My name is Gisela Astrid and I am Brazilian, but in my blood runs a strong connection to Italy. In fact, my great-great-grandfather’s name was Biase Martorella and he was born on July 5, 1859, in Lagonegro, in the province of Potenza (Basilicata), to Salvatore and Maria Carrano, who resided on Via Castello, about 200 meters away from the cathedral named after St. Nicholas of Bari.

I do not know exactly when Biase immigrated to Brazil, but I do know that upon his arrival his name became “Braz Martorelli” and that, from that time, all his descendants inherited the surname “Martorelli” instead of “Martorella.”

Biase presumably left for Brazil around 1882, the year he married my great-great-grandmother, Maria Filomena Colombo, who, although born in Brazil, in the city of Bonito (Pernambuco), on September 29, 1869, was also the daughter of Italian immigrants.

Thanks to the portal Antenati, I was able to reconstruct some events in their history: the father of Maria Filomena Colombo, his name was Domenico and he was born around 1823, probably in the hamlet of Battaglia del Casaletto Spartano, in the province of Salerno; while his wife, Filomena Isabella Amato, was born on December 23, 1837 in Sapri, where they were united in marriage on April 21, 1857. A few years later, specifically in 1868, Domenico and Filomena moved to Brazil, becoming “Domingos Colombo” and “Filomena Amado.” There they gave birth to some of their children, including my great-great-grandmother, Maria Filomena.

Biase Martorella and Maria Filomena Colombo were married on November 30, 1882, in the town of Bonito, when she was only 13 years old. Numerous children were born of this marriage: Salvador (born 1885), Domenico Astrogildo (born 1887 in Sapri), Audiphas Sofonias (born 1891), Maria Florina (my great-grandmother, born 1893), Josepha (born 1895), Humberto (born 1898), Filomena (born 1900), Julia Helena (born 1902), Alberto (born 1905) and Audifas (born 1908).

My great-great-grandmother, Maria Filomena, died at the age of 40 on August 5, 1911 in Brazil. It was interesting to discover that although she was born and married in Bonito, she and Biase lived for some years in Sapri, the hometown of Maria Filomena’s parents, where they also gave birth to a son.

However, at a certain time, they decided to return to Brazil. After Maria Filomena’s death, Biase remarried on May 28, 1917, to Maria Barbosa, born in Monteiro (Paraiba, Brazil) on July 22, 1888. From this marriage were born: Zullina (born 1916), Helena (born 1917), Adalberto (born 1917), Maria do Carmo (born 1920), Eunice (born 1922), Jaime (born 1923) and Nivaldo (born 1924).

Biase died on July 19, 1938, in Recife, Pernambuco, at the age of 79. There he was buried in Santo Amaro Cemetery. In addition to his children, he left a huge legacy of descendants, suffice it to say that my great-grandmother, Maria Florina, his daughter, died leaving in turn 17 children. Most of my Italian descendants are merchants: for example, according to Biase’s birth certificate and his parents’ marriage certificate, his father Salvatore was a “coppersmith.” However, Biase was commonly referred to as “Captain,” as he was apparently a captain in the Pernambuco State National Guard.

I am a great-granddaughter of Biase, my paternal grandmother’s name was Maria Astrid, although she was Brazilian, she was of Italian descent. Maria Astrid was the only grandmother I did not get to know, because she died before I was born. However, I have always felt a strong connection, partly because my middle name is obviously dedicated to her.

Biase Martorella and Maria Filomena Colombo were married on November 30, 1882, in the town of Bonito, when she was only 13 years old.

Numerous children were born of this marriage: Salvador (born 1885), Domenico Astrogildo (born 1887 in Sapri), Audiphas Sofonias (born 1891), Maria Florina (my great-grandmother, born 1893), Josepha (born 1895), Humberto (born 1898), Filomena (born 1900), Julia Helena (born 1902), Alberto (born 1905) and Audifas (born 1908).

My great-great-grandmother, Maria Filomena, died at the age of 40 on August 5, 1911 in Brazil.

It was interesting to discover that although she was born and married in Bonito, she and Biase lived for some years in Sapri, the hometown of Maria Filomena’s parents, where they also gave birth to a son.

However, at a certain time, they decided to return to Brazil.

After Maria Filomena’s death, Biase remarried on May 28, 1917, to Maria Barbosa, born in Monteiro (Paraiba, Brazil) on July 22, 1888.

From this marriage were born: Zullina (born 1916), Helena (born 1917), Adalberto (born 1917), Maria do Carmo (born 1920), Eunice (born 1922), Jaime (born 1923) and Nivaldo (born 1924).

Biase died on July 19, 1938, in Recife, Pernambuco, at the age of 79. There he was buried in Santo Amaro Cemetery. In addition to her children, she left a huge legacy of descendants, suffice it to say that my great-grandmother, Maria Florina, her daughter, died leaving in turn 17 children.

Most of my Italian descendants are merchants: for example, according to Biase’s birth certificate and his parents’ marriage certificate, his father Salvatore was a “coppersmith.” However, Biase was commonly referred to as “Captain,” as he was apparently a captain in the Pernambuco State National Guard.

I am a great-granddaughter of Biase, my paternal grandmother’s name was Maria Astrid, although she was Brazilian, she was of Italian descent. Maria Astrid was the only grandmother I did not get to know, because she died before I was born. However, I have always felt a strong connection, partly because my middle name is obviously dedicated to her.

The rediscovery of these Italian origins has been very important to me: every time I acquire new information about my ancestors, I feel like I am saving a little piece of my history. I try to visualize them in the context of the era, try to understand their desires, and although it is a seemingly impossible task, I like to try to imagine them. Understanding my origins is something that is very fascinating to me.

I keep wondering what drove an Italian family to emigrate across the ocean, but I guess they did it because they were looking for a better life. Therefore, I think the Martorellas were very brave, because they had the courage to go in search of new opportunities.

So even though there are four generations between me and my great-great-grandfather who was born in Italy, thanks to him I can still see Italian traces in my family.

Even, in our family we have an “inside joke” whereby whenever someone gets too nervous or talks loudly, we say, “I am Italian! I am a Martorella!“. And, of course, we say it out loud, with a very pronounced accent and a lively, typically Italian gesture.

We have decided that one day, when we get our Italian passports, we will spend a few days there to honor our ancestors and to celebrate the recognition of our Italian citizenship.