whiteriver girl asked:


I want to learn how to do this. I want to do genealogy searches not only for myself, but for others. How can I learn how to find good information?

Teresa

Michael Cestaro asked:


Researching Your Family History in Italy: Genealogy 101

By: Michael Cestaro*

 For most Americans of Italian descent, obtaining information about their ancestors can be quite daunting or seem even impossible when they have to reach past Ellis Island and start poking around in Italy.  But truth be told, in most situations, a researcher armed with correct data and a bit of patience, can gain access to an abundance of information that can provide great insight into his family history. 

 Provided that a researcher has the correct spelling of his ancestor’s name and the date and place where the event (i.e., birth, marriage or death) took place, it is possible to obtain copies of documents that are well over a 100 years old.  In a rather ironic way, it is Italy’s history of bureaucracy and the Italian government’s obsession with forms and details that can come back to benefit the individual who is searching his Italian roots tenfold. 

 Generally speaking, most Italian documents that recorded a birth, marriage or death around and prior to the turn of the century, did so in a very formalistic way.  The end result of this method was an inclusion of useful details such as maiden names, street addresses, witnesses to the event, occupations of the parties, and the names of those present at the recording of the event (including even the mayor and town officials) in the document.  In addition, other details, such as whether the parties were capable of reading and writing, were sometimes hand-written onto the documents.  For the individual searching his family history, access to all of this type of information can be like winning the genealogical jackpot.

 So exactly where are these documents kept and what information does a researcher need?

 Italian birth, marriage and death certificates are kept on file at the Office of Vital Statistics of the comune or town where the event occurs. When a document is requested, it is normally provided in an estratto per riassunto form, which is an extract of the most relevant information recorded at the comune.  For those interested in merely obtaining dual citizenship, this is the form that most consulates will require as part of their application process.          

 For somebody doing genealogical research, however, the better form is the copia integrale.  Unlike the estratto, the copia integrale includes the many invaluable details in which the genealogical researcher would most probably be interested.  It is important to note that under Italian law, a copia integrale is only available if the event occurred more than 75 years ago.

 Beyond birth, marriage and death certificates, military records can be fertile ground for genealogical exploration.  Italian military records, for the most part, are kept in provincial archives, unlike birth, marriage and death certificates, which are stored at the local level.   If an individual’s ancestor served in the military, conscription and service records are likely to include information such as his physical description, town of residence, parents’ names, profession and educational level, as well as a chronological history of service from conscription to discharge.

 Once an individual has conquered the task of obtaining his ancestor’s document, the next hurdle may be deciphering the handwriting on the document.  Because these documents may predate the invention of the typewriter or were prepared in a town that did not have a typewriter at the time (yes, there was a time when a manual typewriter was considered cutting edge technology), reading the handwriting on the document may present its own challenge.  Still, with a bit of effort and the use of a computer’s zoom function, even this obstacle can be overcome.

 For those seriously thinking of looking into their family history or who are at the point in their research where they must now search in Italy, a basic understanding of the types of documents that are available and where they are stored is essential.   Genealogical research into one’s family history can be a fun hobby that may be challenging at times, but is undeniably rewarding on so many levels and for a variety of reasons. 

 *Michael Cestaro is the President and CEO of Your Italian Heritage, LLC.  You can learn more about the company and its services by visiting www.youritalianheritage.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Tracy

Mark Jordan asked:


There are several good sources for genealogy research in York County Pennsylvania, if you don’t mind doing the legwork of hands-on research. The bulk of the information is located around the City of York itself. This article will discuss the physical locations for research, not on-line resources. As in most Pennsylvania counties there is not an overwhelming amount of material in any one place, nor at the county or local libraries. To find more material, once the following resources have been exhausted, research can be done at the Pennsylvania State Library and Pennsylvania Archives, located in Harrisburg, not far from York.

Here are the York County resources and what they contain. The listed Market Street and George Street resources are not far apart, and within walking distance of each other. The first four sources are the most valuable to genealogists who are researching York records.

York County Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans’ Court, York County Judicial Center, 45 North George Street, York, PA 17401; 717-771-9607. Hours are 8:00AM to 4:30 PM, Monday-Friday.

They have Probate and Marriage records from 1749.

York County Prothonotary / Clerk of Court of Common Pleas, York County Judicial Center, 45 North George Street, York, PA 17401; 717-771-9611. Hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday-Friday.

They have Court Records from 1749, including unpaid debt complaints, malpractice actions, mortgage foreclosures, personal injury cases, equity actions, district justice civil judgment appeals, license suspension appeals, administrative agency appeals, condemnation proceedings, family court matters such as divorce, child custody and protection from abuse cases and Liens against real estate and personal property.

York County Recorder of Deeds, Administrative Center, 28 East Market St., York, PA 17401-1590; 717-771-9644. Hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday-Friday.

They have Land Records from 1749 and some other records, including Deeds, mortgages, releases, easements (rights-of-way), subdivisions, restrictions, Notary Bonds and Commissions, Military Service Discharges, public and elected county officers.

York County Heritage Trust / York County Historical Society, 250 East Market St., York, PA 17401; 717-848-1587. Hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Tuesday-Saturday. These two organizations have combined. They have over 7500 Surname Files, containing clippings of weddings, obituaries and engagements, short genealogies, family group and pedigree sheets and copies of documents and photos. Each Surname File has five index cards which include abstracts from church records, cemetery records, Will books, pre-1800 tax records, and some other sources. The have a large library of published family books, published indexes, local and church histories and back issues of genealogy publications.

York County Archives, 105 Pleasant Acres Road, York, PA 17402; 717-840-7224. Hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

They have some duplicate information available also at the above locations. They have Estate Files, Marriage Records, Naturalization Records, Tax Records, Birth Records, Bond Books, Clerk of Court Dockets, Death Records and many more records.

York County Library System. There are many local libraries in York County but most have very little genealogy information. Some may have local history information or newspapers on microfilm. Several have uncataloged items, so call ahead to found out. Two of the better libraries to check out are:

• Martin Library, 159 East Market Street, York, PA 17401; 717-846-5300. Hours vary, call ahead.

• Guthrie Memorial Library, 2 Library Place, Hanover, PA 17331; 717-632-5183. Hours vary, call ahead. They have a Pennsylvanian Reading Room, for genealogy, with Hanover and York newspapers 1815-present, on microfilm, as well as area tax lists 1818-1849, Sanborn insurance maps 1886-1949, York County Will Index 1749-1940, and York County Census records from 1790-1930, including 1890.

LDS Family History Center, 2100 Hollywood Drive, York, PA; 717-846-4539.

Hours are M, W, Th 9AM-1PM, T, W 7PM to 9PM, Th 5:30PM-8PM, Sat 9AM-3PM.

Closed Tuesday morning at this time. Not a lot there yet, but growing. It’s worth checking out if you are near. They have access to all LDS software, family files, reference books, old documents on microfilm, etc.



Wilma

amiableaimlessamy asked:


It seems to me this forum is for genealogy questions not insulting other peoples religions. And if you are going to comment on subjects i.e. religion know what your’re talking about first. Otherwise you just sound like fools. I am not of the religion that is constantly reviled here but my religion says you don’t have to agree but respect others right to believe the way they want. I wonder what our forefathers really fought and died for? It certainly doesn’t seem to be freedom of religion.

Curtis

Courtney asked:


My boyfriend is very much interested in genealogy and I want to get him a genealogy gift for Christmas. If I buy him genealogy software, such as Legacy, will he be able to search for ancestors? Or is genealogy software only a way to organize family trees? Also, what is a good genealogy search site that I could buy him a subscription to? Thanks for any help.

Kimberly

femalegtrst asked:


I don’t read Cyrllic writing. I’m not a beginner on genealogy. I’m in the United States. They arrived in New York in 1864.

Nathaniel

sam asked:


What is the best site to post a genealogy question re my Great uncle Josef (Jozsef) Kiraly born Hungary or Romania around 1900
Thanks
sam

Dennis

Jedi Lizard asked:


I’m just looking into different software to organize my genealogy. What software do you use and why?

Cindy

Alice asked:


My background is academics and writing, and my passion is genealogy. How do I use research and writing skills to help other people discover their family history? Are there job sites for this field?

Christian

The Devil’s Reject asked:


And of everything you’ve purchased, what do you find has helped you the most in your research?

Charlene