Click here to join out Facebook group We heard so much about Matera that we made sure to put it on our agenda, Matera is a UNESCO world heritage site and the oldest city in Europe. Dozens of movies were filmed there including the Passion Of Christ, No Time to Die and Wonder Woman. Our guide Pasquale informed us that there are 156 churches in Matera. Many are located in caves. One thing that I did not expect was that there is a very modern vibrant town also. Along the walk down into the old city, Pasquale took us to a museum that was the home to a family as late as 1958. There was no heat, running water or toilet facilities. Two rooms one for the people and one for the animals. The Italian president at the time moved many of the families to modern apartments. Most of the old city is being renovated by the Italian government. For an excellent personal tour you can reach Pasquale at 39 338 4417906 Videos of Matera https://www.italiangenealogy.blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/IMG_0586.movhttps://www.italiangenealogy.blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/IMG_0582.movhttps://www.italiangenealogy.blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/IMG_1032.mov During our trip in  Puglia we used VIP Service  by Domenico Loiacono, to bring us from Taranto to Bari, Matera and back and for our trip to the airport. Domenico’s drivers were not only on time, but early, flexible and very courteous. Nicola, our driver for Matera, took for a stop in Acquaviva Della Fonte the home of some of my ancestors and to other small towns on the way back. Even gave us a bit of a lesson in Barese. I highly recommend VIP Service if you are in Puglia. Click here for website or contact Domenico at 39 380 701 6616 Italian Roots and Genealogy is sponsored by “Your Dolce Vita” and Dawn Mattera connecting people to their purpose in life and continuing their legacy. Contact Dawn at www.yourdolcevita.com​ More photos from the Matera trip. Find your home in Italy Find your roots

Join us on a riveting journey as we spotlight Sabrina Moya Chisholm, an extraordinary woman who has spent years meticulously unearthing her complex Italian lineage. With an ancestry that spans almost 6,000 individuals and stretches across continents, there’s no shortage of fascinating stories, from a defrocked priest to a music contract that led her family to South Africa. Sabrina’s genealogical quest, originally a school project for her children, has now evolved into a relentless pursuit of family secrets and a goal to trace 10,000 descendants. Her adventures provide a fascinating insight into the world of genealogy research, highlighting its challenges and rewards. The intricate web of Sabrina’s family history extends beyond Italy, encompassing French roots and a unique South African upbringing. Sabrina shares how her children have come to appreciate the subtle differences in their French, Italian, and South African lineage, lending them a unique perspective on cultural identity. Lastly, we delve into Sabrina’s regrets about the questions she never asked her grandparents, prompting a thoughtful conversation about the importance of preserving family history. Tune in to this captivating episode as we traverse the exciting terrain of Sabrina’s genealogical expedition. Podcast Click here to join our group on Facebook Video https://www.italiangenealogy.blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/F.mp3  

Click here to join out Facebook group Mayor for the day At the home of attorney XX Toritto Stemma by Nebi The main reason for returning to southern Italy was to visit Toritto, Bari, Puglia, the birthplace of my maternal grandparents Luigi Nicoletti and Marietta Nicoletti. We were welcomed with open arms by the mayor Dionisio Rutunno, Don Nicola Mastandre the pastor of the church, Rocco Mercurio who was the chief of police and is now the town historian and has access to the archives. My cousin’s cousin, Nicola Bartolomeo, who was born in Toritto, was so wonderful in that he picked us up in Bari and took us to Toritto and back and took us to lunch. More about the amazing lunch later. Our good friend Letizia Sinisi founder of ItalyRooting and a native of Puglia set up this special visit for us. It was such a special feeling to walk the streets of my ancestors, visit the piazza and get a tour of the church were they worshipped. Throughout the church and Toritto there is amazing mosaic art work by Nebi. In fact, his art is in many Italian cities such as Naples and Pisa. You can find his site here. Nebi with one of the Stations of the Cross that he created in Toritto. Meeting Mauro Nicoletti As far as I know I do not have any close cousins in Toritto, as most of my grandparent’s brothers and sisters came to America in the early 20th Century. But then, as we were walking through the piazza we were introduced to Mauro Nicoletti, 96 years young. I do not have a Mauro in my tree, but I suspect that he may be a relation. Later on we were told that in 1956 he moved into the home vacated by my uncle and his family in 1954. Rocco is going to help put the pieces together for us. Home of my great-grandparents and later Uncle Giovanni and family. Italian Roots and Genealogy is sponsored by “Your Dolce Vita” and Dawn Mattera connecting people to their purpose in life and continuing their legacy. Contact Dawn at www.yourdolcevita.com​ Images of the Chiesa. Click here In the commune and with the help of Rocco and the registry manager Doctor Francesco Capozzi, we were able to view records from the family. We were presented with the birth, death and marriage records of my grandparents, great grandparents and great great grandparents. During the tour of the Olive Oil and Almond collective of 350 farmers, we were presented ambassador certificates from the mayor and Pasquale Mongelli, who also serenaded us with Italian classics. Also thanks to Mario Bartolomeo, President of the Cooperative and our photographer and translator Giuseppe Paccioine When we first arrived the wonderful people of Toritto took us to Cafe Cube, just a short walk from the town hall. We also went there for lunch, which was out of this world and I had two of my favorites Orcchiette and Chivalata. Now if you are from Toritto and have not had it there, ha! You have now idea how exceptional it was. As you can see my wife’s seafood pasta was also excellent. When in Toritto you must go. Cafe Cube on Facebook. We were also hosted by Giuseppe Paccione who gave a tour of his home, part of the castle. Finding some of my noble ancestors on the wall https://www.italiangenealogy.blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/WhatsApp-Video-2023-09-26-at-3.20.34-AM-1.mp4 For a tour like ours, contact Letizia Sinisi at www.italyrooting.com

Click here to join out Facebook group Ancient ruins just down the street Halfway through our trip found us in Bari. We took the train from Taranto, about 90 minutes and very reasonable at about 9 Euros per person. The train was spotless inside and out and very comfortable. We could have walked from the train to our B & B, but it’s good that we did not as we would have gotten lost in the old city. Even with the taxi dropping us off it took some time to find our place. It is a real twisty old town filled with alleys. Eventually, we would take the sea walk to get back to the B & B, but by the third day we were able to find our way around! We had a nice little store across the street, however the locals were pretty loud at night Our street in the Old City Once we got the lay of the land, Bari was much more enjoyable than we expected. It was only a short walk to an array of fine restaurants and to via Sparano, which I liken to 5th Ave in NYC, but even better as it is pedestrians only for about a mile. There is also an other pedestrian street adjacent to via Sparano. Via Sparano is full of high end shops, gelato and pastries. You won’t go hungry in Bari that is for certain. By the way, I went to grammar school with my good friend Antonia Sparano. Via Sparano Via Sparano Of course, like most Italian cities and towns there is an old fort. The Fort of Sant’Antonio or the Swabian Fort was only about a 15 minute walk from us. It’s a self tour with an interesting  state of the art presentation that displays the history of Bari. There was also a free archeology museum just minutes away. We did go into the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, but ran out of time to visit that museum. Bari is a great jumping off point to many many great places. My maternal grandparents were born in Toritto about 30 minutes by car and train. That will be my next post. We also went to Matera a really must see place if you are in Puglia or Basilicata. Short Video https://www.italiangenealogy.blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/IMG_0912.mov Of course all  the food in Bari was excellent, however, if you find yourself there, be sure to check out L’Osteria del Borgo Antico Piazza Mercantile 15. borgoantico.bari@gmail.com. Be sure to make a reservation, we missed out on a second meal because we did not. Images from the Fort Bari Street Views For the experience of a lifetime ItalyRooting Buying a home. Contact Sabrina Franco Bari at night Saint Nick’s https://www.italiangenealogy.blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/IMG_0912.movhttps://www.italiangenealogy.blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/IMG_1138.movhttps://www.italiangenealogy.blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/IMG_0930.mov Italian Roots and Genealogy is sponsored by “Your Dolce Vita” and Dawn Mattera connecting people to their purpose in life and continuing their legacy. Contact Dawn at www.yourdolcevita.com​

Click here to join out Facebook group Nico Piromallo, Matt Sorrentino, Bob Sorrentino, Roberto Piromallo, Francesco Piromallo Cousin Francesco’s shop in the piazza You may be asking yourself where is Taranto? It’s a port city and home to a large Italian navy base located in the instep of the boot. So why go there may be your next question. The reason for me was that my great uncle Enrico Piromallo, who was an admiral in the Italian navy moved there and hence his family is there. My father’s first cousin Roberto and his family now reside there. There are several historical sites in Taranto one being MAARTA the archeological museum in the heart of the city. The museum has artifacts dating back to 6000 BC with many interesting exhibits. Another interesting site to see is the Castello Aragonese or Castel San Angelo located on the channel between the old and new city. It is run by the Italian Navy and there are hourly tours and no entrance fee. However, the tours are in Italian so I only picked up like every fifth word! The Castle was built by Ferdinand I of Naples in 1492. Previously there was a Norman castle and a Byzantine fortress. Taranto was founded by the Spartans in the 8th Century BC. There is a Spartan museum which was supposed to be open, but we could not find the entrance. We stayed on the east end of the old city and it was about a one mile walk to the train station, even with luggage it was not a bad walk but walk along the sea not through the town. We found several good restaurants close by. Fabula was a really cool place where they serve your pasta in a mozzarella bowl. We also saw one in Bari. Biaggio may not look like much from the outside, but they have awesome seafood dishes, and I don’t like fish! We ate breakfast and some main meals at Barone just across the bridge from us. Very good pizza and sides. And of course Aperol Spritz. Italian Roots and Genealogy is sponsored by “Your Dolce Vita” and Dawn Mattera connecting people to their purpose in life and continuing their legacy. Contact Dawn at www.yourdolcevita.com​ All and all Taranto is a great walking town with a long pedestrian Main Street with a lot of stores. There is also a very long Lungomare with plenty of benches and a nice cafe.