Benvenuti / Welcome
The Italian Interest Group offers top-quality presentations by leading experts in Italian genealogy, history, and archival research. Our speakers offer both practical guidance and deep insights into Italian records, covering basic to advanced research techniques for navigating Italian civil and parish records and archives. Our events are designed to inspire, educate, and facilitate amazing discoveries.
No matter where you live or where your Italian ancestors came from, we are here to assist in your journey. Join us at our presentations and bring your Italian family history to life.
Meeting Days/Times
The Italian Interest Group meets virtually on Zoom on the third Saturday of the month, 1:30pm-3:30pm Pacific Time. (No meetings in December, July or August.) Meetings are open to all at no cost, but attendees must sign up here in advance. Donations appreciated.
IIG Meeting - November-2025
DATE:
TIME:
TOPIC:
PRESENTER:
15-Nov-2025 (Saturday)
1:30 pm (PT)
How Italian Migration Laws Affected Our Ancestors
Victoria Calabrese
Description: How easy was it to emigrate from Italy? What was the process like after one made the decision to leave? This presentation will discuss Italian emigration laws regarding migration in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and how these laws influenced our ancestors’ lives. The talk will cover topics such as who could and could not emigrate (and why), what was needed to get a passport, how to buy tickets, and travelling to the port of departure.
Speaker Bio: Victoria Calabrese received her Ph.D. in modern European history from the Graduate Center at the City University of New York. Her research focuses on modern Italian history, gender, migration, and nation building. Her book, Italian Women in Basilicata: Staying Behind but Moving Forward during the Age of Mass Emigration, 1876–1914, was published by Lexington Books in 2022. The book examines women in the southern Italian region of Basilicata and the many ways their lives changed when their husbands emigrated. In addition to the women who remained behind, she has written articles on honor and infanticide, and on traveling child musicians. Victoria is an avid genealogist, focusing on southern Italian genealogy research. She is currently an adjunct professor at Lehman College, teaching courses in early modern and modern European history.
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