A guide for family researchers of Italian descent points the way to resources in the United States as well as information available in the town halls, archives, churches, and libraries of Italy.

This practical guide takes beginners step-by-step through the research process, and includes advanced tips for more experienced researchers. You'll learn general guidelines of genealogy that ensure success; how to use major American records such as census and naturalization records, ship passenger lists and passport applications; how to use minor American records such as family letters, church and cemetery records and newspapers; how to find Italian vital records - civil documents that record births, marriages and deaths; how to read the margin notations in Italian records to learn even more about your family; how to interview relatives; and how to make the most of every piece of information you uncover. This easy-to-use reference even includes information on Italian naming traditions, how to read foreign handwriting from hundreds of years ago, ingenious tips for using an English/Italian dictionary, and a letter-writing guide you can use to request data from Italian officials - in Italian!

Become more proficient with searching the site. Explore obscure databases you didnt know existed. Create and develop your own family tree. You will learn to do all of these things and more in The Official Guide to Ancestry.com.

Discover your Italian roots! Say "ciao" to your Italian ancestors! This in-depth guide will walk you through the exciting journey of researching your Italian famiglia both here and in Italy. Inside, you'll find tips for every phase of Italian genealogy research, from identifying your immigrant ancestor and pinpointing his hometown to uncovering records of him in Italian archives. In this book, you'll find: • Basic information on starting your family history research, including how to trace your immigrant ancestor back to Italy • Strategies for uncovering genealogy records (including passenger lists, draft cards, and birth, marriage, and death records) from both the United States and Italy, with annotated sample records • Crash-course guides to Italian history, geography, and names • Helpful Italian genealogical word lists • Sample letters for requesting records from Italian archives Whether your ancestors hail from the island of Sicily or the hills of Piedmont, The Family Tree Italian Genealogy Guide will give you the tools you need to track your family in Italy.

“This immigration story is universal.” —School Library Journal, Starred Dan Yaccarino’s great-grandfather arrived at Ellis Island with a small shovel and his parents’ good advice: “Work hard, but remember to enjoy life, and never forget your family.” With simple text and warm, colorful illustrations, Yaccarino recounts how the little shovel was passed down through four generations of this Italian-American family—along with the good advice. It’s a story that will have kids asking their parents and grandparents: Where did we come from? How did our family make the journey all the way to America? “A shovel is just a shovel, but in Dan Yaccarino’s hands it becomes a way to dig deep into the past and honor all those who helped make us who we are.” —Eric Rohmann, winner of the Caldecott Medal for My Friend Rabbit “All the Way to America is a charmer. Yaccarino’s heartwarming story rings clearly with truth, good cheer, and love.” —Tomie dePaola, winner of a Caldecott Honor Award for Strega Nona

When people asked Anthony Fasano about his nationality, he always replied, "I'm Italian," without understanding the depths of what that meant. After 35 years of saying this, he decided that vague response wasn't good enough anymore. He decided he was going to learn everything he could about his Italian family roots.

Given by Eugene Edge III.