Italians in Louisiana: A Selective Bibliography

Abstract

A true melting pot, southeastern Louisiana has been influenced by several different ethnic groups. Many do not realize the impact that Italian immigrants have had on the area, specifically in terms of food and culture. This bibliography documents works on a variety of topics, but highlights newer and seminal sources on the study of Italians in southeastern Louisiana. While much of the literature focuses on New Orleans, the bibliography also includes works on rural areas of southeastern Louisiana where large pockets of Italian immigrants settled. Essential to the study of the Italian experience in Louisiana is the strife they endured because of prejudices of the “native” Louisianans, and works exploring this have been included. Whether as grocery store owners, restauranteurs, strawberry farmers, early Italian immigrant families had a significant impact on Louisiana, and these sources illuminate that influence. Librarians in all types of institutions should find these works not only interesting but valuable to their collections.