Try to find any family documents, such as birth certificates or immigration papers. If you're an American-Italian, the Ellis Island records might help. Try to find your ancestral hometown in Italy, many of the secrets of the past may be buried there. Look for historical census information.
Italian people features stereotypically include olive skin, dark eyes, and a pointed nose. Of course, Italy is a diversifying country, meaning these stereotypes are being diluted over time. Living in a country with a rich and colorful history has made the Italians a unique and interesting bunch.
While it's more common for Italians to have hazel/brown eyes, around 14% are blue-eyed according to a recent French magazine article.
You can also take a DNA test to see if you have Italian heritage. Then, search online resources such as the Italian Catholic Church, FamilySearch, the National Archives, Portale Antenati, and Comuni Italiani.
Legally, Italian nationals are citizens of Italy, regardless of ancestry or nation of residence (in effect, however, Italian nationality is largely based on jus sanguinis) and may be distinguished from ethnic Italians in general or from people of Italian descent without Italian citizenship and ethnic Italians living in ...
Those born in Italy are not automatically Italian citizens, unless a parent is an Italian citizen; those who are born in Italy to foreign parents can become Italian at 18 (age of majority).
What is Italian citizenship by descent? Italian citizenship by descent is possible for individuals who are born to Italian parents, grandparents, great grandparents (there is no upper limit in terms of the number of generations).
Southern Italians are closest to the modern Greeks, while the Northern Italians are closest to the Spaniards and Southern French. There is also Bronze/Iron Age West Asian admixture in Italy, with a much lower incidence in Northern Italy compared with Central Italy and Southern Italy.
Italian facial characteristics are often characterized by a strong jawline, prominent cheekbones, and dark eyes. Italians also tend to have full lips and thick eyebrows that frame their faces nicely. Additionally, many Italian people have olive skin tones which gives them a unique look compared to other ethnicities.
In Europe, Italians have the highest genetic diversity. The gradient of their genetic variability, scattered all over the peninsula, encloses on a small scale the whole genetic variance between southern and continental Europeans.
Nevertheless, hair and eye color vary in Italy and so does skin tone. It is not uncommon to see Italians with lighter eye and hair shades. Italians have all different eye colors including brown, hazel, green, and blue. There are blonde, brunette, and red-haired Italians.
There is a genetic predisposition for permanent bruising typically found in Mediterranean ethnicities: Italians, Greeks, Spanish, Moroccans, ect. Instead of the bruise being resorbed back into the body, iron deposits are left behind in the skin. These hemosiderin deposits stain the skin brown and are permanent.
Freckles occur in people with heritage from around the world. Because they're often seen in people with red hair, freckles are commonly associated with Ireland and Scotland, where this hair color is common as well. But anyone can get freckles.
The most common Italian stereotypes include a love of pasta, expressive hand gestures, love of family, passion for football, that Italians have a passion for coffee, the opera, and Dante's Divine Comedy.
It is common for Italian friends and families to kiss on the cheek when they meet, irrespective of their gender. Stand up out of respect when an older person enters the room. It is important to dress neatly and respectfully. Cover your mouth when yawning or sneezing.
The sea surrounds Italy, and mountains crisscross the interior, dividing it into regions. The Alps cut across the top of the country and are streaked with long, thin glacial lakes. From the western end of the Alps, the Apennines mountains stretch south down the entire peninsula.
Type IV pigmentation is frequent among some populations from the Mediterranean as well as parts of Asia and Latin America. It ranges from brownish or darker olive to moderate brown, typical Mediterranean skin tones. This skin type rarely burns and tans easily.
Being Mediterranean, Italian women have very distinct characteristics that set them apart from other ethnicities. Italian women are known to have an intense gaze, olive skin, dark eyes, and dark hair. High cheekbones, a small or Roman nose, long hair, and soft lips are considered beautiful in Italy.
Italian culture is steeped in the arts, family, architecture, music and food. Home of the Roman Empire and its legendary figures such as Julius Caesar and Nero, it was also a major center of the Renaissance and the birthplace of fascism under Benito Mussolini.
The major ethnic group in Italy is the Italians, who account for 95% (above 60 million) of the total population of Italy. The remaining 5% of the population consists of ethnicities like Albanians, Romanians, Ukrainians, and other Europeans (2.5%); Africans (1.5%), and several other minorities (1%).
Its main findings show that Italian DNA has from 7 to 30 times more differences than those registered between the Portuguese and the Hungarians. This variety is present everywhere, from North to South and includes also Italy's islands, Sardinia and Sicily.
Sarah Medland, approximately 17% of Italians have curly hair. Overall, 45% of European people have straight hair, 40% have wavy, and 15% have curly hair. Therefore, Italians are slightly above the European curly hair average. Italian genes have adapted to both the northern and southern climates of Italy.
Most nations apply jure sanguinis in their nationality laws to certain degrees. Italy is one of the countries where a person can easily be recognized as Italian citizens by having at least one Italian ancestor.
Italian Brazilians are the largest number of people with full or partial Italian ancestry outside Italy, with São Paulo being the most populous city with Italian ancestry in the world.
Applying for Italian Citizenship in Australia. When it comes to applying for Italian dual citizenship from Australia, the rules and obligations are much more lenient in Italy than almost any other country in Europe. However, several documents are required, and the process can be quite complex and lengthy.