Where is your family from in Italy? We want to know! Leave a comment below.
Italy is divided into 20 regions as shown below. Each region has a capital city and is further divided into Provinces. The capital cities of the 20 regions are listed below:
Region: Capital
Abruzzo: L’Aquila
Basilicata: Potenza
Calabria: Catanzaro
Campania: Napoli
Emilia-Romagna: Bologna
Friuli-Venezia Giulia: Trieste
Lazio: Roma
Liguria: Genoa
Lombardia: Milano
Marche: Ancona
Molise: Campobasso
Piemonte: Torino
Puglia: Bari
Sardegna: Cagliari
Sicilia: Palermo
Toscana: Firenze
Trentino-Alto Adige: Trento
Umbria: Perugia
Valle d’Aosta: Aosta
Veneto: Venezia
I’ll start it off… My father is from a small town called San Michele, comune di Serrastretta, provincia di Catazaro, Calabria. My mother is from Feroleto Antico, which is also in provincia di Catanzaro in Calabria. Which makes me 100% Calabrese… now that’s hard headed!
Hi there! Great blog!
My parents and grandparents are from Catania, Sicily. My dad’s family is from Castiglione and my mom’s family is from Roccella and Taormina. All Sicilian here!
Like the new set up, Joe!
My dad was born in Montepaone, provincia di Catanzaro, Calabria and my mom is a first generation Siciliana whose parents were from Salemi, provincia di Trapani, Sicilia! So Joe, I have a hard head and bad temper apparently!
I am not Italian but my husband, his parents and as far down the line as we can tell were all born in Pratola Peligna in the region of Abruzzo.
My daughter married an Italian born in Calabria.
My mother and father are both from Delianuova in the Aspromonte of Reggio Calabria.
My husband is from Positano. His grandfather is from Sicily.
I was born and raised in Melbourne Australia and my four children were born in Luxembourg.
My grandmother was born in a small town called Farneta, outside Modena. So she is from Emilia-Romagna. I wish I was born in Italy, this whole citizenship issue would be much easier then. Hope you are well, Joe!
My Grandparents were from Sicily.
My father was born in Messina- but raised in Calabria.
My Mothers Parents were from Rome and Calabria.
Bari, in Puglia!
Love the new look, Joe
My dad’s parents were from Napoli and Bari. My father-in-law was from Torino. Was told my middle child looks just like the people from Torino. Great new look!
My father’s parents were from Cracco which is (I think) in Basilicata…
Napoli in Campania
Welcome back Joe, looks great!
My grandfather’s parents are from Campania, the Avellino region. My great-grandfather is from Montefalcione and m great-grandmother is from Lapio.
Great-great-grandfather from Badolato (CZ), Calabria; great-grandmother from Isca sull’Ionio (CZ), Calabria; great-grandfather from Pisciotta (SA), Campania
Both my maternal grandparents were from Calitri in the Avellino area of Campania.
My Mom was born in San Marco Argentano, in the province of Cosenza, Calabria. I’ve been blessed to have taken many trips to San Marco to visit my family that is there today…..and learn the skill of salumi making!!!!
Great Grandfather from Palmoli (CH), Abruzzo; Great Grandmother from Riccia (CB), Molise; Grandmother from Montella (AV), Campania
Related to the Ulissi and Scorranese families from Valle San Giovanni and Frondarola near Teramo in Abruzzo. Have started small English-language websites for both of of these small villages (e.g., http://vallesangiovanni.com).
My mother’s family was from Calabria and my dad’s side from Abruzzo.
We are from Calabria too
but lived in Philadelphia (and now I live in Collingswood NJ). We have many of the same traditions – I do my tomatoes the same way for sauce, roast peppers en masse etc!
I was born in a small village named Careri in the Provincia Reggio Calabria now I live in Australia for 53years
My father was born in Serramonacesca near Pescara in Abruzzo. My mother’s family is from Santa Catarina in the Catanzaro region of Calabria. By 1930 both families had immigrated and settled in South Philadelphia.
Although my blog suggests otherwise, my father’s family is from Taranto. We have in the past few years ‘discovered’ that the family has a vineyard in Ciro Marina. The wines have been a joy to find (Librandi) and now the olive oil too!
Love the site – can’t wait to visit more often.
My dad was born in a small village called Policastrello (Cosenza) which is in the northern mountains of Calabria. My mum was born in Australia, but her parents were both born in San Marco in Lamis (Foggia) a beautiful town in Puglia.
My boyfriend is from Malito a lovely little town in Calabria only a short drive from Cosenza.
I live and work in Italy: mostly Rome and Sicily and live in Malito between jobs!
Hello,
wonderful site! Im a fan already.
I am not Italian myself but my partner is- he was born in Genoa, Liguria. We now live here and I learn Italian and everything about Italy. Our daughter Gaia was born one month ago in Genoa as well and Im glad she’s got Italian roots
Both my grandparents are from Porticasa although they met in New York City. Decades of pinning down exactly where they came from (there are stories of farms) have met dead ends. The older I get, my Aunt (Philomena’s) Fay’s saying “Blood is thicker than water” has taken on more meaning. Wonderful site. Will be back!
Am I the first Lucana to post? My great-grandparents came from Basilicata, the provincia di Potenza.
My grandparents were from Valguarnera, Sicily. That town also went by the name of Caropepe. I grew up in Rochester, NY which was kind of a sister city to Valguarnera. What a great blog this is!
I am looking for anyone that is still alive in my family. My grandfather name is Nick Scintilla his wife was Mary and I believe they both came from Napoli I believe
My family is from Colobraro, a small hill village in Basilicata. My dad grew up in Brier Hill, Youngstown, Ohio. I went back and met my cousins and found that my grandmother had had a little sister who’d never left, so I also met my dad’s first cousin. Fabulous trip. Benedite, as the fam would say! The answer was Affascinate. Gets rid of the malocchio.
My father was from Falerna, Provincia di Catanzaro. Your site feels like home to me!
Actually, I am second generation Russian Jew and grew up in Florida and my husband is French, but we had the amazing great fortune to live in Milano for 7 glorious years and we fell in love. Our boys were 1 and 3 when we got there, so they think they are part Italian! We love Italy and love Italian food and it is a joy for us to share it. I love your blog! Bologna was a favorite city for my husband as well!
My great grandparents were from Grimaldi CS. When I went back to the village on a “roots” journey, I fell in love with the mountain village and ended up meeting my husband from the nearby village of Malito. Thought I had completed the circle of immigration, but we ended up moving back to California (where I am from) for employment reasons and to raise our sons. However we still have our home there and go back for summers!
I love your postings- they take me “home”!!!
Hi,
Both my parents were born in Delianuova, Reggio Calabria. My father Arcangelo Natale R. and my mother Garzia Maria Rechichi. Visited there when I was a child of five. Not too many memories of it.
Great site.
Larry
My grparents were from Campagna area. Grfa was Alberto Vincent Grimaldi from Naples and Grmo Nicolena Amodea was from Auletta. Can’t find any info on my grfa anywhere.
Hello! Just found your site and love it! My mother’s people were from Potenza and Bari, and my dad’s family from Abruzzi. I think my maternal grandmother was from a city called “Cinzano” and my grandfather from a city called “Gravina.” If anyone knows any Cilla’s or La Muraglia’s from either of these towns please contact me. I thank God every day I grew up Italian…what a blessing!
Hello! It’s nice to hear from other Italian American people. Both of my parents are from castrofillipo Sicily. They came to Cleveland Ohio in 1969. It was pretty lonely growing up at times, but i do have interesting memories! My father would make his wine every Fall…still does. My mother would can fruit and sauce too! I haven’t been to Italy in 15 yrs and I hope to go again soon as an adult and experience the modern version of the old country:) I enjoy hearing your stories!!
Hey Joe: Love the blog! My great grandmother was from Ripa Bittoni (not sure which province–somewhere up north), and the rest are from Calabria–Aiello Calabro and San Giorgio la Molara.
I was born in Campotosto, L’Aquila!! I was raised in Ohio with all the family traditions and cooking secrets…including the seven fishes. The worst part of being separated by miles from my family is that the less I use the Italian language the harder it is to remember words. I can understand it, but getting difficult to respond…suggestions?
Mi abuelo materno es de San Nicola Da Crissa y Se llamaba Domenico Lavecchia y mi abuela de Catanzara y se llamaba Ana María Polito. de la Comuna Di Pizzo.
Hi,
My dad is from Concessa in Reggio di Calabria. He has lived for many years in the UK but we visit every couple of years to Italy.
My grandfather is from San Pietro Avellana, Molise, Italy and my grandmother is from Caltabellotta, Agrigento, Sicily. I ventured to Caltabellotta in 2001 and found our family and everyone is so excited to see each other. We try go back every other year… will send photos. Thank you for the site…
My grandparents were from Frazzano’, Messina, Sicily
Hey Joe, Great blog. I’m a second generation Italian American. My Grandparents came from Reggio Di Calabria. I grew up in western Mass and now live on the coast of Maine. I’ve been to Italy only once but wow did I love it. We spend a couple of weeks on the Amalfi coast in Priano. Can’t wait to get back.
Hi:
My roots are in Sicily! My mother’s family is from Prizzi and Castrofillipo and my Dad’s s family is from Borgetto. I have not visitied Sicily yet and I am gathering information about my many relatives there. I want to feel the earth under my feet in celebration of my family! I long to get there soon.
My Mom’s family is from Abruzzi & Naples. My Dad’s family is from Siena & Sicily. I know – some mix!! The best gelato I ever had was in Siena right where they have the Palio horse race (my grandmother’s home town).
Hello my grandparents are from Montefalcione Italy… What a beautiful little town.
Hi – I’m second generation Italian-American (1/2). My mother’s father was born in Pirillo and her mother was born in Soveria Mannelli, both in the provence Catanzaro, Calabria. I’m just starting to do some family history, but I’m on warp speed since my mother turned 83 yesterday! I don’t eat meat anymore but am craving it – esp all the good stuff like soppresata and hard salami – since I’m doing this research and checking out Cucina di Calabria, the only English cookbook of Calabrian cooking! Unfortunately, I live in southern Oregon where there are no Italian delis!!
great work!!
italian cooking is one of most appreciate in the world.
I hope you will enjoin my ITALIAN MUSIC SITE!!. http://canzoniitaliane.blogspot.com where just to 3 years i write about italian music!!!
Ciao! I’m a 1st generation Calabrian Italian-Canadian. Both my parents and grandparents grew up near Cosenza; my Dad in Piane Crati and my Mom in Vico. They married in 1960, and shortly thereafter my Dad emigrated to Canada by himself so he could work until he could afford to send for my Mom so they could start a life together. My husband’s grandfather emigrated from Abruzzo as a young man back around 1910 when he arrived at Ellis Island only to find that his sponsor didn’t show up! Unfortunately he wasn’t allowed to stay, and had to make the long journey back to Italy. My husband’s determined grandfather tried again a few months later, and thankfully his new sponsor showed up. From New York he travelled to Canada via a very long train ride were he met his future wife. Even though my husband didn’t grow up with the Italian influence as I did, he is really connected to his “Italian side”, especially Italian cuisine. We hope to visit Italy again soon. Keep up your great blog!
My father immigrated with his sister, brother and widowed mother from Campobasso, in the Molise Region in 1912. They settled in the Seattle, Washington area. Both my paternal family (Faccone) and maternal family (Fiorito) were from the same area.
Grandmother from Zavattarello in Pavia Lombardy, Grandfather from Notaresco in Terami Abruzzo. As a young woman, she cooked for wealthy families in Northern Italy so our Italian holiday dinners in NJ had desserts like floating islands and bavarian cream.
My father, Nicola Aiello, was born in the village of Polinudo, town of Bianchi, Calabria, Italy. He emigrated when he was six years old. He lived in New York with an uncle repairing shoes and then moved to Farrell, PA. After marrying, he moved and resided in Youngstown, Ohio until his death. Relatives in Italy are still in this region of Italy, and my uncles visit there every few years.
Hi:
I am first generation Italian, my parents are both from Calabria. My dad is from Filidalfia, Cantazaro and my mother is from Biancha, Reggio de Calabria.
My father first moved to Chicago, then to Canada where he met my Mother. We live in Ontario. We used to do our tomatoes and red peppers as mentioned previously from other comments. Now I do them with my daughter and son-in-law (who is from Sardina) and it is similar to the way you do them, except we cook the tomatoes before jaring them in sterile hot bottles and seal. We also uses blankets.
What a wonderful site! I live in Des Moines Iowa, but my family (and my heart) is from Bianchi CZ.
Ciao Joe!! 1st generation Italiana here! My Papa was from San Guisto Canavese (Piemonte) and my Mama was from Venice (Veneto). Love your site!! Amen to keeping our heritage alive!!
Love the website. My parents were born in Baranello, provinca di Campobasso. I am first generation born in America. I have been to Italy 8 times and hope to go back with my children. My in-laws come from Bari and Calabria. Che testa tura!
My Grandfather, Saverio (Sam) Iallonardo came to Duluth, MN in the US in 1902 from Santo Stafano del Sole, Avellino, Campania, Italy when he was 15 years old. I am a second generation Italian/American.
Io vivo in Brasile e io sono di origine italiana dalla Calabria, la cittadina di San Lucido. Sono molto orgoglioso delle mie radici italiane e mi ha fatto piacere trovare un site come il vostro. Congratulazioni. Da ora in poi sarò sempre visitare il tuo site.
Hi!! I’m ariginally from Cuba. My grandfather Gennaro Pisciotta inmigrated there in 1800s. He was from Calabria’Italy and he passe the rest of his life in that beautiful country, were he builds a family. My mom , she is still alive and I’m the 3rd generation.
I have some family there. If you know something, you can contact me. “m not living anymore in Cuba, but all my family is there!
Hi, both my parents are from Mammola, Reggio Calabria.
I’m a second generation Italian/Canadian.( Montreal)
Love your site!!!!
We are going to Calabria this summer, can’t wait !!!
Hi Joe – Love this page. My mom was from Emilia-Romagna (Fiorenzuola), my Dad’s parents from Calabria (San Pietro a Maida)and my husbands’s family was Abruzzesi (mother-Fresagrandinaria; father-Scerni)
NAPLES,Have been told grandparnets are from there but can’t ind any turellos,i’ve been told the spelling was changed when they arrived in New York City….Is there a way to find the name Turello in NAPLES….
Hi Joe,
My fathers family is from the Campania region of Italy, a small town called San Nicola Baronia. Population is about 900. My father is 1 of 8 kids and the only one in America. I have close to (30) 1st cousins there and unil recently my grandmother, who past away last year. My mothers family is from the Largo di Garda area in Verona.
I beleive my Grandfather was from Catanzaro. My grandfathers name was Giuseppe Raso. Are there any Raso’s
still living in that town. Love to hear form you.
My father was from a small town called Carpanzano (Cosenza). My grandmother and some other relatives still live there. I also have some family that originated from Marzi (Cosenza), which is situated near Carpanzano and my great-grandfather was from Abruzzo (I believe Lucoli in L’Aquila)
La parte paterna di Apice, provincia di Benevento, la parte materna di Sicilia, ma non so dov’e precisamente.
My parents and two of my siblings are from Termini Imerese, PA, Sicilia!
And I’m damn proud to be called Sicilian!
Ciao Joe: I am a Canadian-born, Abruzzese. My father (Giuseppe) was born in Brecciarola, Prov. di Chieti, and came to Canada in 1950. My mother (Maria Congeta) came a year later with my brother and sister. She was born in Villa Oliveti, Prov. Pescara. They met one day at the well where she would go daily to draw water for her family. The story conjures such romantic images for me to this day. What a wonderful site! Thanks Joe.
My mother’s family came from the beautiful village of Morolo in the province of Frosinone in Lazio. My father’s family came from Ariano Irpino in the province of Avellino in Campania.
What a wonderful site you have!
My roots are in Spain but Ale my fidanzato was born and raised in Milano however his mother is from Bari, Puglia and his father is from a little town called Aqua Viva delle Fonte, Puglia.
Hi
I am so glad to have found this site. Receipes that I never got from deceased family now I see here. I am first generation Italian. My father is from Cantanzaro region of Calabria. Like you very proud of my heritage. Warm people, great big hearts, putting family first, making wonderful simplistic foods. Preserving everything from the garden to eat during the winter. Curing our own olives, and eggplant to add with our homemade soppressata, & cappicola when the family came for a visit. Holidays were the bomb at our house. Large family always!
My great grandfather nickola concovia came from provincia di reggio di calabria. Entered into u.s. in 1904.
Iam a 2nd generation Italian-Irish American,married a 100% Italian. I have been looking for my father’s family in Italy/Sicily. I was told my grandfather Vicent Vincent (spelled both ways in early 1910 & 30 census) was born in Palermo, sicily around 1880 & my grandmother Emmanvele (Emma) Diorenzo was born in Naples 1890. they both came here in 1905 I cant find anything about them or their parents before that can anyone help me maybe a link to italian records? the family lived in south phildelphia & southwest philadelphia all our growing up years. the family tree is on ancestry.com but no luck there. Thanks
June 16, 2010 @ 11:32 PM
My mother was born in Provincia di Potenza 1913 (Basilicata). She came to the United States when she was a year and a half. She passed away Nov. 18, 2010, age 96
My father was born in Albania 1907 and came to the United States when he was five years old. He passed away on June 25, 1980, age 73.
My Grandparents Vincenzo James & Maria Rosa Iemma were born in Cittanova Reggio Calabria in 1880 & 1881 respectively. Our last name was 1st changed to Yemma then later to Amie after the came to the US
Hi Joe, thanks for giving us Italyville!
Both my parents families are from prov Cosenza in Calabria. Mom is from Grimaldi and Dad’s family is from Bocchigliero (in Sila). I guess that makes me a testa dura too.
Through DNA tests, we found out my father’s paternal line is from Catazaro area. We are Jewish and my father and mother were both born in Poland. The family has been traced back to 1720 so far, and hopefully we will break the 1600 barrier soon. Family traits:stubbornness, very meticulous, genius, hard worker, mechanical, physically strong. Father survived Auschwitz, but rest of family didn’t. He escaped after being shot. Lived in the forest until 82nd Airborne found him. We were probably kicked out of Italy in the 1500′s, where we lived for maybe 2300 years. In Poland, we got kicked out and murdered after 400 years.
My dad was from Ciro Marina, Provinca di Crotone and my mom was from Vallelonga, Provinca di Catanzaro.
My dad was born in Giffone, calabria and my mum was born in santa cristina, calabria.
Ciao! Mamma came from San Pietro A Maida, provincia di Catanzaro (Calabria); dad’s family came from Cesenatico, provincia di Forli’-Cesena (Romagna). Very different dialects, cuisine, culture between the two – it made for an interesting experience growing up.
Hi Joe, mum and dad came to Australia in the 1950′s from Calabria. My mum is from Feroleto Antico and dad from Nicastro ( now called Lamezia Terme ).
Bianca
both my perent as you know are from calabria my dad is from Marcantoni a small village near jevoli and my mom is from san michele
joe
if you like i can see if my mom has any pictures from dan Mechele and if she does ill give them to you to post on your website if you want and i may have some pictures from my last trip to italy about 15 years ago
My father is from Reggio, (rustic) Calabria. Fossato Ionico to be exact; high up in the mountains. My mother is born in Canada and so were her parents. However, her family roots are in Campobasso in Molise.
Ciao! My family(Mercuri, Bellocco, and Chindamo)is from Giffone,Reggio Calabria ITALY and the island of Lipari,SICILY.
My father’s family came from Salerno my mother’s family came from Castllemarre di Stabia. As for me –I’m not as scrappy as that lineage might suggest…….
My mom was from Trieste, Friuli and my dad is from CEva, Piemonte. They moved us back to Italy in 1978 to Genova , Liguria. I miss focaccia!
Both my parents and my husband are from Contrada Mercuri Tedesco in the commune di Platania. It is a small town in the hills of Lamezia Terme, Catanzaro. Gorgeous place & people.
I’ve got the best of the south in me; Nonno was from Vizzini, Prov. Catania, Sicilia and Nonna from Stignano prov. Reggio Calabria. The whole family moved to Monasterace Marina where my mother and uncles were born and now we live in Australia.