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391: Re: Surname: PlanamentaHeritage Forums - February 2002 |
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Posted by
NICHOLAS- AT - MEDLIVING.COM">NICHOLAS PLANAMENTO
on 10/26/02 at 6:09 PM
In Reply to: Re: Surname: Planamenta posted by Janice on 02/19/02 at 3:53 PM: Dear Janice: While playing around on the internet I found your notice and family history. As you can tell from the heading on my email, I am a PLANAMENTO. I grew up in Yorktown Heights, NY off of route 134 (Kitchawan Road, which leads directly to Ossining, NY).Although my name is spelled differently from yours, I am positive that we are related. My father is Gino (Luigi) Planamento, the son of a man named Juliano (or Julio). I was born in 1967 and my father in 1933; he is still living. Although my father's parents were divorced in the late 1930's, I am told the following: Juliano came to the US from the Abruzzi region in the first decade of the 20th century along with his brothers (the only names that I have heard were Franconi and Sidney; obviously anglicized). They were origally in NYC area, however, moved north to Westchester County. As a child growing up, I had always heard that we had "cousins" in Ossining, descendants of my father's uncle. However, I never met them. What happened to my natural grandather's brothers in the USA I do not know. I find it interesting that one went to South America. I can share with you my family's story. My father's father married in Italy and came to the USA with his wife and brothers. He had several children (eight I think; from this marriage I know only my aunt Rose and her younger brother Silvio). His wife died and left him with the burden of maintaining and raising a family. He was a bit of a non-valor, gambling and drinking etc. I suppose it was difficult during this time, especially to be an Italian immigrant. He placed his children in an orphanage somewhere in Pennsylvania (my Aunt Rose tells me; she is about 85) and traveled back to Italy. My aunt says that she and her siblings stayed there for about two years. While in Italy, Juliano went to visit an old friend of his, Luigi Giardini, who had at that time four children, one of which was my grandmother. She was born in 1908, the eldest. At 21-22 she was considered an "old maid" having not been permited to marry her true love, the a constable from the prefect of Abruzzi; she, like her ancestors lived in the same home since prior to 1565. Her father refused to pay the dowry requested by this man's family. Wishing to escape her father's grasp (he was a tyrant) she "fell in love" with Juliano, who promised her wealth and happiness in the USA. He neglected to tell her about his children. Upon arrival in NY, they immediately moved to Harrison and purchased a building (still standing today) opposite the train station and opened a grocecy store "Planamenta's" with money that her father offered as a wedding gift. Ironic, huh?! Suddenly, the children were sent for as my father was born, a short time after arrival in the USA. My grandmother always told me what a terrible journey she had. Two more children arrived: Frederick and Lena. A few years later they were divorced in Mexico. I am told that my grandmother could not "put up" with Juliano's womanizing and gambling. Interestingly, he died about 1973, nearly 100. I am told that we have good genes! All of my relatives that I can think of have lived, long healthy lives... I am told that I met him several times as a child; apparently, he visited my father a few times a decade and was at our house in Yorktown, just prior to his death. After divorcing my grandmother he married two-three more times and had a family with each of his wives. My grandmother, Teresina Giardini also married again, to Nicole Pareta. They too had a family together. My father shared with me that his father was always traveling to Florida and owned land in St. Petersburg. This is where is was buried. Perhaps you know the location?! I first visited Italy and my grandmother's family in 1985; she comes from the town of Castelli, not far from Teramo. My father and grandmother have traveled there often, before and more recently. On my first trip I asked my uncle Andreas to take me to where my natural grandfather was from. He was only a boy of 10 or so when my grandmother left, however, he not only knew the family, he knew the house, etc. We drove about 20 minutes to a small provincal village called Arsita (I am not familiar with the spelling) and met his niece, a women named Alpina. She was very nice and told us all about her uncle's family.... Incidentally, Alpina looks like a carbon copy of my aunt Rose, who still lives in Mamaroneck, NY. I have never heard of Castiglione; which is where you share your family is from. I am told however, that there are Planamenta's living in Campobasso and Basciano; all not far from Castelli. You may try there too. Finally, my father has told me that our name originally was "Planamenta", however, because of debts, his father changed it to "Planamenti", then "Planamente" and finally, "Planamento". I would guess there are about 100 people I could find in the USA that have this name that are all descendants of my "grandfather" and his brothers; perhaps your grandfather. Moreover, I don't think that there are many "Planament..." in Italy. It is an unusual name there too. More common, but still rare is the origin of the name, "Pianamenta" or slow moving.... Incidentally, I have met relatives from Berlin, NJ that are decendants of one of the brother's of my father's father.... Do you know of them??? Follow Ups:
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