I became interested in Family History when I tried to find my Italian Grandfather's town, San Pietro Avellana, in Italy. Prior to the internet, I combed over Italian maps, but I was unable to locate our town. So, I wrote the Ministry of Italian tourism, asking them where the town is. A month later, I received a map showing this small town. In 1990, I traveled, with my wife & parents, to Italy to see if this was really my Grandfather's town. I had a copy of a post card, from my Great Grandmother Donata, showing a War Monument in the town plaza, and a prayer card, from my Grandfather Mike (Amico), showing the town's patron saint, St Amico. When we came into town we found the War Monument in the main plaza, and in the parish church there was a chapel dedicated to their patron saint, Saint Amico. I knew I was ‘home'.
Later, I ordered the Microfilm, through a local Family History Center, and my Niece, Camellia, and I were able to dig up about four generations of Italian relatives that we never knew of previously. The Birth & Baptismal records even gave the street names where they lived in San Pietro Avellana area! Since these moments, I became interested in all my roots.

I became interested in Family History when I tried to find my Italian Grandfather's town, San Pietro Avellana, in Italy. Prior to the internet, I combed over Italian maps, but I was unable to locate our town. So, I wrote the Ministry of Italian tourism, asking them where the town is. A month later, I received a map showing this small town. In 1990, I traveled, with my wife & parents, to Italy to see if this was really my Grandfather's town. I had a copy of a post card, from my Great Grandmother Donata, showing a War Monument in the town plaza, and a prayer card, from my Grandfather Mike (Amico), showing the town's patron saint, St Amico. When we came into town we found the War Monument in the main plaza, and in the parish church there was a chapel dedicated to their patron saint, Saint Amico. I knew I was ‘home'.
Later, I ordered the Microfilm, through a local Family History Center, and my Niece, Camellia, and I were able to dig up about four generations of Italian relatives that we never knew of previously. The Birth & Baptismal records even gave the street names where they lived in San Pietro Avellana area! Since these moments, I became interested in all my roots.