Purpose
The Alghini Institute for Italian Americans is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization. Our content serves the Italian American community by providing accurate, well-sourced information about history, heritage, genealogy, and culture. These standards govern all published material on ItalianAmericans.com.
Content Types and Their Standards
We distinguish between four types of editorial work, each held to appropriate standards:
Original Reporting
First-person accounts of community events, interviews with named sources, and data analysis we perform directly (e.g., Census data breakdowns). Original reporting states its methodology and names its author.
Source Synthesis
Guides and reference articles that combine claims from multiple authoritative sources into a cohesive narrative. Every material claim cites its source. Sources are evaluated per our Source and Citation Policy.
Editorial Review
Human editorial decisions are recorded privately and apply to the exact version reviewed. Acceptance and publication are separate steps. General editorial acceptance does not establish specialist expertise or ancestry verification. We do not invent reviewer names or credentials, and do not present an AI check or an old update date as human review. Previously published content may still be awaiting verification.
AI-Assisted Drafting
Some initial drafts and research summaries are prepared with the assistance of large language models. AI output is a draft, not evidence of accuracy or human acceptance. Our review queue includes previously published material awaiting verification. We require source checks for revisions in our review process. Some owner-submitted content can receive automatic release approval. Human review is recorded separately for the exact version reviewed; an AI check or historical timestamp does not count as human review. AI-assisted content is subject to the same sourcing and accuracy standards as all other content.
Sourcing Standards
Material facts require authoritative sourcing. We prioritize:
- Government and official records (Census Bureau, DHS, Library of Congress, congressional records)
- Peer-reviewed academic publications and university press books
- Established institutional sources (museums, libraries, verified nonprofits)
- Major journalism outlets with editorial oversight
- Encyclopedic references (Britannica, specialized encyclopedias)
Wikipedia is not used as a principal source. It may be referenced for supplementary context or as a pointer to primary sources. Full details are in our Source and Citation Policy.
Public Directory Standards
Profiles in the Notable Italian Americans directory must satisfy our verification standard: documented Italian ancestry and documented achievement in their field, confirmed through at least two independent reliable sources. Unverified claims are not published. Nominations are reviewed by the editorial team using the same standard.
Corrections and Accountability
We correct errors promptly. Corrections are noted in the article's revision history with the date and nature of the change. Material corrections trigger a dateModified update. See our full Corrections Policy for how to report errors and our review timeline.
Volunteer Review, Research and Co-writing
Volunteers can help review articles, verify sources and develop research or drafts with AI assistance. We agree on each assignment and match it to the volunteer's experience. Approved reviewers use the same private review process as our editorial team, with access limited to assigned work. Submitting a volunteer application does not grant review access.
Reviewers read the saved article and supporting evidence, check photographs and credits, and record their own notes or decision for that version. Work may be reviewed before or after publication; editors manage corrections and release. General editorial review does not replace qualified review of specialist claims. Author credit and any public reviewer acknowledgment are agreed separately and require permission.
AI can help organize research and shape a draft. Its output is not a source: contributors must open and check the underlying evidence, identify uncertainty, and respect copyright, privacy and permission to share personal stories. Explore our volunteer opportunities.
Editorial Independence
Editorial decisions are made independently of donors, sponsors, and partner organizations. The Alghini Institute does not accept payment for inclusion in the Notable Italian Americans directory or for favorable coverage in any article. Affiliate relationships and sponsored content, if introduced in the future, will be clearly disclosed.