surnames on 1862-1876 map

[joetucciarone]

Last year, bbivona posted a link to an interactive Italian map from 1862-1876 in the “Locations in Italy” forum. I’m reposting it here because it’s a terrific genealogical resource. In many places on the map, the surnames of landowners are listed. For example, this is a link to an area about 22 miles north of Naples:

https://mapire.eu/en/map/italy-1862/?la ... .807196228

Near the center of the map are “Mass. Fontana,” “Mass. Massari” and Mass. Pastore.” I believe “mass.” is an abbreviation for “masseria,” a fortified farmhouse or country house. So, these are the estates of the Fontana, Massari and Pastore families. There are many other surnames in this area and in other places on the peninsula. I found my family names in the country around my ancestral hometowns of Minturno and Termini-Imerese (Sicily).

[joetucciarone]

The link in my previous post is for southern Italy only. The link below takes you to northern Sicily near Palermo but you can zoom out and see all of Italy and Europe. I zoomed into my wife’s ancestral hometown in Scotland and found her surnames on the map:

https://mapire.eu/en/map/europe-19centu ... Hr4fqtJbhk

The area surrounding Lecce (in Puglia) is dotted with many masseria (abbreviated “mass.”):

https://mapire.eu/en/map/europe-19centu ... Hr4fqtJbhk

The area between Rome and Tivoli is dotted with numerous casali (farmhouses), each one denoted by “casale” on the map:

https://mapire.eu/en/map/europe-19centu ... Hr4fqtJbhk

These maps are interactive; you can zoom in or out, and drag your way across to other areas.

[MarcuccioV]

I used the bottom link to search around my ancestors hometown of Valmontone. No Massari or casali in the area. Only a few "colle" (hills). There are a few names with just a "C" before them, perhaps they are the casale.

Almost all my ancestors were merely 'tenant farmers' (contadini). I think a few owned some smaller parcels, but I don't think many of the death acts listed anyone as a "possidente" (landowner)...

A little ways to the west is a "Colle Mezzo". Mezzo is a surname on my grandmother's direct maternal line but I don't know if that's a family name or just a descriptor ('half'). I don't see any other surnames from the town, except one or two similar forms, but not the exact names...

[joetucciarone]

Sorry you're having so little luck. Some parts of the peninsula show very few surnames while others are full of them. I'm particularly lucky with my Sicilian background; many of the towns there are surrounded by surnames, particularly in the northwest around Palermo and Termini-Imerese. Unlike on the peninsula, these names aren't preceded by "casale" or "mass." But they are family names; I've found a half dozen of mine there.

[joetucciarone]

Hey darkerhorse - a few months ago you asked (on the "Locations in Italy" forum) if anyone was researching Bari. If you're watching, this part of the 1862-1876 interactive map shows a number of masseria (with family names) near there:

https://mapire.eu/en/map/europe-19centu ... Hr4fqtJbhk

[MarcuccioV]

Sorry you're having so little luck. Some parts of the peninsula show very few surnames while others are full of them. I'm particularly lucky with my Sicilian background; many of the towns there are surrounded by surnames, particularly in the northwest around Palermo and Termini-Imerese. Unlike on the peninsula, these names aren't preceded by "casale" or "mass." But they are family names; I've found a half dozen of mine there.

No worries. The whole research thing has been a struggle from the beginning. I'm simply not in a financial position at the moment to pay anyone for further research...

[bbivona]

It really is a great resource that I use quite a bit. On a large, high quality monitor, clicking the button on the map for full screen mode, it is really amazing.

[joetucciarone]

It is a fantastic resource for a map & history buff like me. Thanks again for showing it!

[DCPandaFan]

These Italy maps are a digitized version of maps originally produced by L'Istituto Geografico Militare. They are incredibly detailed, drawn to scale, and show land elevations and even the types of crops planted, as well as local place names.

[darkerhorse]

Hey darkerhorse - a few months ago you asked (on the "Locations in Italy" forum) if anyone was researching Bari. If you're watching, this part of the 1862-1876 interactive map shows a number of masseria (with family names) near there:

https://mapire.eu/en/map/europe-19centu ... Hr4fqtJbhk

Thanks.

[darkerhorse]

The Schmettau-map of Sicily loads upside dow.

When I rotate the map, east and west are flipped.

Is there any way to correct this?