Hi Guys,

So I have been doing some research on my Croatian side, I am getting a book in the works. Anyway, my great grarmother's grandfather came from a town in North Italy called Dolo I think somewhere between Venice and Padova. The family name was Cibola. I have no other info on them other than that my g-g-ggrandfather was Marko Cibola, and was born somewhere around the 1830s I guess. He moved to Croatia prior to 1860. Any ideas how I should go about this? Thanks everyone! Who knew I was from the north too?!

Hi Mike,
Yes, the town of Dolo is between Padova and Venice but under Venice province. I'm not very far from that town, about 20 minutes by car. Your ancestor's first name, Marco (with "c" not "k") is very common in this area because of San Marco in Venice. About his surname, I checked the Italian White Pages and there are 11 Cibola in Veneto region, not in Dolo but in nearby towns. I doubt you could have information from them, too many years
There are microfilms by LDS for Dolo but starting from 1871. The only solution could be the church but I don't know how the priest cooperates with these kind of searches. If you want to write I can find you the address.

BTW, Dolo is a very nice town with many big villas along the river Brenta where in old ages the Venetian aristocrats and the upper class use to spend their vacations.

See this:

Ville del Brenta

and this

Villa Pisani

Ada

Wow Ada, Thanks so much for the info! I didn't think there would be anyone left who knew my family at this point, it was very long ago. I will try writing to the churches and see if they can be of any help, and I would like to write to the municipal offices and see if they have birth certificates back a bit further than just 1871. Do you think there is any chance of that? My town in Sicily has them back to the 1830's, which has been a big help. Do you know where I could write to for that? Or perhaps even an email? Thanks again so much! Who knows, maybe I have some aristocratic blood in me after all?!

Mike,
Congrats on the new information! My friend has roots in that area and has ordered many microfilms from many towns in that area. I will check with her to see what she has at our center and let you know. In the meantime, can you give me all your surnames from this area? Evidently her family moved back and forth a lot so maybe yours did too.
--->Insert banana dance here<----

Thanks Cathy!! Sadly, I only have bits of information, and not much is solid other than the name Mar(c/k)o Cibola. What stinks is I don't even have a birth date. I figure somewhere around the early to mid 1840's based on a few of his children's ages. He had 7 children that I know of, and my great great grandfather was one of the last born (1880). I am kind of going blind into this thing, and would love to get a birth certificate because he has one granddaughter still alive and she would love it.

So basicly the information I have is this:
Marco Cibola-Born somewhere in the 1840's.
Moved to Croatia, married Matija Romagia, and had 7 children
Died-Unknown.

Wish I had more, but that is all I have! Thanks again Cathy!

Mike,
Town Halls in Italy started to keep Civil Records following a standardized procedure after Unification (1866). Before 1866 Veneto region was under various dominations (Austria, Napoleon, Republic of Venice) and they all followed different rules in recording Births, Marriages and Deaths. I think that all records before Unification are kept in Provincial State Archives (in this case: Venice State Archive).
Churches followed always the same rule so it's easier to find records going back to 1600 or 1500.
Anyway you can try with the Town Hall, if they don't have earlier records (for his birth) they might have a marriage record or anything else, who knows? The e-mail address is:

servizi.demografici@comune.dolo.ve.it

See what they say, you might mention you need it for citizenship purposes this could make them feel more cooperative.

I'll have a look for the Church address and post it later.

Ada

Ada

Thank you Ada, you are amazing!

Shall we start calling you "Sir Mike" instead of Mickey? This is no fair - everyone has royal blood except me - once a peasant, still a peasant. I was doomed from the start!

Just kidding Mike. I can't wait to see where this leads. Glad to see back, too!

Hahaha, don't jump the gun, I am a peasant by blood, and that is just the way it is! I am pround to be one, the world was built on peasants so I think we are lucky!

Hi Mike,
I found the name of the church and the parish priest in Dolo. Actually, it's not a church but a Dome and the priest is a Monsignore. I don't know exactly how it works with the ecclesiastical hierarchy but a Monsignore is a higher rank than a priest.

The address on the envelope:

Rev.mo Monsignor
Giuseppe Torresan
Duomo di San Rocco
30031 DOLO (Ve)
Italy

You will start your letter by writing:

Reverendissimo Monsignor Torresan,

Hopefully he will charge someone to search what you need.
You don't have an exact birth date but the surname is not very common so you might get some results. Don't forget to mention a donation in memory of your ancestor.......
Sorry to keep your feet on the ground but Venetian aristocrat surnames are well known and "Cibola" is not among them . If it's any comfort to you, listen to Totò (the third clip is the best one) and scroll down to read the translation. It's in Italian mixed to Neapolitan dialect. It means "The level" (instrument used by masons to level differences)

'a livella

Ada

Haha, I didn't think I would have any royal blood in me, but it is always fun to wonder! I will write up an short letter, and send it off. I sent an email to Dolo, and they said they only have birth certificates from 1871, and he gave me two parishs, so I will see what I can come up with. FINGERS CROSSED!

Yes, Dolo has a couple of hamlets and they have churches too, I thought registers were kept in the main church but if they addressed you to two different parishes then follow their suggestion or you might add a third letter to the Dome of San Rocco. In case you need any help for the translation there are members here (including myself) who can give you a hand.
It's a pity they didn't have any record, a marriage could have helped to see what was the age of Marco and have an approximate birthdate.

Ada

I posted a short letter in the Translation section. I will send it to each of the addresses, and see what happens. Only think I can lose is a little money, stamps, and time, and for that I could get a real treasure. I wish they had some older records, they have fantastic records in my town in Sicily. I was looking at pictures of Dolo, you are right Ada it is a beautiful town!

Good luck Mike!! And Nuccia......I don't have any royal blood either but what I DO HAVE is a blood-line that could COOK and BAKE like no other!! lol.....and I couldn't be prouder

BillieDeKid wrote:

Good luck Mike!! And Nuccia......I don't have any royal blood either but what I DO HAVE is a blood-line that could COOK and BAKE like no other!! lol.....and I couldn't be prouder

I can confirm this! Billie is an amazing cook!