European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 14, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Odds amp ends covering windows is a Universal pain genealogy Erm Bombeck Universal press Syndicate this problem Isnit right up there with the Mideast but did you Ever think that what this country really needs is standardized windows think about it. Have you Ever had a pair of curtains or draperies that fit anything other than the window they were made for families of service members Tell me its a global problem. They lug boxes of old window dressings All Over the world Only to have them fit nothing. A Mother from Lima Ohio who danced up and Down on a water bed trying to make a pair of draperies fit the window in her songs College dorm complained she had never seen such oddball windows in her entire life. A Universal window is one of the last holdouts toward restoring mental health in this country. There Are Standard bed linens ironing Board and toaster covers. Toilet seats Are Well on their Way to standardization. So Are Shower curtains. But windows Are left to the whim of architects who think nothing of Penc Iling in a Little recessed Glass opening in the bathroom 4vi inches by 8 feet 2 inches and smiling a this is a fun  i know All of this Isnit going to turn around overnight or have the Impact that International traffic signals and Road signs have but even if All rental properties were required to have Standard windows it would break new ground. Do you have any idea of the Odds of a pair of draperies on a Sale table fitting anything the same As Donald Trump passing a Mirror without smiling. Eight years ago when we built our House i took one look at the weird sizes of windows and Glass doors and made a monumental decision. I would have no curtains anywhere except in the bathroom. My husband said if i left them open instant Justice would be served each morning i look out and see a Panorama of Trees and Flowers and sky. Everyone who visits stands there squinting from the natural Light and saying a so when Are your draperies getting Back from the cleaners a in a not saying a uniform window is the Only goal in life but i do think about it from time to time. Remember the scene in a gone with the wind where Scarlett pulls Down the Green draperies with the Golden cords from the windows and tells her maid she is going to make a dress out of them every time i see it i shudder and think a big mistake Scarlett. We re not talking Sears ready Mades. This impetuous act will Cost you a bundle to replace a  More than 5 million italians moved to America since immigration records began to be compiled a and most of them arrived Between 1880 and 1920. It is the descendants of these immigrants that Are now becoming so Active in researching their roots. Most in fact 97 percent of the italians who immigrated to America landed in new York and if your ancestors arrived after 1897, you should be Able to find them fairly easily in the passenger arrival records of the National archives since indexes exist for this time period. A there Are three Basic facts you must know about your immigrant ancestor before beginning your search name age at arrival and Date of arrival a says John p. Colletta author of a they came in ships a a Brief guide to research in ship passenger lists. For italian research it is especially important to know your ancestors full formal Legal name of birth in the old country because passenger lists were normally prepared in the port of departure or on Board ship so the names appear As they would in that place and time. However when they arrived in America Many italians had their surnames changed by spelling Anglo citation or shortening. Colletta suggests you search family documents for such things As passports and travel papers family letters diaries Bible inscriptions death announcements and remembrance cards newspaper Horoscope obituaries wedding invitations and birth and christening announcements steamship ticket stubs Ellis Island inspection cards and citizenship class diplomas to find the real surname. It is then easier to begin tracing your family a history Back in Italy. The family history Library in Salt Lake City has some records of interest to italian researchers. Once you have determined the exact origin of your immigrant consult the groups Catalon. Its available in All the family history Library branches. The Goupis Catalon divides Italy into 19 regions which in turn Are subdivided into one to nine provinces. Town records when available Are listed under the name of the town within the specific province. Extensive microfilming is under Way in Italy so More and More records will soon be available for researchers. While the italian government began keeping civil records of births marriages and deaths throughout the country in 1869, Many areas have earlier records. In much of Southern Italy these records begin As Early As 1838. Often two generations of ancestors Are included on the records about an individual. Most Catholic registers in Italy begin in the Early 1600s, although some begin in the 1500s. The Best Way to obtain these records is by correspondence with the local Parish or diocesan archives. If you re curious about the meaning of italian names consult a out italian surnames by Joseph g. Fucilla. It was published by genealogical publishing co. Of Baltimore in 1987 and is in Many libraries. For the week of oct. 14 Libra sept. 23-oct. 22 Stop worrying about things you can to change. The past and future Are out of your control focus on the present. Living in the moment taps inner Power. The love Radiator heats up. Scorpio oct. 23-nov. 21 talk up a storm. Brilliant ideas hit in Waves. Done to give Way to superficiality though. You re thinking clearly. Done to allow others to Sway you. Call friends with Good news. Sagittarius nov. 22-dec. 20 Analyse dreams for insights into your True character. Let bygones be bygones with friends and relatives. You re itchy to travel again make the move. Capricorn dec. 21-Jan. 19 consider new avenues in film video or television. You have a natural ability to teach others. Penetrate to the heart of mysteries. Watch miserly tendencies. Aquarius Jan. 20-feb. 18 show off your latest moves but Check your critical nature not everyone can meet your expectations. Watch your weight sports and diet help. Be meticulous while shopping. Pisces feb. 19-March 20 cast away nagging doubts and tentative actions. Throw caution to the wind. Take Well reasoned risks. Reinvent yourself read classics again go Back to school plan a second career. I Aries March 21-april 19 anticipate surprises. Take a Good look at your investment Stra Myra Vanderpool Gormley a former stars and stripes employee writes for the los Angeles times Syndicate. Segies Over the Long haul. Done to make Radical changes. Your Energy quotient soars. Taurus april 20-may"20 recharge your romantic batteries. Put yourself in a loved ones situation. You make Progress through empathy and kindness. Reminiscing provides insight. Gemini May 21-june 20 abandon material pursuits. Cultivate spiritual aspirations. Think about Money and family budgets from a different Vantage Point. Scribble Down what your imagination creates. Cancer june 21-july 22 Happy Days Are Here. Take immediate action on business and personal fronts. Bolster the Bank account invest in new friends. Open your heart to Romance. Leo july 23-aug. 22 done to get zapped by the mood Bug drop lingering woes and be the natural pleasure seeker you Are. Browse through favorite stores. Buy gifts for friends. Plan a halloween costume. Virgo aug. 23-sept. 22 plan monthly ventures with care. It s your Cycle to take initiative but dangers abound. Look from others perspectives. Think before speaking or acting. Copley news service Page 19