Researching Castellammare Del Golfo Sicily

Celia Milano began her research 20 years ago before the internet tools we have today. Listen to how she contacted family by letter. We also discuss her three books.

I was born in New York City and raised in Yonkers, New York. I have several degrees, including an Associate Degree in Applied Science and Technology from Thomas A. Edison State College in Trenton, NJ, a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration from Georgian Court University in Lakewood, NJ and a Master of Science in Management from College of St. Elizabeth, Morristown, NJ. I attended college for over 20 years and one of the sisters at Georgian Court University called me “a lifer.”

For over 30 years, I worked as a computer software engineer in the military and petroleum industries. I am retired and devote my time to researching my family tree. In my free time, I help guide people in writing their memoirs, as I feel it is the most precious gift to the family.

I have written three books: Sicilian Family Adventures; Life’s Curves: When the Present Triggers the Past and Tuscany in July: An Adventure of a Lifetime.

I am also on the board of directors for The Sicilian Project, a non-profit organization that offers free English instructional camps to the children in Sicily. The Sicilian Project is important to me because as a child, I was not allowed to learn the Sicilian dialect, as the thought at that time in New York was to be “Americanized.” The idea that Sicilian children will become bi-lingual and have a greater advantage in the world is very rewarding to me.