Italian ancestry advice please

[danlan12]

my grandfather moved to england in the 1950's from italy. he was an orphan so he doesn't know the slightest thing about his family apart from the fact that he was born in naples.

now to the point! do the italians have any similiar websites that hold birth, marriage, death records etc. where i could start a search, not a problem as i am fluent in italian.
or would i have to go through an archives office.

if anybody knows please post as it would be nice to find out the missing parts of his life

thanks danlan

[aghadowey]

Any idea how old he was when he came to England? If he was a child, who looked after him when he arrived? If he was baptised as a baby in Italy would the church he went to in England have any records concerning his baptism, etc.?

[danlan12]

he came to england when he was 17 as soon as he was old enough to be realeased from the care of the state. i'm guessing he was baptised in italy once in england he hasn't been a religious person apart from marriage etc. i suppose i could contact the naples regional government asking what to do.

[liverpool annie]

Try looking through here danlan .... it may give you some ideas !!

http://www.anglo-italianfhs.org.uk/docs/starting.html

Annie 

[Ninatoo]

Try here too:

http://italiangenealogy.tardio.com/Forums.html

My grandfather was of Italian descent, but I haven't been game to try and trace his Italian roots yet.

Nina

[vocalist]

The best place to start looking for Italian parish records is the IGI site
http://www.familysearch.org/

The information is limited, incomplete and there are lots of errors so don't despaire if you are unable to find a reference to your relative.  While at the site take a look at the Research Guidance section and scroll down to Italy which has some useful advice on researching your Italian ancestors using some of their tools and records.

In their Library Catalogue you may be able to find the Parish roll numbers which may be ordered for viewing at a local Family History Centre.

As your father came over to the UK during the 1950's, there may be information available at the National Archive site or at Ancestry.

As an orphan it may be possible for him to retreive his records from the orphanage or parish that would tell him who his parents were an his birthplace (commune).

Hope this helps
Tracey

[Mr. MIGKY]

Not been 100% sure on this. I take it your grandfather was/is R.C.? and was he married in a R.C. church? If so , they may do as the Irish R.C. do. Thats if you are married in an English R.C. church they send for your Baptism records from your home parish church( This is also to check that you are not married back in Italy ) So if he was married in an English R.C. church , first call is to contact them.
I Have on my wifes side, Italians who came from Italy to Scotland down to Liver pool and settled in Manchester. I have managed to trace them in this country but as yet i have not started on the Italy side yet. I have a few certificates and papper work but not had any one translate it for me.
Good luck.
Migky

Ps what part of the Uk did he settle in?

[kathfen]

There is a very good book called 'Discovering Your Italian Ancestors' by Lynn Nelson that you can buy or borrow from the library. It has loads of information plus the addresses of the town halls where you would write to for information.

The address for Naples is

Archivio Di Stato Di Napoli,
Dir. Giulio Raimondi,
Piazzetta Grande Archivio, 5
80138 Napoli - Italia
Tel 081/204594-204491

There is a very handy 'how to write a letter in Italian' section.

Good Luck