We have translated two more notes from Venanza Arcangeli (the mother of the Sgriccia brothers and sisters).  She is my great-grandmother and probably yours, too – or you can add or subtract a “great”.  The first is a prayer card to Anna Sgriccia.

On the front:  “To my dear Anna”.  On the back:  “Take care of you and all the family.  Your affectionate grandmother Venanza”.

One thing I have noticed while trying to translate and understand all these cards, notes and letters is that they are not dated.  We can establish a window of time.   For instance, Cherubino, Augusta and Anna arrived in the USA in October 1919.  We know that Venanza died in 1937 and Augusta died in November 1940.  So, I would date the card above between 1924 and 1937.  A very large window.

I wish we could date this next card.

“For Augusta Sgriccia.  U.S.A.”  “I remember your mother Maria.  With affection your mother Venanza”.

Well, I am guessing here, but I think that Venanza wrote this after Augusta’s mother (Maria) died.  We do not know when Maria died, I had hoped that a letter like this would help, but it is not dated.

Here is the front of the postcard used for the above message.

Preci, Italy.  Interior of the Church.  The Church of Santa Maria.

An incredibly ornate church in the early 1900s.  Devastated by at least three major earthquakes in the last 100 years.  Coupled with population loss and lack of funds for upkeep, it has lost a lot of its beauty, but it is still very unique.  We visited the church first in 2007.  It is used on a daily basis.  In fact, the 6:45 a.m. bell ringing, calling people to mass, was about 300 feet from our hotel window.  No sleeping in late in Preci.

The church contains many frescoes that they were trying to restore.  Someday, we hope we can visit the village and the church again.

 

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BTW – Dear Readers:  I see by the amount of viewers of the Photobomb or Selfie post that you guys really like the old photos.  Please, email me any old photos that you have.  I  could use more from the other branches of the Sgriccia Family Tree.  My supply is limited.