Could my Great Grandfather be part Black?

Question

Just hear me out.

I'm 1/4 Italian 2/4 Polish 1/4 Ukranian (like the last two matter right now). My great grandpa was southern Italian and my great grandma was northern Italian. She was somewhat dark (mainly just olive coloring, but my great grandpa was DARK. This reflects in my grandpa, he's the darkest white guy, OH HECK, even darker than most Latinos. My GREAT GRANDPA was even more dark (I have pictures) and had nappy hair.

Another thing is that my great grandmother's mother said to her "Why do you want to marry that N*****?"

Does anyone know enough about Italian history/demography/genetics to say that it is likely that my great grandpa was at least part black?

Also, I know this may sound very inappropriate but my mother and I are the only white people we know that actually get Ashy!!! I don't just mean dry skin, I mean ASHY.

Answer 1

Wow, you're not exactly painting a positive picture of your family here.

Anyway...I had always heard that there were many Italians who were either Black or mixed with Black but I never found out how that came to be and so on. Some of my Black friends have Italian last names but they are not sure if it was because of slavery or if they had Italians in their families or both. As Infra-Red said, I would definitely checkout Ancestry.com. If you could find your great grandfather and other family members in the census records, it would definitely tell you if he was Black or not (but then again, they often listed light-skinned Blacks as White or Mulatto). So I would also say to go through your oral history and speak to your oldest living relatives. I think many White people would be surprised to learn that there are/were Blacks in their families. The truth of the matter is many of those relatives (especially further up the famiy tree) made a decision to pass for White.

Answer 2

Hi papadego!!!

As important as it is to know who our decendants were, you should be concentrating more into knowing what kind of people they were on the social aspect.

I'll explain why, this is because we are all related one another, so it doesn't make any sense on focusing on the black or white aspect of anyones family!!!

In my family, there are very dark skin ones and also very
fair skin ones, but the important thing is that we don't care!!!

The differences between members of a family should make the family stronger. As oppose of everybody looking the same!!!

Be happy with who you are as a human being. And the fact that the "shameful" word (for those who use it),was used, I would say that is ignorance and fear.

I have this theory, that is that, the Afro American people were and continue to be oppressed, because everyone new they were stronger, and much able, probably smarter.

That's why in fear of the others not being able to compete they got scared and dimished their abilities. Disrespecting, abusing and killing them.
Very sad!!!

Being mix is NOT a shame. Today is a plus, so if you actually have decendants of different cuttures, you should take advantage of it!!! Be proud, and apply lots of mosturizer to your skin.

I have fair skin and my skin gets kind of ashy too!!! Come one take some vitamin suplements, for skin and hair, and you will be good to go!!! And drink lots of water!!!!

GOD BLESS YOU AND HAPPY LIFE

A.Z.

Answer 3

My Great Grandpa was a blonde haired blue eyed Anglo. I have same said cousins. My thing is what does it matter? You are who you are ashy or not and it doesn't take away from you or your life. I understand the family tree thing but making it a race issue doesn't seem fruitful. I also have Cherokee heritage and African and it doesn't take away from WHO I AM. By the way caucasians get ashy too. It's dry skin not a heritage condition.

Answer 4

After the fall of the Roman Empire, one of the many groups that invaded Europe were the arabs of North Africa, who were mixed with the natives there. They took over Sicily and sometimes penetrated as far as southern Italy. Of the southern italians or Sicilians that look part black the reason is that they are part black. Northern Italians, when blonde, are part German.

Answer 5

Yep.

http://www.sitesled.com/members/racialreality/italians.html

Answer 6

Just something to consider.....
You for sure know who maternal grandmother is and of course mothers, but unless you take a DNA test, you never know for sure who your grandfather or father is.
In the Jewish religion, you are not really considered Jewish unless your mother is.
A DNA test can also tell you if any of your ancestors are part black, if they are then so are you!!!

Answer 7

I know that Sicilians are part Arabic decent which can tend to be darker skinned.

Answer 8

very possible i know it be true in my family

Answer 9

www.ancestry.com

Look for your self.

Answer 10

sure u might be part.

so wat