Clint Minchella talks about his great great grandfather migrating to the UK in the mid-1800’s and how he opened an ice cream shop. Visit Our Shop Podcast Click here to join our group on Facebook Video

Because of it’s location, Italy was invaded and conquered many times, as a result, very few people have pure Italian DNA.  Italian Genealogy hopes to explain this, as well as, haplogroups in more detail in several posts.  We try to keep things in simple terms so that it is easy to understand, but will provide links to more scientific detail for anyone that wants to explore further. For those who have already completed a DNA test or tests, we will provide links to several world wide projects dedicated to DNA research that you can become part of, if you so desire.  As with most of our posts, we try to condense data from various sources so that you don’t have to do extensive internet searches. Basic Genome Before we get into breaking done Italian DNA, it is important to have some basic genetic information.  A human genome is made of 3,200 million base pairs, split into 46 chromosomes.  A human genome is 98% identical to a chimpanzee’s genome, and 97% to a gorilla’s.  In comparison, two random human beings are in average 99.5% identical. Gorillas are in fact 97% identical to either humans or chimps, meaning that humans are more chimp-like than gorillas.  So, we differ from each other by only .5%! Only approximately 2% of our genome encodes proteins. This so-called junk DNA is composed either of deactivated genes that were once useful for our non-human ancestors (like a tail), or parasitic DNA from virus that have entered our genome and replicated themselves hundreds or thousands of times over the generations, but generally serve no purpose in the host organism. Base Pairs and Mutations Almost every cell in our body contains a complete copy of our genome. The exceptions are gametes (ovocytes and sperm cells), which only carry half of our genome, as well as red blood cells, which have no nucleus and therefore no DNA at all.Mitochondrial DNAis found outside the cell’s nucleus, inside the mitochondria – organelles that provide energy to the cell. It consists of only 16,569 base pairs, or 0,000005% of the human genome. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is inherited only through one’s mother. As it does not recombine like chromosomes, it can be used in population genetics to trace back ancestry on the matrilineal side and to divide populations into haplogroups.  The same can be done on the patrilineal side using the Y-chromosome (Y-DNA), which is inherited exclusively from father to son and does not recombine with the X chromosome. Only a few mutations distinguish the Y chromosome of a man and his father. These mutations are cumulative from generation to generation, so it is easy to trace the family tree of humanity by analyzing these mutations (SNPs) on the Y chromosome and mtDNA. A SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) is a mutation in a single base pair. Depending on what section of DNA is affected, these mutations can alter the physical appearance, have a positive effect on health (e.g. better immunity), cause malfunctions or diseases, cause genetic diseases (e.g., cystic fibrosis), or have no effect at all (silent mutation). This will depend on whether the mutation occurs in a coding region of a gene, and if this is the case, on the nature of the replaced amino acid (e.g. hydrophilic instead of hydrophobic). Fun Fact: If the DNA contained in each cell’s nucleus was completely unfolded, it would measure nearly 2 metres in length. Humans have an estimated 100 trillion (1012) cells. In other words, if the all the DNA from every cell in a person’s body were patched up together they would form a strand of 200 billion kilometres, or more than 1,000 times the distance between Earth and the Sun. Chromesomes Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, each person inheriting a maternal and paternal copy of each chromosome. Pairs of chromosomes are numbered from the largest (chromosome 1) to the smallest (chromosome 21). Chromosome 22 ought to be the smallest, but it was later discovered than chromosome 21 was smaller, and the established ordered was kept. The sex-determining chromosomes (X and Y) are the only pair that is not symmetrical in size. The Y-chromosome possess 60 millions bases, against 153 millions for the X chromosome. The reason why the Y chromosome is so much smaller than the X chromosome is that the latter possess genes that “attack” the Y chromosome. In response the Y chromosome has had to shut down a lot of its non-coding DNA so as to better protect itself. Heredity and Genetic Diseases Virtually all diseases, syndroms, and medical or psychological conditions have at least partially a genetic origin. These are called risk factors for a condition. Adding up the risks over different genes gives the level of genetic predispositionto a disease or condition. The genetic risk profile is determined by a DNA test and leads to personalized medicine and pharmacogenetics, which aim inter alia to adapt his lifestyle and treatments based on the specifics of his own genome. Genetic diseases are caused exclusively by genes and are usually caused by a single mutation or series of mutation making an ineffectif gene. The only possible treatment to cure a genetic disease is the gene therapy(or gene therapy), which is to change the DNA sequence in the genome of the individual. These techniques are in full swing and, currently, treatments have already done successfully for ten genetic disorders, including cystic fibrosis (the most common genetic disease in Europe) and Thalassemia (which is common in the Mediterranean). In the near future it will be possible to use gene therapy to modify one’s genome “on demand”, for example to increase physical and mental abilities, or extend its life expectancy ( More and more testing companies are offering this now).  Genetics of the Brain Neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, histamine, or gamma-Aminobutyric acid, influence our mood and personality. Their levels is influenced by our nutrition and interactions with our environment, but also depends on genetic factors. The sensitivity of the brain to these neurotransmitters is entirely genetically determined, notably by the number of receptors and transporters for each of these neurotransmitters. Excessive dopamine can lead to schizophrenia. Too low dopamine levels engender boredom and low activity, and in extreme cases Parkinson Disease. The long variants (7-repeat or more) of the dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) causes dopamine to be consumed more quickly by the brain. People with this variant will usually have more novelty-seeking, thrill-seeking and adventurous personality than average to compensate for naturally lower dopamine levels. Similarly, the number of dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) influences the risk of alcoholism, nicotine dependence, and schizophrenia. It is easy to know what variants one carries with a DNA test. Immunity and Evolution Some people possess a deletion on the CCR5 gene, which makes them more resistant (if inherited from only one parent) or completely immune (if inherited from both parents) to smallpox, HIV, plague and other viruses (e.g. West Nile virus). This mutation is commonest in north-east Europe, notably in Baltic countries, Finland and Sweden. The ABO blood type is related to cholera resitance, with AB confering the strongest resistance, and O the weakest. On the other hand, the O blood group seems to be the most resistant against malaria and syphilis, and less susceptible to many kinds of cancers. The ABO blood type influences many other disease risks. Many genetic diseases survived natural selection because they confer immunity against epidemic diseases. For instance, the CFTR mutation causing cystic fibrosis protects against the dysentry and fever of typhoid. Sickle-cell anaemiaand thalassaemia are both protective against malaria. Genetic resistance to TB has for side-effect an increased susceptibility for osteoporosis. Tay-Sachs disease, mostly found among people of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, is also protective against TB. Studies have shown that men and women are most attracted to the smell of people with the most different immune system from their own. This is also a way of Nature to prevent inbreeding. Differences in immune systems can be identified by comparing our HLA types, among other genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Thanks to Eupedia for the information above. We will get into the details of Italian DNA in subsequent posts, but we believe it is important to have a basic understanding first. Click to join Italian Genealogy on Facebook

The featured photo above is the medieval aqueduct at the bottom of my street. So cool.   The Lungomare ten minutes from my apartment. So pretty to power walk in the early morning. Why I moved to Italy My new friends and neighbors in Salerno, Italy frequently have a perplexed look on their collective faces when I tell them, “yes, I actually chose to move to Salerno  from Los Angeles” (Why on earth would I leave the film capital of the world, not to mention year-round sunshine, beaches and movie stars galore to live in a small city like Salerno?) I still don’t have enough Italian vocabulary to explain the subtle and not-so-subtle reasons for my Big Fat Move. But since my blog is in English, I have no excuses for not having enough verbs and adjectives to express my need for this decision.  For anyone who’s known me for forty years or more, they’ve heard me either dreaming about living in Italy or complaining about living in L.A.  Apologies on the latter.  But, hey, there’s so much material to work with on my complaints : traffic everywhere all times of the day or night, no city center, with the exception of Santa Monica… no pedestrian communities, overall hideous schizophrenic architecture, no seasons, relentless sunshine (rarely did we have a surprise day of  precipitation…I used my rusty umbrella to block the harmful rays of the sunshine while racing to and from my car.) Click here to join Italian Genealogy Group on Facebook LA Blues The cost of living in L.A. continues to rise, same for the crime.  The only thing that seemed to decrease was the quality of life.  The political direction of my country was changing and not in a good way.  My anxiety increased on a daily basis.  My friends were moving out of state and out of the country, retiring to places that didn’t resonate with me.  Worse, my closest friends were passing on, all prematurely.  That’s the one that got me thinking the most.  The old ‘life is short’ conversation…mortality… blah, blah, blah. And here’s the one that I’d been struggling with for years in L.A….Where have all the men gone?  I joined every Meetup I could think of that would be fun, went to my fancy schmancy gym on a very regular basis, joined an appropriate dating website or two, and got the word out to all my friends that I would like to meet Mr. Right (now.)  So, being tired of being disappointed, I decided for all the above reasons to get out of Dodge.  And subito !! This is my favorite outdoor clothes dryer. The Italians are very clever when it comes to hanging clothes. They use every little space with laser precision.   Along with the featured photo another part of the aqueduct in my neighborhood The Checklist I had already started the process of filing for my dual citizenship for Italy in 2016 and had been waiting for it for a year already by the time I reserved my one-way ticket to Italy.  How I decided on Salerno was through a process of a ‘must have’ list.  Here goes (in no particular order): Move to a city where I could be immersed in learning Italian…duh be able to walk everywhere  (sell the car…yay!) Live in a community where I would know my neighbors and merchants (I have several different coffee bars I go to on a regular basis and they all know I like my macchiato. And my produce guy gave me a little cup of coffee after he weighed my fruit.  So cute!) a climate similar to L.A. (Salerno is more tropical, but with a subtle change of seasons. Visually appealing (love the ancient architecture mixed with fascist pre- WWII palazzi and post WWII modern apartment buildings, also called palazzi-who knew?) Near a body of water- Mediterranean.  Check. Share an apartment with a local.  Check. Absorb the local culture, ie.  History, food, entertainment (Learning military time, centigrade and the metric system I ignored in school continue to challenge, but I’m getting there.) Travel throughout Italy and to different nearby countries Better cost of living than U.S. (fyi, it’s less expensive in the south of Italy than the north) This one was critical after not finding everything on my checklist in the U.S. Good healthy food, locally grown (no such thing as expensive organic.  It’s all organic as it comes from local farmers, no pesticides) Simpler more natural lifestyle. ( I sold everything and stored fifteen plastic bins of memorabilia with friends (mille grazie!  You know who you are xo  Packed my clothes and laptop only) A place where a woman can grow old gracefully. A place where the men appreciate women of all ages.  ( Hurray!  I’m no longer invisible.)  I’m not kidding, ladies.  They’re all so damn handsome, and they’re everywhere.  I almost did a 360 ala Linda Blaire on my first trip to the local outdoor produce market.  A family of four brothers and a father all with the most incredible pale blue eyes against the year-round bronzed skin.  Ten kilos of fruit per me?  Si, grazie.  Here’s my plastic bag! A slower pace of living (most stores are closed on Sunday. Even my gym! Forced adaptation to my new culture. Be closer to my Italian cousins. My father’s family lives about an hour away and my mom’s about three. Meet up with my friends living in Europe So, I put all this information out to the Universe and went about my business of de-cluttering, selling my furniture, closing out accounts, final doctor appointments, modifying my finances, changing addresses and generally telling my friends of my plans.  I’d been crying wolf for so long, no one really believed I would follow through with this new adventure. The Big Leap Once I made the decision and bought my one-way ticket, that was when it got easier and easier to focus on The Move.  I had no second doubts about any of it, but I did have a lot of anxiety about coordinating the sale of everything at the right time.  ie, the bed was the last to have to be sold and the car. I sold the car to CarMax-I highly recommend this as they made the awful process very easy and even pleasant.  I was sad to sell certain pieces of furniture but kept telling myself, ‘it’s just stuff.’ Once I got past that hurdle of letting go, it became easier to stay laser focused on my priorities.  I drove my friends crazy with the details of selling my stuff (George Carlin did a very funny bit on our ‘stuff’) and the logistics of storing my fifteen bins of ‘stuff’ with different friends.  Every night I went to sleep with major heart palpitations.  Of course, it was just stress.  I  wanted ‘out.’  I wanted the move to be over with.  I wanted to be in Italy.I chose to depart on March 1st because the Italian classes I was taking at the Italian Cultural Institute in L.A. had a partnership with an Italian language school in Salerno. The class for the over-fifty students was starting on March 4th.  And I was fortunate to get a two-week scholarship of classes, Monday through Friday, three hours a day with extra cultural activities.  Perfect. Interestingly, I didn’t have any crying meltdowns during the de-cluttering/packing process.  I didn’t allow myself to think of how much I will miss my friends.  When I finally had my teary meltdown, it was in the American Airlines lounge shortly before departure.  My friend Lou in Jersey lovingly talked me off the ledge, for which I will be forever grateful. Yes, leaving my friends behind was the hardest part, but I promised to post my adventures on Facebook and stay in touch on Facetime and Whatsapp.  The days go by so quickly with all my activities, and the language learning curve seems to get steeper every day (the more I learn the less I know.  But, hey, I’m keeping those brain cells active.)  The Universe brought me everything on my list that I asked for…and then some.  I got myself an Italian boyfriend twenty days after I arrived (I told you-they’re EVERYWHERE).   I feel so comfortable here with my ‘peeps’. It’s like I’ve been here forever. Yes, there are hurdles to jump, but the good news is I am no longer waiting for my dual citizenship.  I can stay in Italy as long as I want (instead of having to leave the European Union after three months on a tourist visa) since I received my citizenship in May.  Yay!  It took three years from the time I started gathering the documents I needed, but it was worth it.  I love almost everything about my newly adopted country (more on that in another blog).  Stay tuned for more Big Fat Adventures in Italy.  Ciao tutti e buona giornata ! A spontaneous motorini ride with a neighbor into the hills for some cool air.   Fringe Benefits Enjoying the view at the beach club. Rumor was that he’s with the Spanish olympic swim team. Not that it matters. My friend Yuko enjoying her gelato on a brioche at Bar Nettuno, the best gelato in town. Ad for a Sagra, which is an outdoor festival that serves food specialities from the region.  

Click here to join Italian Genealogy Group on Facebook The Hill is a small Italian enclave in the heart of St. Louis Mo. I did know that baseball greats Yogi Berra and Joe Garagiola came from St. Louis, but I never knew about The Hill.The neighborhood is generally defined by Manchester on the north, Southwest Avenue and Columbia to the south, Kings highway on the east, and Hampton on the west. The area was originally populated by German and Irish immigrants. From the 1880’s, Italians mainly from Lombardy and Sicily laid claim to the area due to large number moving in for mining. Most lived in boarding houses initially, but began to move into permanent homes as their families came across. During prohibition their was an African-American enclave and many blues songs were written in or about the area. In the early 1970’s Interstate 44 split the neighborhood and 98 home were destroyed. Today “The Hill” is considered by many to be one of the surviving Little Italy’s in America. Some great videos about “The Hill” below

Mirella Masella talks about when and why she started her research and tells the story of her family from a small village that was caught up in a major invasion in WWII. December 1943 – German bombs fell on the enchanting village of San Pietro Infine, destroying homes and ruining innocent lives in one of the most devastating conflicts in southern Italy. After the war, with change being inevitable, the village they once knew was gone.What happened to those people?Where did they go? Born in England to Italian parents, Mirella searched for the answers. She pieced together some engaging stories of her family and their lives, particularly during the war years, dedicating her research to those who lost their loved ones during the horrors of World War II. For present and future generations, Through a Child’s Eyes is a captivating and priceless treasure of memories. Podcast Click here to join our group on Facebook Video