In Sicilian genealogy, a generation by generation lineage to the
Late Middle Ages isn't unusual. This long-awaited, definitive guide
shows you how to do it. Sicily boasts the world's best genealogical
records, revealing the deep roots of a Sicilian identity and
facilitating the construction of many pedigrees into the fifteenth
century. Based on the author's 30 years of experience as a foremost
expert in the field, this is the first complete guide ever
published in English dedicated exclusively to Sicilian genealogical
research. Its publication in 2013 established a new subject
category in the Dewey catalogue, and it is the reference book
consulted by professional genealogists researching Sicilian
families. Topics range from parochial, civil and feudal records to
DNA haplotyping, religion, rural life, cuisine, ethnography, coats
of arms, surname origins and Jewish genealogy, with insightful,
accurate information on historiography and research strategies - a
few published here for the first time. With scientific rigor and
disarming candor, "the Indiana Jones of Italian history" shows you
how to "push the envelope" of your family history research into
Sicily's multicultural medieval era. Family history is more than
names, dates and pedigrees; it is the people and culture behind the
names. Social context is not overlooked. If there were ever a
handbook on Sicilian ethnology, this would be it. This book covers
a wide range of topics in detail, transcending conventional
strategies to explain the "how and why" of historical research:
shortcuts and methods as well as advice on pitfalls to avoid. As a
serious guide for dedicated researchers, it presumes some
familiarity with basic genealogy, recommending introductory books
to complement what one reads in this one, so don't expect
photographs of vital statistics records and other documents. But
even for family historians at the beginning of their research, this
book is an excellent consultative reference. It brings to life an
arcane, often elusive, field. Significantly, the author destroys a
few myths about Italian family history, and about Italy itself,
while describing real social history. Especially impressive is his
refreshingly distinctive writing style, with blunt reality checks
sprinkled throughout the lengthier chapters. That's the kind of
pragmatism missing from many genealogical guides. While the
chapters on the aristocracy and heraldry may interest fewer readers
than those on simple lineal research, they are useful because most
pedigrees before 1400 focus on the nobility. By his own admission,
Mendola's tone is at times sardonic, as if this elder statesman
were scolding the field's less disciplined historians while setting
the stage for its beginners. Just when you think that his treatment
of a particular topic has become tiresome or excessively dry and
theoretical, he inserts a concrete example to make his point. It's
an effective technique. In his assaults on the machinations of
historical revisionists and genealogical fabulists, along with fake
royalty and others who manipulate history for their own
edification, the author takes no prisoners. Like Verres, the Roman
governor of Sicily who fled into voluntary exile following Cicero's
opening speech at his trial for corruption, genealogy's fantasists
should flee the moment Lou Mendola enters the fray. In fact, quite
a few have, as the author has been consulted over the years by
journalists, law-enforcement authorities and others seeking to
expose genealogy's identity tricksters. His role is not unlike that
of a lone sheriff protecting a town or, for European
traditionalists, the last knight defending a castle. He is one of
Italy's most cosmopolitan historians, consulted by The History
Channel, the Vatican, the Order of Malta, the Almanach de Gotha and
the BBC. This is a reference work written by a highly
knowledgeable, freethinking scholar, albeit one with close
connections to Europe's traditionalist Establishment. The
comparison to Indiana Jones, or even Rambo (!), is not
inappropriate, except perhaps for Mendola's blue eyes. If you're a
researcher, consulting this useful reference is like having an
experienced, heavily-armed warrior escort you through jungles and
mine fields to find The Truth on the other side. Not to worry.
You'll get there. And when you do, your ancestors will be waiting
to meet you.
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