I found my 10th great-grandfather was Italian and so were a lot of my relatives, although they didn't settle in America. Could I still consider myself Italian-American?
2007-04-02 14:51:46 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
Well it all depends, you see...
Is your last name Italian?
Do you even look remotely Mediterranean?
Do you speak Italian?
Do you feel a closeness to Italy and its inhabitants in any way, shape or form?
Do you like pizza & pasta?
Do you eat Gorgonzola & Mozzarella at all?
Only kidding for the last two!
I tell you what; just discuss all this with your parents & any other close living relatives and see what they all have to say on the subject.
Are both your parents of Italian ancestry or just one?
Good luck finding out a bit more about your family tree buddy!
And in the meantime...
Take it easy!
Ciao bello ragazzo!
2007-04-02 15:02:56 · answer #1 · answered by Devilish Angel 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
NO. You're Italian American if both of your parents are Italian or if you have an Italian parent.
If you just have an Italian grandparent or an Italian great grandparent you are not even remotely Italian, let alone a 10 great-grandfather!
2017-01-04 12:29:43 · answer #2 · answered by Giuly 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not unless they were Sicilian. Italian-Americans aren't actually Italian. They come from Sicily which had a distinct language and culture,though it doesn't any more. Sicily resisted Garibaldi's unification efforts,fought a 10-year civil war over it,gave up,then about half of it's inhabitants came over here with Italian passports and have been thinking they are Italian ever since. Back in the 20's visitors from Italy could hardly understand a word they said. So,no,having Italian blood would not bring you in to the fold.
2007-04-02 15:00:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
I wouldn't think so... you're were born in America...this is your country...you didn't even know about your Italian blood until now, and its a little thin at this point I'd say...
Like my husband is from Scotland (he was born there and grew up there) but now he moved to America and he's working on becoming an American citizen...so he would be British American...however our children will be American...
2007-04-02 14:56:07 · answer #4 · answered by Lady Lauren 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes. You have ancestors who were Italian, right? America is now your home, right? Italian+American= Italian-American.
If someone asks you your ethnicity then you can say Italian-American, but I think it would also be right to mention what other ancestors you know about or if you don't know some parts you can just say 'I don't know' =).
The people for Sicily are called Sicilian, I think. So Sicillian+American=Sicilian American. Culturaly Sicillians and Italians have many similarities because they are close together geographically.
I hope this helps. It's always good to have some sense of self-identity. +)
2007-04-02 15:05:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
That depends on what other nationalities you are. If you are mostly Italian, and you are American now, then yes you are an Italian American. But if you're a mix of different things, then no, you're just American. I'm a little bit Native American, but that's not what I call myself because that's not most of what I am.
2007-04-02 14:56:01 · answer #6 · answered by Rhidia 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I would say you are since your 10 great grandfather was italian. you do have a little italian blood in you. and just because you were born in america does not mean your just america.
2007-04-02 14:54:38 · answer #7 · answered by misty blue 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Well, someone in your family settled in America, right? So you're definitely American. And if you have Italian heritage, I guess you could claim it. It also depends on what else your heritage includes. I have Scottish, Welsh, Swedish, German, and French-Canadian heritage, but I'm ALL-American!
2007-04-02 14:55:33 · answer #8 · answered by cheetahgrrl623 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You can only be Italian-American if you can answer the following questions:
1) what does "fuhgedaboudit" mean?
2) which pomade is the best to hold your hair?
3) wussuah matta youse?
4) who was Lucky Luciano?
5) Nepolitani or Siciliani?
6) fuhgedabouuuudiiiiiiit
7) penne pasta or angel hair pasta for fish?
2007-04-02 15:04:55 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
The United States is considered a "Melting Pot" for this specific reason. I would not consider you Italian.
2007-04-02 14:59:16 · answer #10 · answered by Christina911 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋