My great- grandfather came from Palazzo Adriano My great-grandfather, Vincenzo Gristina came from Palazzo Adriano. He eventually settled in the New Orleans area. A few years ago we had the opportunity to visit Palazzo Adriano and stayed with my cousins who still reside there. It was a trip of lifetime!
Aug 28, 08 - Jeff: The churches Jeff, We must be related! My great grandfather was Peter Sciurba, the sculptor at the church in PA. His son, Nicolo Sciurba, was my grandfather. I would love to hear from you. Can you give me your email address? Where do you live?
Loved reading what you said. Photos were great also. I too prefer to travel solo, and prefer the out-of-the-way places. You can be sure I'll visit Palazzo Adriano. Maybe I'll catch a glimpse of you across the piazza. Be sure to wave. b.
Photo of plaque in church 1 Thank you for this fabulous site. For the first time I see the name
Dragotta in print other than in my own family and in the Ellis Island records. Vincenzo Dragotta is the name of my maternal grandfather, his wife was Oliva Rodolico and she had a brother Matteo and sister Anna, all from PA. My maternal great grandmother was a Consoniere. My grandparents came through Ellis Island, they were married in PA. They settled in NYC for a period of time and moved onto Wilmington, DE to raise their family. If anyone out there recognizes any of the above noted sur names and has any information I would be delighted. This is the closest I've come to my mother's relatives.
would like contact with my relatives my grandparents from palazzo adriano were giuseppe grana' and luchina costa. they immigrated to trinidad colorado then to los angeles california. i have been to palazzo twice and stayed with my aunt luchina costa, wife of nino parrino. before i left the last time i filmed video footage of aunt luchina answering questions regarding our grana-costa relatives
Chiarchiaro I saw your blog and I noticed many commonalities. My dad was raised in PA and my grandparents as well as many other relatives came from there. There are still about 20 Chiarchiaro's living in PA. My mom's family lived in Sopris, CO, Pueblo, and Trinidad. My grandfather, Michael Crappa/Capra, was killed in a mining accident in CO. Other male family members worked in the coal mines near Trinidad, like Fillipo Crappa/Capra, Michael Crappa/Capra, Joe Basta, Charlie Basta. The family relocated to Lincoln Heights, CA probably around 1920. Some of the family lived in Alhambra. I know that we had some friends with the last name of Costa. I think my grandomother's maiden name was Cuccia, and there are some Cuccia's still in PA. Let me know if you would like to explore this further.
John F. Note to Michael. An Italian prime minister, Francesco Crispi, who served in the late 19th century, had roots in Palazzo Adriano. I think his father was born there.
My PA Family - Costa, Crispi, Parrino, Sabella, Macaluso, Buscarino I have been researching my family (mother's side) for a few years now and I am so glad I stumbled onto this site. I have never seen so many comments about PA and families that are definitely my kin.
Both of my mother's grandparents were from Palazzo Adriano. My great grandfather on my mother's maternal side was Mariano Costa Who did come to America at the age of 17. According to Ellis Island records, he first went to New Orleans (probably Indepence, LA which many families from PA migrated), but he soon joined other family memebers in Trinidad, CO, where he worked in the coal mines. He, along with other Costa family members were involved in a coal-miners' strike in which the Colorado miltia was called and proceeded to burn down the strikers' tent city killing several people. A Charles Costa was one of the victums, he was shot and killed. Mariano married Giovannina Parrino. Eventually the family moved to Woodland Hills, CA where Mariano opened a gas station-car repair-restaurant on Ventura Blvd. My Grandmother's name is Josephine Crispi and she was the first child and was born in Pueblo, CO.
On my grandfather's side, His name was Nicholas Crispi and his parents were Fillipo Crispi and Mariana Sabella. They were married in PA and had and lost 6 children before leaving for America where they had 7 healthy children. They also went to Pueblo, Co and then on to Alhambra (in Los Angeles) where Fillipo worked for the city parks department and actually planted and cared for the famous rose garden at Expostion Park across the street from USC.
My mother has been back to PA a few times. We hope to go together in the near future. When she visited there she spent time in the Latin (Catholic) church not realizing that our family actually belonged to the Greek Church.
I would love to hook up with some of you to discover more about our families. I do know that there were four Crispi families living in PA in the early 1800's, two of them gentry and two of them peasent. One of the gentry families was Francesco Crispi's (Prime Minister of Italy) grandparents. Don Francesco Crispi was a priest at the Greek Church and ran an produce exporting business. One of Don Francesco's nephews was Giuseppe Crispi who was the Titular Bishop of Lampudsa and taught Greek at the University of Palermo.
Look forward to hearing more from everyone.
Take care
Michael
birth certificates I wrote to officials in PA and received the birth certificates for my great- grandfather and great-grandmother and their marriage certificate. I know the family is from PA but don't know how to go further back. Anyone have any ideas? I am looking for Sparacio, Riggio, Genovese. They came through New Orleans and settled in Independence, LA. later moving to Ill. Appreciate any thoughts or ideas. Thanks for the pictures and the information about PA. I would like to go there someday.
Palazzo Andriano Both of my grandparents' families on my mother's side come from Palazzo Andriano. As I was researching our ancestry a few years ago, I discovered the history and charm of PA - I look forward to visiting one day. My grandmother's family included Mariano Costa, his father being Nicolo Costa. Mariano came to the US when he was 17 and it looks like he first went to Independence, LA then shortly left for Pueblo, CO. There he met up with others from PA and married my great grandmother, a Parrino. On my grandfather's side, his father and mother were already married when they arrived (also in Pueblo, CO). My grandfather's name was Nicolas Crispi, his father was Filippo Crispi and his mother was Maria Sabella. Fillippo had 2 sisters that stayed in PA. They had 9 children in PA, all of whom died in infancy. They had another 6 in the US all of who survived. Filippo's father was Nicolo Crispi. We also have DiPetros and Macalusos that all came from PA to the US.
Very special people - it is great to see so many others that have PA in common.
Palazzo Adriano I would very much like to communicate with someone that lives there. I was born there. I came to NY in 1963. I often think about what changes the town has gone through. My email is autopro101@aol.com. Il mio Italino non e tanto bene piu. Ma poderso, con aiuto, mi posso imparare meglio. Grazie!
Nick
palazzo well in palazzo everyboby know everybody, I was born and growing up there, exept some years in school, in palermo. I knew Fancesco brother, Lillo, somebody told me he passed, I dont know the childrens, since I have been here, almost 30 years, never heard of the casale borgia, I know they opened a bed and breakfast in palazzo,I still keep in touch with some good old friends, its how sometimes I get some news and gossip.......you should go in august, you will see how many people go back there for their summer vacations, and also see the fiesta , you may be more lucky next time.....And maybe you can ask to meet some old people who used to work in municipio, they may be more helpful of the new cold generation.....
p.s can I buy your extra copy of the book that you mentioned?
Palazzo Adriano Thanks for the offer... I was also given two copies of the book (I didn't realize it was written by an Alessi!). Yes, PA is where 'Cinema Paradiso' was filmed. I was given a poster of a scene in the movie of the piazza. yes, it's a really good movie. others have said it's the best movie they have ever seen! Now, this really makes me want to return to PA!
I was given a book by the chap from the town hall, its all in italian, its called 'Saggio di storia municipale di sicilia' Comune di palazzo adriano, the foreword is written by Giuseppe Alessi. The book by Nicolo Buscemi. It seems to be all about the town. They gave me two copies..if you want one I will gladly send it to you
Palazzo Adriano hey, I went to visit by car from Cefalu as its where they filmed my fav movie..cinema paridiso (you prob know that). Spent about 4 hours there, it was fantastic. Met a bunch of locals who where in and around the movie set, saw a private collection of photos from the movie in the town hall. I loved in there. went to Corleone as well..did you stop there too?
palazzo I'm very surprised that with all the Alessi and Grana' and Parrino, still living in Palazzo, you did not find somebody related to you.....I remember many families with the last names, even not related between them.. maybe because the new generation lost site of their ancestors. I saw your pictures and videos on line, very nice, they reminded me how charming this little town is,and also how little there is to do, I recognized Francesco Grana', he was still a kid when I left, now he is gray, I remember all his family.did not recognized his grandparents, maybe because they changed, are they Granas, or from his mom?
to Diana. I remember a Luchina Costa in Palazzo, I'm sure she is gone by now, she was already old, when I left, but the family may be related to you, since they used to name their children after the grandparents, resulting in many cousins whith the same name.
no Costa in my family that I know of... (on my mother's side)
Guiseppi Alessi + Antonina Parrino = Georgo Alessi (great grandfather)
Domenick Grana + Josephina Ardignola = Giovanni Grana (great grandmother)
But the Granas that I met in PA might have Costa.
Diana Costa/Scramuzza Do you know if your husband's Great grandmother, Carmela Costa had a sister, Luchina Marie Costa? Luchina Costa was my grandmother from PA
My grandfather Mike Merchone Cicchirillo or cichrillo My grandfather was born in the town of Palazzo Adriano in 1898.
His name was Merchone (MIKE) Cicchirillo or Cichrillo. Came to the USA in 1910 or 1911 not real sure. Trying to find out if there is any family still in town. All so looking for any Glavianos my grandfathers cousins.
Please contact me with any info. 949-637-3155
John marino
31441 Holly Dr.
Laguna Beach CA. 92651 USA
videos of Palazzo Adriano I just figured out how to publish videos, after looking at this, you'll REALLY want to go back, it's so full of life! http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Italy/Sicily/blog-337223.html
Palazzo Adriano I was given that DVD while I was there... and some very attractive tourism booklets, I wish they'd do some translating into English though
My brother is here from PA and he gave me a dvd from comune di palazzo adriano. Its shows around the town,inside the beatiuful churches. It tells you a little history of the town and all the feasts that they celebrate througout the year. Just watching the dvd I can't wait to go again. I say great job to the Comune!
the upcoming feast is november 11 San Martino.
re: palazzo Actually, no. No locals with the name Alessi or Grana could connect with any of my ancestors. Since the records before 1850 were destroyed in a fire, there are no existing records of my great great grandparents, although I did find birth records of two of my great uncles who were born after 1850. But when I showed people the geneology of my great great grandparents, no one identified with it as being part of their family. I joked that it was too bad, I had an estate worth many millions of dollars to divide among living relatives.... :)
It's a fearful thing, but I admit I have become a comfort creature, I like my surroundings, coffee done a certain way, pecking away at the puter, taking dogs on an outing and all. Oh I miss them when I'm gone. And it's true, that 2 days into the trip, it is possible that I would wish I could snap my fingers and be back home. Often I have flown across the Atlantic and thought to myself, 'what am I doing up here?'
But it's a fever... here I go again.....
[img= https://photos.smugmug.... full info
Drucilla Huffman
non-member comment
My great- grandfather came from Palazzo Adriano
My great-grandfather, Vincenzo Gristina came from Palazzo Adriano. He eventually settled in the New Orleans area. A few years ago we had the opportunity to visit Palazzo Adriano and stayed with my cousins who still reside there. It was a trip of lifetime!