Message Board - archive 6

From : Tony & Mira Rocca
Email: trocca@attglobal.net
Subject : The Rocca family, Manchester United & Ice Cream
Date : Wed, 3 Sep 2003 14:26:26 +0200

Dear Tony,

You don't know me but I see from your excellent website that we have at least a couple of things in common: our first names (therefore initials), and the fact that we're descended from famous Mancunian ice-cream makers. Hello from Tony Rocca, great-grandson of Luigi (aka Louis) Rocca, formerly of No.13 Great Ancoats Street until it became the Daily Express office. I've only just discovered your site and have been very impressed by the way you've put things together. It's a great piece of social history and I've learnt a lot from it — and want to know more.

My interest is twofold. First, my Father, Leo Rocca (born in Ancoats) is going to be 93 next month and I would like him to have the book. Second, you say in the blurb for the Star of Shame book that there were untold truths which the British Goverment covered up.

I have no real memories of Ancoats myself having been born in the leafy purlieus of Gatley in WW2. (Grandpa may have had a privy in his back yard; we had an air-raid shelter). But I remember Old Trafford very well. You'll know, I'm sure, that Louis Rocca was MUFC's chief talent scout before the war and was responsible for signing Matt Busby. Go further back, to 1902, and there he is again, present at a board meeting of Newton Heath FC when the club was trying to decide what new name it should adopt. Someone suggested Manchester Central, which was rejected out of hand because it sounded like a railway station. Grandpa came up with Manchester United and the rest is history. Would that his grandson had some shares in the outfit! There was once a "Rocca's Brigade" on the terraces if my Dad's memories and old photographs serve me well. All this and ice cream too.

I can't recall what the celebration was but my parents tell me I was with them, age about 5, at some function at which he was present (probably at the club). They served ice cream for dessert and I announced to everyone: "This ice cream's lumpy!" To which he said: "Quite right, son," and gave me half a crown. Pity it wasn't a share option! Enough nostalgia. You certainly have a wonderful store of stories and photographs in your archives and I am sad to say I have none, which is why I find your site so intriguing.

Just a bit about me. I had a long career in journalism in the UK before leaving in 1982 to live in France. Then, 15 years ago, my wife and I bought a ruined farmhouse in Tuscany and spent seven years restoring it and a further seven running it as an agriturismo and producing wine (Chianti Classico, pretty highly rated). It was the story of my great-grandfather in reverse, a century on : we both set out from our homeland for the unknown, seeking a better life, not speaking the language. Only I reckon I got the better deal. I sold the business a year ago and am now spending my time travelling between Italy and France, enjoying early retirement and trying to write a book.

Again, sincere "complimenti" on your site and thank you for the pleasure it's given me.

Best wishes, Tony Rocca

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From : Vincent Rea
Email: vrea@prisma-presse.com
Subject : French Famiglia
Date : Mon, 01 Sep 2003 15:18:16 +0100

Hi Tony,

My name is Vincent Rea. I am 31. I was born in France, in a suburban city very close to Paris. I discovered your web site last week and I am very happy to find, at last, an investigation about our surname!

In 1998, I went to Arpino, and visited the municipio, to investigate about my ancestors. I did not manage to go back very far (only in 19th century). Not further than the grandfather of my greatgrandfather Antonio. Antonio left Arpino in the early 20's. He had planned to go to England, but, when he saw the sea for the first time, in the harbour of Le Havre, he was so frightened that he decided to stay in France (his 11 sons and daughters settled in France). My grandfather Clemente was born in Arpino in 1912. I think he went to France with his father and family, in 1924. He died in 1990. Besides, we have some cousins in the area of Newcastle and their sons seem to be now around Bradford. They still sometimes write to my grandmother for Christmas, but I have never met them.

Anyway about our origins, your explanations are very interesting, but a bit confused. I think it is very difficult to know exactly from which part of the world we are coming. What I believe is, with a so simple and so short surname (almost primitive), we probably are a very ancient family. Coming back from Arpino, I drew my family tree too. But as I moved into a new flat some months ago, it will take a time before I find it again.

Well, it's very nice to speak about that. Looking further to read from you soon.

Ciao, Vincent.

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From : "Linda Hinds"
Email: laurinda53@yahoo.com
Subject : Remembering Nanna and Dadda Bailey
Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2003 08:20:26 +0100

Hello Anthony your site (its fantastic), I enjoyed reading the messages, I can remember going to Nanna Bailey's when I was a kid and seeing the pictures brought back great memories of my family, love Linda x

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From: "Glenn Routledge Italia UK"
Email: italiauk@btconnect.com
Subject: Italia UK Magazine
Date: Thu, 28 Aug 2003 16:43:58 +0000

Hi Tony,
I've just spent the last hour or so reading your fantastic website! Well done, so impressive!! I loved reading it all, and of course since I am from Manchester myself I found it really interesting. I came across it because I was doing a search for 'Ice-Cream' and vendors etc etc... I am the editor of Italia UK Magazine which we publish here in Manchester and distribute across the whole of the UK.
. ..I think the site is of great interest to our readership.

Kind regards,
Glenn

Glenn Routledge Italia UK Limited

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From : "Marie Bernadine Belli"
Email: omertambb@btopenworld.com
Subject : Rocco Belli, Saragossa
Date : Mon, 25 Aug 2003 20:21:58 +0100

I AM TRACING MY FATHER'S HISTORY, HIS NAME WAS ROCCO BELLI, SON OF NAZARINE AND ROSA BELLI. ROSA'S MAIDEN NAME WAS SARAGOSSA. I KNOW MY FATHER'S FAMILY WERE INVOLVED IN THE ICE CREAM BUSINESS, IN ANCOATS. HE HAD SEVERAL BROTHERS AND SISTERS, BERNADINE, GERALD, NOVRIANO, LUCY, ANTONIA, TO NAME A FEW. I WOULD BE VERY GRATEFUL FOR ANY INFORMATION ABOUT MY BELOVED FATHER, WHO SADLY IS NO LONGER ALIVE.

THANKYOU AND BEST WISHES TO YOU ALL,
MARIE X

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From : "john francis ricco jr."
Email: jfricco53@yahoo.com
To : rea_tony@hotmail.com
Subject : American of Italian and French Canadian descent

Hello. Saw your website while browsing.

I am an American of Italian and French Canadian descent. My paternal grandparents were born in Italy, my maternal great grandparents in Quebec, Canada. Very similiar to the Italian / Irish marriages in Great Britain. Lots of second and third generation 1/2 italians in both the US and the UK resulting from the mass emigration from Italy to the US and UK 1880-1920. I never realised so many Italians never made it to the US, setting up residence in Britain instead.

Very interesting site.

John.

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From : "Kathleen Fenwick"
Email: kath_fenwick@yahoo.com
Subject : Ladzrie / Ladzarus / Lazzari
Date : Fri, 22 Aug 2003 01:16:54 +0100

Hi Tony,

I have just discovered your wonderful site thanks to Family Tree Magazine.

I wonder if anyone can help me? My 4x greatgrandfather Paul Anthony Ladzrie (spelt Ladzarus in the marriage book) married Sarah Matley in Manchester Cathedral on the 6th Aug. 1800 then later moved to Newcastle-upon-Tyne where he had a plaster of Paris & Roman cement works on High Bridge, Newcastle. Can anyone tell me if Paul was born in Manchester or where they lived? Was there any Catholic Churches about 1780, so that I might be able to search their records? I would be grateful for any help or leads anyone can give me.

I will let my other Ladzrie/Lazzari contacts know about your site. Keep up the good work.

Best regards, Kath Fenwick

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