Join us for a captivating conversation with Peggy Fucillo as we uncover the inspiration behind her book, which beautifully weaves together her Italian roots, North End upbringing, and her family’s rich immigration story. As Peggy prepares for her upcoming trip to Sicily in September, she passionately shares the importance of preserving family heritage through storytelling and encourages others to do the same. We dive into the challenges of writing personal stories, discussing the process of gathering family tales, selecting topics, editing, and organizing the material. Peggy offers valuable insights on using photos and other visuals to breathe life into memories, as well as striking the right balance between joy and sorrow in storytelling. Additionally, we touch on the tricky task of obtaining permission to write about certain family members. Whether you’re looking to preserve your own family’s stories or simply enjoy a heartwarming discussion, this episode is not to be missed. You can purchase direct from our sight: My North End Family Stories Podcast Click here to join our group on Facebook Video

Palazzo Caracciolo Click here to join out Facebook group Day five had us going to Avellino the seat of the Princes of Avellino. I honestly had no idea what to expect. When we arrived in the square of the palazzo ( now used for government offices ) it was breathtaking to see an Italian flag in every window. As we entered through the massive arch, we were greeted by a trumpeter and people dressed in the period of the prince’s and local dignitaries. I have to say I was quite shocked to say the least and just stood there trying to figure out what my next move was supposed to be. After some photos we went into a new state of the art display that gives you a bird’s eye view of the province. I was told that there are many castle’s and palazzo’s and when you stand in the center you are flying through the region. We were told how the Caracciolo Princes were good for the region as they brought in industry such as metal works to make the people thrive. We then proceeded to the upper floor and gathered in a meeting room, I asked about what were in these rooms previously, and was told that floorpan changed and it is impossible to know at this time. After some awesome pastries we then went to tour some other historical places around town. We walked down a hill past a building that was once where the taxes were collected. It is currently being restored and we were told that there were once statues of Prince Camillo and Prince Marino II at the top. As we went up the next hill we were in a large piazza with the Duomo. A very impressive sight for sure. we were told that the current crypt was the original church and dates back to the 1100’s the current church is some 500 years old. The second photo on the left is the crypt which was restored by Prince Marino II. I have to say that it is much more impressive in person than the photo shows. I did get to sit in the chair used by my 9th great grandfather Prince Marino II. As we were leaving the church we were met by local artist Giovanni Spiniello. Giovanni invented a technique in the 1960’s called object fossilization. His art is very unique and he was gracious enough to give us a tour and an autographed copy of his book. The next stop was the hunting lodge used by the prince’s, but before we got there we passed by the ruins of the original stone palace. It’s hard to tell just how big it was, but it did seem massive. Once we arrived at the hunting lodge, we were treated to dances from the 17th century and some refreshments. Little did I know what was coming next! I was asked to follow Letizia to an upstairs room were I was robed in the attire of Prince Marino II. It was really very amusing as I had to stand with my arms out as I was dressed with the red robe and collar. Naturally, I then had to play the part of the prince. It was also a gift to take home so I will have to be sure to greet guests appropriately. On one of the walls of the lodge, there was a representation of what the garden looked like in the prince’s day. We were also given a book from Nicola Serafino “My Name Is Pompilio that lists the records of all the Montecalvesi that went through Ellis Island. Our final stop in Avellino was at the Tatarann Olive Oil store. Originally I thought that we were just going in to see the store and sample a little olive oil. However, the proprietors had wine, bread cheese, fruit set out. After some traditional dancing and music from Libatore ( 96 years young ), we were treated to a number of regional dishes prepared by the families. I think we were meant to be there about 45 minutes but were probably there for over 2 hours. I have to say the Olive Oil was superb and we purchased several bottles to take home. The good news is that you can have it shipped directly from them to your home. Check them out here.

Click here to join out Facebook group Capracotta is a small but beautiful town in the mountains of Molise and was the ancestral home of my third great grandmother Duchess Capece Piscicelli. The town is about two hours from Naples, and one has to wonder on how long the trip took in a carriage from Naples in the 1800’s.  On the way to Capracotta we had an interesting stop where Gianfranco showed us where Garibaldi met with the King to discuss unification. As Gianfranco explained, the official portrait shows them meeting on horseback, but the actual meeting took place in a bar! Our next stop was the Samnite ruins outside the town of Pietrabbondante. The Samnite’s are considered by many to be the “first” Italians. The Samnite’s eventually were in conflict with Rome and held their own for many years until finally losing to the empire. They were highly advanced and when we sat in the 3000 year old stone amphitheater seats, we could not believe how comfortable they were. We were given a tour by one of the official guides, who showed us the old and new temples. At the amphitheater the noted author and Samnite expert Nicola Mastronardi gave us a brief history of these brave and courageous people, represented by a bull “Figli Del Toro”. To learn more about the Samnite’s and Nicola, you can visit his website www.viteliu.com. Nicola also presented us with an autographed copy of hishis book and a bronze plaque in the Samnite language. We also stopped in Pietrabbondante to meet the mayor who presented us with a commemorative plaque for the 100th anniversary of the statue of a Samnite warrior. Next stop Capracotta! I honestly did not know what to expect. Our first stop was to the town hall, or as I like to say my third great grandmother’s home. We were brought in to meet the mayor Candido Paglione and assessor Pierino Di Tella and councilor Nicola Di Tanna and welcomed with open arms and given an armload of gifts and books. Everyone was enthusiastic and treated us like long lost family. Next we went up to the church where a mass for first communicants was being held. At the end of the mass, the father Don Elio Venditti made a speech about the Capece Piscicelli family and their role in the church and the family’s love for Capracotta. After mass, he led us over to a side alter where vestments that my 3rd great grandmother had made in Naples and brought to the church in the 1800’s. It was explained to us that these were only a few and the best examples of the many different vestments that she hade made for the church. The vestments have the stemma of the Piromallo Capece Piscicelli embroidered on the back. There is also a portrait of the Madonna in the back commissioned by Duchess Beatrice. We were also escorted by Francesco Di Rienzo, the president of the Friends of Capracotta, who besides giving us great insight into Capracotta’s history, provided translation services when required. Lunch was next and we ate at a super restaurant in town L’Elfo. Chef Michele prepared a special menu for us, based off of the food that the shepard’s would cook as they moved the sheep and goats from Molise to Puglia. The first course was mashed potatoes and lentils, followed by pasta with truffles and finally sheep stew. And of course, excellent wine to go with the meal. Before the meal, we met the Beniamino brothers, who have made it their mission to revive organic farming in the area and they presented us with a bag of their lentils to take home. you can find more information here. Before and after dinner we had some great entertainment, were everyone sang and dances. Back in the van we made a quick trip to see the snow plow donated by Capracottese that migrated to the USA. Believe it or not this snow plow send to the town in 1950 is still in use today. Doctor Aldo Trotta gave us a presentation on his recollection of the arrival of the plow and how it saved the town many times over. We also went to the Sartorial Art Museum which features the creations of Sebastiano Di Rienzo. Mr. Di Rienzo has hundreds of dresses designed by him and donated by the owners to display women’s fashion from the 1960’s onward. Our final stop of the day was at the monument dedicated to the Capracotta residents that migrated to places all over the world.

Click here to join out Facebook group Our first full day in Naples began with a walking tour of the streets of Naples where my Sorrentino, Princi, Piromallo and Caracciolo lived. Our guide Vincenzo D’Onofrio, was great and explained various landmarks along the way. The current Hotel Caracciolo, on via Carbonara was the home of my Caracciolo ancestors and quite an impressive building inside and out. I could just imagine the parties held there over the course of several centuries. Across from the palazzo were apartments of the Caracciolo family and where my great grandmother Emilia Caracciolo di Torchiarolo was born and died. From what I can surmise, the entire family lived there at one point during their lives. My dad’s grandparent’s lived not to far away on Vico Longo, however, as we were short on time we could not visit that area. At the Duomo, we had a very special surprise in that we were met by Don Agostino Caracciolo di Torchiarolo, a distant cousin of my great grandmother. Don Agostino gave us a tour of the Duomo and the history of not only our family’s role, but how the Duomo is owned by both Rome and Naples. San Gennaro’s Chapel is located in the part owned by Naples and there are markers on the floor that shows where Rome ends and Naples begins. Don Agostino also pointed out the statue of San Francesco Caracciolo and presented us with a book about the family in Naples. One final surprise was the chapel in the Duomo financed by my 3rd Great grandmother Duchess Beatrice Capece Piscicelli. Letizia from Italy Rooting happened to find this by accident ( actually I believe that it was not and accident ) when visiting the Duomo. The Stemma is that of the combined families Piromallo Capece Piscicelli. Our next stop was the State Archives of Naples. We were met by the director Candida Carrino who provided us with a personal tour due to my connection to the Caracciolo Princes. It goes without saying that the archives are amazing with over 1000 years of historical documents. Originally a Benedictine Monastery there is still a tree planted by St. Benedict. In this courtyard you can close your eyes and not hear any noise from the busy Neapolitan streets. The archive is in the process of restoring many of the frescos and is looking for patrons of the arts to assist. During our visit we were able to view several select documents from the Caracciolo family including one document that was over 1100 years old! The Sorrentino family with Candida Carrino and Letizia Sinisi After our visit to the archives, we set off to have lunch at the beautiful and impressive Villa Egea in Massa di Somma just outside of Naples. Here we were to meet my cousin Cinzia Piromallo, who has been instrumental in helping me to find family for the past four or five years, her sister and my second cousin Nicola di Paolo, who, up until a few months ago I did not know. Nicola, is my father’s first cousin and lives in Torre Del Greco. In a few days, I will recount the amazing visit with him. It was very emotional to meet Cinzia for the first time, as we mostly corresponded via Facebook messaging. Letizia from Italy Rooting set up a perfect afternoon with period music and costumes and a great meal, not to mention the pastries. The view from the villa is spectacular and over looks Cercola and Massa di Somma, two areas once part of the Piromallo family domain. The incredible food at Villa Egea Our final stop of the day was at one of the homes of my ancestor Count Giacomo Piromallo outside of Naples and apparently a working farm several hundred years ago. Now apartments, it was a palazzo in the old days. My cousin told me that the count would roast a pig on his birthday at this home for the serfs. That’s the good part, the rest of the story is that he would get them drunk and then throw coins out of the window below to watch the people fight over it.

Click here to join Italian Roots on Facebook Port Washington Port Washington NY First I would like to thank my friend Dr. Ed Iannuccilli for the piece he recently wrote about “What did summer mean?” That gave me the idea to write about some of my memories. I will admit that many of these are nt unique to Italian  American’s, but hey you need a good  title.  That’s me with the house with my brother and my cousins Louise and Larry.  I don’t remember too much about the place in Port Washington, but  it did seem like it took forever to get there from College Point. The Games Right around the corner from me was PS 129, which was the center of activity for most of the summer.  There was a huge schoolyard with a softball diamond ( albeit concrete ), another area for stickball, a stoop for stoop ball, and a large wall where we would play Ace, King, Queen.  Which was handball against the wall.  The Ace would serve, and upon losing the serve would move down the line.  There was also a version called bottoms up, where he loser had to bend over while others tried to hit him in the butt with the rubber ball.  For the adventurous you could scale the wall and get into the locked schoolyard. We also would play box ball, and of course tag and hide and go seek. I remember looking forward to the Memorial Day parade, the unofficial start of summer, where most of the town turned out.  At least us kids. Another great summer pastime was Adventurers Inn.  An amusement park within walking distance.  Or waiting for the Bungalow Bar, Good Humor or Mr. Softee truck to come around. Imagine a banana split for 35 cents. PS 129   Jones Beach Jones Beach One of the best things we did in the summer was the almost weekly trip to Jones Beach.  My mom and my cousins aunt would pack up the ( non air conditioned cars ) with kids, umbrellas blankets and food and head of to the Beach. Now a bit about Jones Beach.  It has some of the biggest parking lots you will ever see and the walk to the beach can take some time if you get there  late. And the walk to the water is almost as long.  They did have some great ice cream where you unrolled the ice cream and dropped it into the cone. Now, being Italian, we did not arrive with PBJ and baloney sandwiches.  My aunts would whip up eggplant and sausage and peppers to make sandwiches on the  beach.  One day there was a pop up thunderstorm and we had to run around to save the food! My best friend on these  sojourns was my cousin’s cousin Denise.  We always had to ride in the same car, I think as we were the only ones in our age group, but we  best friends too.  Eventually Denise moved from Corona to right next door to me in College Point.  For many years our summers were spent together, usually waiting for the newest Beatles 45 or album. Back Yard Fun We were lucky as my dad put in an above ground pool in the early 1960’s. Being a photographer for the NY Daily news we would often have photos like this one in the newspaper. Another great perk were the free tickets to the Mets and World’s fair.  Later on, dad was doing work for 7 up and we got free tickets to concerts in Forest Hills to see the Who, the Rolling Stones, Arlo Gutherie and more. Our Pool