51.
"late Renaissance harp"
I found this photo on the internet when looking for old small harps that might have been similar to the ones that Giuseppe Pecora's troupe of boy musicians might have played back in the 1870's.
Sunday, 26 February 2023
Monday, 20 February 2023
50.
Pensieri di Annie Romano Niccolai . . . per chi vuole visitare Laurenzana
(Annie e io ci siamo conosciuti tramite Ancestry.com e abbiamo scoperto che siamo imparentati! In precedenza aveva condiviso alcune delle sue splendide foto e un video delle sue visite.)
"Sono la nipote di immigrati lucani italiani. Per 15 anni ho svolto ricerche approfondite e genealogiche nella regione Basilicata, con un interesse per Laurenzana. Recentemente, ho deciso di chiudere il cerchio del viaggio dei miei nonni tornando nel Vecchio Paese .
Stavo cercando un legame più profondo con la terra da cui hanno avuto origine i miei antenati. La genealogia era un inizio, un legame importante. È stata un'ancora di salvezza, in realtà, per me e per altri come me, tutti noi che cercavamo di comprendere le nostre radici: il sangue, il suolo e la cultura che hanno dato vita alle nostre linee familiari.
I miei nonni non tornavano mai in Italia e spesso non riuscivano a parlare del Vecchio Paese. Era semplicemente troppo doloroso. Per questo motivo, sono rimasto con innumerevoli domande senza risposta, come molti di noi. Così ho deciso di approfondire, di essere il primo della mia famiglia a tornare a Laurenzana dopo 160 anni. Non ho mai provato un senso più familiare di profonda connessione.
Ci sono molte cose meravigliose che vorrei condividere sul villaggio: i bei dialetti e la lingua, i profumi, il cibo, la ricca cultura, la squisita campagna, ma soprattutto le persone straordinarie. L'ospitalità che mi hanno mostrato è stata meravigliosa. Erano gentili, affettuosi, rispettosi, sinceri e disposti a dare una mano. La gente del posto si è sentita onorata della mia venuta, che non sono semplicemente passata, ma ho impiegato del tempo per apprezzare, per iniziare a capire.
Laurenzana è piena di molte belle chiese: Chiesa Madre Assunta (la chiesa madre, che mette in mostra il corpo del beato Beato Edigio), Chiesa Madonna del Carmine, San Vito, San Filomena, San Giorgio, chiese antiche piene di incredibile arte e storia.
Un massiccio castello e fortezza risalente all'anno 1000 d.C., torreggia in cima al villaggio. Laurenzana ha mercati, panetterie e ristoranti; le sue montagne e i suoi sentieri sono pieni di abeti bianchi e faggi. Ci sono festival, concerti e rappresentazioni teatrali e una piazza cittadina dove tutti si riuniscono per incontrarsi, mantenendo vivacemente un forte senso di comunità.
Se dovessi decidere di visitare, è importante prendersi del tempo. Passeggia per le strade dove un tempo vivevano i tuoi antenati; Strada San Giorgio, S. Sofia e Carmine, San Giacomo, Canaglione, Vicolo del Prato, Via Umberto, S. Silvestro, Via Roma, Vico Sette Torre. Scatta foto, esplora, annusa i sapori, assaggia il cibo, ma soprattutto entra in contatto con le persone. Ascolta e lasciati guidare.
I ricordi che ho creato a Laurenzana dureranno tutta la vita. Le connessioni ora forgiate si sono radicate profondamente dentro di me e non potranno mai essere dimenticate. Ogni visita mi avvicina a quello che sono".
Annie Romano Niccolai
49.
Thoughts from Annie Romano Niccolai . . . for those wanting to visit Laurenzana
(Annie and I met through Ancestry.com and have discovered that we are related! She previously shared some of her gorgeous photos and a video from her visits.)
"I am the granddaughter of Italian Lucanian immigrants. For 15 years, I have done extensive research and genealogy in the Basilicata region, with an interest in Laurenzana. Recently, I decided to bring my grandparents’ journey full circle by returning to the Old Country.
I was looking for a deeper connection to the land where my ancestors originated. Genealogy was a beginning, an important link. It was a lifeline, actually, for me and others like me, all of us seeking to understand our roots—the blood, soil, and culture that birthed our family lines.
My grandparents never returned to Italy and often could not speak of the Old Country. It was simply too painful. Because of this, I was left with countless unanswered questions, as are many of us. So I decided to delve in, to be the first of my family to return to Laurenzana in 160 years. Never have I felt a more familiar sense of deep connection.
There are many wonderful things I’d like to share about the village—the beautiful dialects and language, the scents, the food, the rich culture, the exquisite countryside, but most of all, the extraordinary people. The hospitality that they showed me was wonderful. They were kind, affectionate, respectful, sincere, and willing to lend a helping hand. The locals felt honored that I came—that I did not simply pass through, but took time to appreciate, to begin to understand.
Laurenzana is filled with many beautiful churches: Chiesa Madre Assunta (the mother church, which showcases the body of blessed Beato Edigio), Chiesa Madonna del Carmine, San Vito, San Filomena, San Giorgio—ancient churches filled with incredible art and history.
A massive castello and fortress dating back to the year 1000 a.d., towers atop the village. Laurenzana has markets, bakeries, and restaurants; its mountains and trails are filled with silver fir and beech trees. There are festivals, concerts, and plays, and a town square where all gather to meet, vibrantly maintaining a strong sense of community.
If you should decide to visit, it’s important to take time. Stroll through the streets where your ancestors once lived; Strada San Giorgio, S. Sofia e Carmine, San Giacomo, Canaglione, Vicolo del Prato, Via Umberto, S. Silvestro, Via Roma, Vico Sette Torre. Take pictures, explore, smell the flavors, taste the food, but most of all, connect with the people. Listen and let them guide you.
The memories I’ve made in Laurenzana will last a lifetime. The connections now forged have rooted deep within me and can never be forgotten. Each visit brings me closer to who I am."
Annie Romano Niccolai
Monday, 31 October 2022
48.
FOUND:
Sarlo-Pecora connection
As a family, after finding Joseph Louis Mott's true identity as Rocco Vincenzo Sarli, we have often wondered how he became connected to Giuseppe Pecora (1827-1875), the leader of the traveling musical group. Giuseppe "Joe" Pecora was born in Laurenzana and surely would have been known to Rocco/Joseph as a child.
I recently found an early connection of the Sarlo's and Pecora's.
Sebastiano Pecora (1822-), son of Domenico Egidio Pecora (1797-) & Carmela Anna Laraja (1792-) married Angela Carmina Sarlo (1824 -1855) daughter of Francesco Sarlo (1785-1848) & Maria Giuseppe Crapullo (1797-). Francesco Sarlo was the son of Saverio Sarlo (1750-1810) and Geronima Bianco (1755-), so Angela Carmina Sarlo was their granddaughter.
Sebastiano and Angela had a son Domenico Nicola Pecora (1852-1853). Then they had a daughter named Maria Carmela Pecora (1855-1923) who immigrated to New York City and married Donato Maria Crecco (1854-1939) who was from San Fele, Potenza, Basilicata, Italy. Angela died toward the end of the year their daughter was born.
Sebastiano and his second wife Maria Carmela Abbate had six children in Laurenzana. *It is my belief, based on Denver court records, that their fourth son Giovanni was one of the three youths killed along with Joe Pecora in Denver.
1. Domenicantonio Pecora (1857-1913)
2. Giuseppe Maria Pecora (1858-)
3. Giovanni Antonio Pecora (1860-1862)
4. Giovanni Antonio Pecora (1863-1875)*
5. Concetta Pecora (1865-1866)
6. Concetta Pecora (1867-1868)
Wednesday, 23 February 2022
47.
Denver Court Documents
It is undisputed that Giuseppe Pecora (1827-1875) was killed on October 21, 1875 in the ramshackle house on Lawrence Street in Denver by mostly Italian perpetrators. The other three victims were youths.
Court documents obtained by Donna Faye Mott Turney and her brother Dr. Joseph Mott, contributor of articles to this blog, list the three young victims as John (Giovanni) Pecora, Domenico Fanelli, and Domenico D'Onofrio.
Very strong possibilities I've found are:
(1) Giovanni Antonio Pecora b. 12 Sep 1863, Laurenzana
son of Sebastiano Pecora & Maria Carmela Abbate
- age 12 in fall of 1875
(2) Domenico Egidio Fanelli b. 18 Oct 1856, Laurenzana
son of Francesco Fanelli & Rosagnesa Cafarella
(younger brother of Maria Vittoria Fanelli who later married Vito Maria Sarli
(Vito was older brother of Joseph Mott/AKA Rocco Vincenzo Sarli)
- age 19 in fall of 1875
(3) Domenico Antonio D'Onofrio b. 19 Nov 1857, Laurenzana
son of Rocco Giuseppe D'Onofrio & Maria Giovanna D'Esopo.
- almost age 18 in fall of 1875
46.
Passing of Mott daughter
I'm sad to report the passing of Elsie Carol Mott January 2, 2022. I have just updated the list of the children of Jacob and Elsie Sowards Mott. Carol lived in Canon City, Colorado.
Here is her obituary:
Carol Mott, 89, passed away at home surrounded by family on January 2, 2022, after a short illness. She was born to Elsie and Jacob Mott of Romeo, Colorado on December 21, 1932. She received her education from Alamosa High School and Adams State College. She has resided in Canon City since 1963 and is a member of the Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Church.
She had a successful career working for Fremont National Bank from 1963 to June of 1990 and she retired as an Assistant Vice President Customer Relations Officer. Carol was active in the community volunteering with the Salvation Army, United Way, March of Dimes, and the Chamber of Commerce Prospectors. She enjoyed golf and was a member of Shadow Hills Country Club.
Blessed with many talents, Carol was an expert seamstress, a wonderful cook, and an avid card player. She played in several Card Clubs through the years enjoying Bridge, Hand and Foot, and just about any other card game. She competed fiercely at Five Crowns regularly with her family. She loved to read and the challenge of crossword puzzles. Most of all she enjoyed time with her family.
Carol is survived by her son, Gregory (Cheri) Stimack of Lakewood; daughter, Susan (Doug) Miller of Leadville; four grandchildren, Greg Stimack Jr. of Longmont, Nadia Stimack of Denver, Ryan (Michelle) Miller of Greeley, and Kendra (Shane) VanHandel of Medford, OR; and 6 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Mary Jo Miller of Canon City; 4 of her 11 siblings, Donna Turney of Alamogordo, NM, Kathleen (Jay) Jefferson of Grand Junction, Jeannie (Johnny) Brandis of Flagstaff, AZ, and Joseph Mott of Phoenix, AZ; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Due to Covid concerns, services will be held on Monday, May 23, 2022, at Holt Family Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider a donation to the Glycogen Storage Disease Association at https://agsdus.org.
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