Categories: Podcast

Breathing Life into the Italian Immigrant Story with Joe Orazi

Sorrentino Family

Imagine uncovering a family history so rich and impactful that it propels you to pen an intriguing tale about Italian immigration to America. That’s precisely what our guest, Joe Orazi, author of L’America, did. In a heartwarming conversation, Joe shares his personal experiences growing up in an Italian family in Pittsburgh and how these experiences shaped his perspective on culture, identity, and heritage.

Uncover the hidden gems of Italian immigration as Joe takes us back to 1915 through his book, L’America. He meticulously researched to craft an authentic and emotional storyline that details the journey of three different Italian families who established their lives in America. If that isn’t exciting enough, prepare to be thrilled as we explore the potential of bringing this rich narrative to life in a mini-series with Little Studio Films.

But there’s more than just a captivating story to our conversation. We delve into the complexities of Italian culture, the impact of the mafia, and foreign influences on Italy. Joe insightfully discusses the unique blend of being both Italian and American, shedding light on his own feelings of dual identity. As we wrap up this enlightening discussion, we reflect on the importance of understanding our roots, urging you, our listeners, to delve into your own histories. Don’t miss out on this intriguing journey with Joe Orazi!

L’America
Preceding WWII, hundreds of thousands of Italians came to our shores this is their story.

Click here to visit L’America Website

Podcast

Video

History of Bari with Vintage Photos

March 24, 2023 No Comments

Join Italian Roots and Genealogy on Facebook Bari montage very nice Francesco Nicoletti and Maria Carnevale with their grandson Giovanni My mom’s family comes from Bari and in fact her oldest brother did not migrate from there until after WWII. My grandmother’s family was from Acquaviva delle Fonti and my grandfather’s from Toritto. Like most people from Bari at the time, most of the men farmers and many of the women were seamstresses. I have

Researching Biccari, Foggia, Puglia

November 14, 2022 No Comments

A moment and a movement; New Biccari. With Erick and Giuseppe Lucera and Rich Leto The book illustrates how a moment in time when the author returned to his ancestral village let to research into the movement of people from Biccari to Philadelphia. Erick along with cousins in Italy Gennaro and Giuseppe Lucera trace the 1200 Biccarese citizens to America, ending up mostly Philadelphia. Using data analytics and his cousin’s local stories from previously published

Researching Calabria and Puglia

September 25, 2021 No Comments

Leto Family Visit Our Shop Rich Leto talks about when and why he started researching his family from Calabria and Puglia and when they arrived in Philadelphia. Also, what it was like growing up Italian in Philly. Podcast Click here to join our group on Facebook Video

Researching Matera Puglia and Campoli Appennino Lazio

August 13, 2020 No Comments

Graziella Paolicelli Bob and Desire talk about her family roots in Matera Puglia and Campoli Appennino Lazio Click here to join our group on Facebook Find on the map My Italian cousin Graziamaria and I in Milan 2008 Graziamaria and me in 2019 Colucci’s visit Ferrandina Colucci’s visit Matera

Puglia During Carnevale

March 16, 2020 No Comments

Trulli “Up close and personal” MY MINI PUGLIA TRIP Taking a mini vacay to Puglia sounded like a good idea when my best friend suggested it. He said “Putignano is Venice’s version of Carnevale.” So, three weeks ago we board the big bus with a group of thirty ready-to-party Italians. At the beginning of the trip, the group leader recited the traveling prayer for a safe trip (none of which I understood, even though I

History of Puglia Italy

November 26, 2019 1 Comment

My mom’s family if from Toritto and Acquaviva Delle Fonti, Bari. Although, I do have come ancient de Hautville ancestors from the region on my dad’s side. My uncle Giovanni stayed behind when my grandparents came to America, and raised his family there until the late 1940’s. My cousins have an interview that they did with him in Barese and I hope to someday have that translation. My great grandfather, Francesco, owned a cow and