25 Worldwide

New #25 interactive project: join in!

Greetings to everyone reading this. While updates have been few and far between, the #VENTICINQUE project has been moving along at a slow yet steady pace, building in the background and preparing for great work ahead. And I’m happy to share what’s happening next.

I’m preparing to launch the first stage of a project that will grow in the months and years ahead: an interactive world map featuring the current and historical locations of the Venticinques (and Twentyfives, and Ventis) who’ve connected with this project so far.

One of the best parts of this project is hearing from people all over the world, and learning about their family’s stories. Not only is it fascinating to see how far and wide the original group of Venticinques has spread by now, but it’s also a great way to learn more about how we’re all connected — and hopefully to continue getting clues about how and where the Venticinque story began. I’m expecting that the ancestral paths will lead back to one of two places: the Leonforte/Agira area near Enna in Sicily, and the area above Caserta in Campania. But who knows — I’m fully anticipating some surprises to pop up along the way.

A glimpse of what the very early stages of the interactive map looks like.


By clicking on any single pinpoint, you can see where each participant is based, and also where their family originally came from. The information about each person will be very broad: just their name, their family’s home village in Italy, and the best part — an audio clip of each person saying “Venticinque” in their own way. (I’m also considering making that part, instead of just being the name itself, include a short greeting, like I did in this clip.)

The audio part is perhaps what I’m most excited about. I can’t wait to hear how pronunciations — and even translations — of the name vary based on location and language, as well as the particular history that each family segment has lived through. How many different ways are there to say Venticinque? This project is intended to help us all find out.

 

Here’s an example of what it will look like when you click on an individual marker:

Right now I’m building this with the tools
that I have, but as the project grows I aim
to develop a web platform that looks great and
is easy to use. (Anyone want to help ?)

 
 

My hope is that this is easy enough that everyone can participate — and that means you!
Read on for a list of step-by-step directions. And if you have questions, I’m here to help.

Instructions:

Step 1 — Record a short voice message
Use your smartphone or computer’s voice memo or messaging feature to record your voice saying the following, in a natural way and in your own language.

  1. Venticinque

  2. Hello from [your first & last name] in [city, state, country]

  3. Venticinque

  4. [your first & last name]

I suggest taking a little breath between each one. Here’s an example of mine:


Step 2 — Send the audio file to me

Step 3 — Please include the following in your email or message when you send the file:

  • Where you’re from (where you grew up)

  • Where your extended Venticinque/Twentyfive family is mainly based in your home country

  • If you know: where your Venticinque family came from in Italy (the more specific the better, but even generally is great too)

  • Your contact info (email, phone, etc.)

For example: I, Lisa Venticinque, grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA. My Venticinque family is based in Providence, Rhode Island, USA. They came from the area near Casearta, Campania: Marzano Appio and Caianello.

 
 

I hope you’ll take part!

Questions? Please get in touch! I always love hearing from you.

Thank you and HAPPY NEW YEAR, everyone! I can’t wait for all that’s in store with this project in the year ahead. Stay tuned for more.

Your 25 cugina,
Lisa Venticinque

Before I go:

  • Please forward this to any Venticinque/Twentyfive people you’re connected to. The more of us involved, the better.

  • Do you have the skills and desire to help me expand this platform, so I can make a better map than what I am currently using with Google? This project is meant to be collaborative, and I’d love your help so much!

  • You all know that next year is 2025, right? Our big year is just around the corner!!

  • Below: One of the Venticinques I hope to meet the next time I’m int he area:

 

Venticinque Gioielleria & Orologeria

Pietrameriara, Caserta, Campania, Italia - 2019