Dan Panaro 03/27/14 Family history project My family background and ethnicity are completely Italian. My mother and father are both completely Italian. My mother's family is from Sicily while my father's side is Neapolitan. Our religion is Roman Catholic, which is not uncommon for Italians. Culturally I identify as Italian American. I don't speak Italian, but my grandparents and parents do. I have never been to Italy, but my parents and grandparents have. I have several second and third cousins ​​who actually live in Italy. My family has been in America for more than a hundred years. My great great grandfather and maternal grandmother immigrated to America in 1905. They passed through Ellis Island as most immigrants did at that time. They moved and lived in Brooklyn until my grandmother moved to Staten Island years later. As an Italian family we have many cultural values ​​and beliefs that we still practice today, especially during the holidays. Culture and traditions are very important for Italian families. For many years Italians have been passionate about culture, traditions, values ​​and beliefs. My family's immigration story begins with the arrival of my great-great-grandfather and mother John and Lucille LaSalle in America. They emigrated in 1905 from Italy to America. They wanted to come to America in hopes of a better life. They didn't have much money in Italy and wanted to come to America in hopes of earning more. They spoke no English and had a long and tiring journey ahead of them. They took very little with them, only what was special and symbolic to them. My great-great-grandparents arrived from Ellis Island and, like most Italian immigrants, encountered racial prejudice. My......middle of paper......traditions, customs, values ​​and beliefs that we practice. Some are religious beliefs and values ​​and others are just cultural traditions passed down over the years. My family and I are Italian Americans who have lived in the United States for over one hundred years. My great-great-grandparents came to America from Italy in 1905. They brought their traditions, values ​​and beliefs with them and taught them to their children. My family's communication also reflects our ethnicity and culture. We communicate verbally and non-verbally. Just like other Italian families, we speak using hand gestures and use humor to start conversations. Also sometimes we use physical contact. Mainly to help people understand or pay more attention to the conversation. All these points represent the Italian culture and tradition of my family. My family is very important to me, as is my cultural background.