POINTers IN PERSON Minutes
Chapter #10 Central Texas/Austin
Lin ONOFRIO Brinkman (#1388) opened the monthly POINTers In Person meeting at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, January 24, 2001 at the Round Rock Library with 20 members attending.
Lin confirmed the following meeting dates for the calendar year 2001:
February 28, March 28, April 22, May 23, June 27, July 21, August 22,
September 26, October 20, November 28 and December 9. The dates and times
are also posted on our Chapter web site. Note that the potluck luncheons
are scheduled for Sunday, April 22; Saturday, July 21, Saturday October
20; and the Christmas get together is on Sunday, December 9. All meetings
(6:30 pm) and potluck luncheons (1:30 pm) will be held at the Round Rock
Library. The Christmas get together is at Casa de Brinkman.
Announcement was made that the new Family History Library at the LDS Church in north Austin is now open. The library hours are: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10:00a.m.-1:00pm, and 6:30pm-9:00 pm; Saturday 9:00am-12:30pm. The telephone number is 388-1160 and the building is located at 8140 Racine Trail across from the Cedar Valley Middle School.
Lin also read a thank you note the Chapter received from Nancy McNamara thanking us for an excellent conference and her door prize.
Marilyn MANISCALCO Henley (#1653) was in Houston caring for her mother, Lily ALFANO MANISCALCO, who is recovering from a January surgery for her second knee replacement.
Laurie GUGINO Riester (#3878) proudly wore one of her Christmas presents ... an official Italian soccer shirt. She also shared her enthusiasm for the t.v. cooking show called Mario's Italian Food Show.
Jim and Virginia MACRI Gerick (#2730) reported they put up an Italian Christmas tree at the airport, which was on display throughout the holidays. The ICA and Italian Group was mentioned in the display. Virginia then told the story of Befana (celebrated on January 6). Also, a recent visit to the State of Texas library produced a book called "Italian Family Research" if anyone was interested in ordering a copy of the publication ($14.00). The ordering information is as follows: Summit Publications, Ye Olde Genealogic Shoppe, Box 39128, Indianapolis, Indiana 46239
Marie Mastrangelo received pictures from the HERMAN family reunion, which was featured in a Norwegian magazine, and she was able to identify the cousin with whom she has been corresponding.
Joseph MASTRANGELO (#2614) showed two books he just received. One is titled "250 Years of Italian Contributions to America" and the other "Annuario Generale 1993 edition". Annuario Generale is a touring club and the information contains postal codes, fraziones, services available, maps, etc. Bianca Ottone also sent him two decks of cards - one from Sicily and one from Naples. Interesting fact: no numbers appears on the cards - only pictures and symbols. He also had a letter from the Palermo Military District regarding his great grandfather's military service (on the Pizzolato side). He also had a death certificate with a reference to the town of Stroudsburg, PA. for his cousin, Joseph Pizzolato. Someone by the name of Angie Vartanian was the witness on the death certificate. Angie turns out to be the sister of Joseph Pizzolato. Contact has been made with Angie. Another cousin mentioned that his Uncle Joe Pizzolato (Joseph and Angie's father) was in WWI and the military record indicates he enlisted on 9/5/17 as a PFC and was honorably discharged on 11/12/17. He also shared other pictures of family members.
Dorothy ONOFRIO Lippincott reported it was "cold" in Florida and was glad to be back home.
Warren and Eugenia ASSAIBENE Luken are still corresponding with family in Italy.
Pat Oxley (#3713) is planning a trip to Ellis Island in May with some friends from England. She also showed us her Christmas present from her husband which is a "pen scanner" called Quick Link and it was purchased from CompUSA. We are so jealous...do you think she will share it with us? She also brought her laptop computer to the meeting and made her CDs, "Italians to America", available to the membership.
Lin ONOFRIO Brinkman (#1388) told us about her trip to Germany (to see
her son) and then on to Italy to revisit with extended family. They spent
New Years eve with her cousins. And they go all out with fireworks and
celebrations. Said Milan was very cold; She also visited her father's town
of Faicchio. They found everyone to be absolutely wonderful, but traveling
during the holidays was difficult with many delays and missed connections,
etc.
John MAROSTICA announced that he is now starting to research his family. His email address is jmarostica@aol.com. Joe Mastrangelo will be sending him a "beginner's package" which contains helpful hints on where and how to begin your research.
Zina VERSAGGI Graalfs (#3336) reported on the success of her family
reunion held in St. Augustine, FL over the hanksgiving weekend. 88 family
members attended with Luigi Versaggi coming from Formia, Italy (a town
just outside
of Rome) to meet this extended family. Hopefully this year Zina will
be able to visit the families in Italy.
Sheila BAYHA Dugosh (#4365) announced she will be a grandmother again in June. Her mother met her half-sister in Scranton, PA over Thanksgiving and through letters and pictures Sheila has now added six new names to her research: Cario, Notarianni, Bonacci, Catherina, Rocco and Leone.
Jeanie MARSALIA (#4251) has been in contact with NARA, by phone, trying to get the copies of passenger lists she requested almost a year ago. She has not received anything yet from NARA. But she has received a death certificate for a Lawrence Nordini.
Angelo GATTOZZI is still looking for a house in Austin and looks forward to the monthly meeting to be able to speak in his native language with Augie Trioani.
Augie TRIOANI reported his wife Lori has improved only slightly since our last meeting. She fell about 5 or 6 months ago and broke a couple of vertebra and it has been a slow recovery process. We miss you Lori!
Bill Brinkman told the group about his experiences in the Ukraine and how well everything went with the help of his guide/interpreter/genealogist, Alexander. He shared pictures and experiences and would love to go back again. For one cousin he brought a gift of gloves and a scarf and was later surprised to learn that this type of gift represents a "marriage proposal" in the Ukraine. If you would like to read his journal, contact Bill and he will send it to you.
Our next meeting is Wednesday, February 28, 2001 at 6:30 pm at the Round Rock Library.