Date: Wed, 15 Nov 2006

  In search of my relatives

 My name is Catherine Galano Credle.

I found Ponza.net while looking for info about Ponza. I am planning a visit to Italy 26 May 2007. My grandfather, Joseph Galano was born in Ponza in 1896. His father was Cristoforo Galano, mother Agnese Tagliamonte. My grandfather came to America in 1916. I believe he had two brothers, Vincenzo and Franco. They came first to West Virginia to help build the railroad, then he finally settled in Virginia. I believe I have a cousin in Treviso, Vincenzo Rammuno. My grandfather died in 1994, his son Joseph Galano (my father) died in 2004. I am searching for relatives still in Ponza. I know my cousins are now very old. I plan to come to Ponza during my visit in May-June 2007. I hope you can be of help to me in my search. Thank You, Catherine Galano Credle Catatvabeach@aol.com

 

Dear Sylvia:
 
What a pleasant surprise to have received an email from someone who has relatives in Ponza. I found the Ponza.net website by accident. I find that I visit that site almost daily.
My grandfather Joseph Galano was born in Ponza. He came to America in 1916.
He first went to West Virginia, but did not like it there, too cold! He then went to Portsmouth, Va. He finally settled in Norfolk, Va. He was a barber by profession, but also had several restaurants over the years. The one I remember was called Sorrentos on Granby St. in Norfolk. The place had the reputation for having the best Italian food in town.
 
My grandfather married a Dorothy Griffin from Portsmouth, VA they had one son, my father, Joseph. He then later remarried to Antoinette Toscano. She had a brother. His nickname was Frenchie and he was a musician. He traveled all over and played mostly in Vaudeville Orchestras.
I have heard many stories over the years. I know that I have relatives in New Jersey,
Tony and Marie Conte, they have two sons, John and Mario. I also remember an aunt, Carmelina.I lost contact with them after my grandfather died. I think my grandfather may have had contacts in the Bronx. I have funeral memorial cards for Cristoforo, my great-grandfather and for Agnese Tagliamonte Galano, my great-grandmother that were listed by a funeral home in the Bronx.I believe the date of these cards were for 1934 or 1935.
 My grandfather died in 1994. My father Joseph died in 2004. 
Upon the death of my father, I inherited my grandfather's papers. He was active in the Order of the Sons of Italy and was awarded the Honor of Cavaliere by the Italian government in 1983 for his contributions over the years to his homeland. I have heard that he was instrumental in founding the local chapter of the Order of the Sons of Italy here. I have also heard stories about the San Silverio Shrine in the Bronx. I'm not sure, but I have heard that he may have been involved somehow with the San Silverio Shrine.
There is so much that I don't know and I have so many unanswered questions. 
 
I live in Virginia Beach, Va. I am a registered nurse and practice as an Emergency Nurse. I am divorced and have two children. A daughter and a son. I just celebrated my 50th birthday December 5th. My daughter and her husband have given me a trip to Italy as a birthday gift.
I will be going to Rome for eight days. I will be leaving on June 16th. I hope to be able to take a day trip to Ponza. To be able to go to Ponza has become an obsession.
I feel a very strong need to go there. I have never traveled abroad before, so this trip will be an adventure for me! I do know that my great-grandfather was a fisherman.
I do not speak Italian and have always wished that I could.
 
Any information you can give me about Ponza and the people will be greatly appreciated.
I am so grateful to you for taking interest in my email and taking time to contact me.
I am so excited and look forward to hearing from you. I apologize for rambling and hope that this email has made sense!!!
Thank You so much,
Catherine Galano Credle

 

Dearest Sylvia:
 
Thank you for posting my second in search of relatives email.
I have great news! I mentioned before that I have a cousin in Treviso, Vincenzo Ramunno.
I received a letter from Vincenzo explaining my family history in Ponza.
I must add that his letter was beautifully written and so informative.
 I would like to share it with you. My cousin, Vincenzo is now 84 years old and lives with his wife Luciana in Treviso. I will use his own words to detail my family history.
My grandfather was known as "Joe" Galano. He had 3 sisters: Agnese,Livia and Carmela.
They loved each other very much. They married; their husbands had as family names: Galano, Scotti and Conte. All families had numerous children.
The cousins Joe Galano and Andrea Conte, almost of the same age, used to play together during their boyhood. Later, though still very young came to the US
After some time waundering around the States, they fixed their residence: Joe in Norfolk, VA and Andrea in Wanaque NJ
Andrea Conte later came back to Ponza and married the cousin Carmelina Scotti.
The cousins Joe and Andrea remained always like brothers for life, even when Andrea died.
Joe Galano came to Italy in 1945 after 30 years to see Ponza. He found few relatives and rare friends. But above all he found the warmth of our welcome and found again the old feeling existing when he was young among the components of the Scotti-Conte family.
My grandfather was Uncle Joe to Vincenzo.
My cousin Vincenzo also had 2 sisters, Rita and Ciccina who have since passed away.
His brother Giovanni, is 88 years old and lives in Treviso. 
He also told me that Uncle Joe and Aunt Carmelina were both very splendid people and he loved them very much.
I will be coming to Italy 16 June 2007. I will be in Rome for 8 days. I am hoping to take a day trip to Ponza. Is the San Silverio Festival 20 June in Ponza?
Thanks so much for letting me share this information.
 
Catherine Galano Credle