Does anyone have an address where I could write for a copy of my grandfather's military and conscription records (he served three years in the Italian infantry) approximately 1882-1885? He was born and married in Potenza, Potenza. I know one copy is held in the military archieve of each military district and the other is held by the Procura della Repubblica (Country Court at providence level) and then sent to the State Archieve of the main province. I contacted the NYC consulate office for addresses but you what great luck I have been having with them. Any suggestions or information would be so appreciated!
Regards,
Carol

Carol

I know Riccardo has the address but he's away for a few weeks. Hopefully someone else has it or you would need to wait until he gets back. I doubt he will be around, nor will Livio.

Hi,,
sorry I didn't see your message before.
As far as I know, Military districts have been regrouped due to the fact that military service isn't any more compulsory in Italy. Besides that, old records are kept in the Provincial State Archive to which the military district belongs.
Potenza State Archives hold Military records from 1842 to 1909.

There is Search Service and the responsible is :

Mrs. Veronica Miceli
e-mail: vmiceli @ beniculturali.it (no spaces)

Postal address:

Archivio di Stato di Potenza
Via N. Sauro, 1
85100 Potenza
Italy

Tel. 39 0971 56144 (4 linee PBX)
Fax. 39 0971 56223
E-mail: as-pz @ beniculturali.it

Potenza State Archive Head Manager is

Prof. Dott. Donato Tamblè.


Let me know if you need any other detail.

Ada

Thank you - I did that and this is the reply I received:
Si comunica che dalla ricerca effettuata nella Lista di Leva del comune di Potenza, per gli anni 1863,1864 e 1865 non è emerso il nominativo indicato all'oggetto
I would assume this says that she could not find a record for the years 1863, 1864 and 1865 for the name I indicated. Could you tell me exactly what she said? My grandfather was born in Potenza in 1864 and I have the Italian BC that says so - he would have been in the miltary when he was 18 years old. Perhaps my letter to her asked for the wrong dates.
Should I send her another note?
Thanks Again,
Carol

Hi,
The reply is:
We inform you that as a result of a search through Military Records for the town of Potenza, years 1863, 1864 and 1865, we could not find the indicated name.

Did you give her the exact birth date? And exact name (not Americazized)? And parents name (with his mother maiden name)? I might ask you very obvious things but just to be sure that the lady had all details.
I find it a bit strange that your Grandfather served for three years in the army as it is a very long period but I'm not an expert so it could be. Where did you get the information from? Could it be possible that he was living and resident somewhere else for a few years and in that case he served in another district?

Ada

Hi Ada,
Yes I gave her his birth date, names of parents, and that they lived in Potenza. This is the letter I sent:

Archivio di Stato di Potenza
Via Nazario Sauro, 1
85100 POTENZA (PZ) Italia

Ciao, Egregi Signori,

Scusarlo prego - non parlo italiano. Il mio nome e' Fred Laurito. Abito a Stone Ridge, New York Stati Uniti.
Per favore, mi potrebbe spedire i sono alla ricerca di documenti militari - Registri degli Uffici di Leva, (che hanno servito tre anni, con la fanteria) e Allegati per mio nonno Ferdinand Laurito (nato il 8 febbraio 1864 a Potenza (bambino de Michele Laurita e Antonia Aliano).

La ringrazio per la sua gentilezza. Attendo con fiducia una risposta. Fatemelo sapere il costo di tali registri e il metodo di pagamento accettato.

Per favore fatemi sapere se posso inviare una donazione per questi records.

Cordiali saluti,

Did I send the right information? Oh I wish I could speak Italian.
Regards,
Carol

Well, there are a few mistakes but the necessary information are there. I don't know what to say. If he served there, the Potenza Archive is the place where your Grandfather's records are kept.
I can ask for suggestions on another Italian forum but I'm leaving tomorrow for about 12 days, so if you can wait and if nobody else here can help you, I'll let you know something before the end of the month.

Ada

I will try to send her another letter. His US Alien registrations papers state he served three years with the Italian infantry. I recently connected with two other cousins who are grandchildren of Ferdinand Laurito and they are looking to see if they might possibly have any old family records. Hope you have a good holiday and I will keep you posted if I have any further information.
Regards,
Carol

Just a suggestions, your Grandfather name was Ferdinando. "son of...." in Italian is "figlio di...." not "bambino". Try and send them copy of the birth act too.

Good luck:

Ada

I thought you might be interested to know that I finally received an answer back from the Ministero peri Benielec Attivita Culturali from the State Archieves in Potenza for my grandfather Ferdinand Laurito. However even though the xerox copies are clear I am having a hard time reading the handwriting even though it is very neat. Under the section "Operazioni del Consiglio di Leva it has under "Arruolamento (Enlistment) what looks like 7 October 1886 - which means he enlisted at age 22 (I thought they had to enlist at age 20) and his "Ascrizione - alla 1 degree mark od all 2 degree mark Categoria - and his says what looks like 1 degree mark Categoria - but what does that mean. It also states under "Situazione dello inscritto" that under 2 degree mark - Corpo cui fu destinato e numero dell matricola - it is listed what looks like 62 and more writing I cannot read. I believe he served in the infantry for three years but I don't think this paper gives the date his service was up. Any ideas or suggestions or who I would write to for more information on his service records. Many thanks, Carol

I think you'd better post the document as it is not easy to understand, from a description, what's written on it. They might say they have partial records and why. So if you post it I can try and read the handwriting and tell you what it says.

Ada