Nearly three years ago, I started writing this monthly column on how to research your Italian roots. I thought it might be useful to revisit the initial column which provided some tips for those who are just starting out. Learning about your ancestors can be extremely interesting and extremely frustrating at the same time, but I can tell you from over 25 years of research experience that it is worth every bit of the joy and the anguish along the way.

If you have an interest in learning about your family history, I encourage you to review the past columns I have written which are available online at www.lagazzettaitaliana.com for the basics of genealogical research and tips to help you find your more elusive ancestors and records.