“I am truly grateful to Rita. Through her skills and efforts I have a deeper appreciation of my heritage and a family I never knew I had”
About
Rita Roncassaglia
Italian ancestry researcher. The person who will help you find — and visit — where your family came from.
The person behind the search.
Graduated from Bologna University in 1995 with a major in Linguistics – English Language and Literature, I have lived, worked and travelled between USA and Italy for thirty years.
The best part of my job is helping people from all over the world to build connections and establish relationships as they discover and fall in love with Italy. My goal is to assist you in finding your family's hometown, learning about your Italian ancestors and whenever possible reconnect with your living relatives.
Along the way you will enjoy all that comes with this journey through our amazing country; including breathtaking views, historical sights, incredible artistry and culinary delights, that come alive in towns and markets off the beaten path.
— Rita
At a glance
Professional profile
Passion & purpose
Why I Love What I Do
It all began over thirty years ago, when some American friends asked me to help them find their relatives in Italy. After locating an aunt and several cousins, I accompanied them to their first reunion, becoming their voice and a bridge between family members separated by an ocean.
It was an extraordinary and deeply moving experience that left a lasting impression on me.
Since then, my passion for traveling, meeting people, and building meaningful connections has continued to shape my life. Over the years, I have organized and accompanied trips both in Italy and in the United States, traveling with young students eager to improve their English, as well as adults, friends, and acquaintances wishing to discover new places, cultures, and, above all, meet new people. Every experience has strengthened my belief that the most valuable part of any journey is the human connections we make along the way.
What still moves me the most is witnessing the moment when people who never even knew of each other’s existence finally meet and discover they belong to the same family. These reunions are about more than finding one’s roots. They are about creating new bonds and discovering another place to call home, where a warm welcome will always be waiting.
Accompanying people on this journey, helping them communicate, and sharing their emotions means so much more to me than simply doing a job. Each time, I feel that I become part of their story and, in a way, part of their family.
That is what makes every journey so special: the opportunity to turn a search into the past into a connection that can last a lifetime.
In her words
Every story is different
Anyway, each story is different, this is why the first step is always to get to know you and talk about your personal trip, your needs and your requests.
Who I've helped
Voices from across the United States
A few words from families Rita has helped.
Le recensioni sono riportate in lingua originale, per non snaturare il contenuto di ciò che i visitatori hanno voluto esprimere.
“Thanks to Rita my family had this amazing and life-changing opportunity to reconnect with close relatives and after this first time, went back several times to be with our Italian family.”
“Rita is awesome! I am an American of Italian descent. She has endless positive energy, a great sense of humour, she is intelligent, has never met a stranger. She’s your ticket to a trip of a lifetime.”
“Rita’s warmth, charisma, and local knowledge made every moment special. By the end of our time together, she felt like family. We feel incredibly fortunate to have met her and recommend her wholeheartedly to anyone looking for an authentic and unforgettable experience”
“Rita is amazing! She has a wealth of knowledge, resources and connections for myriad Italian experiences. I could not have had such a fabulous introduction to Italy without her and I can’t wait to go back! Grazie mille!”
Ready to begin?
Pick the level of help you'd like, tell us about your family, and we'll reply within 48 hours to schedule a tailored online meeting.
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