Thanks to the dedication of her Trip Experience Leader, traveler Anita Bloovman connected with long lost relatives during Sicily’s Ancient Landscapes & Timeless Traditions.
By Viviana Vetrano, Trip Experience Leader, Sicily’s Ancient Landscapes & Timeless Traditions
Anita Bloovman, a first-time O.A.T. traveler from Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, knew that her great-grandparents had emigrated to the United States from the Sicilian town of Enna. Her mother, when she was alive, would often share stories about some relatives in Sicily. Unfortunately, she passed away too soon, leaving Anita with a deep curiosity about whether she still had family there. She had limited information at her disposal, only the birth and death dates of her great-grandparents, grandparents, and parents, along with a few photographs.
Although she never expected to have any remaining family, Anita expressed her desire to learn more. I asked her to share whatever information she had available and I began researching online using archives dedicated to genealogical records. When I discovered that the names and dates Anita had matched those in the registers of the Italian State Archives, I engaged a guide in Enna specialized in family research to carry out a more in-depth investigation, to reach out to potential relatives and explore records in Anita’s ancestral hometown. I finally helped Anita organize a side trip to Enna, where the journey culminated in an emotional reunion with her maternal cousins. Together, they exchanged photos and stories that helped reconstruct their family’s past.
For Anita, it was a day filled with pure emotion and a heartfelt reconnection with her roots. For her relatives in Enna, meeting her was equally special, a chance to rediscover their history and feel part of something greater. The journey didn’t end with Anita’s departure; she keeps writing to me she still can’t believe what has happened and is overwhelmed with emotion, since she never thought she had any remaining family.
Enna’s online daily published an article about the event and also cited O.A.T. as the tour operator that brought Anita to Sicily.
When you say, "Once in a lifetime experience"...
If you have family roots in your destination—on Sicily’s Ancient Traditions & Timeless Cultures, or anywhere in the world—let your Trip Experience Leader know in advance. You never know who you might meet!
