Simonetti from Melfi

[dsimo]

In September, my father will be visiting Melfi where his father (my grandfather) was born. I am trying to help him obtain the following information:

- address where my grandfather was born;
- address where he lived;
- where my grandfather's parents (my great grandparents) were married and are burried;
- correct first name of my great grandmother (listed as Cacalano on one birth certificate and Catalano on another).

According to my grandfather's birth certificate (which I have):
- my grandfather's name on his birth certificate is Donatantonio Simonetti, son of Alessandro & Cacalano Grazia Maria.
- he was born on June 13, 1905.
- the birth certificate was issued by Comune Di Melfi, Provincia Di Potenza.

According to my grandfather's sister's birth certificate (which I have):
- her name was Paolina Simonetti
- daughter of Alessandro and Catalano Grazia Maria
- she was born on July 1, 1908
- the birth certificate was issued by Comune Di Melfi, Provincia Di Potenza.

I am looking for suggestions on where to go from here. Is there a trustworthy service I can enlist to find the information? Any help you could provide would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thank you,
Dan Simonetti

[johnnyonthespot]

You say you have your grandparent's "birth certificates" - these come in a couple of different flavors, primarily:

Birth/marriage/death photocopies of original registry pages are called: Copia integrale dell'atto di Nascita/Matrimonio/Morte. These are more difficult to read but contain lots of additional useful information compared to...

Birth/marriage/death computer-generated (sometimes hand-written) extracts are: Estratto Per Riassunto Per Atto Di Nascita/Matrimonio/Morte

The copia integrale will give the place of birth - usually a street name and somtimes a house number as well. Presuming that you do not currently have copia integrale, your father might be able to obtain them by visiting the "ufficio di stato civile" in the town's "municipio" - municipal offices - and requesting same. You can email or call ahead to see what the hours are (many government offices have limited hours):

Comune di Melfi - Ufficio dello Stato Civile Personnel:

Sig.ra Giase Carmela
Tel. 0972.251229
Fax. 0972.251228
Email: giase.c@comunemelfi.it

Sig. Albanese Angelo
Tel. 0972.251227
Fax. 0972.251228
Email: albanese.a@comunemelfi.it

You can also write to the comune and request that they mail you the copia integrale now. Write, in Italian, to:

Ufficio dello Stato Civile
Comune di Melfi
Piazza Pasquale Festa Campanile
85025 Melfi PZ
ITALY

It is a good idea to include a large self-addressed (but not stamped) envelope; make certain the final line of your address says "STATI UNITI D'AMERICA - USA" (presuming, of course, that you are in the US). Sample letters can be found at:

http://www.circolocalabrese.org/resourc ... /index.asp

http://www.angelfire.com/ok3/pearlsofwi ... talrecords


PS: The comune's website is at http://www.comune.melfi.pz.it/#/?oggett ... 844812&x=0

The Italian telephone directory is online at http://www.paginebianche.it/execute.cgi ... i&dv=melfi. There are many Simonetti's listed in Melfi; no doubt some of them are relatives of yours.

Some photos of Melfi: http://www.google.com/search?q=melfi&rl ... 24&bih=690

[dsimo]

Carmine - thank you very much for that information and the quick reply. I'm sending out the letters today as you suggested.

Generally speaking, what are my chances at receiving a response from these people. The first link you provided paints a fairly dim picture. Is there a better alternative (i.e., hiring a service) to do this. I only have three months to get this info and I can't send my father there in person (he'll never be able to figure it out).

One other question - any suggestions on how he can get from Amalfi to Melfi without driving himself - is there a train, can he hire a driver, etc.?

Thanks again,
Dan

[johnnyonthespot]

Every comune is different: some respond to certificate requests in a matter of days, most in a matter of a few weeks to a few months, some never at all.

You might try sending an email to one of the addresses in my previous post with a simple:

.
Gent.mo Sig. Albanese (or Gen.le Sig.ra Giase),

Parla inglese?

Distinti saluti,

(your name and basic address / "Stati Uniti d'America")

If you can get a "Yes, we can speak english with you" response; you can continue on by explaining your situation and requesting their help in expediting your request for documents.

One other question - any suggestions on how he can get from Amalfi to Melfi without driving himself - is there a train, can he hire a driver, etc.?

Wow, I don't think this is going to be very easy to do. My best guess would be to take a train from Amalfi to Potenza and then a bus north from Potenza to Melfi. I know the train exists (see http://orario.trenitalia.com/b2c/nppPri ... annel=tcom, and am pretty sure about the bus part but as to schedules, etc, well... http://www.sitabus.it/wps/portal/OrariPotenza

If all this is seems too difficult for your father then hiring a driver/translator would be a logical choice. Perhaps his hotel can recommend someone reliable?

Google maps link showing the general route: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=amalfi+to ... q5hp0WpXwA

[johnnyonthespot]

By the way, when using those sample letters, make certain you change the type of the requested document to "Copia integrale dell'atto di Nascita/Matrimonio/Morte" (choose from Nascita (birth), Matrimonio (marriage), or Morte (death). If you don't do so, you are liable to receive another extract instead.

[dsimo]

Excellent - grazie mille!

[pa3rca]

Dan,

My name is Grace Ann Migliaccio. My Mom Grace was 1st cousins with your Dad Patsy.
My Grandmother was Pauline. Her Brother was your Grandfather Danny. If you still have a copy of my Grandmother Pauline Simonetti McCready's birth certificate can you please scan and send me a copy. It is something I would so love to have. My e-mail is pa3rca@aol.com.

My family has been fractured for years. Thus, I don't have access to my Grandmother birth certificate. My Aunt Aileen thought she had a copy from when my Grandmother visited Italy in 1979.

Thank you.

[adelfio]

Welcome to IG website
Records of Melfi are online on familyhistory.org
PG LINK TO BIRTH RECORD OF PAOLINA SIMONETTI
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/T ... 1232319262

Marty