Any1 Recommend a Great Genealogist based in Southern Italy?

[diPrenda]

Can anyone recommend an excellent genealogist based in Southern Italy? An Italian firm or individual that someone has used or heard about. What sort of fees would be necessary? I want to learn more about the history of my surname and perhaps where my ancestors are from originally.

What are the going rates? I am sure it will cost a lot of money. How to make sure I don't fall prey to a ripoff artist?

Anyway, I want to make sure it is done right and I don't mind paying for top notch research by someone based in Italy.

[Edmondo]

For Avellino, Benevento, Caserta, Napoli and Salerno provinces I can reccomend Joe de Simone.

Qualifications
Born, raised and educated in the US from Italian parents who always maintained close ties with the "old country", Joe de Simone returned to Italy in 1982 to re-establish his roots.

Services
CAMPANIA region specialist: Avellino, Benevento, Caserta, Napoli and Salerno provinces. Post 1809 research through civil and military records, pre 1809 research through notary and church records. Joe de Simone provides quick results (2 to 3 weeks at most).

Fees
From Euros 25 to Euros 35 per hour.

Joe de Simone
54 Via Maria Scarano
Quadrelle Avellino I-83020
Italy Phone:+39 081 8257020 +39 333 9364571
email: joeusa@tin.it
http://www.expertgenealogy.com/simone/home.htm

Also if you are Looking for a holiday appartment in Avelino!

If you contact Joe say hello from me!

[dmcshaw]

How about for Cosenza and Catanzaro areas? Any recommendations for genealogist for these areas?

[JamesBianco]

I don't know if they cover your area, but there are a couple amazing researchers on this forum you might want to contact:

Suanj & Riccardo

http://matera.site.voila.fr/Malerba/italian_origin.htm

& also

http://www.wheretheacornfell.com/index.html

Check out their sites

[SynThea]

Hello!

Just a note to say I have worked with - and HIGHLY RECOMMEND - Joe De Simone for genealogy work in southern Italy.

Would be happy to answer any questions via this forum or through private message.

Sincerely,

[Essgee]

Since you are new to all of this, perhaps it would be best to identify the town of origin and move from there. While genealogists are great to find out things you cannot, it is also worth noting that you can find out a great deal without having to pay for it by doing a bit of the legwork yourself.

Depending upon where in Southern Italy your family hails from...there might be records you can access from the Family History library that will get you on the way. Here are the addresses for the branches in your area:

Taipei Taiwan
3/F, # 7, Lane 85
Chin Shan South Road, Sec 2
Taipei, Taiwan

Taipei Taiwan West
3F, # 5, Lane 183
Chin Hua Street
Taipei, Taiwan
Phone: 886-2-2391-1034

If you will post the first and last names you seek...the ancestor you definately know something about, maybe we can help you identify the spot where they originated. It will cost you nothing and you will have nothing to loose!

[diPrenda]

Essgee: The problem is that I need some genealogical help just to get to the town in Italy. My great-father, Nicola Joseph di Prenda was born in Italy in 1882 and died in 1943 at 75 Pine Street, Montclair, NJ where he lived for most of his live with his large family. His wife was Anna Lungaro and she was born in 1892 and also born in Italy, but they met in the USA. How to find out what town he was from? I can only guess now, by searching on the Italian Telephone books online and see there are many "di Prenda's" living in Aquillonia, Italy now. One problem may arise, that town was devastated in the late 1800's after my ancestor had already left. Might not be the right town though.

Thanks for the heads up on Joe de Simone.

[Biff83]

Possible WWI Draft Card for Nicola diPrenda

Montclair, Essex, NJ
5 Grand St
Nicola diPrenda
DOB 11 Aug 1882
Place of birth Aquilonia Italy

If can verify this is the correct Nicola, you will have his place of birth.

http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/2562 ... ndasj6.jpg

[Biff83]

Possible 1905 Ship Manifest for Nicola Di Prenda

Line 17
Age 25, year of birth about 1880
Place of birth Aquilonia
Destination Newark, NJ to join cousin Gaetano Lot...?, 139 Seventh Ave

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/1249 ... estzd7.jpg

Note manifest markings, possibly pertaining to naturalization?

[diPrenda]

Biff83: that is amazing. I didn't realize it would be that easy. Must be some great resources online. Thats really cool. Thank-you. I will contact some of my relatives to ask for their help to verify the information you provided. By the way, I will be working with Joe DiSimone for the Italian side.