Dear Patricia,
I can't believe my eyes! This is the first connection of any kind that I have made with any branch of the family since I started the search about 5 years ago. I only went as far back as my grandmother's birth certificate showing her mother and father's name. I tried to get their birth certificates but they were not available at Lacco Ameno. Unfortunately, I let up on the search three years ago when my mother's health was failing resulting in her death. I didn't have time or interest in anything but her. Now I am back on track. I plan to write to the archives, which is probably in Naples, to enquire about great gramparents records. When we each have more information we may connect. I don't want to be anything but positive, but realistically with both names being so common to Ischia and particularly to that area, we may have to go very far back to connect. It will be interesting trying.

I live in Newington, CT with my husband and we have two children, the son married living in New York City and our daughter living at home, single.

Did you ever hear stories about the Mattera's exporting (in their own ships) lemon juice or extract to be used in dyes. There was a branch of the business in Morocco where a Mattera cousin was in charge. They spoke French there so they called him Messieur. The ships were lost in the great terramoto of the late 1800's. They also sold the raffia covered bottles used for Chianti wine.

I don't really know much more other than what I said in the original "Monti" message. What documents do you have? All that I had to start with was an "Inspection Card" for Filomena Mattera showing that she was detained 25 days before being "released". I note that it was to be punched daily by the ship's surgeon at daily inspection. I also had my father's birth certificate and those two documents helped me get more information.

Please let me know what details you have that might connect us further.

Looking forward to hearing from you,
Cousin Phyllis