Sorry, couldn't pass up the alliteration. My husband and I are doing the Rome tour the first week in December, 2007. His family ties are located east of Naples in the nearby towns - somewhere. What would be the best way to find out if there are any relatives left? The two remaining American emigrants in the family are telling us, "Ah, they're all there near Napoli, on the hills, somewhere." Any ideas on where we would start - somewhere?
Thanks,
Karen
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Have you tried searching on Google, not for the relatives but for data bases of names or other internet methods of locating people. Assume you would have the family name. If all else fails, maybe go to the towns and look in phone books?
Posted by
Calitri, Avellino, Italy (& US - where I live the majority of the time)
223 posts
do you have any other specifics? Avellino or Benevento areas perhaps? Start with a last name -they are very regional and may help to narrow it down a bit.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
Try this site: http://www.gens.labo.net/
It shows you the distribution of a surname across Italy, using current residents. Type your surname in the box named "Cognome" and then click the red arrow.
Posted by
Bend, OR
576 posts
One time I was helping my daughter do a genealogy project. I had little information to go on and someone suggested that I try the local Mormon church. There I found these ladies all working on their computers, entering data from such things as Irish cemetery records. They were incredibly friendly and helpful and only charged me small change for copies printed. They have a massive data base of international genealogy records. I would think they could be very helpful in tracing back family linage and birthplaces. In just 2 days I found documented proof that I was a direct descendant of a messenger to George Washington, something I previously known nothing about.
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
Searchable Italian white pages can be found at http://www.paginebianche.it/index.html and http://www.pronto.it/elenco/query.php
Posted by
Hendersonvlle, NC
486 posts
You waited way too long. Our trip in October was to meet relatives that a year and a half ago, we didn't even know existed. Now we communicate with them all the time. But it took work and research. On the other hand, I have dozens of new relatives, all descended from my grandfather's brother. And, amazingly enough, one who lives in Montreal, another who we will meet again in Halifax, and a third who lives in Rome but who owns a home in Naples - Florida that is!
Posted by
Calitri, Avellino, Italy (& US - where I live the majority of the time)
223 posts
Also wanted to add -There is a gentelman from NY who has recntly started a company to help people research and find their Italian relatives/roots and organize visits to that area; his website is: http://www.italymondo.com
I have nothing to do with the company and have not used him personally - but I have been in email contact and he seems really very helpful! Please let Peter know I gave you his name!
Nicole (from Calitri, Avellino)