PIP
Chapter #1 Chicago Meeting Minutes
by
Cav. Anthony Lascio #1051
On the warm
Summer evening of Wednesday July 17TH, PIP Chapter #1 Chicago met
for the 39TH time at the Suparossa Ristorante Italiano in
Woodridge, IL. Attendance for
this gathering was 32.
After a brief
welcome by PIP Leader and Founder Anthony
Lascio #1051, the business portion of the meeting was conducted. Lisa Perkins prepared and distributed a survey requesting
input from the attendees concerning improvement on the PIP Web Site.
Jerry Farenga
#1763 handed out two beautiful booklets on tourism and a food/wine guide to
the Basilicata region where he visited in May.
These publications were provided by the Basilicata Tourist Board Office
in Italy. Lascio talked about the
International Roots Conference scheduled later in July at Dearborn, Michigan
which was canceled due to lack of registration.
Four PIPsters indicated they were attending the POINT Conference in
Salt Lake City. Alex DeVolpi
#4160 volunteered to represent Chapter #1's leader Anthony Lascio at the POINT
conference. Lascio will not be able to attend. Three attendees volunteered to
post chapter #1 flyers at local LDS Family History Centers. Jerry Farenga
highlighted his trip to Italy explaining the use of a digital camera to take
300 photos of church records in Basilicata.
The group
shared their experiences with the 1930 census.
Cathie Jackson #38 explained the difficulties researching the census by
enumeration district since this census is not indexed for Illinois.
Paul Carenen #1683 and Deanna Spingola #2393 also joined in the
discussion relating their personal experiences.
It was reported that Ancestry is indexing the census and is scheduled
to complete this project next Spring.
Lascio gave a
“state of the Chapter” review emphasizing the future of Chapter #1.
In particular, he asked the group to consider who will take over
Chapter #1 if and when he decides to step aside. Considerable time was devoted
reviewing the various possibilities and alternatives in order to continue
Chapter #1 as a viable and ongoing organization into the future. Chapter #1
members will ponder and consider all of the options.
The final
phase of the evening’s agenda consisted of sharing experiences since the
last gathering three months ago; asking questions with the group responding;
and problem solving. Lisa Perkins
stated she joined a Calabria group (Calabresi in America Organization), which
is not a genealogy club, but an opportunity to learn more of the history and
culture of the Calabria region of Italy where her roots originate.
Patti Tolone #2610 shared her experiences in finding long sought after
relatives in the State of Colorado. Leah
Reed #4416 inquired about anyone’s experience with researching property
deeds in Chicago. Debbie Peters
#3842 asked if anyone has encountered dual surnames...names hyphenated.
Connie Piazza #3322 wondered if anyone knew the Italian equivalent to
the English given name ROGER. Paul
Carenen recently discovered one of his branches originated in Sardegna
(Sardinia) and wondered if any members present have any Sardegnian roots and
if so have encountered the surname Sardegna.
Lascio spoke about the difficulty in obtaining cooperation from cousins
whose input is vital when constructing a descendant chart. Cathie Jackson said
she has begun providing a family newsletter again which she had stopped
previously. Alex DeVolpi offered
to do simple research in Salt Lake City, time permitting, while attending the
POINT conference, for anyone of the group who would ask. What a generous
offer.
The evening
was concluded with group photos taken by Lisa Perkins. A photo will appear on
our web site.
Chapter #1
will next meet on Wednesday, October 16TH same time and same
location.
