I informed my father I was going to Rome in a few weeks, to which he replied you should visit family while you over there. My response was a blank stare and ‘um I have family over there?’ He went on the say my family has an open invitation to stay with the Italian family over there who holds the original estate whenever visiting. I love my family, they always try to keep each other informed… You know he could have mentioned that 20 years ago.
So following up on that talked to my aunt, to get contact info for my great aunt. She informed me my great aunt just went into the hospital yesterday and my not be coming out alive this time. My great aunt has apparently visited a few times and has kept in contact with the relatives. Family is from northern Italy and they have the original family house that dates back many generations. I have no idea whether that would imply its a shack or a mansion. The only other person who has kept contact with Italian relatives is my great uncle, as his sister my be dying and he tends to be grumpy in normal circumstances I’ll avoid following up before this trip. /end story time
Anyway the aunt I spoke with mentioned the family in Italy had changed their last name slightly to ward off bad omen. A letter at the end of the name has been changed. This happened after my great grandfather left to stay in America permanently. He traveled to America then returned to Italy shorty and told them he was going to America to stay and never return. He was the oldest son in the household. The oldest son leaving and not returning is the bad omen they changed the name to avoid? Was this normal or do I have even more crazy in my family then I knew a few days ago?
My mother has done very in depth genealogical research on both sides of the family and I’m sure I could get very specific information on people and places but thats never really interested me. Its the past down stories that tend to be interesting.