The Second Night
In 1991, we moved into a new home not far from our first home. Unlike our first home, which we both new from a builder, this home was about thirty years old. It was a very normal looking split level and a place that you would not associate with paranormal activity.
That changed the second night we were there. My wife’s sister and her husband were spending the night and about 2 AM we heard loud banging. It sounded like someone was banging on the door or the walls. We all ran out into the hallway and were asking each other what happened. No one knew! It was very strange, but we all went back to sleep and forgot about the incident.
Who Turned Off The Light
Not long after that incident, I was leaving for work the day after Thanksgiving. My wife was out of town,, and after I left home, I noticed that I had left the kitchen light on. I was running late, so I left it on. When I returned home, the light was off. I figured the bulb blew out. Then I checked the switch and saw that it was turned off, but not by me.
Is One Bedroom For The Ghost
One weekend my father-in-law visited us and stayed in the small bedroom in the front of the house. A couple of weeks after that my wife came home after visiting him and relayed the following story.
My father-in-law asked her why we bought such a big house, and was one of the rooms for the ghost.
“What ghost?”, my wife asked.
“The one in the bedroom.”
He went on to describe a short old man that was dressed in shorts and a baseball cap and was pacing in front of the window in his bedroom.
The next day I saw our next door neighbor and asked her if Rose’s father was short and if he wore shorts and a baseball cap.
She turned as whiter as a ghost and asked, “How did you know that?”. I explained that she asked what bedroom. When I told her she informed me that the room was Rose’s sewing room and that her father would pace back and forth waiting for her to return from work!
The Wood Pile
In the winter I would pile wood up in the garage for the fireplace. I would stack it up nice and neat. One night I heard noises from the garage like wood being moved around. The next morning I found that the would didn’t fall from the pile, but it was scattered around the garage.
The Froebel Star
Rose was born in the Black Forest in Germany. One year I redid the insulation and floor in the attic and cleared everything out. I moved everything away from the center and so there was a wide open space. A few weeks later I found a German Origami Froebel Star dead center in the attic. It was never there before and could not have just dropped from somewhere, it was placed there.
I recognized the star as being from Germany because as a boy in the cub scouts, my den mother was from Germany and one year we made these stars at Christmas.
Rose's Mom
After a few years, everything stopped. We then learned that Rose’s mom had passed away. Our conclusion was that possibly Rose’s dad was waiting for his wife. We never felt threatened, but there were a couple of attic rooms where Rose’s parents lived that always seemed a bit eery.
Unlocking the Secrets of my Genoese Ancestors
In this conversation, Bob Sorrentino interviews Tess Martin, who shares her journey of exploring her Italian heritage and family history. Tess discusses her background, her family’s migration from Italy to America, and the unique visa that allowed her to live in the Netherlands. She delves into her genealogical research, uncovering family secrets and connections that reveal the complexities of her ancestry. The conversation highlights the importance of historical context in understanding family migration and the
The Return Home 2025 – Ferrara
Click here to join out Facebook group Ferrara is not your typical tourist destination in Italy, but it was on my bucket list as it is the birthplace of my 13th great-grandmother, Isabella d’Este. I was a bit disappointed only because there was very little mention of the d’Este women. But I guess a trip back to the Renaissance days. When booking with Phil~italy mention Italian Roots and Genealogy he d’Este family was one of
Sicilian and Southern Italy Roots
In this conversation, Bob Sorrentino interviews Dominic Arresta, a young Italian American who has recently embarked on a journey to uncover his family history. Dominic shares his experiences of discovering his roots, the challenges he faced, and the importance of preserving family stories and cultural heritage. He discusses the role of technology in genealogy, the significance of connecting with relatives in Italy, and the impact of his findings on his identity. The conversation highlights the
The Journey Home 2025 – Modena
Click here to join out Facebook group My daughter loves cars, especially expensive ones. So when I mentioned Modena, she asked, “What’s there?” “Ferrari.” “I’m in!” Truly a great museum, and a really good cafe, better than the one we stopped at on the way there, although a bit more expensive. At least 20 cars are on display, with a short video, gift shop $$$$ and a simulator for 25 Euros. You can also tour
The Journey Home 2025 — Bologna
Click here to join out Facebook group 16th Century spy camera. We had an excellent guide in Bologna provided by Phil~italy. One the most fascinating parts of the tour was the tour of the Jewish ghetto. The Bologna Ghetto was established in 1556 when the Jewish community in Bologna was confined to a small, enclosed area near Via dell’Inferno. It was created by papal decree under Pope Paul IV, a decision that reflected the broader
The Journey Home 2025 – Milan
Click here to join out Facebook group Our 2025 trip to Italy began in Milan with a bespoke itinerary created for us by Phil~italy. Phil Micali has a team of experts in Italy ( Teresa, Liliana, and Pam ) who created the itinerary and recommended lodging, food, and excursions. Just before the trip, Phil met with us and reviewed everything, so there were no surprises. Phil~italy also puts everything on a phone app for you,
