GUIDE TO ITALIAN ROOTS VOL.1
Puglia, Basilicata, Abruzzo, Emilia-Romagna
GUIDE TO ITALIAN ROOTS VOL.4
Trentino-Alto Adige, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Campania, Piemonte
Events
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April2902Feste patronali
The appointments of the roots in Rocchetta Sant'Antonio
Annual
Musical bands, folk groups, food and wine tours and conferences on the theme of origins are the protagonists of the events in Rocchetta Sant'Antonio (Foggia) in 2024, the Year of Italian roots in the world.
Rocchetta Sant'Antonio (FG)
Dal 01 April al 28 February
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June2024Feste patronali
Let's start again from the roots in Spinazzola
Annual
June 15 is the Feast of St. Vitus, very much felt by the community of Spinazzola (Bat). Another event of great appeal is in mid-August: the celebrations of the patron saint of the town, Maria Santissima del Bosco, are an opportunity for the return home of emigrants, and to them, on August 15, the Feast of the emigrant is dedicated.
Spinazzola (BT)
Dal 15 June al 15 August
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August2024Feste patronali
The Feast of St. Nicholas and the tribute to Lucio Battisti in Corigliano d'Otranto
Annual
On 22 and 23 August the Feast that celebrates the ancient devotion of the Coriglianesi for St. Nicholas, between ancient rites and contemporary events.
Corigliano D'otranto (LE)
Dal 22 August al 23 August
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August2024Feste patronali
The Night of St. Anthony of Padua in Nociglia
Annual
The Patronal Feast of St. Anthony of Padua in Nociglia, in the province of Lecce, is the occasion for a heartfelt homecoming of the people of Noglia, who renew the special bond between the community and St. Anthony.
Nociglia (LE)
Dal 20 August al 23 August
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July2024Gastronomia
The cuisine of the roots: food is identity in Uggiano la Chiesa
Annual
A summer in the kitchen: from July to September in Uggiano la Chiesa, in the heart of Salento, workshops on typical local dishes involving the communities of Uggiano abroad.
Uggiano La Chiesa (LE)
Dal 21 July al 27 September
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Tour
Sacred Gargano: between nature and places of worship
5 days -
Tour
Daunia: the Puglia you don't expect. A land of emigration where it will be exciting to return for your roots journey.
3 days -
Tour
Salento, crossroads of cultures
3 days -
Tour
Puglia in the world: places of origin, symbols and traditions
3 days
News
COMING HOME / Friday 13 and Saturday 14 December in Lecce the two days of Italea Puglia to explore all the "worlds" of roots tourism
The event “Coming home” conceived by Italea Puglia, an organization that operates within the territorial network of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation as part of the “Italea” program on roots tourism, is getting underway. On Friday 13 and Saturday 14 December in the spaces of the former Palmieri Boarding School in Lecce […]
read moreItalea Puglia presents "Coming home": from 3 to 20 December in Lecce an exhibition, meetings, community workshops, music that pays homage to traditions to explore all the worlds of roots tourism in Puglia
Stories of departures and returns, stories of community and relationships, stories of heritage and new visions for the Apulian territory. From 3 to 20 December in Lecce there will be the event “Coming home” conceived by Italea Puglia, an organization that operates within the territorial network of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation […]
read more"Italea Puglia: the Festival of Apulian roots" celebrates the Capocanale of IT. A.CÀ Festival
What a joy to intertwine the “moving roots” of Italea Puglia with those of IT. A.CÀ Migrants and Travelers – Festival of Responsible Tourism, awarded by the UN World Tourism Organization for excellence and innovation in tourism! The 2024 edition is dedicated to “roots like those of plants that have no borders, that make a […]
read moreFAQ
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Where can I find information about my ancestors?
The indispensable sources are generally of two types: private ones, therefore personal memories, oral stories handed down from generation to generation, family archives including documents, letters and photographs; the public ones, also called 'serial', present in the various state, regional, provincial, municipal and ecclesiastical archives.
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I live abroad and I know I have Italian origins from my surname, but I don't have any further information at the moment. How can I proceed?
If you would like to find out more about your Italian ancestry based on your last name, here are some steps you could take:
Gather all available documents:
Look for the birth, marriage and death certificates of your parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. These documents can contain valuable information about your origins, such as place of birth and important dates.
Talk to elderly relatives: Elderly family members may have memories or stories passed down orally that could help you in your research. Ask them questions about family history and ancestors.
Family photos: Family photographs may provide visual clues, such as places or events, that may relate to your family's Italian origins.
Family correspondence: Letters , diaries and other written documents can contain details about family origins, such as place of birth and important dates.read more -
What are the documents that would help me trace my family roots?
To trace your family roots, there are several documents that may be helpful. The availability of these documents may vary depending on the historical period and geographical region.
Birth, marriage and death certificates: These official documents are often kept in civil registry offices or State Archives. They contain important information such as names of parents, spouses, dates and places of birth, marriage and death.
Parish registers: Much genealogical information is kept in church registers, such as baptisms, marriages and burials. These records can date back as far as the 16th century.
Censuses: National or local censuses provide information on family composition, occupations, and other details about daily life. Censuses are usually conducted periodically.
Immigration Records: If your ancestors moved from one country to another, immigration records can provide important information, such as date of arrival, place of departure, and occupation .
Wills and Probate Deeds: These documents can provide details about how property and assets were distributed among family members after an individual's death.
Family Photographs: Photographs can be invaluable to identify people and reconstruct family history.
Family correspondence: Letters, diaries, and other written documents can contain details about daily life, family events, and relationships.
Military records: If your ancestors served military, military records may contain information about their service, rank and position.
Naturalization Records: If your ancestors became citizens of a country other than the country of birth, naturalization records can provide details about this process.
Family stories: Talk to the older members of your family to gather stories, anecdotes and traditions that could help you in your research.
Research on an ancestor must always start from some known data, possibly at least the name or surname. The more elements of knowledge you have (birth, death, marriage, places, dates, etc.) the more chances you will have of finding what you are looking for.read more -
How can I start genealogy research knowing only my family's surname?
To carry out a search in the civil status documentation it is necessary to know, in addition to the year, also the place of origin. In the absence of other clues, it is advisable to try to identify in which municipalities a particular surname is widespread.
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Are there websites that offer resources for genealogical research where it is possible to consult civil status documents online?
Of course, there are several websites that offer resources for genealogy research. Here are some of the best known:
Ancestors: Allows the user to consult free digital reproductions of civil status registers, military service lists, matriculation rolls and other genealogical and personal documents, kept by individuals Italian State Archives.
FamilySearch: A free site operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), offering access to a large collection of family history records from around the world.read more -
Is there a site where it is possible to consult the lists of migrants who left from the main Italian ports?
CISEI: has various databases containing information on millions of Italian migrants.
By entering the person's data you will be able to know the date, place of departure and destination, and have information on movements, sea journeys and on accompanying family members. In the luckiest cases even read a short story of the migratory experience.read more -
Can I personally access historical documents or local archives to research my genealogy?
Yes, in the State and Diocesan Archives. Reservations and - in some Diocesan Archives - an access fee are often required. As regards documents stored in parishes and municipalities, those responsible for documents act differently from case to case.
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How can I establish contact with relatives in my family?
Talk to Close Family Members: Start by talking to the family members closest to you, such as parents, grandparents or uncles. Ask them for information about more distant relatives, including names, locations and any contacts they may have.
Use Social Media: Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter can be used to search for your relatives' names and make contact . Many people use social media to stay in touch with distant relatives.read more -
How can I find my ancestors' home?
Here are some steps you could take to search for your ancestral home:
Documents and records:
- Consult family documents, such as birth, marriage and death certificates, which may contain clues to residency.
- An important resource is also the land register, the consultation of which however requires a certain level of familiarity.
Collect family information:
- Ask elderly relatives or family members if they have information about the location of the ancestral home.
- Look for family photos that can show the home or provide clues to its location.
Visit the location:
- If possible, visit the location where it is thought that your ancestors lived. Ask elderly residents if they have any information about your family.
Historical photos and maps:
- Examine historical photos and maps of the area to identify any changes in the urban or rural landscape over the years.
Request assistance from municipal offices
- Contact municipal offices to obtain information on the history of the area and to request assistance with research.read more -
How can I find the tomb where my ancestor is buried?
If you know the place of death of your ancestor, go to the municipal cemetery. Cemeteries often have offices that can help you find the location of a grave. If they are not present in the cemetery, go to the municipality and ask the office in charge of cemetery services.
The cemetery or municipal staff may have registers or maps indicating the location of the graves. Give them all the information you have about your ancestor. There are also technological tools, such as the Aldilàpp app, in which the paper archives of the cemeteries of the Municipalities that have decided to join this important innovation can be consulted in digital form.
However, given the management policies of the cemeteries in Italy, often the oldest burials (over 80 years old) have been abandoned with the remains transferred to common ossuaries.read more