I will be travelling to Calabria very soon in search of family roots regarding my great-grandparents, Francesco Rotella, born in what I show as Settingiano, Catanzaro, Calabria 6 Dec. 1873, and Marianna Comita, born in Catanzaro 15 Aug. 1876. They married in Italy and emigrated to Minnesota (US) just before my grandmother was born in 1902.

I've been reading Mark Rotella's Stolen Figs and Other Adventures in Calabria (fascinating) and see that most Rotellas were from Gimigliano. Does anyone know anything about Rotellas from Catanzaro or anything at all about Settingiano, which I can't find on a map?

I've also found a picture of a house the Comita family lived in in the mid-1800s at Piazza Comita, "Caraffi." Again, it's a very cool picture, but I'm not sure where the house is located, and I'd love to know so I can go see it.

Mille grazie!

My son forwarded your original message dated 9/25/03 and I believe at that time I replied. I have saved your message wanting to send a follow-up e-mail to find out if you made the trip and what you were able to find out. You see, my husband is from Settingiano. I have lots of photos and I believe he could possibly be of some help. His Grandfather, Great Uncle and a first uncle immigrated to Minneapolis around 1902. His Grandfather and Great Uncle are both buried in Minneapolis. We have been unable to locate their graves when we have visited there.

You can reach us at (818) 700-6969. My husband's name is Tevere (after the Tiber River) but most of us call him Vic (his middle name is Vittorio). We live in Northridge, CA.

I would love to hear from you.

I am looking for my family tree. Vincenzo Rotella was my great grandfather who emmigrated from Catanzaro to Brazil - Sao Paulo towards the end of 1800's. I am going to Calabria searching for clues. If anyone has information of Rotella's family tree let me know, please.
A.Rotella

Oi, tudo bem? Voce e brasileiro? Eu sou da California, bem gringa, mas eu adoro o Brasil.

My Rotella great-grandparents came from Settingiano, a lovely town in Catanzaro province. I went there two years ago and did research on them, and copied names from cemeteries, etc. But I don't have Vicenzo Rotella from the 1880s. A great resouce before your trip is Il Circulo Calabrese, online.

Boa sorte.
Chris

Hi Chris,
Thank you for your e-mail. Eu sou brasileiro e bem gringo tambem, moro em Londres a muitos anos. I shall go to Catanzaro do my research. Do you still have family in Brazil?
obrigado
Amilton

I have no family in Brazil by blood, and never have. But I was an exchange student there and lived with a family who have become my family in my heart! There are some good Calabrese Italians in that extended family, too, the D'Alessandro family in Brasilia.

Have a great research trip. If it turns out that any of your Rotellas are from Settingiano, please let me know and we can try to patch our family trees together. Before you go, by all means, if you haven't read it, read Mark Rotella's book, Stolen Figs, about the Rotella family in nearby Gimigliano (or however you spell it).

Abracos,
Chris

I haven't read Mark Rotella's book, Stolen Figs, however, I am looking forward to do so. I shall take and read it in my trip to Italy. It'll be very interesting to know whether or not my family is the Rotellas from Settingiano. I let you know.

Abracos
Amilton

I have done some research. I was wondering if you have any information about a Tommaso and Anna Rotella. I believe they immigrated from the same area. They came to the US around 1886 with their children. I know there were 2 boys names Joseph(english) and Antonio. I would appricate any info you may have. Thanks in advance.
Lois

I don't have anything on Tomasso and Anna Rotella. The info I have is on Francesco Rotella (son of Pasquale Rotella) born 6 Dec 1873 in Settingiano, who married Mariana Comita from Caraffa di Catanzaro, and their descendants, and then I have info from headstones for all the Rotellas and Comitas in the Settingiano cemetery as of October 2003, but of course, those who emigrated aren't bured there! I don't know the siblings of Francesco, so it is possible we are related. Do you know Tomasso's parents?

I do not know Tommaso parents names. I do know he was born around 1843. His wife, Anna, parents were Tommaso Dattalo and Angelina Dorsa. She was born in 1855. My Grandfather Joseph was born in 1879. I hope this helps. Thank you in advance.