Since last April Connie has been working on a genealogy study of her father's side of her family, the Roccanova's. Her ultimate goal is to document her work in a book that will including photos, text, maps and charts.
A few weeks into the task Connie learned the Roccanova's family roots had their origin in the small southern Italian village of Craco, And, there was a four year old Craco Society that would be meeting August 6 - 8 at the Villa Roma Resort near Callicoon, NY. Their purpose is to keep the story of Craco alive amongst former residents and descendants of Cracotans.
Connie joined the Society and we made reservations for the event. With much curiosity and anticipation we arrived at Villa Roma Friday afternoon.
The Villa Roma is a large sprawling family resort in the lower Catskill Mountain Region of New York.
Early Friday evening we attended an opening reception. We estimated over 70
friendly, engaging Crachesi/Cracotans and/or descendants were in attendance.
Following the welcoming reception we sat for dinner in the Villa Roma dining room.
Connie brought two "family tree" charts, one for the Roccanova clan ( her great grand father), and one for the Rubertone's (her great grand mother's family), provided by cousin Debbie Carey Harbuck. Crachesi/Cracotans looked over the charts searching for a possible connections or familiar names.
After dinner, a little home brewed Limoncello settled the stomach.
An oil painting of a distant Craco by one of the attendees.
Saturday morning after breakfast, we were back in the hospitality suite.
Here Craco Society President Joe Rinaldi makes a presentation on the history of Craco and the society's Spring 2010 trip to Craco.
Others made presentations on life in Craco and there were emotional comparisons of life in America and Craco.
Craco, Italy
The video's brought back memories for some and were very informative for others.....
Saturday afternoon there was more swapping of information, photos and stories....
Connie with cousin Bob Rubertone, related via both her great grand father and her great grand mother.....Bob had made a presentation on the Madonna della Stella. There were also discussion re the devotion to San Vencenzo Martino, a much venerated saint of Craco. Books and literature were available on both.
Sunday started with a beautiful well attended Mass celebrated by Msgr. Nicolas Greieco a Craco native. Fr. talked about what Craco meant to him, i.e. family and faith.
The Mass was followed by breakfast, farewell embraces, arrivedercis, addio and ciao!!!!!
It was a fun and meaningfull weekend......................
