In this first episode of Series Eight, host Andrew Martin meets Italian-American family historian, author, and host of the Italian Roots and Genealogy podcast – Bob Sorrentino. Andrew hears how Bob’s research unlocked an ancestry that connects him to some of Italy’s nobility, a Pope, and European royalty, as well as why he wrote his book ‘Farmers and Nobles’, and his thoughts on the genealogy community.

Listen to the episode

Also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, and others…

The Life Story – Isabella d’Este

Bob’s research has connected him to Marchioness Isabella d’Este – the regent of Mantua in Lombardy, in what is now Italy, who ruled whilst her husband Francesco II Gonzaga was away at war.

Isabella is known as one of the leading women in the Italian Renaissance, encouraging the arts (including Michaelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci), and generally doing a far better job as regent than her husband did when he wasn’t fighting.

Through her work, she also ensured that women could access education, and she herself is known to have amassed a collection of more than 20,000 letters.

She died in her 60’s in 1539, and no doubt left an important legacy for both Italy and women.

The Brick Wall – Maria Angela De Riso

Whilst her death in Paris in 1815 and her success in winning a challenge to her inheritance from her Uncle’s Last Will & Testament is known to Bob, it’s his 4x Gt Grandmother Maria Angela De Riso’s parentage that remains a mystery.

He believes she was born circa 1750, perhaps around Carpinone, in western Molise, Italy.

Who were Maria’s parents?

If you think that you can help Bob with a research clue or idea, you can head over to his blog or Facebook Group. Alternatively, you can send us a message via our contact form and we’ll pass it along to him.

In the meantime, Bob is impressed with the offer of help, but can Andrew and Sándor get him to Paris in time?

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Episode Credits

• Andrew Martin – Host and Producer
• Bob Sorrentino – Guest
• John Spike – Sándor Petőfi

Useful Links

Resources and websites mentioned in this episode:

• https://www.familysearch.org – FamilySearch
• https://www.italiangenealogy.blog – Bob’s Italian Roots and Genealogy website
• https://antenati.cultura.gov.it – Portale Antenati