About Gente di Mare

The original vision for Gente di Mare came to me one night last fall when I wanted to create a web site and dedicate it to the people of Southern Italy and their families. The name seemed perfect since my father was born and raised in Locri, Reggio Calabria, Italy. Locri, also once referred to as Gerace Marina, borders the Ionian Sea and is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.

Although my father immigrated to Canada in 1957, his heart has always been in Locri and with his family, many of who still live there. The youngest of six children, his memories of his ancestors are poor at best since many had either died or moved by the time he was born. It was because of this that the need to know more about the "People of the Sea" became so important to me.

My mother was raised in a small town of Malito in the mountains of the province pf Cosenza. Much of the town research has been done for there and the records are readily available on line so that wasn't an issue.

This site is dedicated to those who have left their homes in search for a better life, and to my beautiful daughter, Jennifer, who has been my inspiration in all of this.