Categories: Stories

Paranormal Activity — Rose’s Dad

The Second Night

In 1991, we moved into a new home not far from our first home. Unlike our first home, which we both new from a builder, this home was about thirty years old. It was a very normal looking split level and a place that you would not associate with paranormal activity.

That changed the second night we were there. My wife’s sister and her husband were spending the night and about 2 AM we heard loud banging. It sounded like someone was banging on the door or the walls. We all ran out into the hallway and were asking each other what happened. No one knew! It was very strange, but we all went back to sleep and forgot about the incident.

Who Turned Off The Light

Not long after that incident, I was leaving for work the day after Thanksgiving. My wife was out of town,, and after I left home, I noticed that I had left the kitchen light on. I was running late, so I left it on. When I returned home, the light was off. I figured the bulb blew out. Then I checked the switch and saw that it was turned off, but not by me.

Is One Bedroom For The Ghost

One weekend my father-in-law visited us and stayed in the small bedroom in the front of the house. A couple of weeks after that my wife came home after visiting him and relayed the following story.

My father-in-law asked her why we bought such a big house, and was one of the rooms for the ghost.

“What ghost?”, my wife asked.

“The one in the bedroom.”

He went on to describe a short old man that was dressed in shorts and a baseball cap and was pacing in front of the window in his bedroom.

The next day I saw our next door neighbor and asked her if Rose’s father was short and if he wore shorts and a baseball cap.

She turned as whiter as a ghost and asked, “How did you know that?”. I explained that she asked what bedroom. When I told her she informed me that the room was Rose’s sewing room and that her father would pace back and forth waiting for her to return from work!

The Wood Pile

In the winter I would pile wood up in the garage for the fireplace. I would stack it up nice and neat. One night I heard noises from the garage like wood being moved around. The next morning I found that the would didn’t fall from the pile, but it was scattered around the garage.

The Froebel Star

Rose was born in the Black Forest in Germany. One year I redid the insulation and floor in the attic and cleared everything out. I moved everything away from the center and so there was a wide open space. A few weeks later I found a German Origami Froebel Star dead center in the attic. It was never there before and could not have just dropped from somewhere, it was placed there.

I recognized the star as being from Germany because as a boy in the cub scouts, my den mother was from Germany and one year we made these stars at Christmas.

Rose's Mom

After a few years, everything stopped. We then learned that Rose’s mom had passed away. Our conclusion was that possibly Rose’s dad was waiting for his wife. We never felt threatened, but there were a couple of attic rooms where Rose’s parents lived that always seemed a bit eery.

The Reality of Getting Italian Citizenship While Living in Italy

September 6, 2026 No Comments

Learn the practical steps for getting Italian citizenship while living in Italy and connecting with your family heritage. Navigating the process of obtaining Italian citizenship requires a deep understanding of both legal requirements and your own family history. This video breaks down how residency and ancestry intersect for those currently living in Italy. We look at the documentation needed to verify your claim and the practical reality of managing your application while abroad. Whether you

Academy of Italian Heritage and Travel

September 4, 2026 No Comments

https://youtu.be/TPQYicyAx6I Join our virtual roundtable as we discuss Italian genealogy and the methods for connecting with your family history. This session features a collaborative discussion among researchers and genealogists focused on tracing lineage and documenting family heritage. For anyone navigating the complexities of Italian roots, this conversation offers practical insights into how different branches of a family tree can be reconstructed using historical records. We examine the collaborative approach to ancestry research, highlighting how shared

Daughters of Naples

August 20, 2026 No Comments

In this episode, we explore the fascinating history of Italy, focusing on Mussolini’s rise to power, the impact of World War II on Naples, and the resilience of Italian families during wartime. Guest author Diana Giovanazzo shares insights from her latest historical fiction book, ‘Daughters of Naples,’ and discusses the importance of understanding Italy’s complex past. Key Topics Mussolini’s rise to power and fascist ideology The Four Days of Naples and Italian resistance Impact of

NIAF Trip to Italy

August 16, 2026 No Comments

In this episode, Juliana shares her experience with the NIAF trip to Italy, exploring her Italian heritage, and the impact of her journey on her understanding of family history and culture. NIAF trip application process and experience Cities visited: Rome, Milan, Genoa, Lago de Garda, Cremona Family heritage from Napoli and Bari The impact of travel on understanding family history Italian food and regional specialties Researching Italian ancestry and DNA testing Click here to join

Hidden Roots: A Journey to Italy and Self-Discovery

July 27, 2026 No Comments

In this episode, Christine McBurney shares her journey of discovering her Italian roots later in life, the impact of DNA testing on her identity, and her creative projects inspired by her heritage. A compelling story of self-discovery, family secrets, and cultural reconnection. Key Topics Discovering Italian heritage late in life The role of DNA testing in genealogy Family secrets and their impact on identity Travel to Italy and ancestral villages Creating a film based on

Discovering Italy: Roots, Traditions, and Cultural Revival

July 25, 2026 No Comments

Viviana Altieri, founder of the Italian radio and Istituto Mondo Italiano, shares her journey from Italy to Pittsburgh, exploring Italian culture, traditions, and the importance of preserving heritage through food, language, and community initiatives. Viviana’s family origins in Foggia and Rome Her move from Italy to Pittsburgh in 1993 The rich diversity of Italian regions and traditions The role of food and festivals in cultural identity The founding and mission of Istituto Mondo Italiano The