Uniting Tuscan Stories Across Borders
Embark on a journey of discovery with San Cassiano Connections—a testament to the enduring spirit and cultural richness of our cherished Tuscan villages in Bagni di Lucca.
Here, we are dedicated to preserving and celebrating the stories of this historic Tuscan community. Our database, meticulously curated over 400 years, contains records of more than 4000 individuals, spanning generations and linking families acrossvillages and continents. Whether you’re exploring your own roots or delving into the shared past of this remarkable area, you’ll find a wealth of resources at your fingertips.
Discover. Detailed genealogical records, including specific lists of emigrants from Bagni di Lucca who ventured far and wide, contributing to diverse cultures around the globe.
Explore. The courageous men of Bagni di Lucca who served in various wars, from Italy’s domestic and international conflicts to engagements in Canada and the United States.
Highlight. We also call attention to the invaluable contributions of women from Bagni di Lucca, a focus that continues to evolve through ongoing research efforts.
Participate. Join us in uncovering the interconnected stories that define Bagni di Lucca. Through photographs, documents, and narratives, San Cassiano Connections bridges the gap between past and present, preserving legacies and fostering a deeper understanding of our shared history.
Some of our resources.
Explore our database, registers, sources, and photographs.
Unsure of where to start? Search your surname and discover which villages of Bagni di Lucca are connected to it.
Search and learn more about our unique database here.
In progress: Learn more about the unique lives of emigrants from Bagni di Lucca.
Learn more about the young men from San Cassiano who participated in military conflicts and sacrificed their lives.
Search our digitized cemetery register, with more than 900 names over more than 450 graves.
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Genealogy Database Update – May 18th, 2025
This update brings a major expansion of the genealogy database, with over 250 new individuals, hundreds of new records and media items, and broader geographic coverage. It includes detailed additions from San Cassiano di Controne and Palleggio, Montefegatesi, and Pieve di Controne, dozens of WWI and WWII profiles, cemetery documentation, and new family connections drawn…
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Following the footsteps of a San Cassiano emigrant: Montreal, Canada (Part 2)
War Troubles In June 1940, Arcangelo’s life took an unexpected turn. At the time, Montreal’s thriving Italian community centred around Casa d’Italia in what is now known as Petite Italie (Little Italy). In the mid-to-late 1930s, Casa d’Italia had become a political hub for right-wing Italian activists, hosting fundraisers, speeches, and social events[1]. Arcangelo and Adele were regular attendees, even participating…
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Following the footsteps of a San Cassiano emigrant: Montreal, Canada (Part 1)
The Origins The story of Bernardi & Nieri began as a one-man venture by Lorenzo Nieri (known as “Laurent” in French-speaking Montreal). The first record of the one-man business appears in Lovell’s Montreal Business Directory in 1925–26 [1]. Lorenzo had emigrated from San Cassiano to Montreal in 1906 [2], likely working for other Italian-led figure-making businesses in the city while laying…
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Solving a San Cassiano family mystery with DNA: Part 2
I’m Getting Overwhelmed—But Then, a Breakthrough! Two years into the project and I felt overwhelmed. I had clear genetic evidence linking Ghilardo Illidi to the Buonamici line, likely a descendant of Leopoldo and Maria Anna Buonamici, who had settled in San Cassiano in the 1860s. Yet, I lacked definitive proof. Given the complex web of…
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Solving a San Cassiano family mystery with DNA: Part 1
Since I was little, I’ve often been asked about the origin of my Illidi surname. Whenever I asked my dad, he would respond with the same line: “It’s a made-up name because my bisnonno [great grandfather] was adopted.” As a child, I accepted this as the full story: I had an ancestor with unknown parents…