It’s been five months since I began chronicling our historic trip to Sant’Andrea, and while I’ve stopped writing about it — saving some stories for a larger project about my grandparents — I’m amazed at how this blog has grown beyond it’s original purpose as a way to share our experiences with family and friends.
With more than 2,000 visits since November, I’ve heard from dozens of Andreolesi across the globe. Some have sought to find out more about the traditions of their ancestors, while others use it as a way to recall cherished memories of their childhoods. To my great surprise, several thousand people have done both through our video travel log.
Perhaps most exciting, I’ve come in contact with a few relatives I only knew of through my grandparents’ stories. I hope to establish clear connections with others with whom I’ve been in contact.
I’m particularly proud of the status this blog holds as a resource link on the Sant’Andrea Web site. It seems we’ve touched upon something big — a strong desire to keep our traditions alive. I’m tremendously pleased that Uncle Bruno and I have helped make that happen even in the smallest of ways.
For those of you on Facebook, please come join us on the Sant’Andrea group. And please link this blog to other sites to help spread the word about our great little town.
Congratulations on your photos and video of S. Andrea. Your name was not familiar tome and it took me sometime to realize that you are the son of Carlo Coccari. He is a good friend and lived in
S. Andrea 200 hundred feet from our home, before he followed the US Army and returned to America. I am 9 years younger that your dad but continued our relationship while I lived in Brooklyn. Later we would see each other at funerals. I know may of the names your mention as I was 14 years old when I left S. Andrea. By the way the name of the Sindaco in S. Andrea after the war was the architetto Francesco Armogida. He was first cousin with my mother.
Again, great work and thanks for sharing with us. Warmest regards to your father.
Frank Stillo