peonygirl wrote:Well, it is been very interesting reading through this thread. ... Ken, I use FamilySearch extensively. .... They also have guides, wikis, and will allow you to browse through the un-indexed files which is great. I go by province, year and then just do the grunt work of looking image by image.
I agree, FamilySearch is a wonderful contribution to the genealogy community. They have the largest collection of Italian records I've found (by far!). I do most of my work there, then use other sources (like Ancestry) to fill in the blanks. Unfortunately, no NO/SO records on Antenati for my locations. The FamilySearch Italian Genealogy video is a "must watch" for anyone who wants to read the records.
I hear you about "grunt work". Many years have an index at year end that makes it a little less painful. I've been through both the Madesimo and Verceia birth records from 1866-1900 to build out my family (plus some death and marriage entries). I found my grandfather, his parents and 10 siblings (6 previously unknown). I also found another 80-100 Pedroncellis, and want to figure out how they fit in the puzzle (uncles, aunts, cousins, etc). This family is especially "fun" because births and deaths occur in 2 town about 35 km (20 mi) apart. They spent June-Nov in the mountains (Madesimo) and Dec-May in the valley (Verceia). So records tend to be in the Comune based on the date of event. It took a while to decipher that riddle. I've since discovered some family members spent the winter in Piantedo instead of Verceia, so more research to come.
My grandmothers family is from Cavaglio d'Agogna. I wish I could get FamilySearch to unlock the digital images so I didn't I have to go to a LDS FHC to view them.
If you really want some fun, look at the images from Asti (AS). They are organized completely different than the others I've seen. They have each year for the entire region on one film. The Communes seems to be in reverse alphabetical order by the Commune's second letter, then chronologically forward by date. If there's a pattern, I haven't figure it out. I just keep clicking on the title pages until I find the one I want.
Buona notte,
-Ken
Researching surnames Pedroncelli and Pilatti in Sondrio; Cantoia in Novara; Penna in Asti.
