The Journey of Two Cousins
- OLIVA GESSI, Italy (AP) — Two cousins, raised in Argentina, have returned to the small Italian village of Oliva Gessi, Pavia, more than a century after their grandfather...
- Silvina Milanesi and Maria Alvarez, originally from Banfield, a city of over 200,000 near Buenos Aires, decided to leave their lives behind and reconnect with their family's roots...
- “I often came to Italy as a tourist,” said Milanesi, 59.“Now I want to enjoy my grandfather’s land.
argentine Cousins Return to Ancestral Italian village After Century Away
Table of Contents
- argentine Cousins Return to Ancestral Italian village After Century Away
- Argentine Cousins Reconnect with Italian Roots After a Century
- Q&A: rediscovering Roots in italy
- Why did Silvina milanesi and Maria Alvarez move to Italy?
- What was the significance of Oliva Gessi to the cousins?
- Who was Angelo Pietro Andrea Milanesi?
- What challenges did their family face in the past regarding travel?
- How are Silvina and Maria settling into village life?
- Do Silvina and Maria have family in Argentina?
- How do they maintain contact with their family in Argentina?
- What are their plans for the future in Italy?
- Q&A: rediscovering Roots in italy
OLIVA GESSI, Italy (AP) — Two cousins, raised in Argentina, have returned to the small Italian village of Oliva Gessi, Pavia, more than a century after their grandfather left seeking a new life in the americas.
Silvina Milanesi and Maria Alvarez, originally from Banfield, a city of over 200,000 near Buenos Aires, decided to leave their lives behind and reconnect with their family’s roots in the Oltrepò hills, between Casteggio and Montalto Pavese.
A Dream Realized in Italy
“I often came to Italy as a tourist,” said Milanesi, 59.“Now I want to enjoy my grandfather’s land. Here everything is wonderful: the landscape, the hills I see from the window of my house, and even the silence.The birds can be heard; there is no traffic of a big city.”
The cousins, who arrived on April 6, had been contemplating this move for some time. Alvarez is 54.
“We were born and raised in Argentina,” Milanesi added, “but since we were teenagers, we had a common dream: to return to live in the country of our grandfather. We didn’t know him because he died in 1956, but we felt the call of Italy strongly. We decided that the moment had arrived. Now we are here. We found a house right next to that of our grandfather.”
Following Grandfather’s Footsteps
their grandfather, Angelo Pietro Andrea Milanesi, left Oliva Gessi in 1912, leaving behind his life as a farmer to seek employment elsewhere.He returned only once to bring Severina Sarchi, who was from Torricella Verzate, to Argentina. She became his wife and the mother of Silvina’s father, Giuseppe.
Maria Alvarez’s family followed a similar path. She is the great-grandniece of Mariangela Sarchi.
“we have some news of our grandfather by grandmother Severina,” Silvina said. “Instead, we don’t know anything else.We are here for this: we want to do research and rediscover our roots. We are the first to be able to afford it.Dad got married in Argentina; he worked as an accountant for a multinational; he died at 63 years old. He never saw Italy.Mom, of German origins, is almost 97 years old. In those days, it was not easy to move: the costs of the flights were unsustainable; the ship’s trip was very long. It’s up to us to revive the threads of memory.”
Settling into Village Life
The cousins have begun meeting neighbors and distant relatives to piece together their family history.
“For now, we feel on vacation,” Silvina said, who works as a travel operator and plans to continue her work from Oliva Gessi.“And we are enjoying the hills. We purchased what we needed at home, starting from the coffee machine; after all, we are Italian. Then we will organize ourselves better. In Argentina, I played golf, and I’d like to continue here too.”
Family Ties Remain
Part of the family, including children and five grandchildren, remains near Buenos Aires.
“We can video call; it’s simple. Technology shortens the distances,” Silvina said. “And then, as soon as my cousin’s children finish university, they will reach us. I think they can find my place here in the world. I want to live in Oliva Gessi, on the hills. And I’m not the only one. Many Italians abroad of the second and third generation are returning to get to know their lands. Europe has a great charm; Italy is wonderful. Maybe you don’t notice it, but America is here.”
Argentine Cousins Reconnect with Italian Roots After a Century
This article explores the journey of Silvina Milanesi and Maria Alvarez, two cousins from Argentina, as they return to their ancestral Italian village.Their story reflects a deep longing for their heritage and the challenges of reconnecting with the past.
Q&A: rediscovering Roots in italy
Let’s delve into their story with these key questions:
Why did Silvina milanesi and Maria Alvarez move to Italy?
Silvina Milanesi and Maria Alvarez, originally from Argentina, decided to move to Oliva Gessi, Italy to reconnect with their family’s roots. They shared a childhood dream of returning to Italy, the country of their grandfather, Angelo Pietro Andrea Milanesi, who left in 1912.
What was the significance of Oliva Gessi to the cousins?
oliva Gessi, a small village in the Oltrepò hills, holds deep significance. It is the ancestral home of their grandfather, and they have found a house next to his former residence. Silvina expressed a desire to enjoy her grandfather’s land and appreciate its beauty and tranquility.
Who was Angelo Pietro Andrea Milanesi?
Angelo Pietro Andrea Milanesi was the cousins’ grandfather. He left Oliva Gessi in 1912 to seek employment elsewhere. He returned once to bring his wife, Severina Sarchi, back to Argentina.
What challenges did their family face in the past regarding travel?
In the past, it was difficult for family members to travel between Argentina and Italy. The costs of flights were prohibitively expensive, and the journey by ship was very long, as Silvina explains.
How are Silvina and Maria settling into village life?
The cousins have begun meeting neighbors and relatives as they settle in Oliva Gessi, seeking to piece together their family history. Silvina is working remotely as a travel operator and enjoying the hills. They are also starting to get acquainted with the local culture,including purchasing a coffee machine.
Do Silvina and Maria have family in Argentina?
Yes, a part of their family, including children and five grandchildren, remains in Argentina, near Buenos Aires.
How do they maintain contact with their family in Argentina?
They stay in touch with their family in Argentina through technology,primarily video calls. Silvina mentioned that her cousins’ children plan to join them in Italy after finishing university.
What are their plans for the future in Italy?
Silvina intends to continue working as a travel operator from Oliva Gessi and wants to enjoy life in the hills. She also hopes to continue her hobbies and explore her family’s history.