Obtaining Italian Birth & Marriage Certificates

mhansell · New Member Joined: May 06, 2013 Posts: 3

Hi
This may seem an elementary request however I want to obtain my father's Birth Certificate and his marriage certificate. When I google tis, there seems to be so much information and all sites want a fee. One site advised to look up the region and request a birth certificate from there but on this site there does not seem to be a particular contact - www.comune.martone.rc....=index&p=1 and I don't speak Itralian. He was born in 1902 in Martone Reggio Calabria (although one document states Givisa) and came to Australia 26th June 1923 and died in 1975. At the time of leaving Italy, I believe he was married there and his wife remained behind. Although I know the name of his previous wife I don't have any dates. Looking through his papers, at some stage his wife became deceased and he married my mother in Australia.

I am hoping if I can obtain his birth certificate that it may state his siblings and also his marriage certificate and then the death certificate of his first wife. In 2014 I would like to visit the area and meet any possible relatives.

Can anyone please give me some pointers to help me?

nuccia

If you write to the Comune of Martone directly, in Italian and request these documents there is no charge and they are *supposed* to reply to you within 30 days with the information. If you choose instead to write to the State archives for the info there is a small fee for basically photocopying and postage (about 5 euros) payable in cash prior to them sending anything. They are very reliable and quick. Anyone else you write to is more than likely a third party who will basically just charge you to write a letter and make a profit. Often they do not follow up or guarantee anything.

The birth act you want is the "long" form - it will provide more info (the usual parents names, perhaps grandparents, witness, date of birth, when birth was registered, witnesses, where the family lived, etc. It will not mention siblings.

The marriage act also gives full parents names, ages, if they are alive, where they are living, etc. You might actually be better off requesting the publicazioni if available. That often lists the actual birth dates of the bride and groom, first wife's name and date of death and the same for parents. Sometimes you get lucky and any deceased persons documents will be included.

If you don't feel comfortable with any of these options and you have specific requests, you can try emailing member Riccardo (ricbru) who may be able to help you. He's reasonable and he DOES follow up until you get what you want/need.

Hope this helps.

Poipu04

If you don't speak Italian, you can use these form letters to write your request. www.circolocalabrese.o...-index.asp

Gigi · Senior Joined: Jan 09, 2013 Posts: 53 Location: New York

Nuccia, is there a post here with all the addresses for the different communes?? Or a site that lists them all, that you know of???

Thanks,

mhansell · New Member Joined: May 06, 2013 Posts: 3

Hi Nuccia

Many thanks for you expansive reply. I have written to the Commune di Martone and now received a response however at time I did not know to request a long form. I also offered to pay postage and have not heard back so will wait and see. One of the main reasons I wanted the birth certificate is find out about my father's siblings as he mentioned an older sister he was very fond of.

Do you or anyone know of a way to find out about any brothers and sisters?

I hope to go to Calabria next year and possibly connect with some relatives.

I will also try to contact Riccardo for his possible assistance.

Thanks and regards, Margaret Smile

nuccia

Your Welcome Margaret. Keep us posted. Gina the best thing I can suggest is use something like Wikipedia by entering "Comune di [Town Name Here]. Usually they give the address. BUT DON'T FORGET TO PUT ITALY AT THE END OF ANY ADDRESS or you may have problems with delivery.

gillaf1 · Mem Joined: Aug 08, 2007 Posts: 114

I am sure that when you get to his commune they will treat you like royalty. I say this because that is how my daughter was treated at my grandfather's commune.

mhansell · New Member Joined: May 06, 2013 Posts: 3

Thanks - I have been once before a long time ago but without much research or Italian language. This time I would like to make the most of my time there by doing some research ahead of the trip. Unfortunately all the people who could have helped have now passed on.

gillaf1 wrote:

I am sure that when you get to his commune they will treat you like royalty. I say this because that is how my daughter was treated at my grandfather's commune.

Gigi · Senior Joined: Jan 09, 2013 Posts: 53 Location: New York

Thanks Nuccia, I'll have to try that

G.

nuccia

No problem!

Gigi · Senior Joined: Jan 09, 2013 Posts: 53 Location: New York

From Wikipedia:

Alphabetical list of comuni of Italy (redirect from List of Italian communes (2009))
This is an alphabetical list of the 8,100 Italian comuni which existed following the 2009 merger of Campolongo al Torre ... Agrigento Agropoli ...
151 KB (12,463 words) - 07:39, 3 May 2013

Too bad I can't find a site like Portale della Storia for Agrigento.

Sad

nuccia

Maybe ricbru knows. I'll see if I can message him.