I have worked with many families to help capture and tell their stories. Some families prefer to keep their history private. But some have shared them on social media. Check out some of our family history videos below
A Place Called Pinzolo
Steve Cavoli of Darien, CT, asked me to interview his parents, Ivo and Rita Cavoli, and put together this family history video. They tell a fascinating story about growing up in a small town in northern Italy during the depredations of World War II, coming to America, spending a career in the the U.S. Army all over the world, and raising three wonderful boys.
“Ciao.... I LOVE the history Aunt Rita and Uncle Ivo shared in this gorgeous documentary! Like all immigrants...they love the USA but they leave a piece of their heart in the old country.” Jules Lemay
When we lost my father suddenly, and started to go through his things, we realized that there was so much about the family’s history that we didn’t know. Some of what had been kept for generations raised questions that we could not answer. Many aspects of the family’s history deserved investigation, and we did not no where to start. HistoryTracks was exactly what we needed. Their work tied everything together as we remembered my dad together after his funeral. These videos are now part of our family’s shared memories, and will be there to guide future generations. Thank you, we are so happy!!! John W. McNear Jr.
He Has Gone West
John W. McNear Jr. of Darien, CT lost his father in the summer of 2021. His dad didn’t talk much about his family history, but he had heard various bits and pieces over the years. For his dad’s memorial service, I put together this early history of the McNear family. Coming from a long line of sea captains in Maine, they emigrated to California and became one of the leading families of Petaluma, CA. There, you can now find McNear’s Beach, McNear’s Park, McNear School, and even McNear’s Pub, all evidence of their impact and generosity in this Sonoma County town.
Youth Interrupted
Yvonne (DeHaas) Ferris of Westport, CT asked me to interview her father, Liewe DeHaas, a Dutch immigrant to the United States, who grew up in the Dutch East Indies during World War II. It was not an easy topic to discuss. Liewe, his mother and brother spent the war in various Japanese internment camps, enduring deplorable conditions and harsh treatment. His father was taken away to a POW camp and they spent the war not knowing if they would see him again. The family would eventually be reunited, but of course it was an experience they would never forget. Thanks to Yvonne and Liewe, we can now see and hear that experience as well.
A Fashionable Life
Katie (Geller) Stein, of Darien, CT, asked me to interview her parents, Joe and Mickey Geller and put together these family history videos, one for Joe and one for Mickey. Both of them grew up in the fashion/clothing business. In Joe’s case, it was shoes, Andrew Geller Shoes, and in Mickey’s case, clothing, M. Fine & Sons. They would find each other and themselves spend a life in fashion, art, architecture, culture and hospitality.
The Joe Geller Story
The Mickey (Fine) Geller Story
“My uncle Nick is a prolific story teller. He is also a great man from the Greatest Generation. Listening to his story has brought a smile to all of our family’s faces and a tear to our eyes. Kevin captured what he means to all of us. Thank you.” John Furjanic
Everybody Knows Nicky Marino…
…and, as it turns out, Nicky seems to know just about everybody else. John Furjanic, of Chicago, IL, asked me to interview his uncle, 92-year-old Nicky Marino. Korean-war vet, fireman, and inveterate story teller, Nicky tells great stories about growing up on the East Side of Chicago.