Mario,
Happy belated Birthday ! It is so wonderful to speak to someone who is able to visit Pretare as often as you do. How lucky you are !
Thank you so much for identifying Cosimo Angelini in the photo I posted. The photo was taken during my aunt and uncle's trip to Pretare in 1970. They went with Mary Bracani and her husband. I I just posted a photo of Felice Valeri. My uncle, Luciano and Felice look so much alike. They MUST be cousins, maybe ? Do you know the relationship between them ?
My very best to you Mario !
Diane
Diane, I knew Felice Valeri but I do not Know your uncle Luciano. What was your maiden name? If I knew a little more about you I might be able to help you. By the way I will be in Pretare for about 10 weeks this summer. You can Email me if you like mariocaponi@ameritech.net. Ciao Mario
Mario,
How lucky you are to visit Pretare this summer ! My maiden name was Sacco, but my family in Pretare was Spacciapolli on my maternal grandmother's side and DiPaoli on my grandfather's side. My dear uncle Luciano (Mike) Valeri was married to my aunt Florinda (DiPaoli) Valeri. He came to the US (Clinton, MA/Leominster,MA) in 1922 so that's probably why you didn't know him. His sister was Francesca (Valeri) Angelini).
His father was Rocco Valeri and mother was, Pasqualina Valeri.
My best to you Mario !
Diane
Diane, I knew Francesca Valeri Angelini. She lived next door to the house I was born. Her daughter Annunziata married to Cosimo(a retired taylor) is a good friend of my wife Luisa and she visits her in August when people go back to Pretare. Ciao e saluti. Mario
Do you know if Francesca 's father was Rocco and mother, Pasqualina ? brothers, Luciano, Francesco and Tranquilo ? if so, She was my uncle's sister.
Now, my grandmother, Oliva Spacciapoli. She married Domenico DiPaoli. Her mother was Santa Trenta Spacciapoli, and father was Philippo Spacciapoli, Sisters were Francesca Spacciapoli, Antonia Spacciapoli Ciccolini. Another sister, Mariangela married Umbaldo Valeri and had children Phillipo, Sylvia Valeri Perla, Argalia, Giovanni and Antonio. I believe her greatgranson, Guisseppe is the person in charge of the Pretare family website. I hope to someday obtain a birth certificate for Mariangela's sister, my grandmother, Oliva.
You must be getting excited about your trip to our beloved pretare. I wish I was also going.
Take care.
Diane
The only people that I remember are the members of the Mariangela and Ubaldo Valeri family. One of the grandsons Romano Valeri ,son of Giovanni, lives in NJ, has build a villa in Pretare and goes back every year. The rest came to this country way back before me. Should be easy to get a birth certificate of your grandmother if you know her birth name and the year she was born. I will get it for you if you send me the dates. Giuseppe Ciccolini is the great grandson of your aunt Mariangela Spacciapolli Valeri. Diane, if you have an email we could correspond better. My email is mariocaponi@ameritech.net. Ciao. Mario
