Visit Our Shop Nina Paul talks about her family from San Fele that migrated to Buffalo NY and her mom’s family of 22! Nina has a huge database of records from San Fele and you can contact her at chaplainnina@gmail.com Podcast Click here to join our group on Facebook Video Frank Amorosino Mary Carnevale Mom 1947 b&w tn_Elio & Maria Anna

Visit Our Shop As we start our third year I would like to thank everyone for some great interviews. This year we had over 73,000 guests on our site. It wasn’t easy picking highlights. Please click the YouTube button to see them all and to subscribe to our channel. Happy New Year! Watch Interviews On YouTube Click here to join our group on Facebook Video

Visit Our Shop Ed Sherretta talks about his grandfather coming from a small town in Italy (San Eusanio del Sangro) to Cape May and work as a tailor making uniforms for the US Navy. Podcast Click here to join our group on Facebook Video

My connection to Aosta goes back to my 27th Great Grandfather, Humbert of Savoy.After Rudolf III’s death (1032), Humbert I swore fealty to Emperor Conrad II.[11] He supported Conrad II in his campaigns against Odo II, Count of Blois, and Aribert, Archbishop of Milan.[12] In return, Conrad II appointed Humbert count of Savoy and granted him Maurienne, Chablais and perhaps Tarentaise.[13] These imperial grants to a loyal supporter secured key passes through the Alps, controlling trade between Italy and Western Europe, which would be the core of Savoy power for centuries.[14] From Wikipedia    Aosta, city, capital of Valle d’Aosta region, northwestern Italy, at the confluence of the Buthier and Dora Baltea rivers and commanding the Great and Little St. Bernard pass roads, north-northwest of Turin. It was a stronghold of the Salassi, a Celtic tribe that was subdued by the Romans in 25 bc, and a Roman town (Augusta Praetoria) was founded there by Augustusin 24 bc. A bishopric from the 5th century, the town was always the most important centre of the Valle d’Aosta; it became the regional capital in 1945. It was the birthplace of St. Anselm(1033/34–1109), archbishop of Canterbury. Ruins of Roman theatre, Aosta, Italy.Marzari—SCALA/Art Resource, New York Aosta retains the walls, two gates, and the street plan of its Roman predecessor, as well as a triumphal arch in honour of Augustus and remains of the theatre, the amphitheatre, and the road from Eporedia (modern Ivrea). The rectangular street plan, laid out in equal blocks (insulae), is an outstanding example of Roman formal city planning. Of later monuments, the cathedral is notable for its treasury and 12th-century floor mosaics, and the collegiate church of S. Orso for its Romanesque cloisters and Gothic choir stalls. Aosta is a commercial centre and has a metallurgical industry. Pop. (2001) 34,644.    Citation InformationArticle Title:AostaWebsite Name:Encyclopaedia BritannicaPublisher:Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.Date Published:21 March 2013URL:https://www.britannica.com/place/Aosta-ItalyAccess Date:June 23, 2019 Click here to Join Italian Genealogy on Facebook The first inhabitants of the Aosta Valley were Celtsand Ligures, whose languageheritage remains in some local placenames. Rome conquered the region from the local Salassiaround 25 BC and founded Augusta Prætoria Salassorum(modern-day Aosta) to secure the strategic mountain passes, and they went on to build bridges and roads through the mountains. Thus, the nameValle d’Aostaliterally means “Valley of Augustus”.[12] In 1031–1032, Humbert I of Savoy, the founder of the House of Savoy, received the title Count of Aostafrom Emperor Conrad II of the Franconian line and built himself a commanding fortification at Bard. Saint Anselm of Canterbury was born in Aosta in 1033 or 1034. The region was divided among strongly fortified castles, and in 1191, Thomas I of Savoy found it necessary to grant to the communes a Charte des franchises(“Charter of Liberties”) which preserved autonomy—rights that were fiercely defended until 1770, when they were revoked in order to tie Aosta more closely to Piedmont, but which were again demanded during post-Napoleonic times. In the mid-13th century, Emperor Frederick II made the County of Aosta a duchy(see Duke of Aosta), and its arms charged with a lion rampant were carried in the Savoy arms until the reunification of Italy in 1870.[13] The region remained part of Savoy lands, with the exceptions of French occupations from 1539 to 1563, later in 1691, then between 1704 and 1706. It was also ruled by the First French Empire between 1800 and 1814. During French rule, it was part of Aoste arrondissement in Doiredepartment.[14]As part of the Kingdom of Sardinia, it joined the new Kingdom of Italy in 1861. The region gained special autonomous statusafter the end of World War II; the province of Aosta ceased to exist in 1945 From Wikipedia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N38if5WbgvQ

Visit Our Shop Actor/Write/Director Michael Cavalieri talks about finding his roots in Limina Sicily and the production of his award winning film “Ritornato The Movie“. Michael Cavalieri is an Actor and first time Writer/Director originally from New York. His Directorial Debut “Ritornato” which he also stars in was awarded a special grant by the Russo Brothers, the Directors of Avengers: Endgame (the highest grossing film of all time), the National Italian American Foundation and the Italian Sons and Daughters of America.  It was shot in four and a half days for less than eight thousand dollars and has gone on to win several film fesitvals worldwide.  “Ritornato” was the only Sicilian-American film chosen for the prestigious Taormina Film Festival in Sicily. Michael made his Acting Debut starring opposite Academy Award-winner Hilary Swank in Columbia Pictures, “The Next Karate Kid.” Since that debut, he has had supporting roles in numerous features including acclaimed Director Walter Hill’s “Last Man Standing,” starring Bruce Willis and Christopher Walken. Cavalieri has received critical acclaim for starring roles in many Award-Winning Festival films such as “The Stonecutter,” Winner of The Santa Barbara Film Festival. “The Kingdom of the Blind.” Directed by the Writer of the Academy Award Winning film “Green Book”. “My Brother Jack”, Winner of The Naples Film Festival and The Hamptons Film Festival starring opposite Marco Leonardi from “Cinema Paradiso”. “West of Brooklyn” opposite Joe Mantegna and “The Streetsweeper” which won The Salento Film Festival and The Los Angeles Italian Film Festival. Amici magazine reviewed Michael’s performance in “The Streetsweeper” as “a brilliant display of emotional range.” LA Times Critic Kevin Thomas hailed Michael’s performance in “The Stonecutter” as “outstanding…he has terrific presence and focus.  His performance lures us into this increasingly complex and provocative drama.” Don Franken, Director of The Method Film Festival said, “Michael’s performance lights up the screen, fills the screen larger than life. He’s an exciting talent to watch.” Michael has also Guest Starred on numerous hit T.V. shows including SOPRANO‘S, ER and NYPD BLUE. Podcast Click here to join our group on Facebook Video