On Saturday afternoon, the hubby kidnapped us and decided that we were going to drive around aimlessly for awhile before getting something to eat. Our driving led us north of Nashville and in nearby Joelton. Well, guess what we saw along the way? A church cemetery! Being the good genealogist that I am, I of course felt compelled to stop and take pictures.
The church is St. Lawrence Catholic Church and as I looked at the tombstones, I saw several with Italian names. Many of the headstones were beautifully done and dated back to the early-mid 1800s. We were at the cemetery for about 20 minutes, during which time I took about 100 photos! I’m still in the process of transcribing them all to submit to the Davidson County, TNGenWeb site, as well as Find-A-Grave.
However, I wanted to post today about one tombstone in particular – that of Domenico Aita. There were several Aita family tombstones in the cemetery and he looks to be the progenitor? Further research will need to be done, but I liked his headstone for it had the name of the city in which he was born – Buja, Italy. Buja is in the Udine Province region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
I wonder if his family descendants know where he is buried and/or are familiar with their homeland? I wonder if he has remaining family over in Italy?
Dear Taneya!
That’s totally crazy, My name is Cassandre Aita, I am French whith Italian origins I live in France close to Paris. My Great Grand father Lucien AITA, was born in Italy around 1895 in Buja in the North of Italy, he immigrated in France around 1910 when he was 13.Unfortunately he died 12 years ago. This man: Domenico AITA was surely a member of his family ( and my family as well as I am a descendant…:) ) because he told me when I was a child that he had family who immigrated to Canada.
I found this picture by chance on internet.
To answer your question:” I wonder if his family descendants know where he is buried and/or are familiar with their homeland? I wonder if he has remaining family over in Italy?”
I am a descendant of Domenico Aita, I actually didn’t know about him and where he was burried. I still have family in Buja, Italy but I have never seen them actually and never been in that city ( I always lived in France), but now i think i will go and visit them because I realized that’s it is important to know your roots.
Thanks Tanya…;)
Cassandre – that is great! I am going to email you. 🙂
Yes the World is very small…;)
This village Buja was very poor at the time ( a lot of disoccupation, misery,…), it was the reason why most of my family immigrated abroad: France, North America…Who knows? maybe this ” Domenico Aita” was looking for the American Dream as most of the Italian Immigrants…:) I’m gonna make my own researches…thanks again Taneya.. yesterday My father and I were very happy to find these information about our ancestors and this is thanks to you…:)
Dear Taneya, this is a small world indeed. I am Cassandre’s father… I am 43… I also live in France. I spoke to my Father (Armal AITA)…He believes Domecico was his Great Grant Uncle….loads of menbers of the family left Buia and immigrated to the US, Canada and also Australia…. this is emotioning…thyank you for posting it on your blog…best regards.
Thanks Jerome! I am so glad you and your son have found it helpful!
Taneya. The world grows a little smaller. 🙂 I grew up in Nashville and my grandmother was Christine Aita, I’m pretty sure Domenico was her father. However, he died a good 45 years before I was born and even 20 years before my Dad so that’s why I’m hesitant to say for sure.
Craig! How wonderful! I love hearing from those connected to people I blog about. 🙂 I’m going to email you.
Dear Taneya!
Just saw your blog this morning for the first time. I grew up about a mile from St Lawrence Cemetery (Cantarutti Road) but it wasn’t until a few years ago that I discovered my own Italian roots through my mother’s family. A science class at Joelton High School in 1973 stirred my own interest in genealogy and cemetery stalking long before it was cool 🙂 . My ancestral Italians were John and Catherine Andre, later Americanized to Andrews, but they settled farther south of St Lawrence in what was known as Germantown–closer in to Nashville. They were closest to The Church of the Annunciation off 8th Avenue, so that’s my destination next time I’m in Tennessee. Across from St Lawrence Cemetery is Bianco Road. Catherine had a boarder in her home during the early 1900s–Joseph Bianconi –and I’m wondering if anyone from this area –Biancos perhaps–is following your blog -I know I will be –if they know who Joseph was and his connection to their family and mine. Thanks for sharing this great story and for passing along the love if genealogy to your kids!
Deb
Hi Deborah – how nice!