Document from Provincia di Cosenza

[jennabet]

Received mail today from Provincia di Cosenza. They were thoughtful enough to reply "raccomendata" (certified), even though we sent no money. We had to sign for it at the post office. This is the fourth response we have received from the region of Calabria. All responses have been timely (within three weeks) and totally free. It seems they can't do enough in Calabria to help Italian-Americans interested in knowing more about their families. The efficiency is impressive.

[nuccia]

I find that many of the Town Halls in the Cosenza are very good at responding quickly. And I have had a few even reply to my fax and email requests - sometimes with 9 days of making the request! Unfortunately, those in Reggio Calabria are not as timely. Some have taken months - and some not at all.

Then again I had one Comuni reply to an email within a week and actually asked me if there was anything else I needed and I should feel free to email them again anytime. That was impressive!

[jennabet]

Ciao. The website looks very nice. Yes, they are very gracious in Calabria -- and probably do the best Tarantella. Ho parenti vicino a Toronto. Sono Abruzzese arrivano a Canada 1960.

[msoetinger]

Nuccia- I am trying to learn more about Reggio calabria as that is where My Grandfather immigrated from. I do not know where to start to find the location of his birth.Is Reggio Large? does it contain small villages or towns. Where would you write to? Thanks for any help you can give me. I wrote only once to Casalduni, Benevento. I received an answer in about 4-6 weeks.Thanks, Michelle

[johnnyonthespot]

Città di Reggio Calabria is a comune located at the very tip of the toe of Italy's boot. It has a population of about 186,000 persons and contains a number of small named neighborhoods or frazioni. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reggio_Calabria

Provincia di Reggio Calabria is the larger province of which Città di Reggio Calabria is the capital city. The province's population is some 566,000 persons; the province includes 96 comuni in addition to the capital of Città di Reggio Calabria. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Province_o ... o_Calabria

If your ancestor was from anywhere in Città di Reggio Calabria, you can write directly to:

Ufficio dello Stato Civile
Città di Reggio Calabria
Palazzo Demografici
Via Torrione Prolungamento 2/N
89100 Reggio Calabria (RC)
ITALY

email: servizidemografici@comune.reggio-calabria.it
web: http://www.reggiocal.it

If he was from one of the 96 other comuni of Provincia di Reggio Calabria, then it will be necessary to determine which one before you can procede in any meaningful way.

[nuccia]

Nuccia- I am trying to learn more about Reggio calabria as that is where My Grandfather immigrated from. I do not know where to start to find the location of his birth.Is Reggio Large? does it contain small villages or towns. Where would you write to? Thanks for any help you can give me. I wrote only once to Casalduni, Benevento. I received an answer in about 4-6 weeks.Thanks, Michelle

Hi Michelle!
Can you tell what your grandfather's name was and your grandmother's surname? Approximate dates of births? I will try and determine where they were from or at least guide you to where you can look.

[msoetinger]

Nuccia- I really appreciate your help. His name is John ( ? Giovanni) DeMaria. He was born in either Reggio Di Calabria or Reggio Calabria. His date of birth was September 12th, 1884. I think he immigrated to the U.S. around 1904. He met and married my Grandmother here in the U.S. He died in the United States on 11/4/1959 in Philadelphia, Pa. I beleive he may have come to Philadelphia because his sister was here. I was lead to beleive there were only two children in his family. I do not know his parents names. I thank you in advance for your help. Grazie, Michelle Silvestri-Oetinger.

[msoetinger]

Johnnyonthespot!! Thanks, I will look into all that you have sent me. I am very grateful for your help. I have only written once to Italy and it has been a good experience. I got what I requested in about 4-6 weeks. I am actually leaving for Italy on the 28th but will be in Tuscany for this visit/ then to Milan. Grazie. Michelle Silvestri-Oetinger

[nuccia]

I think Giovanni was from Rogiano Gravina Cosenza, not Reggio Calabria. De Maria is a surname common to the province of Cosenza - and his ship manifest looks like it could say Rogliano Philadelphia.
http://www.ellisisland.org/search/shipM ... 2648100959
Found what I think is his Naturalization Papers..
Be right back..

[nuccia]

[msoetinger]

Nuccia- YES!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is him!! My mother is listed on the Petition for Naturalization - She is Giulia.Wow, It brought tears to my eyes. Now, I can pursue finding his parents. Do you think I should try to get the copies from LDS? Or write to Italy. Since I know it is Rogiano Gravina, Cosenza- I would think it might make the search easier. This is wonderful!!! Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!