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2022 Gamble Family Reunion in South Carolina

2022 Gamble Family Reunion in South Carolina

by Lisette Austin | Aug 31, 2022 | Travel Stories

Be sure to check out the photo gallery at the end of this post…. At the beginning of August, my biological uncle Robert and I attended the 2022 Gamble family reunion, held in Charleston, South Carolina. Black Gamble descendants have been meeting annually since...

Travel podcaster also known as Jet Set Lisette, host of the award-winning Globetrotter Lounge Podcast. A Black biracial adoptee, Lisette is currently traveling her roots.

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Palermo photo dump! 🤩🇮🇹 We spent over 4 Palermo photo dump! 🤩🇮🇹 
We spent over 4 days exploring the vibrant capital of Sicily, with its amazing markets, gorgeous churches, rich history and delicious food. 

Pretty much just scratched the surface, and didn’t make it nearby Monreale or Cefalú - so I guess I’ll be going back.  Never mind the fact that the town my ancestors are from is less than an hour away. 

And since it’s a major Italian city with an international airport, I could potentially use it as a long term base to visit more of Sicily and other European countries - and maybe even Africa. 🤔  Ummm - yes please. 

First photo: @willaustin 

#journeytothepast #adopteevoices #travelingmyroots #sicilian #palermocity  #ilovesicily
The feeling you get when you get to see the origin The feeling you get when you get to see the original birth records of your Sicilian great-grandparents. 🥲❤️
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A few days ago I had the unique experience of visiting Piana degli Albanesi, the small town that my maternal great-grandparents were from.
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Even more, I was able to see the original 1891 and 1899 records that proved my ancestors were born here. This was thanks to Salvatore Vasotti, the man behind @visitpiana.
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When I was doing research for this trip, I was amazed to find the Visit Piana website and see that they offered a “Meet Your Ancestors” experience.
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Basically, Salvatore locates your ancestors in the town archives, introduces you to Piana’s history and culture, and connects you to any local relatives. It’s his passion project – providing an invaluable service to the town’s descendants, reconnecting them to their roots.
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As an adoptee doing DNA travel, this was like striking gold. I immediately signed up.
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We spent two nights in Piana, and our one full day was with Salvatore, who was such an incredibly fun, knowledgeable and thoughtful guide. After a stop for an espresso (of course), he took us to wonderful and impressive churches and museums, introducing us to warm and friendly people everywhere we went.
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We then went to the town’s archives where the lovely Signora Ferrara helped us pull the records, and the equally kind Signora Norcia provided official copies. It was a very emotional moment.
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The day also included meeting the mayor of Piana (see photo), and a visit to the important historical site of the Portella Della Ginestra massacre. I also found the house where my great-grandfather was born. 😭
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I got tons of great audio of Salvatore explaining the incredible history of this Albanian Sicilian town. I feel so proud to come from this unique group of people with their beautiful Byzantine churches, Arbëreshe language and gorgeous traditional clothing. I know I will be back.
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To hear audio and get more of the story, sign up for my newsletter (link in bio). Thanks again Salvatore for an unforgettable experience!

📸@willaustin
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#journeytothepast #heritagetravel #genealogy #adopteevoices #travelingmyroots #sicily🇮🇹 #pianadeglialbanesi
My DNA travels in Sicily continue. We spent 2.5 da My DNA travels in Sicily continue. We spent 2.5 days exploring Siracusa, a mesmerizing and beautiful ancient city (2,700 years old) that once was the seat of power for Greek civilization - and later the Romans. Which means there are incredible Greek and Roman ruins here that have been famous for centuries. 

Siracusa’s historic center is actually on a small island called Ortigia. It has it all - seaboard walls, a castle and a fort, narrow twisting alleys, a fabulous outdoor market, beautiful piazzas and churches, restaurants and cafes, shopping - and the buildings are all built with beautiful light colored stones.  It’s quite run down in parts but is being renovated more and more.

We also spent a half day at Neapolis, a vast archeological park featuring an ancient Greek theater, a Roman amphitheater, huge caves, massive stone quarries & other relics dating back as far as the 5th century BC. Look it up - it’s crazy. We were blown away. 

Here’s a few photos from our explorations - only skimming the surface of what Siracusa has to offer. I highly recommend a visit if heading to Sicily. 

Next up: Going to the small town above Palermo that my great-grandparents (and their ancestors) were from. 🇮🇹

📸: @willaustin (photos 1 & 8)

#wanderlusters #blacktraveljourney #dnatravel #siracusa #sicilian #siciliagram #travelingmyroots
Thoroughly enjoyed our 3 days in Taormina, Sicily… so glad we decided to come back to where we honeymooned 25 years ago. Too tired to explain all the photos - but yes this place is as magical as it looks. Beauty is literally everywhere you look. Especially incredible is the Ancient Greek theater perched above the city with a view of Mt. Etna, steaming in the background. It’s surreal. 

And I’ll mention that the photo of the two chairs with the view was our room’s balcony at the @hotelvillastoria (where we also stayed on our honeymoon). 

I’m so happy to be back in Sicily, now knowing that an entire line of my biological maternal ancestors came from this island, going centuries back. It feels so important to be here - in ways I can’t fully explain yet.  I feel like I’m getting parts of myself back. 

And you know how happy I was to find a place that made gluten free Sicilian pizza. Just sayin’. 🤩

#wanderlusters #blacktraveljourney #heritagetravel #taorminasicily #travelingmyroots #ancestors 
#adopteevoices
When you come across a store in Taormina, Sicily t When you come across a store in Taormina, Sicily that bears the same name as your great-grandfather, who himself came from Sicily. 😮🤯 

This is Lorenzo Camarda (on the right) and his father Gaetano. Lorenzo was named after his grandfather who started the store. They have been making high end handmade Italian shoes for 3 generations – and are originally from Palermo. 

My biological great-grandfather Lorenzo Camarda (last photo) and all his ancestors before him came from Piana degli Albanesi, a small town above Palermo made up of Albanians who fled their country in the 1400s. 

So yeah, I’m thinking we might be distant cousins. And I’m also thinking I might need to spring for some beautiful Lorenzo Camarda shoes, don’t you? 😁🇮🇹👠 @lorenzocamardashoes 

Stay tuned for more stories…I’m in Sicily celebrating my 25th wedding anniversary and am also @travelingmyroots. So excited. 🤩

First photo: @willaustin 

#blacktraveljourney #journeytothepast #heritagetravel #genealogy #ancestors #adopteevoices #travelingmyroots #taorminasicily #italianfamily
I’m still here y’all. I continue to navigate s I’m still here y’all. I continue to navigate some difficult challenges (hence being more quiet) but I’m still making room for joy – and travel. I’m blessed to be spending a month in beautiful Zihuatanejo, on a solo self care and creativity retreat. It’s filling my cup. This photo sums up how this place makes me feel. ☀️🇲🇽❤️
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Next week I’m publishing an episode of Sound Bites from the Road, my audio newsletter. 🎧 It’s February so I’ll share favorite Black History resources, including podcast episodes, books, shows and more.
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I’ll also share some of the things that are deeply inspiring me, where I’m going next for my DNA travel (hint: think White Lotus), and some fun news about my project, Traveling My Roots.
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I’d hate for you to miss it, so be sure to sign up for my newsletter (link in bio). More soon. 

📸 @willaustin 
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#travellust #blackcreators  #blacktraveljourney #dnatravel #blacktraveljourney #heritagetravel #genealogy  #adopteevoices #travelingmyroots #blackhistory365

Exploring ancestral places, family stories, Black history, the legacy of slavery, the immigrant experience, the complexities of being adopted and multiracial – and ultimately my own identity.

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