MEETING

NOTES

Meeting Notes Page

MAY 11 2001

Seven Italian genealogists met for a lively discussion on May 11th, 2001 for the second meeting of POINTers In Person Chapter #27.  Many people were unable to attend due to family commitments, but the seven who were able to attend were:  

Daniel Niemiec (#2304) and
Rose Ducato (# 1812) co-founders of the Chapter;
Jerry Farenga (# 1763)
Lisa Padar
John Storts
Rose Marie Amato Curtiletti (#2911) and
Toni Garofalo (#1701)

We covered old business such as the announcement of our new Chapter number (#27).  Also, the Schaumburg District Library had not yet met to discuss room assignments for our future meetings so we are unable to advertise our next meeting date.  We are attempting to get the room for Saturday morning or afternoon because Friday nights are busy for many people and others do not want to drive at night.

Lisa Padar asked for assistance on using census records.  We gave her addresses of libraries that have the soundex and census enumerations (NARA, Newberry) and also talked about Ancestry.com and the on-line census records.  Dan Niemiec has spent a lot of time working with the on-line census and warned the group of the difficulties they would encounter.  There is no search mechanism so you have to already know the Enumeration District and the page number before you can try to find the page on-line. Lisa mentioned that her family name had changed several times since they came from Italy and thus it might be hard to find since the name changes make up different soundex codes.

We all have had bad experiences on the new Ellis Island site.  The site has been much easier to get into since May 1st but there are links that don’t work, numerous misspellings of names and towns, and it’s hard to actually get to see a copy of the original manifest.  Jerry Farenga searched for his surname and found many spellings for his ancestral town.  Toni Garofalo had never seen so many ways to spell Casamassima.  Dan Niemiec explained also that many people are listed in the site under their mothers’ maiden names because the mothers traveled under their maiden names and the children are often listed with first names only under their mother. John Storts was trying to find an ancestor from Calvello that came through New York in the 1880s, and it was suggested that he use the Italians to America book series.  There is also a web site to search the CD version of the books.  

 
We talked about Italian naming patterns and how to use that information to make better guesses about ancestor birth records.  Also we noted exceptions to the naming rules. A survey form was handed out to help determine the experience level of our group and to ask for suggestions on possible topics for speakers for future meetings.  Due to the small turnout it was agreed that we should post the survey on the group mail list or web site so that those who were unable to attend could make suggestions. We briefly talked about having an annual banquet at a local restaurant.  We could not agree on what time of year would be best but we did agree that a restaurant was a better idea than a catered affair in a library facility. We want to keep the cost reasonable but still have a good meal.

We will be adding a list of regions and provinces to the Chapter web site.

Rose Curtiletti related her problem of finding a birth record for her great-grandparents.  Rose Ducato and Dan Niemiec talked about the indexes (and their pitfalls) and related how one should find all siblings of the direct ancestor in order to assure that the birth record in question does not belong to a deceased infant with the same name.  Rose Curtiletti also asked about visiting Italy and getting information from the civil records office.  She had written to them but had received no response.  It was suggested that she continue to write to them, but also write the Mayor to explain the dilemma.  She wants to visit Italy soon but Rose Ducato explained that the civil records offices are only open a few hours each day, so it is important to make written contact prior to a visit.

Dan talked about a family reunion that had been held the day before the meeting.  A cousin from Italy was in Chicago and it was decided to hold a get-together at a hall so that the whole family could meet him.  By word of mouth alone, 140 people attended on a Thursday night.  Dan showed family tree charts he brought to the party and business cards he printed and distributed so that everyone would know who he is and how to contact him with new information.

Our next meeting is (EDITOR’S CHANGE) OFFICIALLY scheduled for July 13th, 2001, 7:30pm-9:30pm at the Schaumburg District Library but please watch the Chapter web site for changes. 

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