Category: Books

Books, Genetti Shop

New Books!

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I fell in love with reading at the age of seven. To my young mind, books were a magical passport to far-off lands and cultures. They held knowledge and history, fantasy and fiction. Growing up, I fondly remember weekly excursions to our local library, where my check-out limit was ten books per visit. I always left ecstatic, my arms laden with the maximum allotment of titles!

I have never outgrown my appreciation for reading and always have a queue of ebooks on my Kindle, in eager anticipation of the next historical novel or genealogy publication waiting to be read.

Because I am a bibliophile, I take great pleasure in researching, curating and sharing books with family and friends through the Genetti Bookstore. Twice a year I update our ever-growing virtual shelves, adding or deleting titles and tidying up each listing’s description.

Just in time for holiday browsing, I have spent the past week dusting off current tomes and delightfully including a whopping eighteen new books to our selection! Yes, you read that correctly – I have located eighteen exciting new titles to join our list of must-reads! From fiction based on Trentini culture to true-life genetic genealogy stories, there is something for everyone looking for a good read or a special gift! I even stumbled upon another cookbook featuring recipes from the Tyrolean Alps!

And remember, every time you make a purchase from our Genetti Family Bookstore at Amazon, a small percentage of that sale supports this website and our ongoing genealogical research.

Come visit, peruse and do a little Christmas shopping for the booklovers on your gift list. Or treat yourself to a genealogy crime mystery series (I have several listed!) – the perfect guilty pleasure for a wintery afternoon inside with a cup of hot chocolate.

Click here to shop now!

Books, Resources, Tyrolean History

Summer Reading

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During these lazy, hot summer days adhering to quarantine regulations, it’s the perfect time for a good book and a tall glass of ice tea sitting in the shade of the patio. During the past four months of isolation I have devoured dozens of books, enjoying the solitude to partake of my favorite pastime of reading.

For your reading pleasure, I have just updated our Genetti Family Bookstore with many new titles about Tyrolean culture, genealogy sleuthing, DNA research and loads of great genealogy mystery fiction.

Our bookstore has been curated specifically for those interested in Trentini ancestry and genealogical exploration. At last count, we had 81 titles listed (of which, many I have personally read)!

Come on by and browse our online shelves. I guarantee you’ll find something to tickle your imagination, whether it be fiction, true-life stories or help with your ancestral research.

For the past year I have also been working on several NPE cases (non-parental events) or in other terms, adoptees in search of their birth families. So my reading selections have steered in this direction, self-educating myself in the best way to help those with unknown parentage. By the way, all of the NPE cases I am currently involved with are my DNA cousins from various ancestral lines. Many of these books about genetic genealogy have been included in our family bookstore.

I wish all of my cousins a safe and healthy summer!

To visit the Genetti Family Bookstore, click here!

Books, Resources

Creative Endeavors: Part One

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Hello to all of my cousins! I hope you are sheltering-in-place and taking the advice of our senior health advisers. We are about nine days behind Italy in the progress of the pandemic and need to do all we can to limit exposure in order to save lives and not over-whelm our hospitals. I have many friends in Northern Italy and receive information from them on a daily basis. The situation is still very dire with no end in site. The United States will follow in Italy’s footsteps unless we heed the call to stay at home and practice social distancing.

I’ve stayed in my home for the past week and expect to be here for at least another month. Our state, like so many others, is now in lock-down. You are most likely in the same situation. So let’s make the best of this surreal, uncertain time and lift our spirits. I propose we start sharing family stories, offering creative ideas for passing the time, recommending a favorite book or posting a cherished family photograph. Are you with me?

Let’s call this blog series: “Creative Endeavors”. Every few days I will share an idea, photo, recommendation or story on our blog. Then you can share your own ideas, photographs, etc. in the comments section below the blog post. In that way, everyone joins in the conversation!

Since I am an avid reader, I’ll begin “Creative Endeavors” with a book recommendation. Actually it’s several books called “The Forensic Genealogist Series”. If your reading niche is mysteries and history, you’ll love this series of eight books by British author Nathan Dylan Goodwin. And being passionate about family research, I find the genealogy theme an extra bonus!

All of Nathan’s books are listed in our online Family Bookstore, along with many new titles that have just been added. Visit and browse our bookstore at: https://genettifamily.com/shop/ 

What is your favorite book recommendation? Why are you recommending it? Should we include it in our Family Bookstore? Leave a comment below and let’s begin the conversation!

If you have suggestions for the Creative Endeavors series, leave a comment below or send me a message through our Contact page. I look forward to hearing from you!

Books, Genealogy Resources, Genetti Shop, Tyrolean History

Books, books, books!

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The Tyrol, reproduction of 1905 book – (paid link)

I have always been a voracious bookworm! My Amazon Kindle is never far from my reach and my office is lined with one full wall of books. These days I prefer reading eBooks as they are often less expensive and more portable than paperbacks or hardcopy books.

However I do make an exception for one category – anything about Tyrolean/Trentini culture and heritage, and all books produced by the village of Castelfondo (I have three!). During the past eleven years I have collected a small ancestry library containing original volumes (some over a hundred years old!) and reprints of titles now in the public domain. Some of my books are quite valuable and no longer available in print. Others are self-published, written by fellow American Tyroleans.

In my library I have: travel guides from the 1800’s, cookbooks created by Trentini chefs, anthologies of Tyrolean folktales and legends, and political theses discussing the historical conflict of the South Tyrol.

The Tyroleans – (paid link)

My personal Tyrolean library has been compiled from many different sources. I have purchased new and used books on Amazon; found treasured out-of-print volumes on eBay; and toted many a gifted tomb home in my suitcase after visiting the Val di Non. On some trips, I have even left clothes behind in order to accommodate in my luggage the precious books, both purchased and given to me, during my travels.

I also have many selections dealing with genealogical research and DNA testing, to assist with my ongoing research into our family history. And most recently, I have added genealogy fiction to my favorites list (purely for recreational reading, this category does not pertain to our Tyrolean ancestry.)

It is with great pleasure that I maintain our Family Bookstore on the Genetti website; and a joy sharing with you my love of history, genealogy and culture through books!

This past week I added twelve new titles to our Family Bookstore. You’ll find these listings under the following categories:

  • Tyrolean Culture and History
  • DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy
  • Genealogy Research
  • Genealogy Fiction

I must confess, my new guilty pleasure is the genre of “Genealogy Fiction”! You’ll find loads of new recommendations in this group, all of which I have read in the past year! I loved the seven book series by British author Steve Robinson. Filled with genealogy mystery (and murder), I devoured this series. Usually murder mysteries are not my thing, but throw in genealogy and historical drama – and I can’t resist. And for those interested in war history and historical fiction, I recommend the seven book series by Nathan Dylan Goodwin. I couldn’t put these books down!

The Forensic Genealogist Series
Books 1, 2, 3 – (paid link)

I hope you enjoy my curated collection of books. Perhaps one or two will strike your fancy!

Or begin your Christmas shopping now by browsing our Family Bookstore for that special holiday gift.

Simply click on the link provided for each book in our Bookstore and it will take you directly to Amazon.

Visit the Genetti Family Bookstore, click here!

 

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Special Note: Amazon prices are subject to change without notice! The book prices listed in our online bookstore may be different from the online sale price (over time some books decrease in price, some books increase in price due to demand). We update information on a regular basis.

All books in our shop are provided by Amazon through their affiliate program. Your purchase from our online Bookstore helps defray the costs of this website as well as support ongoing genealogy research. Mille grazie!

 

Statement as required by my Amazon Operating Agreement: “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases”

 

Books, Gifts, Resources

New in Bookstore!

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I love books! In my office I have a small personal library dedicated to Tyrolean culture and history. Our online Family Bookstore is one way that I share my genealogy research and love of books with you.

This past week I did a complete update of the Bookstore. Now you can access it from the main menu found at the top of the website. All dead links and books that are no longer available have been removed. Plus I have added many new categories, filled with interesting book titles, most of which I have personally read.

 

There’s something for everyone under our new category listings:

  • Tyrolean Culture and History
  • Travel
  • Trentini American Non-Fiction
  • Family Legacy
  • Cookbooks
  • Trentini American Fiction
  • Tyrolean Communities in USA
  • DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy
  • Genealogy Research
  • Genealogy Fiction (Love this new genre of literature!)

Come by for a visit at the Genetti Family Bookstore and browse our virtual bookshelves!

 

Books, Genetti Shop

New Books in Our Bookstore

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We have just added two wonderful new books to our online Family Bookstore. If you’re looking for reading material this holiday season, here are a few selections that might peak your interest.

willowvale

Willow Vale – My Review: Let me say first off that I rarely include novels in our Bookstore. But this little tome tugged at my heart, begging to become a part of our Tyrolean heritage library. Using her grandmother (Nona) as inspiration for the lead character, Francesca Sittoni, the author paints the world of a beautiful young widow with a precocious toddler from the Val di Non in Trentino just after WW I. Her little village in the Tyrolean valley has changed hands from Austria to Italy. After Francesca’s beloved husband dies, she must find another spouse as soon as possible to support herself and her young daughter. She is soon sold off as a war bride, boards a ship to America and joins her new husband in the coal mining region of Wyoming. I don’t want to spoil the rest of the story for you, but let’s say that the tenacious and stubborn Francesca refuses to give up in a new land even when her second husband is no longer in the picture and she fears being deported back to impoverished Northern Italy.

I fell in love with the story of fictional Francesca. Since many of the Genetti family set down roots in Wyoming, working the dangerous coal mines and eking out a living from the dry, dusty land – this was a story that echoed our own journey to America. I think any Tyrolean American will find “Willow Vale” captivating and heartwarming – a wonderful gift for a grandparent or elder. Younger generations will experience an eye-opening glimpse into the struggles of our first generation ancestors as they experienced a new life in America. Find Willow Vale on Amazon: buy now

 

familytreeguidetodna

The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy – My Review: One of the latest books to enter the field of genetic genealogy, I found this to be a very helpful guide and a great addition to my growing DNA library. Information is current and as accurate as possible in this ever-evolving science. Most of the material presented can be easily understood by beginners. Advanced concepts are also presented later in the book, but this should not be a deterrent for newbies as they can always come back to these sections after gaining a bit of expertise in DNA testing. I particularly found the chapters relating to surprises in one’s ancestry, such as illegitimacy and adoption, to be extremely informative and sensitive to this topic. Most books about genetic genealogy only touch upon the subject of non-parental events. The author handled this area of DNA testing/genetic genealogy with tact and depth. There are many charts, diagrams and illustrations included in this book. I purchased the ebook version and had no problem viewing the graphic information. I highly recommend this guide as a comprehensive instruction manual for both beginners and advance students of DNA. Find The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy on Amazon: buy now

Our Family Bookstore is full of books about the Tyrolean culture, travel guides for Northern Italy and cookbooks featuring our native cuisine. We also have guides on how to write your own Family Legacy and even a few autobiographical books written by Tyrolean Americans. Our new section on DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy was just added a few months ago. Stop by and browse our Family Bookstore today!

Books, Genetti Shop

New in the Bookstore: DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy

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FindingFamilyA new section has just been added to our online Family Bookstore: DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy. Since an exciting workshop about DNA testing is planned for our upcoming family reunion and numerous requests about this topic have been emailed to me, it was time to include much asked-for books about genetic genealogy to our bookstore!

So far we have four excellent selections:

I have read each book (some more then once!) and offered a personal review. No matter if you are a beginner or an avid researcher of genetic genealogy – you will find a book to meet your current questions about DNA testing.

DNAtestingStop by the Family Bookstore today and browse our many selections! Every Amazon purchase helps support this website and our ongoing mission of family research. Click here to go directly to the Genetti Online Family Bookstore.

And don’t forget about our DNA Workshop to be held Saturday afternoon, October 8th at the Genetti Family Reunion!

Click here to visit our Reunion News page.

Or click here to read about our workshop: The Basics of DNA Testing.

Books, Cousins, Family History, Family Stories, Genetti Family

Herman’s Howlings

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HermanAngeloGenetti

Herman Angelo Genetti
1922-2007

I am thrilled to announce another family memoir has been added to our website! “Herman’s Howlings: A Personal History of Southwestern Wyoming” was written some time in the 1990’s by Herman Genetti (1922-2007), son of Ermenegildo (Herman/Joe) Genetti (1893-1967) and grandson of Angelo Genetti (1859-1946) of Castelfondo, Tyrol. If you remember my last blog post, Ermenegildo was one of the four Genetti brothers who settled in the wilds of Wyoming.

His son, Herman Angelo Genetti, was a born storyteller, as evidenced by his memoir filled with personal remembrances and “folkisms”. While reading this treasure-trove of family stories, I fell in love with Herman and his witty sayings. His plain, honest words allow us to reach back in time to the rough and tumble prairie life of the 1900’s. Important family details, times and places are incorporated within Herman’s tales of LaBarge, Wyoming and beyond.

Written as a gift to his family and dedicated to his wife, Imogene, “Herman’s Howlings” is a self-published spiral bound book, printed in an edition of 200. Distributed to family members, the book was almost unheard of outside of the Wyoming Genetti family. A few years ago, I stumbled upon an obscure reference for “Herman’s Howlings” in a library index. Intrigued, I searched further. Perhaps it had been digitized, I thought, and could be downloaded. After more Googling, it became obvious – finding this book would be like finding the fabled needle in a Wyoming haystack. Near to impossible! So I made a note in my files and hoped that a copy would one day arrive at my door.

Herman's Howlings

Herman’s Howlings: A Personal History of Southwestern Wyoming

In September of 2014, I spent six weeks in Northern Italy. Of course, I once again visited our family ancestral village of Castelfondo. Over the years I’ve made several friends in the Val di Non, one being Marco Romano, a researcher, historian and film maker of the Trentino culture. As we were enjoying lunch at a quaint country inn located in the village of Tret, Marco handed me a package. I opened it  – and you guessed it – there was the elusive “Herman’s Howlings” sitting in my lap! Marco explained the book had been given to him by a member of the Genetti family, but he wasn’t sure of its exact origin. Because of my genealogy research, he thought it would be a good resource of Genetti history. Amazed by this unexpected gift, I thanked Marco and pledged that one day I would digitize Herman’s book and make it available to all family on our website.

Somehow I squeezed that thick, heavy book into my luggage and toted it all the way home to New Mexico. Unbelievably, I had to travel to Castelfondo, Italy to find a family book written in Wyoming! And that’s how I came into possession of “Herman’s Howlings”!

I have digitally scanned the exact copy of the book handed to me by Marco Romano. All handwritten notes, fuzzy photos and extra text have been left intact, as this offers a better glimpse into the author’s life. I know you’ll be as enchanted as I was with Herman’s wit and storytelling prowess.

You’ll find “Herman’s Howlings” under our website Gallery Section, Books by Members of the Genetti Family. When you click on the book link, it will open as a PDF file. You can either read it online or save the book to your computer.

Now to leave you with a closing thought from Herman:

“I never went through a publisher. I did it step by step like a blind dog in a meat house. I enjoyed it.” ~ Herman Genetti

 

Books, Family Stories, Genealogy Resources, Genetti Family, Immigration, Pennsylvania

Books by the Family

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Constante Stanley Genetti

Stanley V. Genetti
1899-1988

I have just added a new page to our Gallery section: Books by Members of the Genetti Family. This important project has been on the back-burner for at least a year and now I am finally devoting time to making it happen.

We have two family members (that I know of) who have penned memoirs: Stanley Genetti (Pennsylvania) and Herman Genetti (Wyoming). Copies of both books have been forwarded to me through different channels. They were obviously written with a great deal of love and with the intention of sharing family history. Until now, both autobiographies existed only as paper copies in the possession of a few relatives. As personal legacies offering an account of life during a bygone era, I feel the narratives are an important part of our shared ancestry. In making them available on this website, I hope others will find great joy and comfort in the stories they tell. Perhaps the bios will inspire others to write their own account of life within the Genetti clan.

I am pleased to announce that The Autobiography of Stanley Genetti is now available on our website and can be download as a PDF file. This entertaining bio is a true treasure – I have read it several times and always find a new revelation with each reading. As with most memoirs, Stanley wrote this account from memory, including family stories and lore passed down from his elders, as well as autobiographical information about life as a businessman. I appreciated Stanley’s perspective of the Genetti businesses and the role he played within the family hierarchy. Since my grandfather, Leon Genetti, was Stanley’s older brother and one of his business partners, the memoir provides a peek into my own family dynamics.

StoreHeights-2

Genetti Store – Hazleton Heights, PA – 1921

Stanley self-published his book in 1981, distributing it to cousins, children and friends. As with any memoir, it’s always a good idea to check against genealogy records before using generational information as fact. At the time Stanley compiled his memories, there was no internet or the ability to fact-check against baptismal and death records. Written at the age of 82 and with both of his parents, (Damiano and Oliva) long gone, it would have been difficult to accurately record specifics about his parents’ siblings. Unfortunately several details about his aunts and uncles are not consistent with Castelfondo church records (the corrected information can be found on the Genetti online family tree). But hey – I hope I can look back on my life at 82 and remember so much! Kudos to you Stanley – your gift of memories will be treasured by future generations as a source of pride, recognizing the entrepreneurial spirit of our ancestors.

I hope you enjoy and share the legacy of story that Stanley left for us. Many thanks to his family who made this book available to me.

I am currently working on a digitize version of Herman Genetti’s book – Herman’s Howlings, and hope to have it online soon. If there are other family journals, collections of letters or biographies out there, gathering dust while stashed in a forgotten shoe box, please consider sharing these pearls of wisdom with us. If they are only available in paper form, mail me a Xeroxed copy. I will gladly spend the time to digitize it into a PDF format and post it on our website.

Thank you once again to all of our contributors. Through your efforts, we are building a genealogical endowment for future generations.

I invite you to take a few moments and visit our ever-growing Gallery Section!

 

 

Books, Family Recipes, Italian travel, Travel to Trentino Alto-Adige, Tyrolean History

Canederli – A Tyrolean Food!

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Canederli di Speck, photo from "Italian Food, Wine, and Travel"

Canederli di Speck, photo from
“Italian Food, Wine, and Travel”

I just came across a delectable post on the blog: Italian Food, Wine, and Travel. Written by Chefbikeski, the Culinary Director and Owner of Italiaoutdoors Food and Wine, the yummy post is entitled: Canederli di Speck – Traditional Dumpling from Sudtirol.

If you travel through the provinces of Trentino-Alto Adige in northern Italy, you’ll find various versions of these heavenly bread balls on most menus. Stop at a mountain hut while hiking (also known as a Malga or an Alm) and canederli will be the main attraction, handmade with love in the back kitchen!

Canederli can be sweet or savory, made steamed or poached, with meat or no meat, eaten alone or in a bowl of broth. They are sumptuous dumplings created by combining leftover stale white bread with milk, butter, flour, eggs, seasonings and whatever else you want to throw into the mixture. Upon one of my visits to a traditional malga, I had a tri-color combo of canederli – white (made with cheese), red (made with beets) and green (made with spinach). The dish was delicious and VERY filling!

For a taste of our ancestors, stop by the Italian Food, Wine, and Travel blog and clip their recipe for Canederli di Speck. For those of you who have never tried “speck”, it is a smoked prociutto-style ham that is made in Trentino-Alto Adige. My mouth is watering just thinking about the salty, smokey slices of speck that always accompanied every breakfast when we visited the city of Bolzano in Alto Adige. Click here to read the full blog post by Chefbikeski.

Want to try your hand at other Tyrolean dishes? I found two cookbooks on Amazon that you might like:

Traditional Cooking – Tyrol (Amazon link)

Cook Book from Tyrol (Amazon link)

Our thanks to Italian Food, Wine, and Travel. Stop by and read more of their wonderful travel posts, illustrated with beautiful photographs of Italy.