Author: Justine Forelli

Justine Forelli is the founder of Ciao Italianista. She started this blog in 2020 as a hobby to express her passion for all things Italian. Justine has been passionate about learning Italian from the day she stepped foot in Sorrento, Italy when she was 18. She has several degrees in Italian and many trips to Italy under her belt including living in Bologna for 1.5 years. In 2024, she transformed Ciao Italianista to focus on Italian ancestry, language, and food. Her two daughters have joined her and the "Trio" is traveling to Bergamo to walk in the footsteps of our ancestors for a month and to bring back stories and traveling tips for the love of Italy.
  • Is Hiring A Genealogist Worth It In Italy?

    You’ve spent hours searching for your Italian ancestors—scrolling through online records, piecing together names, and writing emails to Italian churches that never get answered. But no matter how hard you try, you still can’t find that one missing link. At this point, you might be wondering: Is hiring a genealogist worth it for Italian ancestry…

  • How To Use Portale Antenati To Find Your Missing Family Member

    If you are searching for your Italian ancestors, you have surely come across Portale Antenati. And you may have noticed it’s not the easiest website to use. This is partly because most records are not indexed and the images are written in old Italian cursive. However, when you know a few tips for using this…

  • Shop My Best Black Friday Deals Italy For 2025

    Black Friday Deals Italy make you happier! Did you know that if you change your routine, you will be happier? It’s true. Science has proven this. It can be as simple as walking a different way to work or school. Or it can be more adventurous like booking a spontaneous trip or studying a language….