May 2, 1998 Meeting Minutes

POINTers IN PERSON Minutes
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
George Koleas (#1527)

Milwaukee PIP Chapter 22’s First Meeting

Chapter 22 held its first meeting at the Italian Community Center, 631 N. Chicago Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin on May 2, 1998.  The Italian Community Center is a beautiful meeting and conference center located near Milwaukee’s lakefront.  The Italian Community Center is the focal point of Milwaukee’s Italian community and is responsible for holding the annual  Festa Italiana, a favorite among Milwaukee’s summer festivals.

In attendance were Charles Carome #930 and his wife Madeline,  Stan Cozzuli, who attended for his wife Lois #220, Vincent D’Orazio, #3418, Bonnie and Patrick Guarino, George Koleas #1527, Barbara Roberts #1202, Marie Roth # 766, Ginger Schmidt #2471, Patricia Therkelson, #2356 and her husband Art, Susan White and Margaret Schutz #2149.

Our meeting began with a presentation by Italian Community Center historian Mario Carini.  Mario has been researching the history of Italians in Milwaukee for over 20 years.  He told us that while history books have indicated that Italians first came to Milwaukee in 1895, he has found evidence that Italians were in Milwaukee as early as the Civil War.

Mario then advised us of some uncommon sources for researching our Italian surnames.  Among the sources he discussed were records in the Milwaukee’s City Hall including those in the Legislative Reference Bureau, employee records, School Board minutes, tax records and licensing of taverns, restaurants and stores, The Milwaukee Historical Society’s books recording Declaration of Intent to Become Citizens, and Church Records Our Lady of Pompeii (located now at St. Rita’s), St. John’s,  Holy Trinity and the Chancery Office of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

Mario, a noted lecturer and respected source for information about Milwaukee’s Italians, has been working on a series of 12 books, which have been copyrighted and will be published in the future.  Titles will include; Italians Married in Milwaukee, Italians Identified in Milwaukee City Directories, Italian Deaths in Milwaukee, Italians Born in Milwaukee and Milwaukee’s Early Italians and Their Church. He also showed us a book is working on that indexes Milwaukee Italians Petitions to Become Citizens. We all look forward to the publication of these important works.

Our group then discussed a purpose statement.  A draft, based on Chapter 15, Northern New Jersey’s purpose statement that appeared in Volume 12, number 1 of POINTers , was reviewed and adopted.  Our purpose statement is as follows:

·         To promote the study and preservation of Italian family history

·         To offer those of  Italian heritage an opportunity to meet in person and share information about Italian genealogical research

·         To assist those searching their Italian ancestry by sharing Italian genealogical research experience

A surname list was compiled prior to our meeting.  The surname list was distributed. Together we are researching 135 surnames from 22 provinces and 29 villages!

There was a general discussion about trips to Italy various members had made and the effects of those trips on their research.  We then discussed various sources for information including experiences at  Family History Centers, favorite books, libraries, research services, computer programs and websites.

Our next meeting will be Saturday, September 26, 1998.  For further information contact George Koleas #1527

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