Michael Francis Mangiaruca
or should I say Michele Francesco Mangeruca.

What is your name and where do you live now
I currently reside 5 miles from Logan, Iowa USA

Where did you grow up?
I was born in Seattle, Washington. Spent my youth in Omaha, Nebraska. Graduated from high school in Las Vegas, Nevada and when I grow up next year I will probably still be living here in Iowa

What do you or did you do for a living?
After getting out of the Navy, I mined flagstone in No. Arizona, I was a stagehand in Las Vegas for some time and then an over the road truck driver for a number of years. For the past couple of years I have helped my neighbor farm and driven one of the local school bus routes. I just had back surgery number three in September and the doc says I shouldn't be playing with trucks, buses and tractors anymore so it is time for a new occupation I guess (any job offers ???)

Anything else you'd like to share about your background (schooling, family members, travels)?
My background hmmmmm, I was probably the black sheep of the family. I am married, 45 years old. I have a 27 year old daughter and a three year old grandson. I also have a son who will turn 18 in April. Driving Semi allowed me to visit every state in the continental US. I plan on making a trip to visit newly discovered relatives in Italy this coming September. And I am trying to teach myself Italian.

What prompted your interest in genealogy?
My father, my son and I were the only three people I knew of with the surname Mangiaruca, and that turned out to be incorrect. Add my natural curiosity and the extra time off work and there you go.
How long have you been researching your family history (in generaland Calabria specific)?
Started in January of 1998.

What major surnames and towns are you researching in Calabria? Right now I am concentrating on Mangeruca, Ramondino,Comandei. The towns of Africo (RC) and S.Stefano D'Aspromonte.

What other genealogy research topics are you interested in (e.g.,other countries, other surnames)?
Marotta from Sant'Agata Li Battiati (CT) Sicily and the Stenvers surname from the Netherlands and Germany.

What is your biggest success story in Calabrian genealogy research?
I probably hit the jackpot on "Luck" in my research. I only found 6 people in Italy with the surname "Mangiaruca" so I wrote to all 6. One of the women that received my letter lived on the same street in the same town as my great aunt's son and she gave him the letter. He and his son made a family chart and sent it to me. Thus I discovered the correct spelling of my surname and over 50 relatives in Italy with the first six letters that I sent back in January.

What do you consider your biggest challenge in doing Calabrian genealogy research?
Patience

What is the best tip you have for other Calabrian researchers?
Patience

Tell us something about your immigrant ancestor from Calabria. What prompted them to leave Italy?  Where did they go?  Were they with (or going to, or sending later for) family?
Something I would like to know also.

Have you ever found any "long lost" relatives still living in Italy? 
Tell us about the first time you contacted them.
I have found relatives in Italy and Australia, several with email. It has been a rewarding and
emotional experience. It brought an indescribable joy to be able to visit with these family members after all these years of not knowing they even existed.

Do you have stories about Calabrian communities in the United States or Canada (or elsewhere) that you would like to share?
No good stories.

Would you like to share your e-mail address or home page URL?
mangeruca@bigfoot.com

Mangeruca genealogy:
http://members.tripod.com/~mangeruca>

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© George Lilli, September, 1998