Getting Started

Are you looking for an Italian surname? Do you need more information about your family heritage?
This is the right place to start your genealogy search.
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rjdellamano
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Getting Started

Post by rjdellamano »

Hello Everyone!
I am new to this site, and I'm sure you've all seen this question before, but:
How do I get started finding my relatives in Italy? I have my grandfather's name and city he was born in, my grandmother's name and city she was born in, I think all of their sibling's names, and all of my grandparent's children's names.
Thanks in advance .
Bob
vj
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Re: Getting Started

Post by vj »

Hi Bob, welcome to the forum!

This may help you locate family currently living in Italy.

Italian White Pages
Cognome o nome Azienda = Surname
Dove = Location (optional)

Click on red button Cerca

LDS Family Search Letter Writing Guide

Form Letter to a Possible Relative

If you would like to write your own letter - post it on the forum for some
translation assistance. (under Italian language, handwriting , script & translations)
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rjdellamano
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Re: Getting Started

Post by rjdellamano »

Thanks for the start VJ.
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Romano1970
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Re: Getting Started

Post by Romano1970 »

Hi rjdellamano.

If you do have a hard go of it and you get stuck. There a MANY very intellegent people on this forum who will do whatever they can for you to help.

Example, I was new to this site on april 29th of this year. Looking for my relatives in Sicily and within two weeks I had more information on them then I could imagine. Within two weeks after that I was talking to some of my cousins in Sicily by way of email and letters.

Without the help of these fine people I would have never found them.

I will do what I can to help you too. ( I am still wet behind the ears here :D )
Michael Romano

Chi va piano va sano e va lontano

Those who go slowly, go safely and go far

Looking for family history in Piazza Armerina, Aidone, and Musomelli Sicily.
Names researching: Romano, Nigrelli, Ristagno, Piazza Maida Triolo.
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Romano1970
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Re: Getting Started

Post by Romano1970 »

Also look at my first Forum.

"Looking for my ancestors in Sicily"

You will see the dates and how much help I recieved!!!!!!!
Michael Romano

Chi va piano va sano e va lontano

Those who go slowly, go safely and go far

Looking for family history in Piazza Armerina, Aidone, and Musomelli Sicily.
Names researching: Romano, Nigrelli, Ristagno, Piazza Maida Triolo.
nuccia
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Re: Getting Started

Post by nuccia »

rjdellamano wrote:Hello Everyone!
I am new to this site, and I'm sure you've all seen this question before, but:
How do I get started finding my relatives in Italy? I have my grandfather's name and city he was born in, my grandmother's name and city she was born in, I think all of their sibling's names, and all of my grandparent's children's names.
Thanks in advance .
Bob
Are you looking for living relatives or did you want to locate information on past ancestors? If you are looking for older records there are several routes you can take.

The first thing I can suggest (and it sounds like you have already started it) is to write down everything you know. Start with yourself and work backwards and chart everything on a pedigree sheet.

You may also want to invest or download many of the free genealogy software programs available on the net like PAF by family search or family tree maker.

Then I would look at the www.familysearch.org site and see what, if any information has already been done and if its available online. You will also be able to order microfilms from the Family History Libraries able near you for a small fee. Once you receive the films you need you will be able to look through copies of actual birth, marriage or death acts of the people that were born in those years in those towns. You may get lucky.

Another option is to actually write to the comune of your ancestors using the info you know and request copies of those records. There is usually no charge for this information.

Hope this helps. :D
nuccia - IG Moderator
Italian Surname Database
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rjdellamano
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Re: Getting Started

Post by rjdellamano »

Thanks Romano and Nuccia for all the help. To answer your question Nuccia; I am looking for living relatives in the hope that I can correspond with them, and then visit them in Italy.
Sounds like that's what you're doing Romano.
Bob
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Essgee
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Re: Getting Started

Post by Essgee »

Don't forget to read vj's post.

You should be able to find people in the comune with the same surnames as yours and you can write them, using the info vj provided...or pick up the phone and call them...You have nothing to loose!
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Re: Getting Started

Post by nuccia »

rjdellamano wrote:Thanks Romano and Nuccia for all the help. To answer your question Nuccia; I am looking for living relatives in the hope that I can correspond with them, and then visit them in Italy.
Sounds like that's what you're doing Romano.
Bob
You're very welcome. Always glad to help as are all the members here. If you are uncomfortable with phoning complete strangers, you may want to consider letter writing. Perhaps enclose a copy of your pedigree and see if that helps at all. Use the white pages for addresses.

Please, feel free to ask if you have any other questions.
nuccia - IG Moderator
Italian Surname Database
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rjdellamano
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Re: Getting Started

Post by rjdellamano »

Well, I've located several Dellamanos using the White Pages, most of whom are located in the same area north of Milan.
So now I guess I'll start drafting some letters!
Thanks everyone, and I'll let you know how things go.
If anyone has anymore tips, I sure would appreciate it.
Thanks again.
Bob
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Re: Getting Started

Post by nuccia »

Thats great Bob!

Keep us posted on your progress and let us know if we can be of any help to you. :)
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