2020 ~ A Year in Review

Heading into 2021 I wanted to take a look back at this year and all the amazing discoveries and connections I was so fortunate to make. There were times I felt stuck on what direction to go and ideas but so many family members came through and shared thoughts and photos. With your help, our families stories are being told and preserved. Thank you for helping me tell our story.

In January I asked the question in “Can You Identify Us” with this photo.

Above left to right back : my grandmother Katie Civitano (aka Catherine Langellotti), her sister Rita Stalupi (Langellotti), Teresa Langellotti (Venerose -wife of Arthur Frank Langellotti, Katie and Rita’s brother) Front: Vincent Civitano (my father) my great grandmother Filomena Langellotti (DeLellis), and Bernard Tanzillo (son of their sister Emily langellotti Tanzillo, deceased)

This posting led me to being contacted by a 2nd c 1x removed who was able to give me the answer to who the man in the white pants and shirt was. This was Frank Tanzillo husband of Emily, father of Bernard.

There was this gorgeous wedding photo shared with me by my 3rd cousin Toni. Identified in the this photo is from Lt to Rt seated: Rosa (Marvulli) D’Attoma (sister to the bride), Vera (Marvulli) D’Attoma, Maria Covito, Rosa (DiGirolamo) Caso standing: John D’Attoma (brother to the groom) Angelo D’Attoma, Antonio Scici, and Gaetano Caso (Rosa D. husband)

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Arthure Langellotti & Maria DeLellis, Rose Marie Gentile & Arnold Vigoliotti, Michael Caso & Rosa DiGirolamo

One of my favorite photo’s was of Lucia DiGirolamo & Giuseppe Marvulli shared with me by Vita Andreoli

1904 – 1905

In this photo, Lucia is actually pregnant with daughter Vera Vita and seated, buckled in is daughter Rose. Tragically Lucia passed away 11 June 1908, three years after the birth of Rose in Grumo Appula, Italy.

Michael Caso and Rose DiGirolamo grandson Guy shared with me an amazing story about Robert Caso, my 2nd cousin 1x removed who solved a 70 year old mystery of the the Warren Family. Dan Pontbriand wrote the book ‘The Missing Ones’ A True Story detailing Robert’s never ending search to discover what happened to the parents of two young boys who disappeared on July 3rd 1929 never to be heard from again

Then there were these amazing photo’s shared with me of three siblings and the only known photos at this time of them together. It was also our families first real glimpse of Angelina Civitano nee Marulli.

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Angelina (Marvulli) Civitano, Giovanni Marvulli, Nicoletta (Marvulli) Civitano

And who can forget the stranger, jogging through Calvary to bring flowers to his own special person only to pass by the grave stone of Grazia Marvulli and decide to leave the flowers for her instead. Once home he decided to try and research her and came across the blog with her story. From there he wrote to me, sharing this photo. What an act of kindness.

Michael Caso was born 26 Oct 1892 Grumo Appula, Italy and passed away in Dec 1975 in New York. His wedding photo is above with Rose DiGirolamo. Michael had a very unique talent and art form – a message in a bottle. Many family members remember these interesting pieces of art ~ thankfully preserved by his grandchildren. Thankful to Guy Caso for sharing these amazing pieces.

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I absolutely swooned over this photo of my grandfathers sister, Julia (Giuditta) Forese nee Civitano. From the headband to the double strand of pearls, the bouquet with with steaming ribbons and ? flowers tied to the ends, the cut of the hem to the tips of her shoes…I couldn’t have been more blessed to receive this from one of her granddaughters.

I began the year with this wonderful photo of Domenico Civitano son of Vito Luigi Civitano brother of my great grandfather. This photo was originally shared on Ancestry by the Paglia Family. I had written “I love everything about this photo, from the little hands on dad’s shoulders to the knickers and leggings on down to the shoes. All the boys look darling in their hats and dad Domenico looks quite handsome in his. Believing the youngest boy is about 3, that would be Onofrio born in 1917 placing the photo about 1920. Frank would be next, born in 1915, Dominic born 1913 and the oldest, Louis born 1911 which would make him about 9.”

Guy Caso, son of Gaetano Caso, grandson of Michael Caso shared many wonderful photo’s and his fathers story with me. Geatano recently passed in 2018.

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So many wonderful discoveries and mysteries too. Like the discovery of my great grandmothers Immigration card shared with me by my cousin Isabella. I am still baffled by the last name of Palumbo on her card. Nicoletta had a known second marriage to Nicholas Gisondi/a which does not appear on her card, but there is no knowledge of another marriage with this name.

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Checking in with my cousin Peter Marino and his page on Ancestry I discovered that a Donata Civitano had married a Vito Domenico Palumbo sometime in the beginning of 1800’s. So Palumbo/Palummo is a Grumo family name. How and why she has this on her card will remain a mystery for now.

A collage of more photos shared

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I can’t say thank you enough to every one who contacted me through out 2020. I made many family connections, connecting via email and phone. It made a terrible stressful year seem like a piece of cake, delicious and sweet.