Hi! I will be Palermo for one day in June 2005- I have extensive family research records dating back to the 1700's and 1800's. While in Palermo, I am looking to visit the neigborhoods, churches, graveyards, etc. where my family liked attended. The problem is the neighborhoods/addresses are listed as: Santa Ninfa, Palermo, Sicilia Santa Margherita, Palermo, Sicilia Madrina, Palermo, Sicilia etc... cant find them on a map, or mention on a website and desperatly need help.
If anyone knows of what I am talking about, please help! I will only have one day and I will likely not get back there.
Okay, this is a long shot- my ggg grandmother was born in the "Royal Palace in Madrina Sicily" (where her parents worked)- does anyone have ANY idea of what this could be/mean?
Thank you in advance for reading through this long message and for any help you may be able to offer. Kate Caravella
Posts: 1 | Location: Florida | Registered: 16 March 2005
I understand your dilemma as I have been in a similar situation, which unfortunately has not been completely resolved. The problem I had (have) is that my aunts did not realize the Palermo is both a city and a Province. So when their parents spoke of Palermo, they assumed it was the city and we all grew up thinking that. However, it turns out that my father and grandparents came from San Giuseppe Jato in the Province of Palermo.
A researcher--Kathy Kirkpatrick--helped me a great deal--but we have a way to go. Perhaps she can shed some light on your questions. She can be reached here: gentrace@gentracer.com She is very knowledgeable about Sicily.
Peter
Posts: 1340 | Location: Essex Fells, NJ and Longboat Key, Florida | Registered: 21 July 2002
In earlier times, neighborhoods in Italian cities were often identified by the names of the churches in whose parishes they were situated.
There is a church of Santa Ninfa in the city of Palermo as well as a church of Santa Margherita.
The Palace of Madrina has me stumped; "madrina" means "godmother" in Italian and seems a very unlikely name for a palace. Nor was I able to locate a place called Madrina in the province of Palermo.
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