Introduction to The Manrarafamily.com

Manrarafamily.com is the Internet web platform for the Alfredo Manrara-Carmelina Gastón family and descendants.
The platform is a cloud based digital depository of the living and historical memory of the. Family members around the world can access information about their ancestry /origins, read historical documents, view and share photos, listen to sound recordings, enjoy food recipes and much more. They can view the film “Carmelina: Memories of A Generation” and episodes related to Carmelina’s life.

The Manrara and Gastón family ancestors came to Cuba from Europe and direct relatives can be traced to the early 1600’s. The family history has deep sentimental meaning for its members. The web platform’s historical and anthropological components have significant added values. It is a window into the history of 20th century Cuban families who grew and prospered and eventually settled in Miami during the exile mass migrations that began in 1960. The web platform is the bridge into the 21st century.

Through the web pages of the platform, the history of the family unfolds and displays its origins with interesting connections to historical events. Delving into the pages of the web platform answers who we are and why.
The web platform will be maintained indefinitely into the future and will serve as a repository of photos, home movies, film and videos, memorabilia, etc., that will continue to grow as the family grows. The web platform has a link to the Vimeo.com web site where the film and videos can be enjoyed.

The historical centerpiece of the web platform is the film “Carmelina: Memories of A Generation.” The film is based on the recollections of Carmelina, the matriarch of the Manrara Gastón family.

The film documents for posterity family ancestry and life in Cuba. Carmelina shares, in her own voice, episodes from her childhood, school, work, courtship and marriage to Alfredo “Pio” Manrara, her children and eventual exile to the United States. In addition to the film there are several short video episodes that capture special moments about her life

The web platform also presents the Family Tree, which reflects the ancestry and the growth of the Manrara Gastón family. The Family Tree records names, important dates and family relationships. The tree enables present and future generations to better understand their heritage. As the family grows the Family Tree will continue to grow.

Food and shared dining experiences are key to a family’s heritage. The web platform presents some of Carmelina’s favorite recipes as well as those of family members. Through Sunday family lunches and celebrations of holidays and family traditions, the Cuban culinary heritage has been passed to future generations of the family.

Family members will be adding their own recipes to the web platform as new cultural roots and family branches evolve.

Through a link to Dropbox, the web platform serves as the “vault of history” in the cloud for the family. It includes family photos and videos, voice messages, correspondence as well as historical documents and digitized memorabilia. The “vault of history” makes it all accessible to the family members.

Over time, the contents of the vault of history will increase as each branch of the family adds its own historical records to continue the family’s history.

Now it's your turn to contribute to the family history by adding to the Vault of History

The Manrara Family History Video and Web Platform is based on Carmelina’s recollections, the matriarch of the Manrara Gastón family.

Introduction to The Manrarafamily.com

Origins

Features

Episodes