Connecting with your Past during Italian Heritage Month

by Elvia Picco

​How much do you know about your Italian heritage and culture? In my case, my parents emigrated from northern Italy to Canada in 1955. I was born in Canada and met my maternal and paternal grandmothers only once when they visited us in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Apart from that, I know little about my grandparents and their lives in Italy.

My interest in wanting to learn more about my family’s ancestry is the reason why I took an eight-week online genealogy course through the Kelowna Canadian Italian Club. 

The course has given me the inspiration, knowledge and tools to be able to research a host of websites and databases containing historical records about family members. 

As the month of June is Italian Heritage Month in Canada, I am excited to continue this journey to use these resources to build a family tree and connect with my past. 

It is also a time to recognize and acknowledge the rich culture and heritage of Italian Canadians and their ongoing contributions to building a stronger, vibrant and more inclusive Canada.

To commemorate your Italian heritage, take this time to learn and research the long history and achievements of Italian Canadians. 

Here is one program called The Italian Culture Trunks at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 you can start to explore online. 

The Italian Culture Trunks 
Link: https://pier21.ca/culture-trunks/italy/the-ic-savings-foundation

Learn more about:
• History
• Stories
• Artifacts
• Photographs
• Italian Culture and Traditions
• Quotes
• Statistics
• Recommended Resources