new member all the way from South Africa

[lorella]

Hi everyone, i have just joined this website. I have browsed numerous sites and never got any answers from any of them.
My initial request was whether i would qualify for an US citizenship based on the fact that my maternal grandfather was born in the USA from italian immigrant parents and then they returned to italy when he was about 6 yrs old. But one sister and i think two brothers stayed in the USA.

My mother was born in italy and so was i - we now live in South Africa and have been here for about 40 years. I was 11 when we came here. My husband was given italian citizenship a long time ago (we have been married 29 yrs) (!!) and both my kids also have dual citizenship. My request is purely out of curiosity. My mother talks about her dad's sister who actually lived in the USA and married an American - they both later on in their life, went to live in italy and everyone called her husband
"L' americano" ......

But i have not been able to find anyone that can give me an answer to my question.

I find it fascinating that maybe somewhere in the US i could have long lost relations ....same blood ... but maybe very diluted by now ....

keep well
Lorella

[PeterTimber]

Lorella you can easily consult with the American embassy (or consulate nearest your home and either call or send a letter asking them for a determination as to your qualifications for US citizenship and what applications and documents must be submitted. Perhaps an interview if you live closeby to the Embassy or Consulate to make personal inquiries might also be in order for unofficial conversations about your status.

Lorella what is the surname for the Amrican part of the family?? You don't know what we can do in locating your American family members so trust us to give it a whirl as it were? =Peter=

[Belinda011]

Nice, I'm also from South Africa and also new. My grandfather, Francesco Basile, came here in WWII. Looking for family in Alberobello, Province of Bari.

[vj]

Nice, I'm also from South Africa and also new. My grandfather, Francesco Basile, came here in WWII. Looking for family in Alberobello, Province of Bari.

Hello Belinda011,
Welcome to the Forum !
Have you tried looking for family in the Alberobello white pages?
Valarie
---

This may help you locate family currently living in Italy.

White pages:
http://www.paginebianche.it/index_en.html

If needed:
Form Letter to a Possible Relative

[Belinda011]

Thank you for your assistance. However, I could not find relatives. My grandfather had two sisters, Paolina and Rita, so I think they married and changed surnames. I do have an adress on the back of an envelope. I think I will use the letter and try my luck.

Thanks once again.

[vj]

Good luck !
And don't forget - women in Italy always keep their maiden names
Makes finding folks so much easier!
Valarie

[PeterTimber]

Belinda do not get discouraged we are al lhere to assist you. We can assist you if you do not get any answer...

Do you need a potential relative form letter in Italian language to send to these people? =Peter=

[lorella]

My initial request was whether i would qualify for an US citizenship based on the fact that my maternal grandfather was born in the USA >>....

Hi ~Peter~ thanks for reply. Thank you for offering your help. Am still trying to find more info on my maternal grandfather but his name was Annibale Porro, born 1909 or 1910. My other info about his one sister is wrong. She was Enrica who also returned to italy when she was much older and she married Jimmy Rescombe who worked for the USA Consulate in italy. Hoping to find out more info from relatives in Italy.

But, have also found out facts about my paternal grandmother. Her dad emigrated to the US with two sons, (who were my dad's uncles). The year was before 1925. The one son's name was Enrico Carnelli who later married and owned a stone quarry in Pennsylvania. He had 2 sons and 2 daughters. One son's name was Jimmy - one daughter's name was Mary. Mary was a professor of art (i assume) as she used to paint on ceramic plates. But Enrico was also joined by 4 cousins who stayed in the US. One's name was Cesare Mazzucchelli who also had 4 children. Cesare owned a furniture factory. One daughter lived in South Carolina and one in North Carolina. One son lived in Chicago and one in Grand Rapids (???). They apparently owned a farm by Lake Michigan where they would spend most week-ends. By chance Mary (the ceramic painter) met an italian guy there and married him - they had a daughter by the name of Inona. She is probably about my age now (50).
Sorry to be so long winded but my dad is 85 and he has remembered all this!!
Will have to find out more info on my maternal grandfather if i ever wish to apply for an american ccitizenship
Thank you so much for your interest and if you could maybe refer me to someone else besides the Embassy here. Much appreciated.
regards
Lorella Uboldi (maiden name)

[PeterTimber]

Dear Lorella I frankly do not know much about South Africa save for the ANC, HIV and the Boer war and beyond but I would suggest that you inquire at the embassy for the people or agencies who can assist you. Believe me they will assist you since they would prefer to work with someone they know and trust.

Ask them about qualifying for the US Green card Lottery(permanent residence) =Peter=

[PeterTimber]

Lorella whats happening down there? Have you contacted the Embassy about the Green card lottery?? =Peter=