'08 Coletti Family Reunion

More Family Reunion Pictures

2008-05-31T16:12:00.000-07:00

Here are some more pictures from April 26, 2008:

Letter from Josephine Julian

2008-05-13T17:09:00.001-07:00

April 11, 2008
Dear Coletti Family Reunion,

I am Josephine Angelo Julian. My mother was Catherine Coletti, a daughter of Louis and Theresa Coletti. I was born Sept. 27, 1924 in Kemmerer, Wyo., the oldest of four children born to Joe Angelo and Catherine Coletti. My mother died when I was 11 years old and my Grandma Angelo came out on the ranch and helped my dad. I know Uncle Pete's family was very good to my mother when she was sick.

I have lost my husband of over 55 years, my son Charles 48 years old and my 43 year old baby in a truck wreck hauling our sheep. My son Truman (?) is 63 years old and has three children 2 sons and 1 daughter and 6 grand children.

I have two daughters and 5 grandchildren and 11 great-granddaughters and 6 great-grandsons. At my age I don't have anyone that I can ask about my mother's family.

I would like more information on the family, in fact I think I sent someone 50.00 one time.

We have had one of the worst winters here on the ranch, a lot of snow, cold and wind. Our sheep are coming back from the desert and the snow isn't moving very fast and little lambs will start arriving about the 10th or 15th of May and they lamb on the range.

Thank you for remembering me and I might come if I can get someone to drive me down to Ogden Park for the reunion.

May God Bless you all and keep you in his care.

If any of you would like Josephine's address or phone number, let me know.

Our Family

2008-05-04T19:58:00.000-07:00

It sure was good to see everyone at the family reunion in April! Here are some thoughts and pictures from the reunion:

I didn't get to take many pictures, but I know that there are more out there! Let me know and I'll post them for everyone!

Thanks again, and I think we should certainly have another reunion next year. The more we get together, the closer we will become.

Message from Jane Perry

2008-04-25T12:03:00.001-07:00

Hi Sean and Coletti family,I will echo my sister Karen's comments. I'm sorry to not be with you this weekend and do hope to hear how it all went after the reunion. It would be wonderful to meet all of you and maybe some day that will happern. Have a wonderful time together! LoveCousin Jane

Message from Karen Coletti

2008-04-24T20:24:00.001-07:00

Dear Sean and Family, Just a note to wish you a wonderful Coletti Reunion weekend. I wish my family and I could be there--we will be thinking of you and remembering all the fun we had each summer as kids when we got to go to Utah to see our Nonno and Nonna. Take care and God Bless! Karen Coletti

Reunion reminders

2008-04-23T06:54:00.001-07:00

Here's a little reminder to bring whatever pictures, stories, or other Coletti memorabilia that you would like to share with others!

And don't forget that the lunch is pot luck -- please bring your favorite dish!

Thanks,

Sean

Agenda (somewhat)

2008-04-20T13:49:00.000-07:00

Hello all-- The reunion is coming up this Saturday from 9 - 5 pm! I wanted everyone to get an idea of what will be happening. To start out, we will have some time for people to come in and get acquainted. If you did not get a chance to fill out the "get to know you" form that I emailed out, this will provide some time for you to do so.

Around 10 am, we will have some small presentations concerning genealogy and old family pictures. I invite anyone coming to participate in these presentations, because I know you all know a lot more about our family than I do!

At about 11 am, most of you should have arrived, and we will play some "getting to know you" games and have everyone introduce themselves.

This should carry over until lunch, which will start shortly before 12:00 noon.

At around 1 pm, we will walk up to the North Ogden Cemetery and tour some of the headstones that are of family interest.

1:30 or 2:00 pm, weather permitting, we will have softball and volleyball games for everyone to participate in. Individual family and group pictures will also be taken at this time.

I think that will be enough activity to carry us through the end of the day. I really encourage you to contact me if you would like to show family pictures, tell special stories, etc. I hope we have a lot of participation!

Thanks, and we will see you soon!

Another Message from Tammy Dahlstrom

2008-04-15T16:54:00.001-07:00

Sean, Good luck with the reunion. I have working on line with the New Family Search program. I have found they have put a birth date for Maria Coletti who is Nona's Mother. But further searching, I don't think this is her Mother. If anyone has been doing the Coletti genealogy and have dates from the Coletti side I would love to get the information. My understanding is that most of the records were burned in a monastery. Your Grandfather Joseph when he was mission President I think tried to get infor and couldn't. I feel so bad every time I look at my great grandmother's name and don't even have a date for her birth. Is there anyone among your family that has the genealogy bug? I would appreciate any information that you can send me. I am so sad that I cannot attend the reunion because not only being unable to meet you, I would love to see if anyone has done anymore research. Thanks for all your hard work, Your cousin, Tammy

Message from Fred Profaizer

2008-04-14T20:40:00.002-07:00

Judy and Fred will be attending the reunion on 26 Apr 08.

Fred Profaizer

Message from Tammy Dahlstrom

2008-04-14T20:40:00.001-07:00

Dear Sean, I am so sorry that I haven't responded until now. We won't be able to come due to my husband Neil's illness. He isn't able to travel for a couple of more months. I hope you have a good turnout and I would love to be there. In the past I have organized 3 Coletti Family reunions and I know how much work it is. I would love to have a copy of the cook book and will ask my sister Nena to pick one up for me.

How Many Children are Coming?

2008-04-14T20:35:00.001-07:00

I want to get a count of how many children under 10 will be at the reunion for games / activities purposes.

Message from Lori (Coletti)

2008-04-06T19:00:00.000-07:00

Hello, My name is Lori, I am the daughter of Ron Coletti, only son of Jim and Donna Coletti. My older brother Todd recieved an invitation to the reunion in the mail and gave me the web site address. My family lived on the dairy farm in pleasant grove. I lived in the little brick house nestled inbetween "Nono and Nona" on one side and grandma and grandpa Coletti on the other until I was eight years old. I loved seeing the pictures on the slide show of my dad as a little boy and my grandparents and great grandparents as I remembered them as a child. Thank You! Lori

Recipe Book

2008-03-30T19:34:00.000-07:00

Well, it's less than a month away from the reunion. And one of the things I am most excited about is the FOOD. I hope everyone is bringing their very favorite recipes. I have an idea, though. If you all send me your best recipes, I will compile a Coletti family recipe book that we can hand out at the reunion. That way, I can eat your food AND remember how to make it! So, please send along your recipes!

Family History

2008-03-29T14:44:00.000-07:00

Some time ago I downloaded my GEDCOM file onto ancestry.com, and then my computer went "kaput." So, I don't have my GEDCOM file anymore, but I do have access to the pedigree chart on ancestry. If you would like an invitation to see the chart, which is FAR from perfect, let me know by giving me your name and email address and I'll invite you.

Less than a month away!

2008-03-29T14:15:00.000-07:00

The reunion is coming! Are you excited?

Pat Jaramillo

2008-03-13T17:30:00.001-07:00

Pat Jaramillo wrote to me today and said she cannot come to the reunion but sends her regards to all the family members.

Judy Coletti

2008-03-11T17:13:00.001-07:00

All, I have received word that Judy Coletti, daughter of Jimmy Coletti, will be attending the reunion.

I'm excited to hear from more of you!

Just Checking

2008-03-09T17:17:00.000-07:00

OK, I've received several searches to my other blog, potatoestopapayas.blogspot.com, that used the terms "provo canyon" and "reunion." I just want to make sure that nobody is coming to Provo Canyon for the reunion. The reunion is at North Ogden Park, and all of the details are on the right side of the screen. Just checking!

By the way, who all is coming? I've heard from a few of you.

I'm excited to see what you all bring for the pot luck!

John and Margaret Mecca

2008-02-28T18:53:00.000-08:00

I got a reunion announcement back from the Frontier, WY postmaster, informing me that "John and Margaret Mecca have passed on. It has been a few years now. They also lost their daughter and son-in-law just before too."

Message from Nena Gilleland

2008-02-28T18:52:00.000-08:00

Nena Gilleland, who is apparently my second cousin, wrote:

Greetings Sean! I am your second cousin, Nena (Janena) Coletti, daughter of James Coletti who was your grandfather's brother. If I've figured the blogspot out, you are the son of Jeff, my cousin and good friend growing up. Is that correct? Anyway, I was so impressed with the website and everything you've done for the family. My husband and I will be attending the reunion and I'm hoping that some of our kids and grandkids will also. We have five children and 15 grandchildren! I'm interested in knowing any information about family history and temple work that has been done. I've been doing a little research and finding it slow. I know Joe did quite a bit and would like to know what's been done if possible. Looking forward to meeting you and seeing long lost cousins! Thanks so much.Ciao! Nena

Message from Susan Kellerman

2008-02-28T18:49:00.000-08:00

Susan Kellerman recently wrote:

Thanks you so much for including us in the reunion. Unfortunately, wewill not be able to attend. Our kids are still in school at that timeand we will not be able to get away. Sincerely,Pat and Susan Kellerman

Pictures

2008-02-21T19:38:00.000-08:00

OK, many of you have asked for the pictures that I have put on the blog. Again, I have to thank Joseph Oliver (Patty's son) for putting them all together.

I have made an easy link for anyone interested in copying these wonderful photos. On the blog, there is now a slideshow on the right hand side. Double click on the slideshow, and it will bring you to my public Picasa web album of all the photos. You can download them in original format or order prints directly from Google.

Let me know if you run into any problems!

An error - It was Joseph Conrad who died

2008-02-21T18:44:00.000-08:00

I was mistaken when I said that Joseph Gordon Coletti had died. Joseph Gordon died when he was born. Joseph Conrad Coletti just died on February 14, 2008. I have made the appropriate change below.

Safeguarding Coletti Family Records

2008-02-15T07:51:00.000-08:00

All,

My Uncle Richard has offered to scan, photograph and archive all family records, photos, etc. that any of you can send to him and put it on a DVD. He will make copies of it available to everyone who comes to the reunion. He does this for a business, but he has offered to do this for our family for free.

Richard says he can do it in one of two ways:

1. If everyone sends their documents by FedEx, Certified Mail, or email, he'll get everything scanned, photographed, etc. and put on a CD that he will have available for distribution at the reunion. All items sent to him will be returned promptly by certified mail.

2. Or, he can arrange to bring his camera, scanner and laptop to the reunion and do the scanning there. Those who might want a copy of the DVD mailed to them later would probably need to pay a small amount to cover the cost.

He has stated that the work he does is very high quality … no Xerox copies, etc. Everything is scanned at very high res … 600 to 1200 dpi and archived on high quality DVD’s.

Anyone who is interested, here is Richard's contact information:

Richard Coletti
Post Office Box 566
Centerville, UT 84014
801-864-9773
rgcoletti@xmission.com

Joseph Conrad Coletti - Died February 14, 2008

2008-02-15T05:43:00.000-08:00

'Little Joe' passed away on Valentine's Day of complications incident to old age. He was 72. He was the 2nd son of Joseph and Violet Coletti, and is survived by 4-brothers; Richard, Robert, Jeffrey, and Danny Coletti, and 2-sisters; Patricia Oliver & Debra Dunning.

Thank you Richard for bringing this to our attention. I met Little Joe one time when I was younger; I can barely remember it. I know he didn't get enough attention from family. I hope I get to know him someday.

Directions

2008-02-13T19:37:00.000-08:00

Some of you have asked for detailed directions to the North Ogden Park. So here goes!

If you are driving North on I-15 to North Ogden, take Exit 349 (Farr West, North Ogden). There appears to be a McDonalds at that exit. Turn right on 2700 North. Follow the road as it turns into 2600 North. Follow the road until you get to 550 East, and turn left. Drive up 550 East until you see the park on your left.

If you are driving South on I-15 to North Ogden, I would still take Exit 349 (Farr West, North Ogden). Turn left on 2700 North. Follow the road as it turns into 2600 North. Follow the road until you get to 550 East, and turn left. Drive up 550 East until you see the park on your left.

If you have any questions, please ask me!

Google Maps has this new feature called "Street View." You should really check it out. You can view from street level many of the streets in North Ogden. It's amazing!

Reunion Update

2008-02-12T18:50:00.000-08:00

For those of you Colettis out there, here are the final details on the family reunion.
Good news! We have a location for the reunion. These are the details:

Time: April 26, 2008, 9 am - 5 pm

Place: North Ogden Park, North Ogden, Utah, at the East Bowery. If you get on E 2600 North, drive East until you get to N 550 East in North Ogden, Utah, then turn Left. That's where the park is located.

Please Bring: Your favorite dish. It's Pot Luck.

Hope to see you there!

If you are still confused about the location, go to: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=North+Ogden+Park&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=47.609089,103.007812&ie=UTF8&z=15&om=0

More Pictures

2008-02-08T20:32:00.000-08:00

Karen and Jane Coletti have commented on the blog, and now I realized I have some more pictures of them.

Here's baby Jane:

Karen and Jane, 1948:
Again, but what year??
A little older--
Baby Karen--
Also, here are some more pictures of the Cumberland raid:

Joseph Coletti (facing us?):

Joseph Coletti & family (son Mario and daughter Genevise):

Here's a different Joseph Coletti (my grandfather). Now you see where I get some of my good looks:

Later in life, as LDS Mission president in Rome, Italy, with Debra on left and Violet on the right:

Again, many thanks to Joe Oliver for these pictures!

New Message from Tony Coletti

2008-02-05T18:50:00.000-08:00

Here's a message from Tony Coletti, a great-grandson of Luigi Coletti through his son Joseph Coletti (not the same as my grandfather Joseph Coletti):

Hi Sean,

My name is Tony Coletti. I live in SLC, UT. There are some photos on your site of Luigi Coletti, and Luigi Coletti was my Great-Grandfather. His son was Joseph Coletti (my grandfather) who had 4 children, Joe (my father), John, Carol, and Lou. My dad recognizes several of the people in the pics, and in fact is in one of the pics (blonde, curly haired infant in the arms of a man). Luigi and wife, Theresa migrated from Turin, Italy and settled in Kemmerer, WY. We believe that Luigi was a cousin or brother of Peter Coletti. My mother's step-father was Paul Coletti (I can't remember his father's name) and he was my paternal grandfather's (Joseph Coletti) first cousin. This would make my father and mother second cousins (by marriage only). No, no inbreeding done here!

If in fact the 2 Coletti families are related, I would love to attend the family reunion. Thank you for your efforts in bringing this family together, please contact me at your convenience.

Regards,

Tony Coletti

Send me your suggestions!

2008-01-28T19:38:00.001-08:00

I'd really appreciate any suggestions on location for the reunion! I am looking for an indoor location that also has outdoor facilities, anywhere in Ogden/SLC/Provo area. All suggestions are appreciated!

Message from Karen Coletti

2008-01-28T19:25:00.000-08:00

I just got this great email from Karen Coletti (also daughter of Tony and Ruth Coletti). She's got the names of the people in the picture at the top-left of this blog:

Dear Sean, Hello from Karen Coletti in St. Louis, MO. Your dad and I are cousins, I am the elder daughter of Tony and Ruth Coletti. I am sending you the names of the family in the photograph taken in Peter and Josephine's dining room some 60 years ago! Back row, left to right: Jim Coletti, Donna Weaver Coletti, Fred Profaizer, Tillie Coletti Profaizer, Ruth Burch Coletti, baby Jane Coletti, Tony Coletti, Joe Coletti. Second row: Pamela Profaizer, Tamara Coletti, Ronnie Coletti, Robert Coletti, Karen Coletti, Violet Barker Coletti, baby Patti Ann Coletti. Front row: Freddie Profaizer, Peter Coletti, Josephine Castagna Coletti, Richard Coletti. The last time I saw any of Joe and Violet's branch was seven years ago when I visited Ogden and got to see your Aunt Patti Ann. I don't think my Coletti-Kelley clan will be able to come to the April gathering. Good luck with everything. My sister Jane will send you some pictures from our trip to Italy so you can post them. Love to all the family, Karen

Pictures from Jane Coletti

2008-01-28T19:19:00.000-08:00

I just received these pictures from Jane Perry (Coletti), the daughter of Tony and Ruth Coletti. Enjoy!

Here's Karen and Jane (Coletti) with Batista and Domenica Coletti. They are first cousins (Domenica by marriage) of Tony, Joe, Jim and Tillie Coletti.

Home of Michele and Maria Coletti in Monasterio.

Village church in Monastero.

Town of Coassolo when Josephine Castagna is from.
If anyone has more Coletti photos, send them over!

A Change of Plans

2008-01-25T12:46:00.000-08:00

Due to an unfortunate miscommunication, the Huish Activity Center is no longer available to us for our reunion.

This shall not be a problem, however. We will find a new location in Utah. The reunion will still occur on April 26, 2008, from 9 am to 9 pm.

I will announce the new location as soon as I can.

Email from Jane Perry

2008-01-21T19:35:00.000-08:00

Here is an email I received from Jane Perry, daughter of Tony and Ruth Coletti. I really hope nobody minds that I put their emails to me on the blog--I think everyone who reads the blog would be excited to hear from them!

Hi Sean

I've been on your blog site and just had to get in touch with you. I'm Jane Coletti Perry, daughter of Tony Coletti, your ggrandpa's brother. I hope I have the generations right...your father is Jeff who is my first cousin whom I haven't seen for many years! He was just a little kid when we used to visit Utah in the summers--your Aunt Pat and I are the same age and have kept in touch with Christmas cards over the years.

Anyway, your plans for a reunion sound great but I'm afraid we won't be able to make it in April. We live outside Kansas City and my sister Karen lives in St. Louis. We would certainly appreciate any family information and copies of family pictures if you could somehow get them to us electronically.

The pictures on the blog are truly fantastic! Some additional information:

--The family of four identified as Jim and Donna Coletti is Tony and Ruth Coletti with me and Karen. (I'm the baby)
--The picture with Joe and Violet and Nonna includes Nonno and Uncle Jim also--Where did you find the magazine picture of Cumberland?--it's fantastic
--The moonshine pictures are historical-any more copies?
--More information about the "Chicago" ship that came from Italy to Ellis Island--do you have dates of their US arrival or a ship manifest? Years ago I tried to look up Ellis Island records online and couldn't find Peter or Josephine--I know they traveled here in different years.

Karen and I went to Italy last May to meet Coletti cousins in Monastero and see the village where our dad was born and saw the home of Michele and Maria Coletti. It was a dream come true to do this. I will try to email you a few pictures from our trip. I hope to hear from you.

All the best,

Jane

Correction

2008-01-21T19:30:00.000-08:00

I've received some responses on the blog pictures, and realize I need to make some corrections (see below).

More Coletti family pictures

2008-01-06T19:31:00.001-08:00

Here are more pictures from our history. For good or bad, these events and people are part of us. We are Colettis.

Pictures of Joseph and Violet's family--

Violet, Patty, Jeff and Debra:

My uncle Joseph Gordon:

I think the caption on this one says it all:

1965 Christmas card:

Now a few from earlier times--

Here's Peter Coletti with his immediate family:

A dapper picture of Tony Coletti, one of Peter and Josephine's sons:

Jimmy and Donna Coletti with family (oops--this is Tony and Ruth Coletti, with daughters Karen and Jane):

I like this one--I know that my grandpa and grandma Joseph and Violet are in it, plus Nona Josephine, but I can't make out the other two (the other two are Nono and Uncle Jim Coletti):

Happy 68th:

Here's the home in Pleasant View:

Even earlier--home in Cumberland, WY:

A picture of Cumberland, right out of a magazine (I mean to say it "looks" like it is from a magazine, but I'm not sure either way):

Joseph and Jimmy with their dog:

Tilly, Joseph and another boy (?) with Christmas toys:

The Feds destroying the Coletti moonshine:

There's quite a bit more of those pictures. Here's the Chicago, the ship that brought us all over to Ellis Island:
And even earlier family--

Luigi Coletti (center) with Matt Bertagnoli:

Luigi with his sons:

A little later (?) Luigi with his family:
Joseph Coletti (1877-1942) with sons:

Joe and Luigi Coletti and family:

A few of Louis Coletti:

Looking for People

2007-12-30T12:04:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone,

Now is the time to start gathering names and information of people who may be interested in attending the family reunion. I know that readership of this blog is very small at this point, but I ask all of you to send me whatever information you may have so we can make sure that everyone finds out about the reunion. I will be sending out a tester email soon to several new email accounts. If you receive another email about the reunion, please take it as a sign that we are looking to find all relatives of Peter and Josephine Coletti to let them know about the reunion.

Here's to a wonderful rest of the holiday season to you and yours!

Sean

Coletti Pictures

2007-12-15T13:50:00.001-08:00

Here are some pictures I originally got from my cousin Joe. I'll try to explain them as I go. If you have any more Coletti pictures you want to have put on this blog, let me know!

Here are James Coletti and his wife (James is one of Peter Coletti's brothers):

Here's my father, Jeffrey Coletti, with his sister Debra.
An old picture of my family with some of the Olivers (from L to R): Michael Oliver, Matthew Coletti, Patricia Oliver, Eric Coletti, Violet Coletti, Sean Coletti, Melissa Coletti, Cindy Coletti, Jonathan Oliver, Jeffrey Coletti
Joseph and Rosie Coletti and family (Peter's brother's family):
Louis Coletti and his wife Maria Teresa Barra:
Joseph Coletti's high school diploma from Weber County High School:Matilda Coletti (Tilly Profaizer):
Nono and Nona Coletti (Peter and Josephine Coletti):

Gravestone of Peter and Josephine Coletti:
Peter and Josephine Coletti, holding Joseph Coletti, with Tony Coletti standing by their side:

Peter Coletti's brothers in Italy (love the mustaches!):
Peter Coletti family (as shown above) (I could probably only name half of the people in this picture):
Peter Coletti goin' huntin' (sure looks like a Coletti in this picture!):

Richard and Robert Coletti:

Coletti family reunion way back when... From L to R: Jonathan Oliver, Eric Coletti, Matthew Coletti, Michael Oliver, Sean Coletti, Joseph Oliver, Chad Oliver.

I'd like to put more pictures on the blog. Let me know if you want me to put a picture on.

Looks like we have a rich Coletti family heritage!

New Message from Richard Coletti

2007-12-15T06:35:00.000-08:00

Richard recently responded to Joe's comment:

Read your message Joe. I can tell you are excited to help with the preparations for our upcoming reunion. I'm attempting to get a lead on the cousins, Tamara, Susan, Nina, Pamela, Freddy Jr, Brent, etc. These are the children of Uncle Jim and Tillie ... my dad's brother and sister. More later. You can contact me at rgcoletti@xmission.com anytime. I seem to live in cyber space. Richard Coletti & Sandy. By the way, I just live over here in Centerville. Let's get together sometime.

Interesting facts about our family

2007-12-08T18:35:00.000-08:00

You all may already know this stuff, but I found it to be interesting. I plan on finding my genealogy and putting it on this site eventually. But for now, here are some interesting factoids:

Click here to see the distribution of Coletti families in the U.S. in 1920. According to Ancestry.com, only 1-3 Coletti families lived in Wyoming and in Utah at that time.

"Coletti" apparently comes from a diminutive of "Cola." "Cola" is a short form of "Nicola," which apparently was the Italian equivalent of "Nicholas."

This, I thought, was really interesting. In 1880, the top occupations for "Colettis" were as follows:

That explains the overabundance of music and art in our family!

I guess there's even a Coletti family crest.

And look at this--a book called "The Coletti Name in History." This should be good to read by the fireplace someday.

Anyway, this was fun. I'm going to do some more research on the "Coletti" name and our family before we have this reunion! I invite you to do the same!

Message from Joe Oliver

2007-12-02T11:48:00.001-08:00

Dear Friends,

I just received an email from my cousin, Joe Oliver. I haven't told Joe I'm going to put this on the blog, but I'm sure he won't mind. If you have a message you'd like to share with the rest of the family, I'll put it here with Joe's. Here's Joe's letter:

Hello Coletti cousins! For those who do not recall who I am, my name is Joseph (Joe) Oliver. I am a son of Ken Oliver & Patricia Coletti, grandson of Joseph & Violet Coletti, g-grandson of Peter & Josephine Coletti, gg-grandson of Michele Antonio Coletti & Maria Matilda Barra). I live in Layton, UT with my wife Lori & our two children, Emma (6) & James (3). I am forwarding you this email about a Coletti family reunion, sent by one of my first cousins, Sean Coletti, (son of Jeff Coletti, my mom's brother). Sean is a good kid, even though he is just a year or two younger than me, and now he's a lawyer, I still think of him as a kid. Well, he is a good kid and he is doing a good thing! He is organizing a family reunion and has asked for my help now for about two years to get the ball rolling. Whether it has been a lack of time, or at times a lack of desire, whatever my excuses, I seem to have been reluctant to offer much real help in the way of planning and organizing an event. Sean has not let my unwillingness stop him though, he has gone ahead and planned for a reunion by himself. Since these reunions are always hard to coordinate and are large undertakings from the planning, arranging of a time and place, the food, entertainment, and everything else that goes into a reunion, I guess I just didn't want to deal with it. But, Sean's persistence has been inspiring and I am proud of him for doing what he has done thus far. The reunion will be held in Provo, UT on April 26, 2008. He has also created a weblog for this occasion. See Sean's email below for further details. Now, I know that some of you are more distant in relationship to Sean & I than others, but that doesn't matter. I am emailing you because at one point in your family history, you were a Coletti. We would love to have all of you and your cousins there. Of course we all naturally have more interest in seeing immediate family members and friends that we are familiar with and many of us are shy around people we don't know; but that said, I would love to see as many distant cousins as close ones at the reunion. At our last reunion I truly enjoyed getting to know some of my fourth and fifth cousins who knew my grandparents or great grandparents and told me stories that I otherwise never would have known. There is no greater unit in the world than that of family! Wouldn't it be awesome if all of the Coletti descendants in America could come together in one reunion? Just imagine how great that would be. Let me tell you how it might be, shortly after meeting my wife-to-be I attended a family reunion of hers. It was for all of the descendants of Hans Olsen Magleby in America. The reunion was held in Richfield, UT in 1996 and there were about 2-3 thousand people present. Later I understood there were some people there that had issues with other family members, some who had not talked to each other for years and years, others who hurt or had been hurt by another person there, but they put all of those differences and issues behind them and came together to honor their heritage. At that reunion, it wasn't about them, it was about honoring their common ancestors. Underneath all of the petty little issues, (and even the huge problems they had with each other), they all realized that they would not be there had it not been for their one common ancestor who emigrated to America in the mid-19th century. And so it is with us. We have a great opportunity to enjoy each others company and honor those who came before. We would love to have all of the descendants of Peter Coletti & Josephine Castagno there, but no matter your connection, we would love to have as many Coletti descendants in attendance as possible. Whether we are 1st cousins, or 5th cousins twice removed, if you can make it, please do your best. I know it will be a great reminder of who you are an where you come from. Whether your family past is good or bad, famous or infamous, it doesn't matter. We are all here in this life together, we all make mistakes but we also all have similar dreams, goals and needs. Everyone wants to succeed, to be self-sufficient, to live in peace & harmony with others, to be able to enjoy the time we have here on Earth. So, let's try and do what my wife's family did, and get as many people there as possible, to enjoy life, and to honor our ancestors. For truly, if it were not for them, we would not be here today. At the last Coletti reunion that I was aware of and attended, I mentioned that I was going to compile a book with photographs, family histories, stories, etc.. for the descendants of Michelle Antonio Coletti & Maria Matilda Barra. Well, now a few years have passed and I still have no book to show for it. Lack of time from work, family, and life for some reason, always seems to get in the way. :) No wonder retired people seem to be the largest population that work on family history. They are the only ones who have the Time! :) Well, over the next few months I will do my best and make a concerted effort to compile as much information about the family such as stories, family histories, group sheets, photographs, and more, as I can and put it on CD-ROM to give out so that everyone can have a copy. It would be great if all of you would bring your family photos, copies of passports, birth, death, or marriage certificates, census records, etc.. Whatever you have would be openly welcome. The older the better. I believe in the Indiana Jones philosophy of historic pieces belonging in a museum. In the case of family history and especially in regards to family photographs, I believe that everyone should be able to have copies of every old photograph available of their own ancestors. I do not believe that they should be hid up or stored in private collections, or shoe boxes in closets or inside photo albums where no one but immediate family can see them. The major driving force behind my desire to compile a book in the first place, began when I saw all of the photographs of ancestors I had never seen before (at that reunion) that were in the private collection of just a handful of distant cousins. What I have done thus far is to collect all of the old photographs that my parents have had as well as gather together photographs from those that have shared their old photographs with me. I will put them on one CD-Rom and I hope that all of you will do the same. I do not have a laptop, but perhaps I will bring my computer to the reunion so that information can be passed and shared electronically as well as viewed by all. I may also bring a scanner so copies of your photographs can be made electronically for all.

I for one am planning on this reunion as of right now. My wife said that she was probably going to have our daughter's birthday party that day, as her birthday is April 28th, but she understands that some things happen infrequently and are more important than even special events such as birthdays. I hope that all of you will plan now to attend this reunion. If you live out-of-state and do not have the means to bring all of your family, please send your photos via email or snail mail (IE the US Post Office). If only one of you can make it from your family as a representative, you would be welcomed with open arms. Please forward this email to all of your family members and any other Coletti cousins of which you are aware. Please also reply to me or directly to Sean, (his email is on the CC line above), to let us know if you plan to attend, how many people you are going to bring and let's try to make this a wonderful day for all. We honor our God by setting aside one day each week, now let's honor our ancestors by remembering them on this one day! Love Your cousin, Joe Oliver

Reunion 2008

2007-12-01T20:52:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone!

This is the official blog of the 2008 Coletti Family Reunion.

Time: April 26, 2008, 9 am - 9 pm

Place: Utah (exact location yet to be determined)

Those Invited: All descendants of Peter and Josephine Coletti and families, particularly all descendants of Joseph and Violet Coletti and their families

Please leave your comments, suggestions, and RSVPs on this blog website!