VENTRELLA from Montrone, Adelfia in Bari

[AnnaMV0801]

I am just starting to do some international research on my family tree and would appreciate some advice on where to begin.

My paternal grandfather, Giuseppe "Joseph" VENTRELLA (b. 1894), came to the U.S. in the early 1900s from the village of Montrone in the town of Adelfia in the Bari region. I know that at least one older sister, Mariantonia "Anna" (b. 1881), and one older brother, Trifone "Tony" (b. 1891), also came over. Joe and Trifone both eventually settled in CA; Mariantonia settled in NY. From ship passenger info, their parents were listed as Francesco VENTRELLA and Bruna PAGONE.

Grandpa Joe died before I was born, Uncle Trifone died when I was only 3, and I never met Mariantonia. My dad had a couple of old photos that he identified as Francesco and Bruna with another daughter, Carmen, and used to tell me they stayed in Bari. Unfortunately that's where the info stopped, as my dad died when I was 10. I have found a cousin, a grandson of Mariantonia, and we have shared some photos and been able to verify bits and pieces of info, but neither of us have much detail nor know where to find more.

Where I should start to look for information on Francesco VENTRELLA and Bruna PAGONE? What questions should I ask? I'm thinking I should start with looking for birth records for my grandfather and his siblings? I have plenty of time to put into research right now, but a sadly limited budget.

Thank you in advance for any advice you may be able to provide!
Anna

[Italysearcher]

Write to the town of Adelfia http://www.comune.adelfia.gov.it/settor ... -generali/
Head of the Anagrafe is:-
Anna Cantacessi
e-mail: anna.cantacessi@comune.adelfia.gov.it
n. tel.: 080.4598302

Request the birth records of the relatives who stayed in Italy. It should have notations of who they married and when they died.
After that check the white pages www.paginebianche.it to see if there are any names that might fit.

[AnnaMV0801]

Thank you very much! I just sent an email.

[vj]

Hey Anna!
If you should need letters in Italan, these links may help
Valarie

Requesting records:

Italian form letter generator with instructions:
http://www.circolocalabrese.org/resourc ... civile.asp

Other helpful form letters:
http://www.angelfire.com/ok3/pearlsofwi ... tters.html
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And
Form Letter to a Possible Relative

[AnnaMV0801]

Thank you, Valarie! I was going to ask yesterday, but in searching the board found this and other links to be very helpful.

Italian form letter generator with instructions:
http://www.circolocalabrese.org/resourc ... civile.asp

I used to work for an Italian owned company and had the advantage of having a translator available. I miss that opportunity since I can only read and understand a bit of the language, not speak or write properly. I need to learn!

Anna