As a native of Newark, NJ, I have a hard time thinking that anyone would dismiss "il mal'occhio" out-of-hand. In my experince, in Essex County NJ, even "i midigani" use the word. I can be reached for further by e-mail. PM me and I'll send it to you.

JohnArmellino wrote:RevLouM - My family is also from Campobasso. Where exactly did your family originate - Campobasso itself or one of the other comuni in the province? What surnames are you researching?

Castropignano!

New Jersey
Silver Lake section, Belleville, New Jersey
Nutley, New Jersey is 44.5% Italian
Seventh Avenue, Newark, formerly known to as "the First Ward."
According to the National Italian American Foundation, 7 of the 18 most heavily Italian American Counties in the US are in NJ. Among them ...

Donna, the practice and belief is still common NOW. In the Italian communities, there were many folks who, while DEVOUT in their faith, performed "benedicaria". Others were "jettature", and could give / remove "il mal'occhio".

The benevento connection was made, yes, by Leland. Some other stories ...

Removed to the earlier post, that I had long forgotten about...

http://italiangenealogy.tardio.com/inde ... pic&t=1080