family stories: tina and raoul de forcade

My great-grandfather Raoul de Forcade was born in 1886 in Verona, Italy. He was raised in Naples, attended the University of Florence and spent a year in Vienna. He served as a calvary officer in the Italian army, and was dashing man who greatly enjoyed the bachelor lifestyle -- to be specific, my aunt mentioned he enjoyed duels and the company of opera dancers. His mother Adele nagged him to settle down and get married, but he ignored her pleas. 

My great-grandmother was born in 1901 and was one of nine children. She was a very well-rounded young lady who rode horses, played the piano and spoke French. She met my great-grandfather for the first time when she was 17 or 18 years old. She was riding with some friends when her horse shied and threw her. My great-grandfather saw her and went over to help. Instead of playing the part of the damsel in distress, she was angry and only wanted to get back on the horse. A few years later, she spent the day at the beach with the wife of a calvary colonel. They were excellent swimmers and decided to swim a long way from the shore. While they were swimming, a boat full of officers approached and asked if they needed help. They accepted the invitation to be pulled into the boat. Ironically, my great-grandfather was among them.

After their second meeting, Raoul started writing to Tina. Occasionally he introduced her to his mother at parties. His mother liked her very much, but she didn't approve of an engagement because my grandmother wasn't a member of the Italian aristocracy. Eventually, he resorted to extreme measures to win her approval -- he informed his mother that he wanted to marry one of his opera dancer girlfriends! Suddenly the lovely girl with an independent nature wasn't such a bad match after all, and his mother insisted that he reconsider the lovely Tina. They were married and moved to Verona. My grandmother arrived 10 and a half months later. She is in the bottom photograph.

family stories: adele and ernesto de forcade

My great-great-grandmother, Adele De Forcade.

This week I was lucky enough to interview my aunt and 91-year-old grandmother about our family. They told me several stories about my great-grandmother Tina, great-grandfather Raoul and my great-great-grandparents Ernesto and Adele.

Adele was born in Verona, Italy (home of Romeo and Juliet), married Ernesto De Forcade at 17 or 18, and had two children, Marie and my great-grandfather Raoul. 

Ernesto built railroads, and he was involved with the construction of the first railroad in Naples. The family moved to Naples during that period. When Raoul was eight, Ernesto traveled to Brazil to build a railroad, and he died suddenly.

Adele was still young, so she remarried. Her second husband was an attorney who spoke ten languages and travel extensively, even to the U.S., which wasn't very common at that time. He adored Adele and adopted Raoul. He purchased two apartments in Naples and a home on Capri for the family. These homes are still in our family to this day.

Adele died when my grandmother was four years old. Although her second husband was her senior, he died in 1936 when my grandmother was 16. My aunt described him as a bit of a health freak who chewed each bite of food 33 times. He also documented everything very thoroughly. My family live in the apartments that he purchased all of those years ago, and they have found boxes and boxes of his papers.

In the picture below, I see my father in Ernesto, his namesake, and I see my cousin Elena in Marie. Although my grandmother heavily favors her mother, I also see Adele in her features. 

Marie, Ernesto, Adele and Raoul De Forcade. 

family stories: tina de forcade

As a child, I didn't realize what a blessing it was that I was able to spend time with three of my grandparents and my great-grandmother. Now I recognize just how special those years were to all of the generations. 

My great-grandmother Tina de Forcade passed away in 1991. I was seven years old, but I remember her vividly. She didn't speak to us in English, but that didn't matter. My sister, cousins and I would sit on her bed or in her lap, and she would talk to us in Italian. She had kind eyes and soft skin. She seemed so ancient and wise. I wish I had more memories of her. I hope this post will encourage my family to share some of their memories (hint, hint), so I can share them on the blog. 

She was a beautiful lady with a timeless sense of style and a lovely twinkle in her eye. 

With her daughter Lucy and grandchildren Tina and Fred. 

With Fred and a very adorable baby Tina.

With her two eldest great-grandchildren -- me and my cousin Carlo -- in 1985. 

On the Road with G&J: Rome and Naples

Today we're inspired by one of our favorite movies, Roman Holiday, so we're taking a trip to Rome and Naples. In addition to the fabulous sights, our favorite part of Rome and Naples is the incredible food and drink. Some of our must-have Italian treats are mozzarella di bufala in a caprese insalata, pizza napoletana, gelato and limoncello. You'll taste some of the freshest tomatoes, basil, olives and lemons in Southern Italy, not to mention some greatest wines. Fortunately walking is the best way to see the sights (on ancient cobblestone streets no less), so we never feel too guilty about our lunch and dinner choices! Like they say, when in Rome...[gallery type="rectangular" ids="1463,1461,1455,1462,1460,1442,1459,1453,1458,1457,1450,1454,1456,1452,1445,1451,1431,1448,1444,1437,1443,1436,1449,1446,1440,1439,1441,1434,1438,1433,1447,1435,1432"]