Hello Tina! I've heard stories about you and your family for years and I'm excited to be in touch! How great that you were able to secure copies of such precious family documents. I have been trying to find out what I can, but havne't had as much time to devote to it as i'd like. Any information you can share would be helpful as I am hoping (fingers are crossed that this can happen) to try and visit Mercalo next fall. I was recently on a business trip and was "bumped" to another flight, so for my "inconvenience" the airline gave me a voucher for $1000! Next fall will be our 20th anniversary and I'm thinking of trying to swing a trip to Italy. I have a friend who teaches Italian and who has been there over 30 times and she is going to help me plan the trip. I'm hoping if we stay in bed and breakfast type of places, with free airfare the trip might be doable. it's a surprise for Greg, so shhhhh! If I get to go, i promise to take lots of photos and to share whatever info I can get! If you know of anyone I can contact ahead of time, that would be great. Wouldn't it be cool to meet a long lost relative!? Do you know about Paula Bagalio in Argentina who is a relative? She and I found each other years ago and have corresponded. They also used to be Bagagalio's and were from Mercalo originally but that side of the family ended up in South America a couple of generations ago. Their name was also changed to "Bagalio." So glad you wrote!