52 Ancestors Week 29: Fun Fact

 From Amy Johnson Crow: Week 29

This week's theme is "Fun Fact." Not everything in family history has to be serious. This week, think of something fun you've found during your research.

That Jokerman font just screams "fun" doesn't it?

    A wise YouTuber genealogist once said "If you aren't having fun doing genealogy, you're doing it wrong!". That genealogist's name is Devon Noel Lee and she makes a great point. It isn't all just data entry, you know. There's finding fun information, pictures, DNA matches and anything else you can think of! You should definitely check out her and her husband's stuff on their YouTube channel here. 

    As for me, I like to have fun in my research, too, as evidenced by my blogs. Sure I can be serious sometimes. But, in the end it's best to have fun while doing something you like. Crack a joke here and there and share what you find with a friend, family member or fellow genealogist.  If you show someone you're excited about something, chances are they'll be excited too. Or....possibly call the men with the white coats on you. With that in mind, I want to talk about something fun that happened a few weeks ago!

The wedding of Domenico and
Mary Rose.

    My great-aunt, father and I have several DNA matches who descend from a man named Domenico Pallaria. Domenico, like my great-aunt Nicolina, was born in San Pietro a Maida and was the son of Domenico Pallaria and Maria Azzarito. Domenico married Mary Rose Giampa in the city of Haverhill in 1923 and to make a long story short she descends from the same unknown Coppolas who are the parents of my third great-grandfather, Paolo Coppola.

    Ever since I saw Domenico's grandson Domenic as a DNA match, we'd talk via e-mail and exchange information about our families. I was surprised to learn that his family still lived in the Bay state for the most part. So, we exchanged trees and he told me all about his tree and the information he had. I compared it with my tree and for the most part it gelled pretty well. There wasn't any real complaints and that's really what you want when dealing with a DNA match. Well, aside from a reply or two. That would be nice wouldn't it? At least Domenic was very animable and he seemed like a cool guy. Plus his father was still around and he was very helpful! 

    Basically, our conversations all dealt with how interconnected the Italian community in Haverhill was (And to an extent still is.). I mentioned the "Italians in Haverhill" book to Domenic and he said that I was more than likely connected to half of the people in that book! He's not wrong.  To date I am connected to over fifty people in that book via DNA matches and dozens more via marriages. That little book has certainly helped me find so many connections! That's why I made a study of it on WikiTree!

A small sample.

    As time went by, we got to know each other a little more and he suggested talking to me on the phone. I wasn't hesitant, really, as I've talked to other DNA matches on platforms like Skype and Facebook messenger. Domenic initially wanted me to use WhatsApp so we could talk with relatives in Italy. The problem was that it never worked and we had to try another means of communication.

    So, we went with the tried and true phone method and after a slight hiccup, I received a call from Domenic. As I imagined, Dom was a very nice guy and we talked a bit about San Pietro and the people there. He told me how he was a regular visitor to the town much like how my great-aunt was back in the day.

    We continued to talk and he told me something interesting. There is apparently a tavern in San Pietro owned by someone with my last name "Ferraiolo". He thought it was important to share it with me and of course I had no idea who he was. It would be interesting to find out how he is connected to me. The owner's name is Leonardo Ferraiolo and there may be a connection as my second great-grandfather, Marco, likely had siblings who stayed in the area. As he was telling me about the bar and everything, the gears started rolling in my head. I needed to ask him more questions while I had him on the phone.

And ask I did!

        A while back, Domenic had sent me a tree which was very Pallaria oriented since one of his relatives made it. I asked him if anyone was able to help find the Coppola connections. I did have two Coppolas who needed names and I was hoping he could help me out. But, first I wanted to show him some of the research I had done.

Domenico

    I had found the 1859 birth of Domenico Pallaria which confirmed much of the tree his cousin worked on. This Domenico was the father of the Domenico who went to Haverhill and married Mary Rose Giampa.  With all these Domenicos, it gets a little confusing. I hope no one is lost!

    Anyway, he was very impressed with what I found. I told him I would appreciate any help in finding the identities of the missing Coppolas. He said he would definitely help me out as he knew some people who knew some people. Here's hoping he finds something. I definitely have faith in him!

    I had also sent him the birth of Marianna Stella and a few other odds and ends. Dom seemed to be very grateful and I hope that he and the family in San Pietro can find the information. I'd be very grateful as well. Marianna was the sister of Rose Stella who was the mother of  Mary Rose. Like I said before. So many connections in Haverhill. I think I need a scorecard at this point. Or at least a well sourced family tree!

    So, I guess my fun fact is that aside from the bar in San Pietro with the Ferraiolo owner, I have a cousin who is going to go the extra mile to find what he can about the Coppolas. I appreciate any and all help I can get on this one because I am stumped. I had told him that I needed a lot of eyes on this because Coppola is a very common last name. Here's hoping he and others find the information I need and soon! 

See ya next time!