PIP Chapter #1 Chicago Meeting Report
by Cav. Anthony Lascio #1051

 The thirty-fourth gathering of P.O.I.N.T’.s founding chapter of Pointers In Person met on Wednesday, April 18, 2001 at it’s usual hangout, Suparossa Ristorante Italiano in Chicago’s southwest suburban Woodridge, Illinois. 

Thirty-eight attended the dinner meeting to hear a very special presentation by the renowned local speaker Dominic Candeloro, author, lecturer and historian.  His topic, “Italians in Chicago - Immigrants, Ethnics, Sources and Stories” was a fascinating and informative study of the Italian emigration to Chicago from its initial trickle in the 1850's to the tidal wave from the 1890's through the 1920's.  This influx of Italians resulted in the Chicago area ranking second only to the  New York/New Jersey area in America’s Italian American population.  Dominic spoke of what the Italians brought to the New World, how they contributed to the growth of Chicago, and the institutions they established which remain today.  Reference was made to the twelve Italian parishes established by Italian priests, mostly the Scalabrini Fathers of Italy; the ten distinct “Little Italy” neighborhoods colonized by Italians from all regions of their native homeland; and how their values, culture, traditions, customs, and religion has influenced the Chicago area, even to the present day.  The attendees asked many questions and established a warm and cordial relationship with the speaker.  He commented after his presentation how impressed he was with the PIP group particularly regarding their responsiveness, attention and friendliness.  Dominic just recently began to write his own family history which traces his roots back to the Abruzzi region. Many PIPsters purchased books which Dominic had authored or is involved with.  This was only the second speaker from outside the group engaged by Chapter #1 in it’s eight and one half year history.

Following the formal program, the PIP Leader Anthony Lascio #1051 conducted the usual business of making announcements and opening up the meeting to questions and problem solving. 

Lascio reminded everyone that John Philip Colletta was appearing at the Newberry Library’s annual workshop on Saturday, April 21 but was informed registration for this event was closed and the workshop was sold out.

Next, mention was made of the new online Ellis Island Family History Project featuring New York passenger arrival manifest records.  Although much of the group had tried to log onto the site, only one attendee, Jerry Farenga #1763 was able to get through due to the activity on line and that was at five o’clock in the morning.  He showed the group copies of some of the records he copied from his successful experience.

Linda Davenport Fortunato #3769 talked about a passport document used in Italy prior to the 1860's allowing a citizen to relocate from one “state” to another during Italy’s pre unification period.