Hi everyone!
It's time to get to know another wonderful WikiTreer. This week's member is Nicole Nunes.
Nicole became a Wiki Genealogist in May 2022. She is active in our Acadia and Filles du Roi projects.
When did you get interested in genealogy?
I have always been interested in history in general since I was very young, but my love for genealogy started about 22 years ago, right after graduating from high school. I instantly fell in love with the thrill of the search and the hunt for information about people from all different locations and time periods. I just couldn't get enough. I became addicted to genealogy, as many of us do, and I loved it so much I made it my career. I'm fortunate to be able to do something I love all the time.
What are some of your interests outside of genealogy?
I love spending time with my family and being outside in nature. Taking a walk in the woods or walking along the beach are my favorite things to do. I love animals, taking photos, and reading about a wide variety of topics. I consider myself a lifelong student. I love archaeology and the concept of literally digging into the past to uncover something that hasn't been seen or touched in a long time.
I'm also a fan of true crime in the sense that I love exploring how evidence is gathered and learning about all the intricate ways crimes are solved. I suppose there is a recurrent theme of discovery and investigation in my hobbies!
Do you have a favorite genealogical discovery?
I was very surprised to find out that my middle name Vienna has been passed down through a few generations on my mother's Italian side. I was born on March 28th, which happened to be my great-grandmother Vienna Cozzi's birthday, so I was given the middle name Vienna by my mother to honor her much loved maternal grandmother.
In my research, I realized that my great-grandmother Vienna Cozzi was named after her maternal grandmother Vienna Scarpa, born in 1845 in Grottaminarda, Avellino, Campania, Italy. Further research showed that Vienna Scarpa's paternal grandmother was also named Vienna! Vienna Fischetti, my 5x great-grandmother, was born about 1795, likely in Grottaminarda as well. This is as far as my current research has taken me, so in time I hope to dig further into the legacy of the Vienna's in my family tree.
What is your genealogical research focus?
I focus and specialize in Acadian and French Canadian research, but I also have a sub-specialty in colonial New England research. I haven't strayed too far from my research focus over the years. Acadian genealogy definitely has a special place in my heart, as our Acadian ancestors faced immense hardship during the Acadian Expulsion period, beginning in 1755 and lasting for decades. The Acadians were forcibly removed from their lands and deported to various locations around the world. Several thousand Acadians succumbed to disease, drowning, exposure, and starvation during this great upheaval, and I have made it my life's work to make sure their names are known and never forgotten about again.
What is your toughest brick wall currently?
The parents of my Acadian ancestor Michel Hache dit Gallant, born about 1660, continue to be my toughest brick wall. I wrote and published a lengthy research article on the possible origins of Michel three years ago, and with ongoing DNA testing of descendants, I'm hopeful we will know the answer to this burning question someday soon as genetic science advances.
Which projects are you most involved in?
I am most involved in the Acadians Project on WikiTree. I help add information and documentation to the early Acadian profiles to aid in the research and education of descendants. Our goal is to source each profile with reliable references to keep the information provided as accurate as possible. Cindy Cooper and Gisele Cormier, who run the Acadians Project, have done a fantastic job of creating these project profiles and they are wonderful at monitoring the profiles for any changes to make sure we stay one of the best-sourced projects on WikiTree.
I am also active in the Filles du Roi Project, which manages the profiles of all the 760+ Filles du Roi/King's Daughters who arrived in Quebec to help boost the population of New France in the 1660's and 1670's with the same goal of making their information known and accessible to descendants.
What inspires you to contribute so much of yourself to WikiTree's mission? Do you consider your work here to be part of your legacy?
As a professional genealogist, I know the importance of being able to find reliable sources for information about our ancestors. WikiTree is free to access, which makes it universally available to everyone, which is incredibly important as it allows genealogy to be an all-inclusive pursuit. Being able to work with others who value being thorough and accurate in their research is pivotal in how genealogy is conducted these days.
I do consider the work I do here to be part of my legacy, because it will remain long after I am gone. I am a very small part of a massive collective of people who are all working together to bring our history back to life, and I'm honored to be part of this wonderful community.
