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

Shakora Malik asked:


With hundreds of genealogy charts, websites, computer programs, databases and subscription services, it can be intimidating to know where and how to begin a genealogy search. There are sites online that provide birth, marriage and death records and you can fill in the gaps with census records, military records, county records and cemeteries. But where does one begin?

Follow these tips to get a head start on your family’s history search.

1. Collect what you have

Before you leap into the mass of information available, collect and organize the information you have. This includes birth and marriage certificates, wills, maiden names, burial records and baptismal certificates.

2. Contact your current relatives

Once you have some information, contact your relatives and ask for any documents or helpful information that they may be able to provide. Do they have copies of birth certificates? Do they have contact information or knowledge of any family legends?

To obtain birth certificates, marriage records and death certificates, you need to know the mother’s Maiden name and the county in which the event took place. If you do not have this information, ask your relatives. Below are some documents that may be useful to your research:

Documents that your relatives may have:

- Birth, death or marriage records

- Journals or diaries

- Family photo albums or bibles

Remember to contact both your close relatives as well as your distant relatives. Another relative may have already started a genealogy search and then given up–you might find a relative who is eager to help you with your family history search.

3.  Begin the search!

You can find information online through a variety of websites. There are family history websites and genealogical websites dedicated to family history, many of which are subscription-based services. Expect to spend thirty or forty dollars on these services. You may also want to look at websites that offer public record information online for a nominal fee.

Records that may be available online:

- Census records

- Military records

- Hospital records

- Wills and deeds

- Emigration and immigration records

- Tip: Many databases online require a payment for their services. Before you pay to use any service, do a quick online research to make sure the company is reputable and safe.

University and state libraries are also great resources, as are family history libraries. You may be able to find relevant newspaper articles, history books that trace migrations, microfilms or records at these locations.

When conducting a family history search online or in the library, it is useful to know the full name of any deceased relatives, as well as the county and state where they are buried. Of course, this information may not be available at your fingertips. Remember, don’t get discouraged! Conducting a family history search can be time-consuming, but overall it can be a very valuable and rewarding experience. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your local librarian or your relatives. They will likely be more than willing and happy to help. If you stumble on an aspect of your search, you can also turn to the internet–there are many discussion groups online that focus on genealogy.



Judith

Bill Protresi asked:


Studies have confirmed that most of the identity thefts happen through the literal theft by friends, fellow workers, relatives, purses or mails, or fraudulent address changes. Identity theft is also known to happen to people who are slack about their own genealogical data, and are also casual about protecting other people’s genealogical data as well. The actual truth is that anybody can find out anything about you if they want to, especially if they try hard enough.

There are several ways that can be used to protect your identity, as well as that of other family members. The most basic method to guard one’s self from falling victim to identity theft is by simply changing your secret question and answer. Most people normally use their maiden names as their password for their online personal information. If an identity thief wanted your maiden name, he would simply go to the courthouse and he will access your marriage certificate very comfortably.

Some people use your name from where you went to school. It is very easy accessing such information if someone really wanted to get your personal identifiers. Therefore people should try to be more technical when it comes to question and answer sections, especially when it’s for your password.

Most researchers share files among themselves. It’s only prudent to always privatize files you share with others so that you are able to prevent the inclusion of living people’s personal details such as names and date of birth.

This could act as an easy source of information for would be identity thieves who will have it served on a silver platter if such information is left open to the public. Always try and exclude living people from your data base; if not, have two data bases. This is important because their personal information is not meant for the public, and who knows when an identity thief could be reading and getting ideas.

It’s good to exercise confidentiality with others, and demand it of them. This way you will avoid putting other people’s personal information in harms way. Therefore it’s now a law that sharing the information of living people, without a signed assurance from the recipient that that information will not be shared with others, is an offense.

It’s increasingly becoming very important to store important documents in a secure place, especially those that involve financial materials as well as the family members and your current personal identifiers. Don’t go around carrying original identity materials, especially when they are not needed. Carry photocopies if you really have to, otherwise leave them in a secure place to limit chances of becoming a victim of identity theft.

Just to keep a tab on your financial activities, request your financial report at least once a year as it will help you identify any irregularities or fraudulent activities should there be any. ? ?



Brandon