College Essays by Frank (Francis X. Scafuro 1906=1968)     

These essays. essentially autobiographical in nature, tell the story behind Frank's parents' decision to emigrate to the United States.
Some names of people and places were obviously changed, e.g, Saverino for Scafuro.
N.B. The Scafuros in Genoa, Italy, trace their family to Mercato San Saverino which is about 50 miles from Sopravia di Nola,
the "frazione" or small part of Pago del Vallo di Lauro from which our family comes.
Also some events mentioned in the essays do not fit squarely with recorded history,
e.g., the dates for eruptions of Mt. Vesuvius and Italo-Turkish wars.
The essays mention a castle or palazzo - and to be sure there are several within 5 km of Sopravia:
Castello Lancelotti, Palazzo Pignatelli, Palazzo del Cappellano o Palazzo dei Tufi, and Palazzo della Mastrodattia
- but any connection to the family would require a high altitude flight of fancy.
The monastery - Certosa di San Giacomo ? - is a more likely candidate for a family connection - though with the Crisci's.
Raffaele's mother, Mariamichele (Dona michela in the essays) nee Crisci, purportedly had five brothers who were monks or priests.
N.B.: the abbey may have been deconsecrated in the early 1800's predating Frank's story about visiting his uncle, the monk

Still, much of Frank's writings are reminiscent of tales told 'round the dinner table.

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