What if you discovered a hidden chapter in your family’s history that changed the way you see yourself? This episode features Joseph Walls, whose journey into genealogy was sparked by the emotional discovery of his grandfather’s experiences as a prisoner of war during World War II. We explore how this revelation led Joseph to delve into his mother’s Italian heritage, uncovering the rich cultural traditions passed down through generations by his great-grandfather Nando, and how these narratives have shaped his identity.
Our conversation takes you through the intricate process of tracing Italian ancestry, highlighting the unique challenges and triumphs of researching family records in different regions of Italy. From the excitement of finding tangible pieces of history like the bronze doors at the Mission Inn to the heartbreak of lost family stories, Joseph shares personal anecdotes that underscore the importance of preserving family narratives. We discuss the value of artifacts and the urgency of recording stories from our elders before they fade away.
Lastly, we step into the world of DNA testing and the surprising revelations it can bring. Joseph recounts his experiences with DNA testing, the connections he made with distant relatives, and the unexpected branches of his family tree it uncovered. We also discuss the emotional journey of planning a family trip to Italy, the challenges of navigating Italian archives, and the complexities of obtaining dual citizenship. This episode is a heartfelt testament to the profound impact of understanding and preserving our family legacies.
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History of Bari with Vintage Photos
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
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
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
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
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
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
