Retracing Paolo Sulfaro’s Footsteps in Bramwell, West Virginia

Retracing Paolo Sulfaro’s Footsteps in Bramwell, West Virginia

Over the past year I have been writing a book about the Sulfaro family. A large section is dedicated to Paolo Sulfaro, my great-grandfather, who traveled back-and-forth between Sicily and West Virginia to work in the coal mines before his death in WW1. I have pieced...
How to Uncover Online Sicilian Catholic Church Death Records

How to Uncover Online Sicilian Catholic Church Death Records

It’s been 6 years since I started resurfacing the lives of my ancestors, and I still  struggle most with my paternal side. My paternal grandfather was born in a small Sicilian town called Chiaramonte Gulfi. At that point in time I had found some information...
Italian Privacy Laws: Restriction of Records Hindering Research

Italian Privacy Laws: Restriction of Records Hindering Research

My journey with genealogical research has always come in short bursts. The research is enjoyable but more time consuming than Facebook. I started my research when I was a student, and not a busy full-time marketer working 40 hours a week. So these days if...
Why Evidence and Analysis are Essential to Genealogy Research

Why Evidence and Analysis are Essential to Genealogy Research

After years of genealogical research you will quickly realize that discovery is entirely based on evidence and analysis. Assumptions are the devil of research. If you think you’ve got it all then you are willingly admitting to ignorance. I learn this lesson...