What to expect in Italy?

autumndivona · Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 3:42 pm Post subject: What to expect in Italy?

I am about to move to England for 3 years, and naturally I will be visiting Italy to meet cousins (we are in contact via regular mail and Facebook) and to do some research.

With regard to trying to view and/or obtain records in person in a town or church, does anybody know what I should expect?

Any insight or tips are greatly appreciated as I work on planning a research strategy. Thank you so much for any advice you have to offer!

charliemis · Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 8:39 pm Post subject: Re: What to expect in Italy?

Welcome Wendy......I'm sure that you will love Italy.....regarding access to records, I have had great success in obtaining docs from both the Municipio in Corato and to a lesser degree from San Giorgio Albanese, but in both cases they provided me with Printed Extractions, not direct access to the docs themelves. Of course, this might be different with other towns, but keep in mind that you would be dealing with historic, aged docs so in most cases they are very protective of them. Keep in mind, I have been there as a visitor, not a local resident. Some people have had luck with Church docs, but most have not been successful in gaining access. I'm sure that other folks on the list will provide some additional guidance.

Italysearcher · Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 6:14 am Post subject: Re: What to expect in Italy?

Go to mass, and talk to the priest afterwards asking for an appointment to search the records. Assuming you know how to go about searching records in Latin. If you don't then ask the priest if there is someone in the parish who could help you as you are prepared to make a donation for this information

autumndivona · Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 12:00 am Post subject: Re: What to expect in Italy?

Thank you both very much for the suggestions. I will have to give both a try. I am also hopeful that my cousins will be interested in assisting me in my research! Smile

Italysearcher · Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 9:20 am Post subject: Re: What to expect in Italy?

Don't count on your cousin's helping. My husband is Italian and when I started on his family tree he was completely disinterested. Occasionally I ask him to help with a translation but he has so much difficulty reading the old script I might as well post on the forum.