The Alghini

Welcome to our digital piazza! This is a space built for Italian Americans to connect, share stories, preserve heritage, and build something lasting together. Whether your family came through Ellis Island or you are just beginning to explore your roots, you belong here. Introduce yourself below -- we would love to hear your story.

Sunday Gravy Recipe Exchange is live! I have been perfecting my family recipe for 30 years and I am finally ready to share. The secret? Low and slow with San Marzano tomatoes, a generous pour of red wine, and braciole that has been tied by hand. Drop your family sauce recipe below and let us compare notes. Every family has their own twist and that is what makes this beautiful.

Just returned from my first trip to Matera, Basilicata. Standing inside the Sassi cave dwellings where people have lived for 9,000 years was indescribable. My great-grandparents left this region in 1912 and I finally made it back. If you are planning a heritage trip to Southern Italy, this is a must-see. UNESCO World Heritage Site and absolutely breathtaking.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Italian-American Meetup at Jazz Fest 2026! We are organizing a community gathering at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival this April. Meet fellow members, enjoy incredible Italian-Creole fusion food, and celebrate the deep Italian roots in New Orleans culture. From the Sicilian immigrants who shaped the French Quarter to the muffuletta, this city is ours too. RSVP in the Events tab!

Tip for anyone tracing Sicilian ancestry: the FamilySearch.org microfilm collection now has digitized parish records from over 200 comuni in Sicily, going back to the 1600s. I just helped three families in our community find baptismal records they never knew existed. If you need guidance navigating these records, drop a comment or message me directly.