My Guestbook

(Continued from first comment.)

My grandmother’s parents were Pasquale Cicchetti and Maria Filomena Iamele and their parents were Francesco Iamele and Mariangela Pilarello who were all born and lived their lives in Celenza Valfortore. This side of my family tree goes back even farther in Celenza.

I’m hoping that I still have family there and would love to meet them on my trip. If you are a relative or know someone who is please contact me. I could also meet you at the main Piazza at 12 noon on September 5th where I plan to be at that time.

Peter Gillespie
917-602-1846
141 N 4th St
Brooklyn NY 11211

My name is Peter Gillespie. I’m the son of George Gillespie Jr. and Fanny Gillespie (Filomena Rossi)from Waterbury Connecticut. I was born in 1954. I’m visiting Celenza Valfortore for the first time. I’ll be there on September 4th through the 6th. I’m hoping to meet family relatives on my visit.

Both of my maternal grandparents, Immaculata (Mary) Cicchetti and Ettore Marie Michele Attilio Rossi, were born in Celenza and immigrated to the United States sometime before 1911.

My grandfather Ettore's father was Luigi Federico Rossi who was born on January 11, 1846 in Sant' Agata del Blanco in Calabria. His father (my second great grandfather) Francesco Rossi was born in 1801 in Seminara, Calabria. His wife was Ann Maria Mesiti Franze who was also born in Sant' Agata del Blanco in 1801. Ettore’s mother was Marianna Amalia De Cia. Her mother and father were Giulia De Cia (born De Santis) and Michele De Cia.

My grandmother’s parents were Pasquale Cicchetti and Maria Filomena Iamele and their parents

SO happy to have found this page! I've been chatting with Doreen, who is the most amazing human and has sent me all kind of documents. I'll be in the area in May, spending a day in Celenza, then off to Puglia for 2 weeks. Can't wait to walk the same streets my GGF did. I'll post photos when I return

In doing research, I found my maternal grandfather's information included his birth location as Celenza in 1912. It is my dream to take my mother to Italy to see where her father came from. I now have a location and hope to find that there may be some relations left in this beautiful area. My grandfather moved to America and settled in Chicago, Illinois when he was about 8 or 9 years old. I'm looking forward to finding any relatives who still live in Italy.

Ciao to all Celenzani descendants!

I recently visited Celenza Valfortore, the home of my paternal great-grandparents. My husband is originally from Torino and we decided to to do a road trip through Abruzzo, Puglia, and Basilicata. Thanks to my husband, I was able to contact the Commune and got a copy of the death certificate of my great-great grandfather! The people there were incredibly helpful and accommodating. Also, I am now able to request my great-grandfather’s birth certificate as well as the marriage certificate! I’m on my way to Italian citizenship!!! Hooray! By the way, Celenza is an absolutely beautiful mountain village, elevated above a sparkling lake, the Lago di Ochito. We had a wonderful typical Celenza meal at Cannavino ristorante. Go when you visit Celenza and say hello to Maria from me!

Un grande abbraccio,
Lisamarie Grosso

Researching my wife's surname, which is similar. Thanks for the site.

My Grandfather (Nicola Augelli, born 1-21-1888) and my Grandmother (Antoniette D'Attelis, born 12-20-1880) came to Waterbury, Connecticut, USA in the early 1900's.

I am planning a trip to Italy next year and plan to visit Celenza Valfortore to see where my family originated. I am very much looking forward to seeing if I still have some relatives there.

Nicholas Augelli, 3rd.
(I was named in honor of my Grandfather.)

I am trying to find any info on my grandfather, Giuseppe Jacaruso, and any other family members. Guiseppe was born in Celenza Valfortore on 18 April 1882. He left Celenza when he was 21 years old. He sailed out of Napoli on the Sardegna and arrived at Ellis Island, NYC on 31 March 1903. Guiseppe visited Celenza a few times and wrote to his sister Michele who still lived there in the 1950's.