CASAGRANDE - Costacciaro

[scottphillips2]

Hello all,

I am new to this forum and have been working on my genealogy for a couple of years now. Am beginning to now focus on my wife's Italian family (D'AQUILA, CASAGRANDE, BRUNETTI, ROSSI).

I have read about the assigning of the name Casagrande from orpanages, but am still working this line of the family.

I have great grandfather Bernardino (1884 (Italy) - 1958 (Minnesota)) married to Annuziata (ROSSI) Casagrande (1886 (Costacciaro) - 1952 Minnesota)). First son, Mario A., was born in Costacciaro in 1905, so I believe that they were married in Cosacciaro -- although Bernardino went back and forth from the US to Italy at least in 1902, 1905, 1912, and stayed there from 1912 until 1922, with Annuziata following in 1924.

I am seeking suggestions as to the best manner in which to proceed to look for Bernardino's family. I see him on ship's passages with many cousin references, but without some better background on his Italian family I cannot move on these folks.


THANKS!

Scott

[oilman19]

Hello Scott

Welcome to the forum.

I looked at the Family History Center Library and found they have a limited number of microfilms for Costacciaro that can be rented at a local center. However, I did note that they seem to have the one film you need to get started. Film #209702 seems to have much info from the early 1900's for Costacciaro.
The microfilm will be in Italian, but there are many resources available at your FHC and also here on the forum to assist you.
Good luck on your search.

[Italysearcher]

Many of the records filmed are from the Tribunale which usually means that records lost during WW2 were reconstructed by the residents.
I don't want to discourage you from looking but be aware that people born there who had already left for USA did not usually reconstruct their records so you may not find what you are looking for.
Parish records are your other option.

[scottphillips2]

Thanks Jim. I am not able to get out to a FHC Library, but I appreciate that suggestion.

Ann, I trust that Parish records are only on hand in Italy?

Scott

[oilman19]

You are welcome, Scott.

Ann, is that the reason there is such a gap in available records for this town? I looked at the list with suspicion, but didn't know the reason. I continue to learn.
Thank you

[Italysearcher]

I understand that after WW2 Tribunals were set up all over Italy to assist with the reconstruction of civil records. Some small towns went as far as to use the parish records, others relied on the citizens to show up at the Tribunal with whatever proof they had, or simply just to swear the information was accurate. Who knows if the whole truth was told!
Occasionally someone who went to USA or UK returned to Italy to reconstruct their records because they needed them for pension or passport purposes. If that didn't happen you won't find anything and if the church records were also destroyed, as in Cassino, there is not much you can do.

[oilman19]

I am so thankful that my ancestral town has such a complete set of documents and they have been microfilmed. I could never have made the progress I have realized without them. Finding the birth record of an ancestor is a very special moment. I have been blessed with good fortune.