Becky's trip to Sambuca

This fall our member, Becky Berglund, traveled to Sambuca to see where her family came from.

The two days we were there was not enough time. The first day we arrived at noon, and headed straight for the Comune, and spent two hours. What a wonderful warming experience. We were able to get a lot of copies made of my Grandparents family on my mothers side of the family (Guzzardo). Without Christine Maglio's help, this never would have happened. Having the information typed up and ready was a great help in communicating to the people who worked in the records office. There is a wonderful couple who worked in the office named Paola Fatone and Lillo Sagona. Lillo worded very efficiently and enjoyed helping find the records I was looking for. I actually got to help him with the copy machine and going over the books with him. Not knowing the language was a huge barrier.

Then everything closes up. We had to go to a bar/sandwich place on the edge of town to get something for lunch. That was an interesting experience. All the local construction guys were there playing poker, and we met Charlie because he was the only guy that could speak any English. He had lived in the States for a time, but never adapted to the fast paced American life style. He preferred the slower pace of Sambuca.

After lunch, we roamed some of the streets on foot, specifically where I thought my Grandmother, Anastasia Guzzardo, might have lived. Again, language was a big barrier and the old Sambuca men wanted to try to help, and wouldn't leave you alone when you are walking around. It was a hoot.

At 5:00 p.m., we went to Giuseppe Cacioppo's home. I thought he might be home at that time, and luckily he was along with his Aunt and Uncle from Indiana, his Mother and Grandmother. They were all there, It was GREAT!! He is a real gentleman, has a wonderful sense of humor, and you feel as if you already know him and his family. I hope someday you are able to meet them all.

We had to leave at about 7:30 p.m. It was getting dark out, and we still hadn't found our hotel in Sciacca. We stayed in a hotel that was a converted convent. The rooms were large, but the bathroom was very small. The food was excellent.

The next day we headed for the Sambuca cemetery. Again, the men working there wanted to help, but the language was too much of a barrier. We planned to meet Giuseppe at noon, so we didn't stay at the cemetery that long. We met him and also Grant Scalisi, of Rockford, IL., and his family. It was chaotic and fun. Rockford was well represented. After Giuseppe made a few phone calls, we made our way to meet relatives from my Grandfathers family (Merlo). I met two-second cousins. And again, the language was a barrier.

After meeting the relatives we ended up driving with Giuseppe to a house in Sambuca where my uncle, Mike Gulotta, was born and raised. This is an uncle that married one of my mothers sisters. I needed to find the house and take pictures for my cousin in Rockford. This was my cousins father's home in Sambuca. After this we concluded our visit with Giuseppe.

We decide to take one last walk through Sambuca. It was difficult because "Old Fiera days was going on in Sambuca" tge main street was barricaded and blocked off so people could walk around and buty things people were selling. We left at 6:30 p.m., and went back to Sciacca.

We regret that we did not have more time to spend in Sambuca. It was our first trip to Europe, and for us it was a wonderful experience. I was saying "once in a life time experience," but I would like to go back with someone who spoke Sicilian, and it would be great to stay right in Sambuca.

Just wanted to share our experience in Sambuca with you.

Thanks for everything you do.

Your friend,

Becky Berglund

BECKY'S FAMILY (L-R)

taken in Rockford, IL.