By Rabbi Barbara Aiello
It wasn’t what they were wearing, although American tourists who visit our Calabrian mountain village are often easily identified by their shorts, sandals and fanny packs. And it wasn’t their halting Italian tinged with a distinctly American accent. It was the look on their faces – a combined expression of awe and curiosity that prompted me to approach them and offer to help.
“We’re here to find my husband’s roots,” said his wife, whose shiny silver hair indicated someone likely in my own age group. “His grandfather was born here and he always talked about how beautiful this village was. We just had to come.”
I introduced myself and they reciprocated. “I’m Jill,” she said and as she patted her husband’s arm, “and he’s Lou.” Her husband smiled. “I’m really Luigi, named after my Nonno who was born right here, Could you point us to the City Hall so we can ask about documents?”
As the clock in the church bell tower chimed three, I asked if they had an appointment. Had they arranged to meet with someone in the documents department of the “Commune”?
Jill and Lou looked at each other. “Appointment? No, we thought we just drive here and stop in. But it took way more time to get here than we thought.”
Sadly I understood. Jill and Lou were like so many other families I’ve met in my 22 years living here in Serrastretta, an isolated mountain village, deep in Calabria, the region located in the “toe” of the Italian “boot.”
As had many others whom I met over the years Lou and Jill had a deep desire to connect with their Italian roots but hadn’t discovered a way to go about finding meaningful information. Had I had the opportunity to discuss their visit beforehand, here is what I would have emphasized:
Come Prepared with Copies of Italian Family Documents – Even the most obscure document might prove to be useful, such as the record from a ship manifest that lists not only your relative’s passage to America, Canada or Australia but the specific town, village or hamlet of their birth.
A birth certificate from Italy, foreign naturalization papers or a death certificate can contain valuable information regarding birthdate and place of birth. Many of these documents contain the name of your relative’s parents – an important piece of information especially since many Calabresi share the same surname and family groups are identified by their “sopranome” or “clan” name.
Be aware that when Italian women marry they do NOT adopt their husband’s surname so be sure to have the surnames of both grandparents or great grands.
Find the Commune – “Commune” is the name for Italy’s Municipal Building or City Hall. Before you arrive check the website of your relative’s town. You will find the hours of operation that often include the hours of “la pausa,” generally from 1:30 – 4:30 when the office is closed. Like Lou and Jill, they arrived at their relative’s remote mountain village and found that the office was closed.
One family I assisted was stumped by an Italian document that listed two towns as place of birth. Here in Calabria this is not unusual. Some villages are so small that they have no City Hall. Families would then travel from their “frazione” (suburb) to a larger city where the birth could be registered.
For this particular family I was able to guide them to the tiny hamlet where the great grandfather was actually born.
Checking Church Records – can be a helpful resource but bear in mind that following the devastating earthquake in Calabria in 1908 many churches and their records were destroyed.
If you decide to check church records be sure to phone or email in advance to ask permission to view these hand-written historical documents. Often an appointment is necessary especially since many priests serve several parishes and often are not available without advance notice.
Take Your Time – This is Italy – When I met with Jill and Lou I suggested they return in the late afternoon or early the next morning and I would help them locate information on their relative. “We only have today,” they said, “We have to get back to our hotel because we leave Calabria tomorrow.”
Sadly, this family booked a tour of popular Italian cities (Venice, Florence and Rome) and on their one free day decided to visit Calabria and search for Jewish roots. They were disappointed and so was I.
My advice to anyone searching for their Italian roots, especially in small towns and tiny villages, is to make contact and appointments in advance, engage a car and Italian speaking driver to bring you to your ancestral village and plan to schedule adequate time for searching for documents and absorbing the ambiance of the special place that your ancestors once called “home.”
This article first appeared in the Italian American publication, La Gazzetta Italiana. CLICK HERE for link
