This
page is to express my thanks and give credit to those who
have helped me to make this site possible by providing their
family records, photographs, stories and more.
Antonina
(Lena) Tripolino McKendree - my
Nana - for starting the quest for our roots. She made a trip
to Contessa in 1975, and although she made few notes, she
took photos, and they are included in this site. Although
she has passed, I'm sure she's here in spirit. Love you, Nani.
Willie
B. McKendree, Jr.
- my
Grandaddy - has also passed on, but he was my biggest fan
and supported my endeavor to find our Sicilian roots. After
my Nana died, he found and sent me everything she had relating
to our heritage. Love you, Grindad.
Mike
Giovingo - one
of my first newly-discovered "Internet Cousins."
Mike generously provided photos of our Romano family members
from his mother's collection. He has also been a source of
support during my genealogical search. Thanks Mike!
Lisa
Cotton - a
member of RAGK (Random Act of Genealogical Kindness), Lisa
took the time to search through records at the New Orleans'
library and then sent all she found to me. The Contessa Entellina
Society pamphlet and the article entitled Sons of Contessa
Entellina were among the items she is credited with sending.
Thanks so much, Lisa!
Jovanna
Romano Williams - the
second 'cousin' I discovered via the Internet. Jovanna invited
me to stay at her home in Tampa during my trip down to research.
She fed me, drove me around, plodded through cemetaries with
me, and put up with me in general for 3 days! What a sweetheart.
David
Zerga - provided
me form letters to send to Contessa for information, and translated
them when I got a response. His help was invaluable to me.
Thanks, David.
Aunt
Lena Romano Leto - provided
many of the pictures on this site. When I went to Tampa to
do research, she had us over for lunch, and went through all
of her old pictures. Many of them, she freely gave to me,
and some I copied and returned. Thanks, Aunt Lena, for the
treasures!
Jeanette
Tamborello
- my
latest Internet Genealogy-addicted buddy! Jeanette has searched
records and interviewed people for our Tripolinos and Romanos..
and she's not even related! Her family is from Ybor, and we
have 12th Avenue in common. I can't wait to go back to Tampa
and meet her in person. Thanks so much, Jeanette!
I realize that my quest for family history will never end,
and know that there are cousins still out there to meet.
Hence, this page will always be "under construction."
- A.P.