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Cracotans in the News

Ed Sconzo, who has been recognized for his artistic contributions in past months, was the subject of a recent article citing his creativity. Focusing on Ed’s passion for oil painting, the article outlined his accomplishment of completing over 160 original works and still going. There are several scenes of Craco, some real and others imaginary ones developed by the creative mind of the artist.

 Ed recently had a showing of his paintings at the Historic Nathaniel Conklin House in Babylon, L.I., NY and he will have another show at the Bayshore-Brightwaters Library in September 2011.  

To see more of his work, visit his online website Galleria de Sconzo.

 

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Faces from Craco’s Past

 

Another school photograph from Craco Vecchio was given to the Society to share with members. This photograph is of children born in 1938 and was taken when they were in the 4th or 5th grade which would be about 1947-1948.  The teacher is Camilla Rinaldi. The same background feature, La Croce (the Cross), that was visible in previous pictures is used as the setting for this shot. The structure in the distant background (far right) is an electrical pole that appears in earlier pictures too, but is not so prominent because the angle this photograph was taken from is different from the previous ones. Not visible in the background in this scene is the town and Palazzo Cammarota that was always a feature of the prior photographs.

 According to the history of the town, Note Storiche sul Comune di Craco, the school building was not constructed yet (it was built in 1960) so classes continued to be held in the same area as the previous school sessions.

 For those who have information about this photograph to share or would like to provide additional photographs please send them to us at:  memberservices@thecracosociety.org

 

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Craco Census Records

Two of the most important documents that were given to the Society by the town of Craco are the 1857 Census and the 1865 Census Index.  These documents have been significant in helping individuals to research family history.

 The  Index of the Craco Census of1865, properly known as the "Indice del Registro di Popolazione del Comune di Craco Anno 1865," is an alphabetical listing of every name that is found in the full census. This historical document can help members of the Society confirm the presence of an ancestor residing there during 1865 and also identify the makeup of their household.  A count of the names indicates there were 1,985 individuals residing in 499 households in Craco during 1865. By looking up a name in the alphabetical listing an individual can be identified. The row the individual is listed on will also show a household number.  Other individuals with the same household number were residing together. If they shared the same surname they will appear in the rows above or below the individual being looked up. Keep in mind that in Italian customs the wife retains her maiden name so she must be referenced separately as would any other individuals in the household not sharing the same last name. If the names of all household members are not known, a review of the "Sheet" numbers in the list to find everyone with the same number will identify all the residents of a household. This helps construct a household as it was structured in 1865.

 

The Craco Census of 1857 , "Stato di popolazione per l’anno 1857" for the "Comune di Craco" provides a unique insight into the town and its inhabitants during that era. This historical document will help Society members learn more about the old town and also provide them with details about any ancestors that were residing there 150 years ago before the town and Italy was changed by unification. The census was submitted to Italian authorities as complete on January 30, 1858 and reflects the status of the town as of year end 1857.  The makeup of the town was reported as 594 adult males, 769 adult females, 252 males under 14 years old and 228 females under 12 years old for a total population of 1,843 inhabitants. They resided in 503 separate households. The folio is formatted in large sheets that measure 16 inches by 10 inches with columns across two pages that tabulate the information recorded by the enumerator.  The left hand page captures the location and household composition quantifying the members by factors of relationship to the household head, age, and sex along with totaling the members of the family.

As valuable as these two census records are to develop and fill in details of a family history, they can only take a researcher back to the early part of the 1800s.  Documents dating back to the previous century have been recently obtained and these will be made available next month.  

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  A New Italian Genealogy Resource

Recognizing the difficulties and expense in tracing family history in Italy, The Craco Society is announcing a new affiliation with an Italian-based research organization, Tomthumb.it.  Their research capabilities are detailed in The Craco Society’s GENEALOGY web page.

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April in Craco Vecchio

 

 

 

Good Friday Procession (left)—this procession in front of the houses belonging to the Lapilla, Montemurro, Colabella, Grieco, and Consoli families.  Women’s Good Friday Procession (right)—starting from the Chiesa Madre (Church of San Nicola)

 

April in Craco Vecchio was dominated by the Lenten observance and the celebration of Easter. The work relating to the fields and earth was minimal as the planting was completed for the first crops. However, the activity level at the church was greater.
Holy Week was a very special time of religious observation. There were special foods made during Holy Week: biscotti con finocchio, biscotti con le uova, pupa (doll-shaped cookies for kids) or borsette (purses) made with hard boiled eggs.
On Holy Thursday, 12 young boys would have their feet washed by the priest at the church as a symbol of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples.
Good Friday always commemorated the death of Jesus by a processione. This started as two separate processions – one led by a man symbolizing Jesus, the other, led by a woman symbolic of his mother Mary. Winding through laneways past the Church of the Madonna della Monserrato, they joined in the piazza as a symbol of Jesus meeting his mother as He carried the cross to His death. The photographs, provided by Fil Francavilla, above and below, show these events in 1962.
During the procession timeless chants were sung and can be seen on the Society website at Good Friday Processione Chants.
On Easter Sunday it was customary to eat hard boiled eggs and soppressata for antipasto, then capretto (goat) or agnello (lamb) would be served, always followed by a dolce (cake). Children would kiss the hands of the elders who would give them hard boiled eggs or money.

 

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Click here to view A Year in Craco.  Events in Craco for every month are listed.  Thank you to Joe Rinaldi in Canada for his contribution to this page.

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