Today I had the pleasure of attending of attending the Italian Genealogy Society of New Jersey‘s quarterly meeting. It is always a very interesting meeting and today was no different. I had the opportunity to hear about the history of the Old First Ward of Newark directly from the curator of the Old First Ward Museum, Bob Cascella.

I am a huge fan of Bob. He is a font of information and colorful stories; not just about the Old First Ward, but all of Newark in its heyday. He shared how the Italian community started, the history of the Feast of St. Gerard, and stories of some of the most famous – and infamous – residents of the Old First Ward.

Meeting attendees definitely enjoyed his animated history, coupled with the visuals he brought with him highlighting different parts of the neighborhood through the decades.

As the meeting usually does, it splintered off into different conversations and questions, coupled with sharing information and resources with each other.

If you look in from the outside, it looks like any other group meeting. But it is much more than that. It is preservation of an important heritage. It is sharing and support.

I urge you to check out the Museum of the Old First Ward and the Italian Genealogy Society of New Jersey. You will certainly learn a lot and enjoy the company around you!