As the new year unfolds, I’m thrilled to introduce our guest, author Diana DelRusso, who brings the rich tapestry of her Italian heritage right to our ears. Embark with us on a heartwarming journey tracing Diana’s family roots from the pastoral landscapes of Pacentro, Italy, to their courageous pursuit of the American dream in the steel mills and railroads of  Pennsylvania. We uncover the stark contrasts between shepherd life and industrial America, while diving into the intimate struggles, like her mother’s fight against tuberculosis, that have shaped her family’s story. Throughout our conversation, we paint a vivid picture of a bygone Italian lifestyle, where the community was central, and life’s rhythm flowed with the seasons. We delve into the artistry behind traditional Italian cuisine – a thread that weaves through the past and into our kitchens today, inspiring a new generation who yearns to connect with their culinary roots. With Diana, we retrace the steps of our ancestors in their native villages, reveling in the discovery of long-lost relatives and the enchanting customs that remain unfamiliar to many Italian-Americans. Wrapping things up, Diana shares her journey into the world of children’s literature, capturing the essence of family heritage and the power of language in her multilingual books. These tales aim not just to entertain, but to forge familial bonds across continents. We also explore the importance of maintaining a connection to our lineage, and how these enduring ties inform our identities. So join us as we celebrate the stories that connect us and pay homage to the legacies that continue to shape our lives. https://dianadelrusso.com/ My Cousins, My Friends Often times a small child’s first best friend is a cousin.This book is a tribute to cousins. Podcast Click here to join our group on Facebook Video For over twenty-five years, Dawn has helped people create a dolce vita by connecting to their purpose and by continuing their legacy.  

We all know that Italian Food is the best in the world, but have you ever wondered where it came from.  As both a trained chef and a avid genealogist I’ll help to shed some light, and even a few recipes.  I’m sure that most of you growing up loved the smell of the Italian Food cooking on a Sunday morning.  Depending on what part of the US you come from, there was always a big pot of sauce/gravy percolating on the stove.  Most of our food comes from someplace else, we just happened to make it much better!  Be sure to check the two family recipes at the bottom.  I hope to have a page of recipes soon. Click Here To Join Our Facebook Group Ancient Times The first “Italian Food” comes from the Etruscans and ancient Romans.  The relied mostly on beans and ancient grains for protein, with some fish and game used when available.  Faro, was used to create soups and porridge-like dishes.  In fact, the Roman soldiers carried faro on long marches. Imperial Rome also relied on beans and grains, fish from the Tiber and figs.  Garum, made from pressing anchovies in salt was used as a condiment.  The Aristocrats dined on exotic meats, sweet wines and dishes made with honey,  A Roman by the name of Apicius is credited with writing the first cookbook in the 4th century BC! Dark Ages In the north of Italy, after the fall of Rome, the cuisine was mostly roasted meats and whatever could be grown and harvested locally.  Even today the northern Italian food differs from the south.  In the south, and mostly Sicily the cuisine was much different.  The Arabs introduced spices and techniques from North Africa and the Middle East.  We still see this in today’s Italian food.  Almonds, citrus, and ices are still the tradition.   Medieval Revival The big powerful city states like Florence, Siena, Milan and Venice started to have sumptuous banquets with the food flavored by honey, nuts, garlic ( yeah ) and other exotic spices.  Noodles were not introduced to Italian Food by Marco Polo as we were all taught.  Pasta, was most likely introduced to Italy in the 8th century by the Arabs.  Marco Polo may have brought rice back from China instead.  Here’s a link to some Medieval Italian Recipes. The New World Here’s where we get all the good stuff from.  Italian sailors brought back potatoes, tomatoes, maize, peppers, coffee, tea, sugar cane and spices.  Peppers where incorporated quickly, however tomatoes were not widely used until the 19th century.  Cornmeal replaced faro in the north and polenta was born.  Spices allowed cooks to preserve meats and sugar was used to candy fruits and nuts.  The history of the tomato in Italy. The Renaissance The sophisticated Italian Food was brought to France ( HA ), by Catherine de Medici in the 16th century when she became Queen of France.  She brought the French lettuce, truffles, artichokes and frozen desserts, and table manners also.  Two centuries later, France and Austria imparted some of their cuisine to the North.  The history of gelato. . Why Is Italian Food The Best? I think the general consensus is that Italians try to always use the best and the freshest ingredients.   Also, our staple ingredients, such as, basil, olive oil, rosemary, garlic etc.  are aromatic and very flavorful.  But, I think the love of food, the passion of the cooks and chefs, and pleasing our family has a lot to do with the Italian Food traditions.  My mom and aunts put a lot of love in the meals they served. Pizza Dolce Pizza Dolce was a staple in the Nicoletti family.  We always referred to it as “cheesecake” but it’s actually more like a flan.  Lots of eggs, ricotta and sugar.  Use lemon rind, not that  bottled crap, and you can use Sambucca or Anisette.  Give it a try. Nonna Sorrentino’s Tomato Sauce I know the celery seems odd, but it cuts the acidity of the tomatoes.  Butter yikes!  It adds richness, I sometimes use fresh mozzarella instead.  You can add a bit of wine also.  Trust me on this one, you’ve never had sauce like this. To see my recommended cookbooks, visit my books page. For my families home recipes click here. Or my main blog page for other great info on Italians. More Recipes

Did you know that there are over 300,000 Italian surnames!  That’s more than any other country in the world. We have complied the top ten below.  Chances are that your name is not in this group, but for those interested in learning more, the book above list 7,500.  More importantly, we get great insight into the origin of surnames and given names.  Click on the photo and enter IR2020 at checkout for a 20% discount. Click here to join Italian Genealogy Group on Facebook

I do hope that you enjoy these photos of Italian brides ( and grooms ).  Some of these my mom had, some are from my first cousins, some however,  are from a long lost cousin that I found through ancestry research.  Amazing that she, through her grandmother, had photos of my aunts and uncles.   Please share. Bridal crown designed and made by my grandfather. Click Here To Join Our Facebook Group My Mom and Dad 1944 Corona NY Veil by my grandfather. Order my new book by clicking the photo or on Amazon. Dad’s cousin Alama her husband Phil. Alma was my mom’s Maid of Honor Wedding of Caroline Nicoletti and Nicholas Sorrentino Oct 1944 St. Leo’s Corona Queens https://www.italiangenealogy.blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Mom-and-Dad-Wedding.m4v My Mom’s brother Giovanni and his wife Giuseppina C. 1929 Bari and C 1979 Queens NY My Dad’s Piromallo Cousin 1950’s Naples My dad’s parents 45th Wedding Anniversary 1950 My cousin Linda 1971 with my grandmother Corona NY Photo by my dad My Dad’s cousin Josie wearing crown from my grandfather and photo most likely taken by my dad. 1952 Queens NY Third Place Wine. A great newsletter for wine lovers. Check them out! My Dad’s Sister Julia and husband Anthony C 1939 Corona NY My Dad’s sister Emily with her husband Costanzo De Maria sister Mary, brother Achille and cousin Fabiola Sorrentino C 1931 NY. My Cousin Joe and his wife. That’s me as the ring bearer on the right. Photos taken by my dad in Whitestone NY C.1960 My Dad’s Cousin. Her dad designed bridal crowns with his brother. With her sisters, my mom and her cousin My grandfather and his brother designed and manufactured bridal crowns from the 1920’s – 1950’s.  I think that it is very probable that many of the brides in the photos from the 1920’s through the 1950’s wore crowns and veils made by him. My Cousin Paul Whitestone NY C 1958. Photo by my Dad. My Uncle Frank and his wife Dolly late 1930’s ( and my cousin ) Corona NY My Cousin Frank and his wife Gloria early 1950’s Photo by my Dad. My Aunt Mary and her husband Frank early 1930’s One of my Dad’s cousins, probably early 1930’s One of my Dad’s cousins, probably early 1930’s One of my Dad’s cousins, probably early 1930’s My mom’s sister Ann and her husband Nick C1930 Corona NY More Photos Research Links

Prepare to be transported across continents and centuries as we unravel the rich tapestry of family histories. This episode takes us on a journey with Angelica Noonan, tracing her Italian lineage from the charming village of Campon Commune de Tambre to the vibrant corners of South America and eventually to the sprawling landscapes of the United States. As we peruse her family photos and learn about their migration story, we uncover the beauty of preserving family traditions and the significance of names. Your curiosity will be piqued, whether you’re a history aficionado or simply intrigued by the mystery of genealogy. Our conversation takes an unexpected turn as we welcome a guest whose roots delve into the heart of Italy, back in the 1700s, extending to an intriguing mix of Portuguese, Italian, Spanish, African, and Native Brazilian ancestry. We challenge the skepticism around DNA testing and shed light on the surprising discovery of a large Italian and German population in South America. Hear about the striking stories of the Cimbre people  that offer insights into our guest’s diverse background and identity. We wrap up this episode with an interesting exploration into Venice’s history of transportation, focusing on the unique use of large wooden containers. From facilitating trade to providing shelter, these containers hold a unique place in the city’s past. Angelica reveals her family’s role in this industry, adding another layer to her vibrant heritage. So get ready for a thrilling ride as we navigate the complex labyrinth of family histories and the profound impact of our ancestors on our present lives. Podcast Click here to join our group on Facebook Video For over twenty-five years, Dawn has helped people create a dolce vita by connecting to their purpose and by continuing their legacy.