Taylor Street Archives (TSA) founder and editor Vince Romano recently began upgrading the TSA website to make it more visually appealing. He also continues to collect stories and information from Italian-Americans with ties to the Taylor Street/Little Italy community, which he adds to the site on an ongoing basis.

Romano started this historical preservation effort in 2004 because he felt that “someone has to do this, because if we didn’t, nobody will ever remember we were here,” he said.

Since 2006, he has put all the TSA information online at www.taylorstreetarchives.com so that anyone interested can access the data he has compiled.

Besides gathering personal stories and photos from current and former residents of Taylor Street/Little Italy, Romano has encouraged contributors to share details about their families, everyday life, and neighborhood groups. He has created a family tree so those who wish to be involved can send in their family history to be included on one of its many branches.

Romano also has instituted an annual $1,000 scholarship program for Italian-American students and created a TSA teacher resource section with historical documents that can be used in classrooms.

He offers opportunities for people and institutions to become TSA sponsors as well.

Currently, Romano is gathering photos to create a TSA book, which he hopes to publish by the end of this year. His passion for local history extends to other institutions dedicated to preserving the past. For example, Romano is working to make Italian-American history within the Taylor Street community more prominent in the Hull-House Museum.

In the meantime, Romano constantly seeks additional historical information.

“Stories from all generations are welcomed,” he said. To submit photos, stories, and other information or to become a TSA sponsor, log on to the website or contact Romano at (312) 827-6554 or (312) 218-4044 or vromano@taylorstreetarchives.com.

- Julie Sammarco