My Ancestral Italy

14/04/2026

07/04/2026

The Lazio region, located in the heart of central Italy, is comprised of five provinces and is proudly the home of Rome, the regional and national capital, a city steeped in history and architecture.

Lazio was the home of the Etruscan civilization, then stood at the center of the Roman Republic, of the Roman Empire, of the Papal States, of the Kingdom of Italy and of the Italian Republic. Lazio boasts a rich cultural heritage. Great artists and historical figures lived and worked in Rome, particularly during the Italian Renaissance period. Lazio is a region that is steeped in history, art, and architecture, making it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in exploring the rich cultural heritage of Italy.

04/04/2026

This was the recent letter to our subscribers explaining some of the uniqueness of Easter in Italy. You too can subscribe to these informative musings on our website, the link is at the bottom of the Home page.

Easter is a Special Time in Italy

In Italy, Pasqua (Easter), is a heartwarming festa of family, friends, and reflective thoughts. Of course, there's the big spiritual nod to Christ's Resurrection, but for the less observant and basically for everyone's Spring fever, it's also a time to shake off winter's chill and hug your loved ones a little tighter.

Giovedi Santo (Maudy Thursday) is frequently celebrated with a special Mass where participants have their feet washed by the parish priest, or some kind of re-enactment of the Biblical washing of the apostles' feet. On Venerdi Santo (Good Friday) you will find many towns and cities all across the peninsula that have processions of the Via Crucis, many that are quite impressive, some downright unique and give a sense of place.

Pasqua itself starts with Midnight Mass (or a morning Mass for those who don't want to sit through three hours in the night!) and then lots of cooking from the preceding days and unleashing your inner foodie with a family feast. From north to south, Italy serves up traditional specialties, yet the colomba cake, shaped like a peace-loving dove, and colossal chocolate eggs (uova di Pasqua) are the stars everyone wants a bite of. Grocery stores, bakeries, and even your local coffee joint will have these on offer.

Pasquetta, or Easter Monday, is your bonus day to another national holiday, perfect for picnics or barbecues under the early spring sun. It's the ponte (bridge) for a long weekend where blooms and warmth are just starting to strut their stuff, and outdoor dining is a family (or friends group) affair, the first picnic of the season!

You can learn more about Italy and our professional genealogy services at our Facebook and Instagram accounts in the links below. We appreciate our followers and this does help to promote our business on the internet.

Follow our pages - My Ancestral Italy on both Facebook and Instagram- as well as our old standby My Bella Basilicata.

Buona Pasqua a tutti!
Bryan and Valerie

26/03/2026

Carolyn Bessette Kennedy has been back in the public eye in a big way in the past couple of years, after a spate of new books (some dedicated to her and her style and others to her romance and marriage) and, most recently, a massively-popular dramatized TV mini-series about her career, her seemingly fairytale romance, and tragic fate.

She was well-known in the ‘90s for her fashion career at Calvin Klein and her famous (infamous?) marriage to John F. Kennedy, Jr., so much so that her name and photos became irrevocably linked almost exclusively to her husband’s. But did you know that her maternal lineage is from Italy?

Her mother, Ann Marie Messina, comes from two Italian families – her father (Carolyn’s grandfather) Calogero Messina was born in Castellammare del Golfo in Sicily. Ann Marie’s mother, Vincenza (“Jennie”) Venturello, was born in the US but her parents (Carolyn’s great-grandparents) came from Castelbuono, also in Sicily. Unsurprisingly, the men in both sides of her Italian side were listed as marinari (sailors), though one ancestor on her maternal line was a calzolaio (shoemaker). Despite her blond tresses, she was actually a natural brunette, like her mother Ann Marie.

❤️

24/03/2026

Do You Know?

This is another in our series about famous Italians or well-known descendants of Italians.

Do you know who she is and where in Italy her maternal ancestors came from?

18/03/2026

Since Saint Joseph is known to be the foster-father of Jesus Christ, in Italy on this day, March 19th, we also celebrate Father’s Day - a special occasion to honor the role of fathers and father figures in our lives

The “Zeppole di San Giuseppe” is a common pastry eaten this week and found in pasticceria all across the peninsula. Zeppole shells are made of a classic choux pastry dough and are filled with delicious, silky pastry cream and decorated with cherries.

Whether you're celebrating Father's Day or simply want to indulge in a sweet treat, the Zeppole di San Giuseppe is a must-try this time of year!

10/03/2026

We always appreciate feedback from our clients, as it allows us to refine our services and better understand how we can assist them in their journey to discover their Italian roots. Helping people to learn more about their Italian ancestry is our only focus, and we take pride in providing personalized research projects.

03/03/2026

Bryan recently had the opportunity to speak with Bob Sorrentino of Italian Roots and Genealogy, and the video is now available on YouTube.

An engaging chat about travel in italy, focusing on dialects and regional speech in basilicata and matera that shaped a guest's perspective. One speaker prai...

24/02/2026

These are three maps of ethnicity based on the same individuals DNA, the top two are from the same company and adjusted overtime. How can these be different if they are from the same DNA?

Companies like Ancestry.com and MyHeritage use your DNA’s breadcrumbs to link you with common ancestors in their reference groups (like those distant cousins or aunts you’ve never met). But remember, these reference groups rely on self-reported family trees that can be as accurate as a weather forecast and can change like a weather forecast. Do they have the receipts to back up those family tales, or are they just winging it?

DNA testing is a nifty gizmo for genealogy sleuthing, but it’s just one gadget in the genealogist’s toolbox. It might connect you with that long-lost cousin or a mysterious uncle who’s also done the spit test, but it won’t roll out a map to your Italian ancestors—that’s where some good old-fashioned record-digging comes in.

So don’t settle for just a DNA test—dive into those Italian archives to unearth the facts about your southern Italian roots and weave a vibrant tapestry of your family history.

17/02/2026

Friuli Venezia Giulia, the most northeastern region of Italy, has a rich and complex history that is still evident in its present-day culture, cuisine, and architecture. The region's borders were not fully established until after World War 2, and its strategic location has made it a prized possession for various countries and cultures throughout the centuries. From the Romans to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, each has left an indelible mark on the region's identity. The unique blend of Italian, Slavic, and Germanic influences is palpable in the local dialects, traditional dishes, and stunning architecture that dot the landscape.

The region is comprised of four provinces, each with its own distinct character, and Trieste, the regional capital, is a city with a stunning seafront, grand piazzas, and rich literary history.