In 2014, Len and I visited Pietrabbondante, the birthplace of my paternal ancestors. Although we didn’t meet any relatives or locals, we thought we had found my grandfather’s birth home and were satisfied to add another check to our “Visit Ancestral Hometowns” list.
In late 2017, however, I received a very unexpected message (in Italian but translated here):
I am Francesco, an Architect from Pietrabbondante, and it is an honor for me to have been born in the same town as the illustrious Alessandro Capraro. I am researching all his works and it is my intention to have a street named after him in the town that gave him his birthplace. If you have any news, please respond to me.
And so I did, and that response led to the beginning of a new and wonderful friendship. For much of the next year, Francesco and I talked, exchanged information, and finally met in Cortona in the fall of 2018.
Meet Francesco, the dedicated architect who never gave up on his goal to recognize the works of a fellow native architect, and the reason we were in Pietrabbondante last month to recognize Alessandro Capraro, my grandfather.
Bravo, ben fatto, Francesco, e grazie mille!
©blogginginitaly.com
While the next post will be filled with pictures and stories from the ceremony, I first wanted to introduce you to some wonderful people, my new extended family of Pietrabbondante.
Because of Francesco’s research, we were able to meet the people who were raised in and still own/occupy my ancestors’ home. Not only did their grandfather purchase the home from my great-grandfather, they have kept the home virtually intact, furniture and all.
©blogginginitaly.com (From left, Roberto, Rinella, Judy, Len, Rosaria and Francesco)
Rinella is now the lady of the house and her sister and brother came from northern Italy to be with us. And here’s a truly incredible gift – Rinella insisted that Len and I stay in the primary bedroom, the bedroom that had been occupied by my great grandparents and the birth bedroom of my grandfather in 1895!
The house is so interesting it warrants a post of its own, which will be the fifth in this series. For now, a bit more on the people.
As part of Francesco’s effort to bring more attention to the works of Alexander Capraro in the U.S., Francesco and Dr. Lucia Krasovec-Lucas, architect, sponsored a conference about him in Pietrabondante last year. I was zoomed into the conference and “met” Lucia for the first time. What I only recently learned was that she had done post doctoral work in Chicago 20 years ago. At that time, she discovered Alexander Capraro, architect from Pietrabbondante, and his architectural contributions to sites including the The Main Navy Building and the Munitions Building in Washington D.C.; Casa Bonita, still included as a historical site in the annual Open House Chicago; and The Italian Pavilion for the Century of Progress World’s Fair in Chicago in 1933-34.
©blogginginitaly.com (Dr. Lucia, 4th from right, next to Francesco)
Some years later, she published a book about her research, including drawings for the Italian Pavilion by Rome architects as well as my grandfather. She and Francesco are continuing their research even today, and of course, I will support them anyway I can.
In 1938, Alexander Capraro visited Pietrabbondante, the only time he would since he left at age four. In a letter home to his wife Maude, he wrote:
“Today I met several aunts, cousins and relatives. They cried with joy and they never stopped feasting their eyes on the boy from America… In a few minutes, word spread that I was there and the whole town seemed to come around to see the native son from America.”
86 years later, returning to Pietrabbondante as the granddaughter of Alexander Capraro, I had some of the very same feelings as they warmly embraced me as part of the Pietrabbondante family.
The first night in town, Francesco and his sister, Maria Concetta, plus cousins, of course, welcomed us for dinner at their family home. But before dinner, we were introduced to Caciocavallo, a wonderful local cheese.
©blogginginitaly.com
©blogginginitaly.com
The last night, even after a huge buffet at the ceremony, Rinella and Rosaria insisted we needed just a simple dinner…
©blogginginitaly.com
©blogginginitaly.com
As for my extended Pietrabbondante family, we’re not actually sure how we might be related, but if we go back far enough, there’s most likely a connection, either via bloodline or marriage. Vitullo and Di Salvo are common Pietrabbondante names that are in my family tree dating back to 1772, (thanks to Janet, Lyniece, and many others) and these names are in Francesco and Rinella’s ancestry as well.
So many people spend endless hours tracing their ancestry. How very fortunate I have been to actually walk in the shoes of mine.
My heartfelt thanks for the tireless efforts and friendship of Francesco and Lucia, and the warmth, generosity and hospitality of Rinella, Rosaria and Roberto. I remain forever grateful to each of you.
Next up, the reason for our return…the recognition and celebration of Alexander Capraro, American architect, born in Pietrabbondante in 1895.
Ciao,
Judy
Blogging In Italy 
Wonderful celebrations with your new found family. It’s just amazing that you slept in the room where your grandfather was born. Excited for your next blog.
❤️Cousins Mike and Deb
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Deb and Mike, It was indeed, and as you might guess, I never fell asleep! I know you’ll enjoy the next two posts…the ceremony, and then the house! Hugs from here, Judy
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Thank you so much for sharing, Judy Would love to find our common ancestors. I think Janet and I have another project to work on.
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Lyniece, I was already thinking that there’s another project here! I’ll get in touch with you when I’m back. Thanks!
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Grazie Judy, già te l’ho detto, sarebbe un onore per me essere vostro parente 🙂
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Francesco, la pensiamo allo stesso modo! Non posso ringraziarti abbastanza per aver perseguito il tuo obiettivo!
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Cara Judy, come già ti ho detto sarebbe un onore per me essere vostro parente
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Francesco, la pensiamo allo stesso modo! Non posso ringraziarti abbastanza per aver perseguito il tuo obiettivo!
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Such incredible findings about your ancestors!
Aren’t you fortunate!
Saludos!,
Hilary
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Hilary, I am fortunate indeed, and trying to take it all in via all my senses! Each time I talk about it, I remember another detail. Thanks, Judy
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To be in the home AND room of your grandfather’s birth…what a special experience! And what a wonderful welcome for you…❤️
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Thanks, Maureen, I knew I was going to visit the house but never could have imagined that I’d sleep in his room. And wait till you see it!
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What an incredible story, Giuditta! I can’t wait for your next post.
Abbracci,
Marco
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Grazie, Marco, e abbracci da noi! Giuditta
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This is unbelievable, Judy!! I’m so thrilled and proud of you! What a fabulous opportunity to be loved and honored by all these wonderful people! And,,,talk about hospitality! You are amazing!
Love, Mary Terese xo
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Thanks, Mary Terese, it is pretty unbelievable for me still. Later in the year, we need to do another cousin recap, although it won’t be quite the same without my co-collaborator~ how she would have loved this particular adventure…xo
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She would have been thrilled and so proud of you! XX
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Imagine if she could have attended! But she’s always with me on this journey! xoxo
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XO
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Fascinating! Anxious to hear more.
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Thanks, Sue, much more to come!
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Oh my gosh, this story is truly amazing. Good for you Judy for making this your project.
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Sandy, Who could have dreamed that a bunch of letters would get me here! I’m so very thankful the letters were kept and ended up in my care.
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how exciting to walk in the shoes of your ancestry and to sleep in the bedroom that birth your grandfather, wow! This “simple dinner “looked absolutely fabulous.❤️
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Julia, Everything was so wonderful! We had such a great time! 💗
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How exciting to walk in the shoes of your ancestry and to sleep in the bedroom that birthed your grandfather, wow! The “simple dinner” looked absolutely fabulous!
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Thanks Julia, It truly was!
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Awww this seems to be the last, so you and Len are back in Chicago?
There goes our lovely diversion from craziness.
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No, just busy as we had visitors! I’m working on the next, the actual ceremony, and hope to have it posted by the weekend.
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