Join us as we open a time-capsule, revealing family histories, rich traditions, and compelling stories along with our distinguished guest, Mary Schultz. Her ancestral journey, sparked by her mother’s passion, takes her from the humble beginnings in Upstate NY, to the heart of Sicily – Corleone, Italy. Mary helps us understand how the evolution of names can unravel mysteries of our past – an adventure sure to kindle the genealogist within you. As we traverse from New York City to Sullivan County and Westchester, we uncover hidden roots, cultural heritage, and the importance of preserving family traditions. We venture into the world of DNA testing, unraveling how it can illuminate the trails of our ancestry. Our conversation also brings to light captivating stories, such as a forefather who tended to wild horses in the busy streets of New York City, emphasizing the significance of family bonds and cultural preservation. Finally, we navigate through the waves of time, exploring generational differences and technology’s transformative role in our understanding of our ancestors. We discuss the joy and challenges of genealogical research, like a participant who discovered her great grandmother’s name after two decades of relentless efforts. As we reflect upon the concept of genetic memory, we ponder whether our ancestors’ talents and abilities might echo within us. Let our conversation inspire you to embark on your journey of uncovering your roots and appreciate the gratifying process of genealogical exploration. 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.  

If you are just starting out I suggest that you visit these pages or posts first. Italian Surname Search Research Links Organization Tools Here is an update to my past from Feb 3.  I found several links on the Family Search Wiki to assist with translations of Italian Records found on the Antenati. Birth Records Death Records      Marriage Records  Strategies for locating records by type and date. From letters to request church records in Italian Links to a multitude of Italian Church and Civil records by town.  There are too many to list, but you can search for your town. Click here to join Italian Genealogy on Facebook I have seen a lot of posts on Facebook recently where people have asked how to find Italian birth records, do I have to pay etc.  The best place to start in my opinion is the Italian Record site Antenati.  This site has been digitizing the Italian Civil records that date back to 1809.  While not every record is there, they constantly update, so you have to check back.  What many people do not know, is that while all the records are in Italian, the search instructions are in English and Italian.  The link attached is the English version. One thing to know when searching, is to use variations on a name.  Many of the older records are difficult to read, and therefore the indices may be off.  For example, my 2nd great grandmother’s last name was Mohr.  I found family under Mohr, Moher and Moler.  Also, people may not always some from the exact place your grandparents told you.  The may have said Bari, when it may have been a town in Bari. Updated 11/29/2021 for the new Antenati. The first improvement I noticed right away was that the site returns results much faster, I assume that they improved and modernized their indexing and search keys. One other thing that they did was split the search screen into two screens. In my opinion this is more streamlined. And the search page in English. When a search comes back, it’s in Italian, but don’t worry you catch on pretty quick.  This is a search on my grandmother’s maiden name PIROMALLO.  Saverio is my great great grandfather, and Alfonso is his brother.  Saverio’s record is his birth, Francesco’s is his marriage.  Using this, I was able to eventually find 4th cousins in Italy.  So let’s look at Francesco,  He was 42 when he got married ( his second marriage ) his father was Giacomo, mother was Beatrice.  They were married in the Vicaria district of Naples.  The bride was Maria Caracciolo age 37 her father was Luigi and her mother was Costanza.  What’s interesting about this couple is that Francesco is my great grandfather Nicola Piromallo’s uncle.  He married Maria Emilia Caracciolo, Maria Caracciolo is her aunt.  Giacomo, Beatrice, Luigi and Costanza are all my 3rd great grandparents from 2 different families. If you search by registry you now have drop down options. If you search by name you now have drop down options for date. Another nice improvement is the sidebar, were they give you a breakdown by Name, Location and Year. And now display up to 100 records at a time, previously you were limited to 20. Once you make your selection, the return this for verification. This is what you see once you open the record. To me the image appears more clear than on the old version. You’ll also notice the another new feature in the upper right hand corner that allows you to adjust the image without sending to an editor. The only thing that is not good, is that if you save the URL’s of your records, they do not work in the new version, so you have to download your records again. Here’s the English translation.  My Italian is not good enough to translate.  Luckily there are several groups on Facebook were people volunteer.  This was done by submitting the link to Genealogy Translations. ( On the year 1855, the 27th day of April at 18 hours, before us knight Giovanni Todaro, elect and civil status officer for the circle of Vicaria, city of Naples, province of Naples, appeared [1] the Baron della Pietra don Francesco Piromallo from Messina, of 43 years of age not yet attained, widower of baroness donna Capece Minutolo of the princes of Collereale, landowner residing in the circle of San Lorenzo, Arcivescovado street, door number 40, elder son of the late count don Giacomo, landowner, and of the living lady donna Beatrice Capece Piscicelli duchess of Capracotta, residing outside porta Capuana number 24, and without paternal grandfather, and [2] lady donna Maria Caracciolo of the princes of Torchiarolo from Naples, of 37 years, unmarried residing in this circle in Carbonara street, door number 33, elder daughter of the late don Luigi Caracciolo prince of Torchiarolo, landowner, and of lady princess donna Costanza Saluzzi of the dukes of Corigliano, aged 73, residing in said place, and without paternal grandfather, represented by her special proxy mister knight don Giuseppe Caracciolo di Torchiarolo from Naples, aged 36, officer of the Guard residing in strada Carbonara, door number 33, whom at the presence of the below said witnesses by them provided requested to us that we receive their solemn pledge to marry before the Church according to the rites prescribed by the holy council of Trent. The banns of this pledge were posted on Sunday April 8th at the door of this municipal house and at the door of the municipal house of San Lorenzo. […] The actual marriage took place on May 20th, same year, in the church of saint Sofia. Research Links Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

Did you know that tracing your family roots can unlock a treasure trove of rich history? This episode takes you on a captivating journey through Italy and the United States, retracing the roots of the Paterno and Cappiello families. With the company of Carla Paternal Cappiello-Golden, we explore the significance of visiting ancestral villages, contrasting impressions of Naples and Bari, and the process of obtaining dual citizenship. Carla and I share our personal experiences visiting the Italy, and our respective hometowns. We discuss the insights gained from these visits and the impact understanding our roots has on our sense of identity. We also delve into the fascinating story of the Paterno family’s immigration to the United States, their success in the construction business, and the legacy they have left in Manhattan.  Finally, we touch on the charm of Naples, the beauty of Bari, and the connection to our family history that these cities hold. Carla walks us through her personal journey towards dual citizenship, emphasizing the importance of preserving family stories for future generations. This episode is an entertaining blend of personal experiences, historical facts, and practical insights that will leave you yearning to explore your own family history. Paterno Architecture Paterno Castle Webinar 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.

As Antonio D’Alfonso and I, Bob Sorrentino, traverse the intricate landscapes of Italian-Canadian identity, we invite you to join our heartfelt conversation. We share our own family stories of immigration, illuminating the unique cultural experiences that shape Italian Canadians. We journey through Montreal and Toronto, exploring the representation of different Italian regions, and delve into the often complex relationship between language and identity. Embarking on a deeper exploration, we question the very nature of Italian identity, a complex tapestry woven with threads of history, war, and contemporary perceptions of beauty. We discuss the challenges of a nation without a common language or religion, and share personal stories of self-discovery and cultural understanding. Join us as we challenge the traditional views of identity, and embrace the fluidity of Italian-Canadian and Italian-American experiences. In the final leg of our journey, we delve into the fascinating concept of an “Italic” identity, a cross-border cultural phenomenon that challenges traditional concepts of nationality and heritage. Despite the harsh realities of racism and intolerance, we remain hopeful for a future where these will be mere echoes of the past. Highlighting Antonio D’Alfonso’s autobiographical writing, we uncover a lesser-known aspect of Canadian history and emphasize the importance of preserving diverse cultural identities. Settle in for a thought-provoking exploration of identity and culture in the modern world. Poet, novelist, essayist, translator, Antonio D’Alfonso has published more than 40 titles and has made three feature films. He is the founder of Guernica Editions which he managed for thirty-three years before passing it on to new owners in 2010. For his writings, he won the Trillium Award, the Bressani Award, and the New York Independent Film Award for his film, Bruco.He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto. In 2016, he received a Honorary Doctorate from Athabasca University. www.antoniodalfonso.com     Podcast Click here to join our group on Facebook Video Find these two books at Ekstasis Editions by clicking on the cover photo. For over twenty-five years, Dawn has helped people create a dolce vita by connecting to their purpose and by continuing their legacy.

Witness a riveting journey back in time as we shed light on the incredible saga of Italian-American immigration. In an engaging tête-à-tête with Dominic Candeloro, a scholar of Italian American history and culture, we dive deep into this often untold tale. Drawing from the fascinating narrative of Candeloro’s own father, an illegal immigrant who fought tooth and nail to gain citizenship during World War II, we piece together the profound impact of the war on the Italian American community and their subsequent integration into American society. Growing up Italian American post-World War II was a unique experience, one that’s brought to life by Candeloro. We challenge the misconceptions of Italy as a war-torn and impoverished nation, and shed light on how these misconceptions played a role in influencing Italian American pride. The conversation takes an intriguing turn as we discuss the shift in scholarship in the 1960s, leading to the formation of the American Italian Historical Association and a newfound appreciation for cultural continuity. Candeloro’s unexpected journey to becoming a passionate advocate for Italian American culture serves as an inspiring beacon for future generations. Preserving Italian American family history is no easy task, but one that carries immense significance, as Candeloro emphasizes. In an era where younger generations risk severing ties with their Italian roots due to immigration challenges and a lack of media representation, Candeloro offers a ray of hope. He advocates for documenting personal stories and upholding Italian traditions as tangible links to the past. Tune in to our conversation as we celebrate the joy of tracing Italian American ancestry and explore the profound impact of discovering distant relatives. Embrace the importance of recognizing and preserving ethnic identity in American history and culture. This is a journey you wouldn’t want to miss. Dominic Candeloro has been involved in Italian American studies for the past 50 plus years. He is the author of several books on the Italians in Chicago and served as Historical Consultant in the production of “And They Came to Chicago: The Italian American Legacy.” Candeloro was born in Chicago Heights and grew up in an Italian neighborhood, “The Hill.” He holds a PhD from the University of Illinois and has taught History at UIC, UIUC, and Governors State University. He was honored with the Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award by the Illinois Humanities Council in 1999 for his efforts in documenting and interpreting Italian American culture. 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.