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Campobasso Italy?

I am trying to get some info on this place and i'm having a little trouble. I am completely unfamiliar with it.

Here's my reasoning...

My grandmother, 93 years old, is from Italy, Sant'Elia, Campobasso to be exact. Her family was very 'noble' and on the high end of the society. Colavita is her family name, you might know it because they are a large E.V. Olive Oil producer. So i am on a quest to find her stomping grounds and see if I can find anyone that might know this family, or is still in this family that we have lost touch with years ago. My grandmother moved to NYC over 80 years ago and has only been back once, which was about 70 years ago.

ANy information on how to get there, where to stay, etc? I am having trouble finding Sant Elia and Campobassa.

I am moving to Italy in 2 weeks and would love to do a little research before I go so I can spend a weekend in Campobassa asking the locals if they are aware of this family that hailed back in the 1800s and earlier.

Posted by
1201 posts

Try google..

The correct full name of the town in probably Sant'Elia a Pianisi. It is in the province of Campobasso. I get about a thousand hits when I try it.

Looks to be about 180 km northeast of Naples.

For records, there are two places, the Municipio ( the village hall) and the parish church.

Posted by
5 posts

my family is also from Compobasso. We are from the town of Rionero Sanitito. It is a small town in the mountains. I still have family there, but will not have time to look them up. We went from New York to Cleveland. I am going on a mediteranean cruise (leaving tomorrow.) Good Luck.

Posted by
689 posts

Good luck finding your family! It is so much fun to visit with the Italian side of my husband's family. That really gives you the total Italian experience. Also gives you the opportunity to see and do things outside the rhelm of tourism.