How Do You Spell That? (Finding Your Sicilian Ancestors)
How do you spell that? I’ve reviewed factors that are important in determining an immigrant ancestor’s name as it was used in Sicily. Once the name is known it can…
“Sicilian identity is strong because it’s impure”
Tedesco, Emeritus Professor of Italian Literature at the University of Palermo, remembers the Sicilian writer, Leonardo Sciascia, and reflects on the south’s distinctive characteristics. For Spanish readers, the name…
Each Child Has a Unique Personality: Mold it!
The hands-off policy of modern parents towards their children is either blissful ignorance or insanity. Throughout the ages parents have not only helped their children survive but have assisted…
All Roads for Driving Shoes Lead to … Sicily?
What do Vic Elford, Michael Keyser, Marco and Mario Andretti, Niki Lauda, Jackie Ickx and Mia Walsh have in common? It turns out that a charming shoemaker from…
The Wandering Life of Guy de Maupassant
Born Henri René Albert Guy de Maupassant, this famous writer from the North Sea coast of France, first visited Sicily in the 1880s. This decade, which was to mark…
In Search of our Ancestry: Butcher, Baker, Basket Maker
I’ve discussed early traditions for determining given names for Italian children. Today, most names consist of one or more given names combined with family names, or surnames. Surnames are…
Fact is sicily will never change…
Fact is Sicily will never change. Something funny about Sicilians. They built great castles, churches, towns, but no roads to take them around. To this day. Di Lampedusa thinks it’s…
THALASSA – Men and the Sea
“THALASSA – Men and the Sea”, directed and produced by Gianluca Agati, (ITA, 26′, 2012) is a documentary offering a glimpse into Siracusa’s history, where the fumes from chemical and…
An Italian American Story – Susan D’Angelo Mannino
On the 25th October 2012 the Italian American Museum in Manhattan’s Little Italy played host to a book presentation and signing of ‘An Italian American Story’ by the…