If you think that genealogy is hard, I think you’re right. I've put more man-hours into this hobby than anyone might imagine.  The biggest thrill is when I uncover a new branch of the tree.

Recently, I was digging through a large box of old photos and I discovered an old faded brown letter that was hiding in a plastic bag. I've been through that box several times and every time I go through it, I find something new. My latest discovery is a letter written to my mother from what I presume is her 1st cousin, Francesca Abbate that lives in Altavilla Milicia (PA), Sicily. The letter was written in English, but it was stated in the letter that it was written by a friend and not by Francesca. The date of the letter is November 11, 1968. That’s about 9 years after my grandfather, Francesco “Frank” Savarino, that was born in Altavilla Milicia, died. The letter said that Francesca was saddened to hear about the death of my mother's father, Francesco. The letter also made reference to my mother's older sister Mary, who died in 1969. Apparently, Mary had written to Francesca some years before telling of the death of Francesco, their father.

Now I have a whole new branch to work with to further expand my Italian Family Tree. In that same box was a photo of what I believe is my grandfather's oldest sister Maria (photo: sitting in the chair) and her husband and 4 children and one granddaughter. Maria was married when my great-grandparents, Antonino and Angelina packed up the kids and moved to Louisiana in the 1890s. One of the children had to be the author(*) of this priceless letter. Since Maria was married, her new husband would have to want to come to America too; they didn’t come.

(*) Update! The author of this letter was the lady sitting in the armchair, my mother's 1st cousin, Francesca Di Liberto and not Maria Savarino, as I had thought.

April 19, 1999.
I got on the Internet and hunted down the home address of the Abbate family of Altavilla Milicia that lives on the same street that is listed on the envelope. I wrote a letter of introduction written in Italian and I put a copy of the family picture, shown above, that I've had for years in the envelope. I'm certain that this photo came with the letter, but I have no proof only a deep suspicion. I included a photocopy of the backside of the photo (very important) and a picture of Francesco, my grandfather.  I mailed the letter on April 19, 1999. Included in the letter was my e-mail address and this web site's address.

When I get a reply, I’ll post it here.

This is all possible because of the marvelous invention of the Internet and my love of my Italian family. Oh yes, and because of the old letter in the old box.