Vitulano – Over a hundred years after Luigi Alessandro Rivellini emigrated from Vitulano in 1920 to seek his fortune in the United States, his grandchildren have returned to the small town in Sannio for the first time.
Daniel Rivellini with his wife Margaret and Armando Junior Rivellini with his wife Dawn, direct descendants of Luigi, born in 1893 and never returned to Italy, have undertaken an emotional journey in search of their origins.
After years of genealogical research, the two American couples crossed the ocean to discover the places where their grandfather was born and try to trace any relatives still present.
They were welcomed by a group of Universal Civil Service volunteers, who for the occasion acted as guides, accompanying them on a tour of the historic heart of Vitulano . Mayor Raffaele Scarinzi and Deputy Mayor Francesco Matarazzo were also present, welcoming the guests and expressing their enthusiasm for the meeting.
“We are confident that the Rivellinis will be able to rebuild family ties with their descendants remaining in Italy, including Pietro Rivellini, president of the city council, who shares their surname and a branch of the family tree,” the mayor said.
The visit, besides being a deeply emotional moment, was an opportunity to reflect on the importance of memory and identity. "This return underscores the deep connection to family roots and enhances the cultural and human heritage of Vitulano," added Scarinzi. A journey that unites past and present, celebrating the call of origins in a small corner of Sannio.
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It's interesting how Luigi Rivellini's emigration story led his grandchildren to return to Italy, but I think more details about the genealogical research done should have been provided. The reactions of the locals are also important.