Picture yourself traversing the bustling streets of Astoria, Queens, where the air is thick with Italian dialects and the spirit of a robust, tight-knit Abruzzese community permeates every corner. Our guest today, Maria Fosco, raised amidst the lively Italian neighborhood, retraces the vibrant roots of her ancestry, offering a fascinating glimpse into the migration patterns of Italians and their profound imprint on Astoria.
Join us as we follow Maria’s engaging narrative, journeying all the way back to her great-grandmother’s house in Italy, purchased in the 1890s, and the subsequent chapters of her family’s history. Experience the profound saga of her family’s transition from Italian-speaking immigrants to English-speaking American citizens. Maria unveils an intriguing tale of reconnecting with long-lost cousins through ancestry and DNA, and offers insights into her visits to her family’s ancestral house in Italy.
Maria emphasizes the profound significance of knowing one’s roots and sharing those stories with the world. She has documented her family history in compelling chapters, and shares tales from her daily storytelling sessions with her late mother. From performing in a folkloric group in traditional costumes to tracing the path of the seasonal journey of sheep. Maria’s experiences have been rich and diverse. So, tag along for a ride through time and heritage as Maria paints a vivid picture of the Italian-American history and the importance of preserving our past.
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Maria is a member of the board that is creating the new Italian-American Museum in NYC, to open in the spring of 2024. Here is our interview with Dr. Scelsa.
Embracing Italian Roots Vallesaccarda
Lorraine LoRusso never imagined her sister’s volunteer work would lead to an extraordinary reunion with long-lost family in Italy. Join us as Lorraine shares her heartfelt story of tracing her roots back to the charming town of Vallesaccarda. These discoveries, sparked by ship records and naturalization papers, not only rekindled family ties but also brought to life the enduring legacy of her grandfather, who bravely set sail for America in 1914. We also explore the
Researching Faicchio Campania
Imagine discovering that your family’s story spans centuries and continents, connecting you to people and places you never knew existed. That’s precisely the journey Rich Di Palma embarked upon, and he shares his remarkable experiences tracing his Italian roots from Faicchio Campania in our latest episode. Rich recounts how his grandfather’s Italian songs ignited a lifelong passion for genealogy, leading him to uncover long-lost relatives and delve deep into family records dating back to the
Sicilian Roots Unveiling Hidden Heritage
Francesca La Torre, a first-generation American with deep Sicilian roots, brings a tapestry of fascinating stories that illuminate the Italian American experience. Raised in Oakland, California, Francesca shares the vibrant contrasts she encountered between her American upbringing and her family’s rich Sicilian traditions. From her father’s sense of belonging within San Francisco’s Italian community to enchanting tales of her parents’ whirlwind romance, Francesca offers a heartfelt glimpse into how cultural connections shape identity and belonging.
Italian Immigrants in 19th Century America
What if a single journey could unravel years of forgotten history? Join us as we uncover the mesmerizing tale of Italian immigrants in America with Joe Tucciarone, the insightful co-author of “Italians Swindled to New York.” You’ll be captivated by the story of nearly 3,000 Italians deceived into coming to the United States in 1872, only to find themselves stranded and vulnerable in New York City. Their subsequent journey to Richmond, Virginia, to fill a
Unearthing Family Secrets
Could DNA testing revolutionize your understanding of family history? Join us as we uncover this fascinating topic with Andrew Martin, host of the Family Histories Podcast.Andrew’s unique show format, born out of the UK’s lockdown in 2021, includes an interview, a life story, and a genealogical brick wall challenge. He shares how his creative process turned isolation into an opportunity for connection within the genealogy community. We also explore the joys and hurdles of guest
Italian Immigration Discussion
Italian migration to the United States is a storied history. Join me and my partner Michael Cavalieri from “Never Forget Your Roots” for our first “Roots and Reflections Episode as we discuss Italian Immigration and Stereotypes with Tommy Damigella and Joe Tucciarone co-author of “Italians Swindled to NY” Also see some other great posts on the topics that we discuss on the broadcast. “Never Forget Your Roots” on Facebook Click here to join our group
