it is to deal with citizenship issues. I explained what the Consulate said, and how I needed to remain in Italy for a year in order to re-acquire dual American & Italian citizenship.

He looked at my passport and said, I see you’ve been to Italy quite a few times over the years (and I’m thinking, what does that have to do with anything, but you don’t want to get these people angry, being flip is not a good idea here). So he says here is the thing, there are two ways to remain in Italy, one is to apply for a Permesso di Soggiorno per Turismo/Permission to reside for tourism, BUT that lasts only three months, AND is not renewable. After the three months, you must leave Italy for three months, then you may return and apply once again for three months only.

The other way is to marry an Italian citizen, then you will be given a Permesso di Soggiorno for 3 years, and essentially you are home free. I told him that it was my understanding that American citizens did not have to do the Permesso di Soggiorno per Turismo, that they were allowed to stay in Italy for 90 days without one. He said I was wrong, ALL Americans coming to Italy and staying for longer than 8 working days, must apply and get a Permesso di Soggiorno. So I asked him what we needed to do to get a Permesso di Soggiorno per Turismo, this is what he needed from me;

*a passport or official travel document valid at least 3 months beyond the validity date of the visa requested, and two photocopies of said passport.

*Article 7, a form one gets from the Vigili, the very local policemen, that attests to who you are staying with, and who owns the house, etc, it must be certified by them as well, sort of a declaration of intention to host

*a Marca da bollo, an official stamp costing 10 Euro

*proof of insurance for illness, accident or pregnancy, (mind you I am 53 years old, I didn’t think pregnancy would be an issue)

*visa application form, duly compiled, to be signed by applicant in the presence of a Consular Officer

*four recent passport photographs (2×2 inches in size, full face, front view, color)

*proof of permanent residence in the U.S., in the form of a green card or valid U.S. long term visa, etc

*proof of sufficient funds to cover the cost of your planned stay (original copy of your most recent bank statement), travelers checks in an amount equaling approximately $100 per day for the total number of days you will stay. (In my case they wanted *a bank draft, cash, or a two photocopies of any valid credit card with a limit of at least two thousand three hundred dollars, the equivalent of 5 million lire). This is to guarantee that there will be money to pay for any sickness, pregnancy or hospitalization, and is in addition to purchasing insurance for medical, illness or pregnancy. I don’t know about you, but I sure didn’t feel comfortable leaving my credit card numbers lying around for whomever to see…and I believe an additional 15 Euros to do the paperwork. I think that about does it for the Permesso di Soggiorno per Turismo, all this to remain for three months, and is not renewable

Or I could get married. Well, Sandro would really like that, and eventually, I would like that too, but there is a big difference between getting married, and HAVING to get married? Besides, that is not as easy as it sounds either…to do that requires that the following documents must be presented to the Ufficiale di Stato Civile when making a declaration of intention to marry:

*U.S. passport or, if a member of the Armed Forces, identification card;

*Birth certificate (certified copy), which shows the names of both parents;

*Evidence of termination of any previous marriage (final divorce or annulment decree or death certificate);

*Sworn statement of consent to the marriage by the parents or legal guardian if the American citizen is under 18;

*A declaration (atto notorio), sworn to by four (4) witnesses before either an Italian consular officer in the United States or, in Italy, at a Pretura or before a mayor or town clerk, stating that according to the laws to which the citizen is subject in the United States there is no obstacle to his or her marriage. Any American going to Italy to be married is urged to obtain this declaration before leaving the United States.

*A declaration, sworn to by the U.S. citizen before a U.S. Consular Officer at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate in Italy, stating that according to the laws to which the citizen is subject in the United States there is no obstacle to his or her marriage. Presentation of this declaration allows Italian authorities to reduce from three weeks to approximately four day the time you must wait before being granted a marriage license.

*The above documents must be translated into Italian and the translation must be certified by an Italian Consular Officer. All public records issued outside of Italy and intended for use in Italy must have a “Hague certification,” or apostille, which is a form affixed to a public record by the Secretary of State of the U.S. state issuing the document under the terms of a treaty. When obtaining the required birth, death or divorce documents, ask the issuing office for instructions and fees for obtaining an apostille, or contact the office of the appropriate state Secretary of State. Information about the Hague Legalization Convention, as it is commonly known, is also available on the internet (see below). Authentication of documents for the United States

You should request a number of certified copies of your marriage certificate, as they will be needed for a variety of employment, insurance and legal purposes, and may be difficult to obtain at a later date. There is a small fee for each. Ask the local authorities to have an apostille affixed to each certified copy of the Italian marriage certificate. In Italy, the following individuals are authorized to affix apostilles: I Procurators della Republica (The Public Prosecutor);

The Competent Prefetti (Heads) of the Territories;

Il Presidente della Regione (The Head of the District for the Provinces);

Il Commissario di Governo (The Commissioner of the Government).

So that is where were now. Checking with an insurance agent, it will cost over eight hundred dollars to get health insurance for me, and this policy is valid for a year, but the Permesso di Soggiorno is only valid for 3 months. There are no refunds on the insurance policy.

I think we have all the other items gathered up, remember this is only for the Permesso di Soggiorno per Turismo…so there you have it, the good, the bad and the ugly, and the Italian Consulate in San Francisco said I would have NO PROBLEM staying here, yeah right.

This would all be laughable, except that I was born here, right here in this town. Oh, when I went to the Vigili, the very local cops, to get that Article 7, they asked me when I had entered the country, I said on the first of October. I was then told that my host had 48 hours from when I entered the country to come down to the Vigili and fill out Article 7, which is an intent to host so and so, statement.

I just looked at them and said, as nicely as I could. I have been coming and going from Italy for a lifetime, I have been to the Questura, done research at a number of websites on the Internet, and NO WHERE (I did not shout) have I seen anything that says, that my host must come down here and fill out an intent to host form.

The policeman said…in fact, NO ONE ever does, but it is my duty to tell you the law. When you fill out the paperwork, don’t put the date you arrived, just put the current day’s date.

When I was at the Consulate, I was also told that my brother, because he was born in the states to Italian citizens, would only have to show up there, with the required documents, and within the allotted time, he would be given dual citizenship.

And why is this? This is because he became an American Citizen automatically, therefore he did not renounce his Italian citizenship, as I did when I took the Oath of Allegiance to become a Naturalized American Citizen. The kicker is that he will only have to show up with his original birth certificate, because the Consulate will already have gotten all the other paper work from me!!

I know you are all waiting anxiously to find out how my trip to the Questura went. Well, I left here at 7:15 a.m. I didn’t want to take another chance on being late again. I arrived at 7:40 a.m., parked in the lot, and walked the couple of blocks to the Questura.

There was already a line, no more than 20 people, but as it got closer to 8:30, that line began to grow and grow. The whole point of getting there early became moot with the arrival of the person assigned the job of taking people’s documents. As soon as the crowd saw the policeman taking documents, they all surged forward, so there went the line, and anyone’s advantage in getting there early.

One poor soul had an appointment for this Thursday the first, and unfortunately for him, Thursday is a holiday here, and the Questura is closed. He tried to tell the policemen that someone inside had erred, but no one was listening.

They split everyone up into two groups, one who already had appointments, one who didn’t, or should I say, one who already had specific appointments, and one who had generic/non appointments.

Almost two hours later, I was standing in front of “my” policeman, with my folder in hand. He says to me, “So, when are you getting married?”, I told him as nicely as possible, that if that was my intention, then I would have not spent all this time and money to get a Permesso Di Soggiorno per Turismo.

He looked over the note on which he had listed what I was to bring, and one at a time, I produced the photocopies he required. I had one photocopy left in my hand, and I was waiting for him to ask for that as well, seeing that he wasn’t, I said…and this is the photocopy of my California Drivers License, and my credit card, (important stuff). He took the paper, and turned to the policeman next to him and asked if it was ok to take my credit card as collateral. Good Lord, we had gone over that the last time we were there, the policeman he asked remembered and said, I told you before, of course we can.

Now I thinking I’m on Easy Street, when he asks me where the photocopy of the page in my passport with my latest entry into Italy is? I asked him if it were on the list he gave me, he said no, but I should know. This guy thinks I can read his mind, but you can’t say anything because you don’t want to make them mad. So I take my passport out, and show it to him, and he can’t read it clearly, and to give him credit, neither could I. The 01 looked like 91 because the inkpad they used to stamp it when I entered was dry.

Now he wanted to know how I got into Italy if my passport is not stamped? Thank goodness I had thought to bring my airline ticket and stubs, don’t ask why, I just did. Well, he couldn’t find any dates on the tickets, until I found them for him. He looks at my “used” airline ticket, and wants to know where my return ticket is. So I said very calmly, please be patient with me, I don’t understand. On September 1st I went from Milan to San Francisco outgoing, then on October 1st, I left San Francisco arriving in Milan, incoming. My ticket shows my whole itinerary, out from Milan on Sept 01, back to Milan on Oct 01, so I said, carefully, it’s right there.

Now he is beginning to raise his voice, and I finally understand that he means, where is my “new” departure ticket, whew! I told him that I hadn’t purchased one yet, and if I got married I wouldn’t need one, right…he said right!

He sends me off to make photocopies of the page in my passport, and my used airline ticket, telling me to come right back! Luckily there is a copy machine in the bar next door, so I and get the photocopy done, and as I am running back, who walks by me, but “my” policeman, who is taking a break. I wave my photocopy at him, and he says to go inside and wait for him to get back.

Fifteen minutes later he is back, and calls me back to his desk. He takes the photocopy, paperclips it to my file and says…This will be ready at one o’clock. Wow, I ask if I may come back tomorrow and get it, and he said yes, or I can just go take myself a nice long walk and come back here at one. I have two hours to kill, so I go for a walk, stopping at a little market on the way back to get some slices of Prosciutto and two sandwiched sized loaves of bread. They slice the bread in half for me, and I take all this, and a Coke back to the Questura, where I sit for the next two hours reading and eating.

I wandered back inside when it began to get cool outside, to wait until one. At 1:30 p.m. they started calling names to give out the various Permessi di Soggiorno, and I was the third one called. I was asked by yet another policeman to sign this document, he gave me the top copy and said I could go. That was it…no instructions, no one said, hey this expires the last day of this year, nothing. I was thrilled but skeptic, after all, it only lasts for 90 days from when you enter the country, then what? Not only that it says specifically that I may not work.

The thing is that if I do opt to get married, all the money and handwork that I did gathering all those documents with Apostille too, will have all been for nothing, because marriage to an Italian citizen gives you somewhat automatic citizenship…argggh! At this point, I just wanted to get home and go to bed.

Well, I am sure you are waiting on pins and needles for some resolution to my citizenship issues. The consulate in San Francisco finally sent verification of my father, mother and my, citizenship papers, thru Rome. Now those will have to be written into the ledger, that our citizenship was lost at that time, something that should have been done 40 years ago.

Now as to my Permesso di Soggiorno per Turismo expiring the last day of this month. I was told that unless I could get the Questura to issue a Permesso di Soggiorno per Studio, to study, I would have to be enrolled in a school, but that would be up to the Questura, or as I was told at the Questura, marry an Italian citizen, so I guess I will remain an illegal alien for awhile.

The Home Stretch

Help can come from some of the oddest places, you know about my struggles to remain here in Italy, dealing with the Consulate in San Francisco and the municipio/city hall here. A chance encounter and small talk about planting cotton led to a suggestion that I go to Arzignano to speak to a friend of a friend’s son’s girlfriend, if you can believe that. She had already been alerted to my problem, and researched it and was positive she could help me obtain a Permesso di Soggiorno/Permit to Remain LEGALLY in Italy.

It appears I had THREE choices, leave Italy after my permit for tourism expired (90 days), marry an Italian citizen, OR be taken in by a close relative, up to the 4th degree. Don’t even ask me how they figure out degrees, it appears that my great grandfather would be the first degree, my grandfather the second, my zio, my mother’s brother would be the third, and the fourth would be any of my first cousins.

Marta listed what my uncle would have to get, as far as documents, and my list, and off I went to ask my uncle. I was reluctant to ask him, not because I thought he would say no, but because last year he was burned over 40% of his body, spending 50+ days in a special burn hospital in Verona, and I didn’t want to bother him, but I had no choice.

I thought to help him, by gathering up the documents he needed before hand, but that proved the wrong thing to do. My uncle had to declare that I was going to be a guest of his in his home, that he would support me, etc. Well this proved to be an almost insurmountable as far as our municipio went.

Since I had already gone down to the city hall and told them I needed the documents for my zio to host me, they also wanted us to fill out a renter’s contract, have it notarized, and taken into the province and registered…whew. We got over this enormous stumbling block by having him go down and state that I had left town, but he still needed to have all this other paperwork done, in case I should return.

That meant I could not go out of my courtyard, for fear that someone would notice that I was in town, and then he would get in trouble for lying. It took the city’s architect a week and a half to go out to his house to measure the perimeter to see if his home could house 4 individuals. It didn’t matter that when all his children were living there the family totaled 5 + his mother-in-law.

The floor plans of all the homes are also kept in the city hall, along with the dimensions, so it really was unnecessary to send out an architect. He had to have his home certified to be up to code, so he had to have certificates from the plumber, the electrician, and the gas man. Once the architect went out to measure the house, it took another 6 working days to type up this certificate.

Ok, we had it all, Marta, the young lady who works in the Immigrant Affairs Office accompanied us to the Questura because my permission for tourism expired the first of 2002, and we did not want me to get arrested. The whole affair took perhaps half an hour, I have to go back and get the original document next week, because I have a temporary receipt now. The inspector was nice, but I don’t think he said more than 10 words, he was busy copying information and double checking the documents. He said to wait five minutes and he would have his colleague check to make sure we had everything they needed, which we did.

Now I am free to roam as far as I want, next Thursday I have to go down and pick up the final document. I can live here with Sandro, as no one is going to come and check up, but I must give my legal address as my zio’s. On Thursday with my Permesso di Soggiorno per Motivi Familiari, I can go to the municipio and have my address added to the resident’s book, I can go down and sign up for free medical care, and even look for work.

I can’t tell you what a relief this is…and to be honest, I still don’t believe it really happened..I spoke or thought too soon. The next day I got a phone call from Marta, the young lady who is helping me become and remain legal…it seems the Questura was in the middle of printing my Permesso Di Soggiorno, when they found they were missing a document…The Certificato di Stato Di Famiglia Storico.

Ok, I drop everything and run down to the Comune…they can do one, but it will cost 10,000 lire per name, plus a bollo worth 20,000 lire…I said just do it…I will go get the bollo/stamp. I rushed right back, and because there were 6 names, my maternal grandparents, plus my mother and her 3 siblings…right there it was 60,000 lire/31.00 euros/27.12 dollars, plus 20,000 lire more…anyway it ended up coming out to a little over 40 dollars, to type 6 names…so now when I go down to the Questura tomorrow, I am hoping to hand them this document, and they will hand me over the other…just when I thought it was safe to go back into the water…will let you know how it goes tomorrow.

I finally have my Permesso di Soggiorno per Motivi Familiari in hand, it expires 12/31/2003. By then I should have dual citizenship, and not have to worry about these things again. As I waited to see Inspector Spiller, another policeman comes out into the waiting area, and he looks twice at me. This would be the policeman who told me that I had only two choices, leave Italy or marry an Italian citizen, but I didn’t say anything. When I went downstairs with Inspector Spiller to sign my Permesso, I said, the policeman who helped me last time had a desk right there, and I indicated where. Much to my surprise, Inspector Spiller said, oh yes, he now works in my office…I thought Good Lord, maybe now he’ll be taught the rules and regulations, seeing that Inspector Spiller is very knowledgeable.

We shook hands, and I gave him a small package of pastries I brought for him. He said, “but you didn’t have to”, and I said, “Precisely! And there is enough to share with those in your office”. He thanked me, and I came home…whew. I didn’t think it was all going to really come together, but for now, I am legally here, leastways until the first of 2004. Stay tuned for upcoming developments.

The Finish Line

Daniela, our Anagrafe called me yesterday to tell me that she had to give me this document which asked if I still wished to become an Italian citizen…so I went in this morning…she says…the mayor just came by, and I caught him and had him sign these papers which declare that he has looked over your paperwork, is satisfied that you have fulfilled every requirement asked of you, therefore he is stating that in his opinion you have reacquired your Italian citizenship…all we have to do is hear from Rome, as to weather there is a valid reason NOT to grant you this, but that is a formality. Tomorrow go take some pictures, come back here before noon, and I will make up your Italian ID card…congratulations.

I was speechless…there it is, I now, unless Rome says otherwise, have my dual citizenship…I went to the pastry shop, bought a tray of pastries for us at lunch, and a tray for Daniela and her co-workers…and today on July 4th, I have become both an American and Italian citizen.

Did you think it would happen? I refused to believe it until I had the proof in my hand. Now I have my Id card, tomorrow I will go get my Codice Fiscale card, which is like our Social Security card, and get my medical card.

It’s been a long and winding road, but we made it, thanks for accompanying me and helping me through it.

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My Quest for Dual Citizenship :: Submitted by Michael Skroki

My own journey to dual citizenship began about 4 or 5 years ago also (and also isn’t completed yet)…
I was searching genealogical sites on the web and came upon one that mentioned dual citizenship. I was intrigued and quickly worked out that I was eligible (my mother was born here in the U.S. BEFORE my grandfather became a naturalized citizen) and started assembling the required documents.

At the time I was living in Boston and with all of my documents in hand I headed to the Italian Consulate downtown. All of my documents were in order BUT I needed Apostilles on them. An Apostille is a certification from the Secretary of State (of each State) declaring that the document is authentic.

Getting Apostilles for the birth, marriage and death certificates was a breeze. Send the documents, with a check to the appropriate State Capitol and in a few weeks it comes back with another document stapled on top of it. For me the problem was the Naturalization documents. First I had to send it back to INS to have it certified there. By the way INS told me the local field office could do this and after wasting a day at INS in Boston was told they in fact couldn’t do it. Once INS certified it then the State Department in Washington had to put the Apostille on it. I was feeling very protective of this document and like Mimi made a trip with the document to have it done in person. That process was very easy and over in about ten minutes then I had the most wonderful day in Washington.

By this time I had moved to Connecticut which is covered by the Italian Consulate in New York City. So a trip to NYC the woman assured me my documents were in order and in no time at all my case would be successfully concluded…..famous last words (this was Feb of 2000).

After waiting a few months I contacted the consulate. Oh, they were so glad I called. They needed another document and hadn’t been able to reach me. Okay. A few more months and I’m told just to wait.

This past summer I called again. They needed a new copy of my birth certificate that listed the exact city I was born in (the cert. from Pennsylvania only listed the County). Got Harrisburg to make a special birth certificate for me and then got the Apostille. Sent it in.

Waited. Contacted the Consulate again. Okay, we’re transferring the case to the Consulate in Philadelphia since most of the documents are from Pennsylvania. They will verify everything and then register you with the Comune in Italia. that was September of 2001. And that’s where I stand at the moment. In a few weeks I’m visiting friends in PA and will visit the Consulate in Philadelphia.

My experience has been, keep checking on your case or it seems to get lost. Still looking forward to the day I get my dual citizenship though and have been thoroughly enjoying the adventure.

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My Journey to Obtain Dual Citizenship :: Submitted By Mimi Torchia Boothby

As a youth, I read that the Italian government welcomed Americans of Italian heritage that could speak Italian. I didn’t worry too much about it. I was taking Italian, but had no pressing plans to move to Italy. Gradually through the years, I have found myself leaning further and further towards Italian citizenship, but with two children and a full time job, I didn’t have much time for it.
Enter the internet… fast easy access to information on how to get dual citizenship for Americans with Italian heritage. I sent away for information, after reading confusing accounts of what you needed and how to do it. I read this stuff over and over and over again, even up to the very end, trying to figure out whether or not I even qualified.

After my father’s home was ransacked by family members the day after my stepmother died, there was very little left of any value. Of any value to anyone except me, that is. I was given, out of everything that had been in that house, two things. My own daily Missal from my youth, and a little black steel box. Inside of it were absolute treasures for me but of no use to anyone else. I have no idea why they weren’t tossed as trash.

Inside the box: my grandfather’s birth certificate, two certificates of matrimony for my grandparents (one for the church and one for the city of Newark) and three certificates of Naturalization. My grandfather’s, my grandmother’s and my great grandfather’s.

Meanwhile, in 1998 I went to the County deeds department in Newark, and got copies of my grandfather’s declaration of intent. Since I had his Naturalization certificate, with all the dates and numbers on it, it was easy to get these papers. I still had no idea how important this stuff was, I was just doing it for genealogy, family history, hoping to glean a few facts from papers that my grandfather filled out nearly 100 years before. Sometime in 1999 I contacted the consulate’s office and got their official directions. It explained who could get their citizenship recognized, and which documents were needed to prove your line of descent from an Italian family.

Wow, I had almost everything. I needed: Birth certificate for my father and mother, birth certificate for my grandfather, my birth certificate, a marriage certificate for my grandparents and for my parents and my own marriage certificate, which had a little name problem… So I sent away for the ones I didn’t have. Got them. That vitalchek website was very convenient for this, you can get certificates ordered from most states instantly, and they come quickly.

Then the Apostille. An apostille is a specific authenticating certificate that is required by certain countries, including Italia. Each state has a different price. The only thing that is the same, is that you have to send your newly acquired certificates AWAY in the mail to the Secretary of State of whichever state that the birth or marriage certificate was issued in.

For me, that was, one in Idaho, and 4 or 5 in New Jersey. New Jersey charges $25.00 for EACH ONE. When I was calling around trying to find out how to get an apostille, I was told that they would only accept certificates with the current county assessor’s seal on them or less than 2 years old! Oh no. My grandparent’s certificate was over 80 years old! So then I had to write and get all those certificates anew. That is, new ones.

Did I need an apostille for the certificate of naturalization? Some said yes, some said no. So I investigated that. I finally sent that precious document to some office in Washington DC with a check, certified overnight air; terrified of losing it in a federal vault somewhere. It came back. Quickly in fact. I was told it had to go somewhere else.

I decided to visit the Naturalization department right here in Seattle and ask someone in person. THAT was an experience. I had to stand outside in a line for an hour. It was 45 degrees out and sunny (fortunately). The people around me were a veritable rainbow. All different faces, languages, dress.

My turn finally came up, and I explained my problem. I needed documentation, I needed an apostille. Was this the correct document? I handed the leather bound certificate to the guy, and he cradled it in his hands. Oh, he said, “this is ours. I’ve never seen one this old! This is wonderful” he asked how I got it, etc, etc. He assured me it was the right document, and that it was all I needed and sent me on my way.

Time passes. I called Dr Luciani in San Francisco, because I thought I was ready to submit all my documents to her and she said, “By the way, we want birth certificates for your mother, your grandmother, and your husband too. but they don’t need apostilles!” How nice! And neither does that naturalization certificate of your grandfather’s and by the way, everything needs to be translated by an OFFICIAL translator”.. that only cost $52.00, the translator charged by the word.

I went to Italy in September, 2001. One of the last things I did was get my grandfather’s NEW birth certificate in the Comune office. Cost nothing. Very pleasant. I wished I had more time there.

Finally I flew to San Francisco. I sat before Dr Luciani. She looked at the papers, writing down dates, names, numbers. She got to the certificate of naturalization, which had more than 1 typo on it, including my grandfather’s name, and the date of naturalization. She crossed her arms, took a deep breath, and said, “I’m afraid we have a problem…..”. what’s that?

“This name and date, they’re not right, they could be anyone” So I pulled out the declaration of intent that I had obtained just for fun in Newark. Filled out by my grandfather. The name spelled right, the right dates. “ah,” cried Dr Luciani “This is very good! it’s a good thing you have this.”

That was in October 2001. She called me the following January to tell me I needed my grandfather’s birth certificate. “WHAT! I cried, you have that already!” I could hear papers shuffling. “Oh, here it is”

Next thing, February, she lets me know that all my stuff was going to the consulate in New Jersey because most of my documents originated there, and they needed to do some checking. So more anxiety. Now I am dealing with TWO consulates!! Imagine the possible amount of damage that could occur with two of them!

I waited until June and finally called New Jersey. Paper shuffling. Ah, yes, we have your application, no we haven’t done anything with it, but we will soon!

Then finally, in July, comes a fat envelope. For my son Tom, who had applied with me. Where was mine? Almost 3 weeks later, mine showed up. They had had the address wrong!

In this packet were several forms. I had to fill out 3 separate applications. One for my town in Italy; Sersale, the town where my grandfather was born, is where my birth certificate will be kept. One for passport, and one to be an Italian citizen abroad. I thought I would be getting something else official, besides the passport, but I was told that the Identity card that all Italians have is only issued to Italians living in Italy.

Mimi Torchia Boothby
Website

My reason for obtaining dual citizenship

I received my official recognition as an Italian citizen today (August 2, 2002); and wanted to tell you all why I did it.
My grandparents came to this country when they were very young. They came to a place that treated them as less than equal. They were considered dirty and stupid, even “colored”. They learned to adapt, to fit in, to try and hide their “otherness”, their foreign-ness. But they were still proud of where they came from and of what they were. The mainstream of society humbled them, but they did not forget. They learned a second language, found jobs, voted, joined unions, bought homes.

They learned how to succeed in this unwelcoming place. After all, there was opportunity, you just had to work hard to find it. They even found food in the fields around their houses even as they grew lush wonderful gardens.

Their children were born, American children, and they encouraged them to be American. Their children learned to speak english without an accent, they dressed fashionably, went to school, became “modern”. Many of them scorned the old country ways which didn’t seem to have value in this new country. They adopted American customs and holidays. The traditions were slipping, and so was the language.

Then my generation was born. We were lucky to learn a handful of Italian words. Most of us didn’t even know where in Italy our grandparents were born, when they got here or why they left. The Italian traditions we knew about were usually centered around food, like how to make pizza or maybe a grandmother’s favorite cookie recipe. I promised my grandfather I’d never forget him. I meant I would never forget the things he told me, the things he was proud of, his history, my history. As soon as I could, I started to learn his language, or at least what I thought was his language. What my grandparents did by leaving their home, they did for us. They wanted a better place for us. And I think they were very successful in that way. But we lost a lot too.

I have been able to reclaim my citizenship to the country they were born in. A special unknowing gift of my grandfather’s to me, only available because my own father was born before my grandfather gave up his Italian citizenship, long before I even existed.

When I was very young, I read that it was possible to get an Italian citizenship if you were of Italian blood, so it was a distant dream. Now it is a way to make up for the many losses of my grandparents. They gave up their citizenship to come here. They left loved ones, comfort, and security. Because of their sacrifices I am here, where I raised my own, thoroughly American children. But we did not forget. My children have a strong idea of their heritage, and know that there is much much more there, they only need to ask.

My reasons for reclaiming my Italian citizenship are firmly tied to the memories, pride, and heritage of my grandparents. It is important that all that they had is not lost. The things that they held dear and feared losing are also important to me, and I strive to preserve them. Their memories and the memories of them are precious, and I have done my best to celebrate them.

I also sought my Italian citizenship because of all my teachers, associates and fellow children who corrected me when I said I was Italian so long ago, (no you’re not, you’re American) until I just gave up saying it. I became tired of my heritage being taken away from me by people who did not know or understand..

I always was Italian. I just finally got the paperwork.

Mimi received her italian passport August 31, 2002

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Sicily April 8th to the 22nd 2001

Cities and Towns visited:
Calatafimi/Segesta, Palermo, Monreale, Alcamo, Alcamo Marina, Castellemare Del Golfo, Terrasini, Balestrate, Trappeto, Scopello, Balata di Baida, Badia, Buseto, Custonaci, Purgatorio, Lupino, Casteluzzo, Macari, Timpone, San Vito Lo Capo, Tonnara di Secco, Bonagia, Pizzolungo, Erice, Valderice, Trapani, Napola, Datillo, Fulgatore, Ummari, Paceco, Fontanasalsa, Marsala, Mazara del Vallo, Campobello di Mazara, Castelvetrano, Gibellina, Santa Ninfa, Salemi, Vita, Selinunte, Marinella.
The pictures of the trip can be found at the Calatafimi page within the Pictures section of the site.

Sunday – April 8, 2001
1430 – Left home via Limousine to Logan Airport in Boston. Checked in at the Alitalia Counter and got our boarding passes. The flight, Alitalia 619, was 30 minutes late leaving Boston, it left at 1845 hours, the flight was a long one, about 8 hours and passed thru 6 time zones. We flew over Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and then across the Atlantic Ocean. The next morning.

Monday – April 9, 2001
We crossed over France and the Italian Alps, landing in Milan, Italy at 0815. We left Milan at 1045 hours and landed in Palermo, Sicily at 1205 hours. It took us about 30 minutes to clear customs and there in the terminal was Cousin Salvatore, his wife Alida and their daughter Caterina. After hugs and kisses, Donna and Salvatore went to pickup the rental car. The car was a 2001 Opal Vectra, 5 speed Diesel. After putting the suitcases into both vehicles we left the airport with Sal driving the Rental car with Donna and I and Caterina driving their car with Alida. We arrived in Calatafimi at about 1445 hours and I caught my first glimpse of the Temple at Segesta. In a word, IMPRESSIVE!! It was looking at ancient history. Entering Calatafimi was like a dream come true, very emotional. To be in the Town where my Mother was born was like coming full circle, to have one of her children return to the place of her birth.

Our bedroom at Salvatore’s house had a balcony overlooking the street. My first impression of the Town was that it was very old, very neat and clean and that the streets were made for foot and cart traffic, definitely not cars! We had Riso Arancine for pranzo and then took a 3 hour siesta. After the Siesta I went with Salvatore to his farm just outside the town where he has a house and about 100 Lambs and Goats. Not to mention Orange Groves! After letting the animals out to graze, we returned to the house and had Prosciutto, Tomatoes, Mozzarella Cheese, Pecorino Romano Cheese, all soaked in extra virgin Olive oil and sprinkled with Oregano, Great Bread for dipping into the oil, then fresh fruit. The Oranges were the sweetest that I have ever tasted, after the meal we all had a taste of the Anisette that I had made and brought with me, it was a hit! Met Roberta, another Daughter of Salvatore and Alida. The 3rd daughter Mariella is still in Palermo.

Tuesday – April 10, 2001
0830 – Had breakfast with Donna on the Terrace. I had Expresso and Biscotti and Donna had Tea.
1000 – With Caterina as guide we were off to see the Chiesa madre and the Castle. The Chiesa Madre was closed and Caterina and I walked up the hill to see the castle which had been built in the 9th Century AD. Donna stayed in the Parking lot of the church. As it turned out, she was the only one who got to see the inside of the Church as the Nuns who cleaned the church had gone in and allowed Donna to go in also. This Church remained closed for the entire 2 weeks that we were in Sicily. The Priest had passed away 6 months ago and had not been replaced. I took many pictures of the Castle ruins and also of the town. We then went back to the house and changed cars and went to see the Temple at Segesta. One can only stand in awe with the mouth open, to look at this temple is to see 2500 years into past. This temple is the only one in Sicily that has remained untouched. All others have either been excavated or partially rebuilt. That you are allowed to walk into it, on it and around it only adds to its beauty as you can see all of it. Salvatore met Caterina, Alida, Donna and I at the Souvenir shop where we had another Expresso and then took the bus to the top of the mountain to see the Greek Theater. There are still plays that are staged there during the summer. The view from here is beautiful. Donna bought a book about the temple and the theater at the souvenir shop. We then went in 2 cars to “MARGANA” this is the Amoroso estate that has been in Salvatore’s family for generations. Over the years it has been added to and the property is extensive and the house and buildings quite large. It is in the process of being renovated into a Tourist Hotel and Restaurant, that Salvatore says will be open in August of this year. There were lots on men working on the buildings, both inside and out. Took many pictures. Donna, Alida and Caterina went back to the house and Salvatore & I went to his farm where he let his Lambs and goats out to graze. We then went across a river bed in his Fiat Punta! entered a very large Orange Grove, which had ripe Oranges and Blossoms at the same time, the air was filled with the scent of Orange Blossoms! The Sicilians have a name for this aroma, it is “ZAGARA”. Along with the Orange Groves there were Lemon Groves, Olive Groves and Vineyards and Wildflowers were growing everywhere!

1400 – back at the house we had pasta with Lamb, Great Bread, wine, fruit and Grappa! The food is fresh and delicious! Then it was Siesta time.
1830 – Alida, Caterina, Donna and I went to see a new part of Calatafimi, which had been built after the 1968 Earthquake that had destroyed a lot of Calatafimi. The roads are wider, lots of what looks to be apartment houses and an Elementary School. Back in the town we parked in A square where there was a statue of Padre Pio. We looked in a couple of shops, Alida bought us a book on the Art and History of Sicily. We then walked through the oldest section of Calatafimi.
2000 – Walked to the Corner store with Alida and Donna, it was about half a block. Outside on the sidewalk were crates of fresh vegetables and fruit, the largest vegetables were the radishes and bell peppers, at least 3 times larger than in the USA. Plus they have the round eggplant, which is cooked, and the long eggplant which is used solely for Caponata. Today we also bought postcards and stamps to send to family back in the USA. Back at the house Alida gave Donna a Crocheted Doily that her Mother had made.

2030 – Salvatore, Alida, Caterina, Donna and I went to The Lombardo Pizzeria to meet my 2nd Cousins Salvatore and Michele Lombardo, Their Grandfather and my Grandmother were Brother and Sister. We all had “Original Sicilian Pizza”. America eat your heart out, we don’t get anything that comes close to this in the States. We talked about family with the Lombardo’s, and met Michele’s wife. They were married last October and I had received a wedding invitation from them. They thanked us for the gift that Donna and I had sent. Back at the house Donna and I finished the first set of postcards.

Wednesday – April 11, 2001
0930 Alida, Caterina, Donna and I went to Alcamo, Sicily in the Opal to walk through the Arab Bazaar. This was an experience as they had everything under the sun for sale there. Donna bought 6 sets of Moroccan style Expresso sets. She also bought a teapot for Terri. By this time I was already on my 4th roll of film. Took pictures of the Bazaar and also of the Arab Castle in Alcamo. Mailed the 1st set of postcards from here.
1330 – Back at the house for Pranzo, which consisted of: Pasta, meat, cheeses, Olives, herbs and Salami’s. The sauce for the pasta had pork in it. When it was on the plate fresh Ricotta Cheese was put on top and stirred into the pasta! After eating, Fennel Bulb was served which you dip into salt, this aids in the digestion of the food and has a mild Licorice taste. Then Grappa!!

1800 – Alida, Caterina and Donna went next door to look at handmade lace items made by hand by the lady. Salvatore and I went to Alcamo where he attends English Classes, we were late and he drove like he was in 2nd place at the Indy 500! Its amazing to watch! When we got there we found that the teacher was on vacation and there would be no class. Salvatore then gave me the tour of Alcamo. All the old Arab buildings and a water Trough that was over 1,000 years old and still had water in it. I saw Arab Forts and Castles. We stopped at a Pasticceria for Expresso, they had beautiful looking Ricotta Torts and Cassata Siciliano. Stopped at A Roast Chicken Trattoria where Salvatore had his Prosciutto sliced and I found some Herb mixture with Spices that I had been looking for, “Ariosta” and “L’Aroma” these are used in Italy to flavor Chicken, Fish, Stews and Soups and which I cannot find in the States. Back at the house we had Prosciutto, cheeses and fruit and the ever present, “Grappa”. Caterina expressed a desire to visit the United States. She had graduated from University in March with a degree in Architecture.

Thursday – April 12, 2001
0900 – After a breakfast of Biscotti and Expresso, Caterina, Donna and I were off to Palermo and Monreale to see the Cathedrals, Convents and sights. Alida was staying at home as she was preparing “Pasta Con Le Sarde”. Something that I had been wanting for as long as I knew it was the “National Dish of Sicily.
To say the least Palermo was Chaotic! I actually was glad that Caterina was driving. In Monreale at the Cathedral there was an Easter service going on and it was only at the end that we were able to get in. This Cathedral is beautiful! Was able to get pictures of the two Cardinals conducting the Service. Also took many pictures inside this Church and the adjoining Convent. Outside I took a picture of an older Gentleman and his Sicilian Carretino. His only request was for 1,000($.50) lira donation for the horse. In the Piazza we all got Lemon Gelato which is richer and creamier than American Ice Cream. We left the Cathedrals in Palermo for another day and headed back to Calatafimi.

1400 – Pasta Con le Sarde!! Bucatini Pasta with just a little sauce, Finnochio(Fennel), Pignoli(Pine Nuts), Uvapassa(Raisins) and fresh Sardines(not like the ones in cans), fresh and large ones at that. It was an absolutely wonderful dish and I had 3 helpings of it. After the pasta we had fruit and I found the Sicilian Blood Oranges to be so sweet, that it became my favorite fruit and Alida would fresh squeeze me a glass for breakfast most mornings to go with the Expresso. I have yet to purchase “Blood Oranges” in the States that were not bitter tasting.

1700 – All the Church bells in Calatafimi began ringing. This lasted for about 15 minutes and signaled the beginning of the Easter Celebration, and that the church’s were now open. How nice to hear the bells!

1800 – Alida, Caterina, Donna and I visited these Church’s in Calatafimi: La Matrice(Annunciata), Sante Michele and Sante Giuliano(which is their Church and is next to Town Hall). It is pure joy to hear the Services once more in Latin and Italian! We then visited Salvatore’s Sister who is married to a retired Medical Doctor.

Friday – April 13, 2001
Alida, Caterina, Donna and I visited the Mountain Town of Erice. And what a Mountain town! The streets are almost at a 45 degree angle, tough to walk up, easy to walk down. Visited the Church and then a ceramic shop where I purchased a ceramic Vase and Donna bought a book about the Town. After walking around the Town of Erice, we headed for the City of Trapani. We parked at the Port of Trapani and walked the few blocks to where a long time friend of Salvatore’s had a Jewelry Store. Donna and I looked over the 18 carat Gold and the Red Coral Jewelry that he had. Several pieces were purchased for ourselves and for family back home. The Owner, Marcello, gave us an extremely generous discount, after which he took us all to a lunch of Arancia and Pannini. After lunch he took us to the Old Church which is no longer serving as a church and now stores all of the statues the are carried in the “Processioni dei Misteri”, Procession of the mysteries. They were just finished being decorated and I got several beautiful up close pictures of the Statues. Marcello had just marched us through the security at the door and walked us right through! The Procession started at 1500 and went right past Marcello’s Shop, so we all had great ringside seats for it. This was probably the most moving thing that I have ever witnessed in my life. The procession goes on for 24 hours straight.

The soulful music and the swaying of the statues is truly amazing. In front of every statue there is a Band playing. These bands are from the Towns on the Island. Calatafimi had their band there. After the procession had passed, about 2 hours. We picked up our Jewelry from Marcello’s, stopped at another shop and purchased 2 video’s of the procession from the past year and a CD of the music that is played. Salvatore had met us at the shop after the lunch and explained the Procession to me as it went by, such as each statue is carried by men of different professions, such as, fisherman, metallurgists, carpenter’s etc. We then returned to Calatafimi and sent out more postcards. At 1930 Mariella arrived and we found that she spoke pretty good English. She had spent 3 months in England as an Au Pair.

Saturday – April 14, 2001
0900 – Mariella, Caterina, Donna and I headed out to the Piantro Romano, which is a Monument in Calatafimi commemorating Giuseppe Garibaldi and the1860 battle that took place in Calatafimi, which was the 1st battle in the war for the re-unification of Italy. It is an impressive Monument and overlooks the valley where the battle took place. We all signed the guest book that is inside the monument. Took lots of pictures here.

1330 – We all left for Alcamo Marina, which is east of Castellamre Del Golfo. We were going to the Summer home of Alida’s close friend for the last 25 years and was an English teacher at the same school that Alida had taught Mathematics. The house was right on the Tyrrehenian Sea. A beautiful house with lots of Tilework and Mosaics. Rosalia’s Husband Andrea was grilling fish outside. We ate Roasted vegetables, grilled fish and the most wonderful Sausage that I had ever tasted! For Dessert Cassata Siciliana then Wine, more wine and then Grappa! There were a total of about 20-25 people, both friends and family of Andrea and Rosalie’s at the cookout.
1730 – I drove back to Calatafimi with Salvatore as navigator.

Sunday – April, 15, 2001 Easter Sunday
We woke up this morning to all the Church Bells ringing. Alida was already in the kitchen cooking for Easter Dinner. PASTA ALLA CASA, CARCIOFI, AGNELLO AND SALSICCI! With Salvatore and Mariella, Donna and I went to the Chiesa Sante Crocifisso (it was closed). We then went to the Convent/senior citizen home and was given Expresso and Biscotti by Mother Superior, then given a tour of the residence. Outside Donna was admiring the flower garden and after I gave the Mother Superior a donation for the home, she picked a beautiful Bouquet of Flowers for Donna. Back at the House the Culmone’s had arrived. The Easter Dinner lasted 3 hours! The Pasta was made by hand. The Lamb was wonderful as was the wine, the vegetables The Cassata and finally the Couvosier and the Grappa! After all the guests had gone, Salvatore, Alida, Donna and I went to the Sulfur Baths at Segestane, they were closed. So we went to a restored winery/villa that was being restored into a Hotel/Restaurant along the same lines that Salvatore was doing at “Margana”. Back in Calatafimi we visited with 2 of Alida’s Sisters and their families. There are 65 members of hers and her sisters families. You can walk the streets at night without a thought even though most of the streets are up and down and not level.

Monday – April 16,2001
At Breakfast Alida gifted Donna with a beautiful Capodimonte figurine of a lady. She also gave Donna a figurine that was an imitation of Capodimonte.
1100 – I drove with Alida and Donna to a country house about 25 miles from Calatafimi and east of Alcamo this was the traditional day after Easter cookout in the Country. There were about 50 people there and Salvatore showed up shortly after and I met another Amoroso Cousin, his wife and son. He is Salvino Amoroso and his son’s name is Vito. They all live in Palermo where Salvino is a Banker and Vito is a senior in High School. Vito speaks some English and we got on very well. He says it is his dream to visit America, so I invited him to come this summer before he starts University. The meal was enormous! They all had a hand in the cooking. Preparing the Artichokes to be roasted, Andrea Culmone was grilling fish, the Fava beans to be boiled and the Potatoes with Onions and spices to be roasted in the oven. Olive oil was being used from gallon jars! You eat the Fava beans by biting the top off, dipping it in a little salt then squeezing the skin so that only the inside of the bean went into your mouth. It took a couple of the beans before I got it down pat. Oranges that you picked off the tree’s for dessert, or Biscotti, or Cassata, or ricotta tortes….after the meal the men put chairs in a circle and were discussing things when I was invited to sit with them. As soon as I was seated they all started to ask me if I liked Clinton or Bush! When I said that I was a Republican and for Bush, most agreed with me, the gentleman seated to my left liked Clinton and when I called Clinton a “Bufone” they cheered and clapped. All in all it was a great time and we all enjoyed the “repartee” and it was taken in good humor. We decided to leave early and they told me that I would miss the Pasta con Aragosta(Lobster) which was being prepared. Arrangements were made that either Friday or Saturday we would go to Salvino’s house in Palermo to meet Salvino’s Father Vito.

Tuesday – April 17, 2001
0930 Today Donna and I were to go to San Vito Lo Capo for a 2 day getaway. We left Calatafimi and drove to Castellamare Del Golfo we took Rte 187 west, we turned off 187 and headed to Scopello and the Zingaro Reserve, Scopello is an old Tuna fishery. We then headed back to 187 west and drove toward the town of Custonaci, then on to Purgatorio, Castelluzzo, Macari and into the Arab Town of San Vito Lo Capo. I had booked a room(#205) at the San Vito Capo Hotel, with a balcony on the Beach and sea side, with only the sand between us and the Sea. We arrived there about 1130 and checked in. After Long Showers, we headed out for a walk and Lunch. We decided on the Trattoria Delfino which was just around the corner from the Hotel. Donna had the eggplant Caponata and I had roasted Calamari, a very large one with only Olive oil on it. We then did some window shopping only as the stores were closed for Siesta. I did take pictures and then we stopped for some Gelato, I had the Spagnuolo which was delicious. For dinner we went back to the Trattoria Delfino for his “Famous” Couscous in Brodo Pesce. The Couscous was loaded with Lobster, Clams, Squid and Shrimp a nice cold beer to wash it down, the meal was fantastic.

2100 Donna and I sat out on the balcony and listened to the sea and sipped “Crema di Limone”.
(Note:) Beer and alcohol can be found in any of the Supermarkets.

Wednesday – April 18, 2001
After Breakfast in the Hotel and took a leisurely drive along the coast, taking pictures and ending up at the fish market in Trapani, where Donna purchased cruets of Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar. We stopped at a street vendors cart and Donna purchased 2ceramic plates with grapes on them, I told the vendor that my Mother was born in Calatafimi and he smiled and offered me a “ Regalo”(gift) of a small old style clay vase. On the way back we stopped in Tonnara di Bonagia and did some shopping, and buying! One thing that impresses me greatly is that religion is displayed everywhere, on the houses, in the stores and restaurants, even in the public rest areas there are religious shrines, large crucifixes, and along the sides of the roads. Religion is everywhere! The USA needs to do this! Maybe a lot of its problems will go away!

1615 – Back in San Vito Capo, donna and I strolled the streets and shopped in the stores, I purchased a ceramic piece that has our house number on it to put on the front of the house.

2000-2130 – we ate Dinner in the hotel Restaurant starting of with an antipasto of roasted Peppers, Eggplant and Olives in Olive Oil with bread for dipping. I then had Pasta Con Vongole (clams) and Donna has Pasta Con Baglio. After this came the salad of Lettuce and Emmentaler Cheese and then dessert of Fragole(Strawberries) with Gelato Mandorle(Almond Ice Cream).

Thursday – April 19-2001
After breakfast at the Hotel, we checked out and returned to Calatafimi. We stopped in Custonaci and went to the Grotto Mangipane. In Calatafimi we stopped at A store called “Multi Shop”, where Donna purchased a few Italian Leather Belts as gifts.

1230 – At the house we had Risotto with Piselli (Peas) and Carciofi(Artichokes), great Sausages, salad, Pane(bread), Blood Oranges and Grappa!
1400-1600 – Siesta

1700 – Salvatore took me to the workshop and home of Vito Vario, Vito is referred to as a “Maestro”(master), as he is one of the few who still makes the Sicilian Carreto’s(Sicilian Donkey Carts). He had a couple that he was in the process of building. He also does wood carvings, two of which are now in my house in the Cape. The first, when I asked how much it was, he said, That took me 3 days to carve, I said so how much? He said 150,000 lira($75.00), at which point I bought it and he signed it on the back. I later bought another carving of his that he had painted and was of St. George slaying the dragon. I also purchased 6 “Troculone’s”, Children’s tops that he makes and which I remember having as a child.

1900 – Went to Salvatore’s Sister Maria’s home for a dinner. and to meet other family members. I forgot the camera! We had Falsu Magru”(literal translation is False Lean). This is thinly sliced Beef with a filling inside that is cooked in the pasta sauce until tender. Delicious! In other parts of Italy it is called “Brucelone” or Bracioletini”. We had 3 different wines, Frutta di Macedonia (mixed fruit compote), Gelato con Fragole(Ice Cream with Strawberries).

Friday – April 20, 2001
After breakfast Salvatore, Caterina, Donna and I headed out to Marsala, stopping at the saltworks which is on the road between Trapani and Marsala, where they still take the salt from the sea water. The town I live in on the cape used to have a salt works. At a fruit bar in Marsala we stopped an had “Almond milk”, similar to coconut milk but with almonds, very sweet. In Marsala we stopped at the Pellegrino Winery, they make several types of wines and I taste tested most of them, ending up purchasing a “Marsala Ruby Fine” wine and a “Crema di Mandorle” which is an Almond Liqueur. They were about $4.50 each, in the states they are $20-$25 each. I actually came back to the states with 10 bottles of wine! Donna purchased some Pellegrino Cooking Aprons and a cookbook. We stopped at a place that makes the Oak wine Barrels, very interesting process. We then drove through Petrosino and Castelvetrano to Selinunte and went to the ruins where there is an Archeological dig and a Geek Temple, this is an ancient city site an covers a large area. Donna bought many more Souvenirs at a vendor’s cart outside the site. On the way back to Calatafimi, we traveled through, Gibellina, Santa Ninfa, and Vita. This night was when Salvatore and I returned to Vito Vario’s, for the tops and carving.
2000 – Salvatore, Alida, Donna and I went to Trapani for dinner at a friend of Salvatore’s Restaurant, the “Ai Lumi Tavernetta”. We had “Couscous Pesce”, then fried Octopus/ For Dessert “Cassata alla Siciliana” and finished , of course, with Salvatore’s Grappa which the restaurant served! On the 23rd Salvatore will be the Chef at this restaurant for a night. Too bad we are leaving on the 22nd! We were back in Calatafimi at 2300.

Saturday – April 21. 2001
After Breakfast, Caterina, Donna and I headed into Palermo and went to the “Palacio Normanni”(Norman Palace), The “ Duomo”(Cathedral), the regional Sicilian Assembly, Saw the “Teatro Massimo”(Massimo Theater) where they still have the “Sicilian Puppet Shows”. We went and walked through the “Vucciria” which is an open air market in the oldest part of the City of Palermo, I enjoyed this immensely, every imaginable type of food is sold here! Caterina bought some “Olive Bread”, which had whole Olives in it. In the States you get his with tiny pieces of Olives in it. We then picked up Mariella at her apartment in Palermo, and then we were given a tour of the City. We returned to Calatafimi and had, “Pasta Con le Melanzane”(Pasta with Eggplant), one of Donna’s favorites. Then had breaded Pollo(Chicken), wine and then fruit and Grappa! We gave out the remaining gifts that we had brought. We had brought one carry on suitcase full of gifts and figured that we would have an empty one to put all the purchases made in Sicily in. Well, we still had to go out and buy another suitcase! That evening we talked and packed for the return flight to Boston. Salvatore and I talked about renovating a Country House that Donna and I could use to spend the winters in Sicily and the Summers back on the Cape. It is a very interesting idea!

Sunday – April 22, 2001
After breakfast, Salvatore, Alida, Caterina. Donna and I headed out to the airport in Palermo. It rained a little and Donna said that Sicily was crying because I was leaving. At the airport Salvatore turned in the Rental Car. Donna went into the gift shop at the airport and found the gift that we had been looking for two weeks for that our Grandson Timothy had requested. Salvino Amoroso and his son Vito came to the airport to say goodbye. It was an emotional farewell, with Salvatore telling us to return in September and stay “per Tre Mese”(3 months) as it would take that long to see most of Sicily. We then said our final farewells and went into the secure part of the terminal, with us turning and everyone waving goodbye to each other. We flew from Palermo to Milan and then from Milan to Boston.
1700 – At Logan Airport in Boston, our Daughter and Son In Law met us with a stretch Limousine for the ride back to Cape Cod.