An effort to help preserve Italian history in the Sewickley area is underway.

What started as an idea from residents and members of the Sons of Italy social club has developed into the Sewickley Area Italian Heritage Archive Project.

The goal is to amass a collection of materials and then digitize them for preservation and observation.

Items being sought include pictures, old film, videos, newspaper clippings, obituaries, birth announcements, wedding/engagement announcements, naturalization papers, citizenship papers, Ellis Island information, ship manifests, fraternal association documents, church records such as baptism, confirmation and marriage, military information and pictures and information about area merchants and businesses operated by Italians both past and present.

Organizers ask contributors have materials labeled and identified and put in a large Zip-Lock bag. The label should have your name, phone number and email address on it.

Materials will be returned to their owners after they are digitized.

They can be dropped off at the club at 432 Division St. in Sewickley between 1-4 p.m. April 30 and May 21.

Contributions also can be made during regular club hours. It’s open 5-10 p.m. Thursdays, 6 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays, according to the club’s Facebook page.

Items also can be digitally submitted through forever.com.

Jerry Veshio, a Sons of Italy member, said he hopes a lot of people participate. The social club has about 450 members.

“We sent out an initial email introducing our idea,” Veshio said. “We have since partnered with a local person who does archiving of photos and other items.

”We’re not sure what the response will be. This whole process will be ongoing, and we anticipate collecting materials for several months.”

Email Jerry Veshio at jveshio@gmail.com for more information on how to share materials or get involved with this project, or go to the Sewickley Sons of Italy website at sewickleysoi.com.

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