Nicosia Immigration Book

Nicosia Immigration Book (story)

After my husband, Roger and I returned from our first trip to Sicily and
Italy in June 2001, I found an e-mail waiting for me...It was from Alberto
Micalizzi of Livorno, Italy. The post said he was researching a book on
immigrants from Nicosia, Enna, Sicily: the birthplace of my grandparents.

In researching my family history, I also collected data on the Nicosians in
Chicago. It might not have pertained to my family, but I saved the
information. I thought that it might be important someday (papers on the
church, club activities and festivals, etc.). I also collected over 100
surnames of Nicosians in Chicago. Over the next few months I sent all of the
information to Mr. Micalizzi.

When the book , " Il Cuore nella Valigia"...
was published, Alberto invited us to the presentation of the book at city
hall in Nicosia. Roger and I attended the ceremony. We met many Nicosians,
including the mayor.
I was surprised and honored to see a photo of my family was choosen for the
front cover.

When all of the speeches were finished, I read these words in Italian:
"One hundred years ago, our grandparents left Nicosia for a new life in
Chicago. Their voyage continues today with this reunion. Our family is
scattered in America, but our heart remains in Sicily."
A few days later, the Messina family was reconnected after 100 years when we
met our Nicosian cousins in Firenze. We are grateful to Alan Hartman, who
played the role of translator, and helped us communicate with our cousins.

The Messina-Projetto Family
Our immigrant ancestors were born in Nicosia,
Catania/ Enna, Sicily.

Rosario Messina: born Nov. 1882 was the son of Giuseppa Raspanti and
Salvatore Messina.
Rosario was a farm worker in Nicosia, and a construction worker in Chicago.
Santa Proetto (Proietto): born Mar.1887 was the daughter of Provvidenza
LiVolsi and Carmelo Proetto. Santa worked as a seamstress in Chicago. They
were married 4 July 1909 at Santa Maria Incoronata Church, Chicago, IL.

100 years after their wedding day their descendants total 94+
Our Nicosian surnames:

MESSINA, PROETTO, (PROJETTO), RASPANTI, LI VOLSI, LA PORTA, COZZO, BONOMO,
BRUNO, MARTELLO, VANARIA, MAZZARA, TESTA,
MIRITELLO (MERITELLO)

Genealogy has led to an introduction to many amazing people, like Alberto
Micalizzi and Alan Hartman, and the discovery of distant cousins especially;
Raspanti, LiVolsi, Vanaria, LaPorta families.

One of the Raspanti cousins is script writer and movie producer Alessandro di
Gaetano. Linda is assisting Alessandro with research and PR, for his next
project RED GOLD. This film tells the love story of an Italian Prisoner of
War, and a beautiful American girl from a small town in Indiana.
Web site: http://redgoldthemovie.com/

Face Book page:
NICOSIA ENNA SICILY IMMIGRATION
Nicosia Sicily and its diocese: Genealogy and History
https://www.facebook.com/groups/57818152168
:
IF YOU WOULD LIKE AN E-VERSION (English or Italian) OF THE BOOK
e-mail me: Messina38@aol.com