To Sam Yerardi:
I hope the years allow you to still receive this message. My grandfather was Rafaelle Gerardi here in the USA but I recently found out by going to Petilia Policastro that the true family name was Ierardi. My great grandfather was Dominico Ierardi and great grandmother was Francesca Grano.
My grandfather came over the first time to Williamson, WV about 1898 and finally brought the family over by December of 1913. I visited Petilia Policastro 2 years ago and the town is about 50% Ierardi. We plan to travel back next year and spend more time. I used the NIAF to help me with records and translations because of the dialects but it was a wonderful experience! Ciao