This Is My New Jersey

I’ll be honest, October was a terrible month. I normally look forward to October every year, as it is the perfect excuse to celebrate all that is wonderful about Italian heritage. However, that wasn’t the case for me.

My Aunt had been sick for a long time. Heart issues, kidney issues, fluid buildup; it was a terrible cycle. Still, she fought hard. For years she rallied. But it all changed at the beginning of the month. Everything in “normal life” was put on hold. Sadly, her life ended one week ago.

She was the last of her generation in my immediate family that could connect me to my heritage. I did my best to ask questions about our family and our history. I documented as best as I could. But I have no doubt there was more to learn. Sadly, that opportunity has now passed. It’s scary to think my “adultier adult,” as I often called her, is gone.

The one highlight of the month was that I received early copies of my new book, The Italians of Newark: A History. I was able to bring my Aunt a copy and see her smile as she flipped through the pages and saw a few familiar photos.

I am very proud of the book and I hope people enjoy it. What is written on those pages represents two years of research, interviews, and writing. This weekend I’m giving a presentation about my research at the Italian Genealogy Society of New Jersey at the Clifton Library off Allwood Road. The meeting begins at 10am and I will have copies of my book available for purchase.

No matter what, I hope you learn about your family heritage, whatever it is. Ask the elders of your family questions about their youth. Let them tell you stories. Because one day, they won’t be there.