General Francesco Stia - San Fele

[richardsteo]

I visited San Fele in Basilicata in 2011. I was told that I am a descendant of General Stia who was responsible for the capture of Carmine Crocco.This took place around the time of the Italian unification.

My grandfather Marco Stia emigrated to the U.S. in 1902. His father's name was Vito Stia.

The town officals of San Fele are not responsive to outside ancestry requests.

Does anyone know how I can find more information about General Stia and how I might be related.

[Tessa78]

Hello richardsteo

It is my understanding that Carmine Crocco was captured by papal troops in Veroli.
Maybe a search about the papal army, Papal Zouaves, will help.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papal_Zouaves

Another option... you might want to write to one or more of the 8 STIA listed in the current Italian Phone Book in San Fele. They may be able to provide some insight.
http://www.paginebianche.it/persone?qs= ... San%20Fele

T.

[richardsteo]

Tessa,

I was thinking about looking up the addresses but I did not know
how to go about getting them.
I met one of the Stia's on this list when I visited San Fele last year.I have his e-mail address and I sent him a message.Hwoever I never got a response back.
Hopefully by sending him a letter he will respond.

Thank you so much.I realy appreciate your help.

Richard

[Tessa78]

Glad to help

If I find anything more about the capture of Crocco, I'll post it.

Do you know the first(given) name of General Stia? Was it Vito?

T.

[richardsteo]

Francesco was his first given name.

R.

[Tessa78]

Thanks Richard!

FYI - here is a photo of the papal fighters from about that time...
http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Squad ... tifici.jpg

T.

[richardsteo]

T.

Great picture.Thank yon

One thing that I was told was that General Stia was in the National

Richard
Guard.
I wonder if the Italian National Guard worked together with the papal
fighters.

[Tessa78]

T.

Great picture.Thank yon

One thing that I was told was that General Stia was in the National

Richard
Guard.
I wonder if the Italian National Guard worked together with the papal
fighters.

According to what I've read, the papal army captured Crocco and turned him over to the Italian authorities [probably the Italian National Guard]...
Crocco was looking for help from Pope Pius IX, so that's why he was in the papal jurisdiction.

T.

[richardsteo]

Thank you .

Richard