When John Vallillo lost his mother in 2005, he had no idea it would ignite a passionate journey into uncovering his Italian roots. Join us as John takes us through the meticulous process of tracing his great-grandfather Giovanni Vallillo’s story, including the surprising discovery that Giovanni’s name was altered at a cemetery in Cleveland. John’s emotional connection to his heritage and thrilling moments of discovery—likened to the adventures of Indiana Jones—will captivate anyone intrigued by genealogy and family history.
Our conversation with John also transports us to Italy, exploring the cultural richness of various regions and personal anecdotes from his repeated travels. John shines a light on the poignant story of Clotilde, an abandoned baby in the 1800s, and how DNA research can reveal long-lost relatives and intricate family histories. We delve into societal attitudes towards family history and economic disparities in Italy, showcasing the resilience of descendants who overcame past hardships.
We further uncover the fascinating world of DNA analysis and its ability to transform our understanding of heritage. John shares compelling stories of his great-grandparents’ challenges, the early death of his great-grandfather from tuberculosis, and the subsequent remarriage of his great-grandmother. Through DNA discoveries, John has connected with long-lost relatives and even linked to notable figures like Fred Bungusto. This episode emphasizes the importance of cherishing family stories and how serendipitous moments can lead to meaningful discoveries, inspiring listeners to embark on their own genealogical adventures.
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For over twenty-five years, Dawn has helped people create a dolce vita by connecting to their purpose and by continuing their legacy.
The Journey Home — Day 4 — Capracotta
Click here to join out Facebook group Capracotta is a small but beautiful town in the mountains of Molise and was the ancestral home of my third great grandmother Duchess Capece Piscicelli. The town is about two hours from Naples, and one has to wonder on how long the trip took in a carriage from Naples in the 1800’s. On the way to Capracotta we had an interesting stop where Gianfranco showed us where Garibaldi
Italian Genetics
We’ve done several posts on Italian genetics due to the complexity of the subject. As I think we all know, Italy was conquered and reconquered for thousands of years. In addition, it is still surprising that many people do not understand that they are not 100% Italian when the DNA test comes back. We’re going to try and address this as simply as we can, while we post links to the more scientific information on
History of Molise Italy
The history of Molise Italy is important to me, as my 3rd great grandmother Beatrice Capece Piscicelli was the Duchess of Capracotta ( Cooked Sheep ), which lies in Molise. Towards the end of the seventeenth century, the family acquired the fief of Capracotta and King Charles of Bourbon, in October 1674, conferred on Andrea Capece Piscicelli, the title of Duke of Capracotta, a title that several years later, following the inevitable feudal events that
Researching Puglia, Campania, Molise and Calabria
Phil Apollo interviews author, podcaster and blogger Bob Sorrentino about his new book “Farmers and Nobles”. Farmers and Nobles traces the research path of blogger and podcast host Bob Sorrentino. Bob began researching his family roots in 2008 beginning with his great-grandfather’s calling card brought from Italy by his paternal grandmother Maria Luigia Piromallo. In 2018, he decided to share his experiences in a blog and in 2020 created his podcast Italian Roots and Genealogy.
Researching Sicily and Molise
Visit Our Shop Bob speaks with Becky Clemente about her family roots including a very interesting story about Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Here is the link to the Castiglione and Carovilli Research Group on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/1659888864331809 Podcast Click here to join our group on Facebook Video
Researching Molise and Abruzzo
Jacqueline Jannotta is a writer, mom, informed educator, experienced traveler, and eternal optimist who inspires others to break free from the ordinary. Her own career path has been anything but conventional, beginning with her work in television for entertainment industry giants like Warner Bros and Walt Disney. She went on to develop and write content for trailblazing internet firms, and founded ScoopOnSchools.com: helping parents navigate and expand the educational possibilities for their children. It’s in
