Genealogy in Palena
Tracing your Italian roots back to Palena (in Chieti province, Abruzzo region) begins with understanding which records and documents exist and where they are preserved. On this page you’ll find a clear guide to the civil, parish and historical sources available for genealogy in Palena.
Palena family history at a glance
- Region: Abruzzo
- Province: Chieti
- Type of records: civil and parish records
- Civil registration: from 1809 onwards
- Parish records: often older than civil records (in some cases from the 1500s)
How to research your ancestry in Palena
Thanks to its network of local experts, Italianside has developed significant experience in genealogical research in the province of Chieti. For this reason, over the years it has become a reliable reference for those wishing to reconnect with their Italian roots and could be a key partner in the success of your research too. You can read the feedbacks of our customers on our testimonials page
Our experts in Abruzzo region, conducted genealogy research on historical families from Palena, involving many surnames traditionally found in the town, including branches of the following families: Toppi, Campana, Ferrara, Como, Carozza, Mosca, D’Emilio, Celio, Parente, Isacco, Di Falco, Pierorazio, Vittoria, Liberatore and others.
Many info relating to families and individuals available in public and private local archives include, in addition to names and dates, further information such as occupations, the address where family lived (a great info if you plan to visit Palena!), and key social relationships within the community in past centuries.
The information in genealogy research derives from the archives available for on-site research in Palena and Abruzzo. During the previous activities, our local genealogists already developed studies, family trees, cross-referenced family relationships, occupational histories, deciphered or translated documents, residential patterns, and visual documentation useful to add information now forgotten to the history of your family.
Research activities may include all major sources available at municipal, provincial, and regional level:
• civil records
• parish registers
• notarial archives
• military records
• cadastral and property records
• historical and photographic sources available in private archives
Direct access to local archives and a deep understanding of the local context allow for more complete and accurate results. Research may be carried out using all available sources in both public and private archives.
ItalianSide research: Beyond Names and Dates
Italian genealogy is deeply local. It can’t be reduced only about collecting birth and death dates.
In Abruzzo, every municipality — including Palena — has its own archival history, record‑keeping traditions, and unique documentary sources. This is why Italianside is able to help you in your Italian ancestry research, through a national network of local experts, each specialized in the archives of their specific territory.
Our researcher who works in Palena and in the Province of Chieti knows how to navigate local civil, parish, military, and notarial records, uncovering details that go far beyond basic dates. By combining national coordination and methodology with deep local expertise, our researcher will bring your ancestors’ stories back to life within the history of the Palena community.
Civil Records (Stato Civile) in Palena
In towns and villages of Abruzzo and in Chieti province, civil registration offices were established in 1809. This means you can often find your ancestors’ civil records in the Town Hall archives of Palena from that year onwards.
(If your goal is to obtain Italian citizenship and you need official certificates from Palena, please follow this link.)
If you know that your ancestors lived in Palena during the past centuries, the City Office of Palena is usually the first place to start your family research. Our local expert can access these records on your behalf and interpret them correctly.
- Professions: discover what your ancestors did for a living.
- Addresses: find the street or house where the family lived in Palena.
- Family links: identify parents, witnesses and neighbours that appear in the records.
- Signatures and notes: see how your ancestors signed and read any marginal annotations.
If you prefer to contact the Town Hall by yourself, we suggest reading our genealogy tips for Italy. They include practical advice for research in Abruzzo and specifically in Palena.
Street names in Palena
The names of the street in Palena, can help identify ancestral addresses found in civil records, parish documents, and old family papers.
At today, some of the main streets in Palena are: VIA SANT’ANTONIO, VIA COLLEVEDUTA, VIA ROMA, CONTRADA COLLESALARDO, VIA FONTANA TERRANOVA, CORSO UMBERTO I, VIA FRENTANA, RIONE FRENTANO, VIA VARIANTE NAZIONALE, VIA CROCETTA SANT’ANTONIO, VIA AIA FALCHETTA, VIA IV NOVEMBRE, VIA CASEPENTE, VICO VI SAN VITO, VICO I AIA FALCHETTA, VIA SANT’ANTONIO ABATE, VIA LETTOPALENA, VIA VALLE, VIA AIA DEL MULINO, RIONE PINETA and others.
If you want help to identify street names connected with your ancestors in Palena just follow the link below.
Population trends in Palena
The chart below shows the demographic trends in Palena from the Italian Unification (1861). Understanding how many people lived in the town over time is useful when interpreting migration and family movements.
Church Records in Palena
Church archives in Chieti province often preserve information that predates civil records. Parish registers include baptisms, marriages and burials and sometimes allow you to push your family tree back into the 1700s and 1600s.
In many areas of Abruzzo, parish registers began around the 1500s. These manuscripts are not easy to access from abroad and can be hard to read without specific training.
Our local genealogists, graduated in history and archival studies, can consult the parish archives of Palena on your behalf and reconstruct your family history through the centuries.
In case you want to visit churches, these are the addresses of parishes active today in Palena:
S. ANTONINO MARTIRE – 66017 PALENA CH
Planning a visit to Palena
From our experience, if you plan to visit Palena we always recommend starting the research months before your arrival. This way you avoid spending your holidays in offices or churches dealing with bureaucracy.
Remember that archives are not open to the general public and officers or priests are not required by law to grant direct access to the records.
Thanks to the findings gathered by our genealogist before your trip, and the help of our local guides, you’ll have more time to plan the exact locations (family homes, churches, streets, cemeteries, etc.) you’ll visit during your stay in the city.
This way, you can enjoy the city and its surroundings, following in the footsteps of your ancestors for an unforgettable journey back to your roots.
Street names in Palena
The names of the street in Palena, can help identify ancestral addresses found in civil records, parish documents, and old family papers.
At today, some of the main streets in Palena are: VIA SANT’ANTONIO, VIA COLLEVEDUTA, VIA ROMA, CONTRADA COLLESALARDO, VIA FONTANA TERRANOVA, CORSO UMBERTO I, VIA FRENTANA, RIONE FRENTANO, VIA VARIANTE NAZIONALE, VIA CROCETTA SANT’ANTONIO, VIA AIA FALCHETTA, VIA IV NOVEMBRE, VIA CASEPENTE, VICO VI SAN VITO, VICO I AIA FALCHETTA, VIA SANT’ANTONIO ABATE, VIA LETTOPALENA, VIA VALLE, VIA AIA DEL MULINO, RIONE PINETA and others.
If you want help to identify street names connected with your ancestors in Palena just follow the link below.
Notary records and other historical sources
Another important source of information is represented by notary documents, which preserve wills, dowries, property sales and contracts. These records are usually kept in provincial and State Archives and can provide valuable details on the social and economic life of your family.
Military records
Conscription lists and service records documenting physical descriptions, dates and places of enlistment, units and ranks held, periods of service, military postings, transfers, and movements, often providing detailed insight into an individual’s life beyond civil registration.
Cadastral and property records in Palena
Historical cadastral and land records used to identify property ownership, track real estate transfers over time, and confirm the historical presence of families within Palena. ItalianSide provides professional assistance in accessing and interpreting these records, where available.
Historical and photographic sources available in private archives
Historical photographs, prints, and documents from private collections—including ItalianSide’s archive of vintage images from Palena and Abruzzo region are available. Old pictures add significant value to your family history research and offer a real sense of the places where your ancestors once lived.
Professional help for research in Palena
If you need professional support from our local genealogist in the Palena area, write to palena@italianside.com or fill the form here. Our expert will study your request and reply with a research plan and a quote tailored to your family history.
Messages from other visitors in Palena
Here below you can read messages from other visitors in the Palena forum. If you simply want to discuss genealogy in Palena with other people, feel free to leave a message.
I am looking for Antonio Liberatore who probably in his 90s. His sister, my aunt, is Giuseppina Liberatore Isacco, who is ill with cancer , and lives in Christy Park , Pa. USA. They were in frequent loving contact until none of his information address and phone, worked. She does not have a cell phone/ computer connection. Giuseppina is fluent in Italian and English. Are you able to help make this communication work? . She lives with her son Christopher.
My name is Audrey
I would like to know of any ancestors of mine from Chieti, Abruzzo. My great grandmother was Angelina Travaglino ( or i or a).She died in New York about 1950. Her father was Giuseppe.
Am searching for relatives of my grandfather, Falco Como, born in Palena, emigrated to USA and settled in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Giambattista Como and Maria Custode Chicoverini. He married Maria Iacone from Tocco da Casauria in the USA. He had a sister Anna who also emigrated to McKeesport in 1911. She was born 3 Apr 1899 and married Amedeo Armano Falcocchio in the USA. He also had a brother Berardino born 2 June 1878 and emigrated 1898 to USA. I will be traveling to Palena Sept. 23, 2023 to reconnect with my heritage. Would like to meet any members related to me, however distant.
Lots of relatives in Jeannette Pennsylvania. Also many Comos in Troy Michigan. Will be having reunion this summer we are hoping. Tia married a Campana, then she married a Terzollino, and then she married aPicianno.
But I am not up on all the relatives still there.Many around.
My Family is also from McKeesport. The last name is Marchetti. They changed it to Markette. My Grandmother’s Family is also from Palena. The last name is Di Marino. My Great Aunt is Tillie. My Cousin Angelo owns Tillies in McKeesport. The Di Marinos immigrated to Canonsburg Pa. The Marchettis are also from Palena.
I am planning a trip to Palena in March and am looking for some information regarding my father’s grandmother, Maria Como, before the trip.
Her parents, Ignazio Comc and Consiglia (DeMarco) Como were pottery makers, born in Palena around 1870.
Hi Maura,
Small world! I’m going to Palena in September to see where my family is from. My mom comes from a long line of Comos’. I’m looking at our family tree whic started in Palena back in 1847. That’s as far back my relatives could find. This is where we started in Palena.
Anthony (1847) and Catherine (1849) had two children Joseph and Madeline. Joseph married Nazzarena Ciaone. They had 10 children. They came to the US in 1907.
I’m hoping to see if there are any Comos left. I would also like to find out how Pietro Como is connected to our line. I think he must have been a cousin or something. It’s so interesting to find out. Hope you enjoy your trip to Palena. Email me and let me know. Maybe we are related in some way.
Patti
posey_patti@yahoo.com
My father came from Palena when he was 14. My grand grandmother was a Como before she married and married a Como. Her name was Theresa and his name was John. I have recently found out that thru my grandmothers side am related to Perry Como. I had always thought it was the other way around. My uncle used to translate his letters to his(Perrys) aunt for her since she could not read English and then write him back in English for her. Unfortunately my father and all my uncles have passed. So I have a little info but not much. My father and uncle were asked to sing also on the radio but their father prohibited them to sing. Dad had a beautiful voice too.
Recently by accident my cousin ran into a distant relative down in Venice Florida who has been studying our family tree. And that there has been extensive family tree that can be seen on ancestor. It’s huge. Seems they all had large families.
Dad had told me that after the war some of the relatives on his fathers side went to South America, California,West Virginia, Pennsylvania. My mother had told me that grand mothers side had stayed in Italy so I’m not sure where they are now. Grandpa John worked in the potty factory painting China. Even taught me how to draw the birds he used to put on the plates. Factory was hit by a quake I was told and he came to US to find work for family.
would love to visit the town someday.
My grandmother Esterina Testa and grandfather Gabriel Fornari are from Palena, Italy. They were friends or relatives with the Como Family. (Pietro Como)
Does anyone have any information on any of these people. They probably left Palena for the USA around 1902. I have met Bianca Testa who is a shop owner in Palena inSept. 2017. She did not have any info but she was a non Blood relative.
I will return in Aug. 2018 for my third visit if all goes well. Love the town and the people.
My Great Grand Parents were Nick Isacco and Maria Giuseppa Filomena Liberatore. I believe that they both came from Palena..Can anyone help me..Thank You Annette.
If you ever get this, I can help you. Nicola Isacco and Maria Giuseppa Filomena Liberatore were married 05/12/1892. I actually have relatives related to Nicola.
Diane, I’m showing my great-great grandfather was Nicola Isacco born 04/25/1868 in Palena. His daughter Mary was my great-grandmother. Would love any information you have!
I am looking for information about my family. All from Chieti, Italy, San Vito primarily as far as I can trace. The name Bucco is what I am sseeking primarily, however the below names connect as well:
Salvatore Maghino (born 1713)
Victoria Flaminio (born 1715)
Giuseppe Bucco
Maddalena Maghino
Philippus D’Angelo
Francesca di Bernardo
Carmine Bucco (born 1775)
Rachele D’Angelo (born 1775)
Eusebio Donato Bucco (born 1812)
Sinforosa D’Amario (born 1813)
Vito Domenico Bucco (born 1828)
Anna (wife to Vito Domenico Bucco – born 1831)
VAlerio Bucco
Vito Crispino Bucco (born 1891)
I’m trying to find information on my grandmother Ida(Aida) DiGiacomo. I know that she had a sister Bernice. She married Domenick Pierorazzio. He was quite a bit older than her. She was a friend of Perry Como’s mother, who came to visit her in Pennsylvania. I’m wondering if I still have family there.
Hi greetings from Argentina. I would like some iinformation from my grand grand father he s name was Francisco Pablo cerusico.He was born on the 8 of june in 1887. I need his birth certificate. How do i get it? Thanks for the help.
My mother Rosaria (Rose Ranellone Tascione) was born in Palena in March 3, 1915, her father Geatano made several voyages back and forth between Naples and New York starting at the turn of the century. He served in the Italian Army in World War l, station in the north of Italian fighting against Austrian solders. He married Anna ( last name unknown) and they had two children my mother and a brother Daniel born March, 1916. Both are deceased. We lasted visited Palena in 1997, along with my mother. Since my grandfather was an only child and I’m not sure of my grandmother there were not many close relatives. We were introduced to a family of third cousins who were named Ranellone. My mother knew this cousin through correspondence. Just trying to obtain any information regarding my family.
Hola:
Quisiera conocer datos de mis antepasados de Palena.- Mi bisabuelo era Giovanni D’Eletto casado con Maria Luisa Masciarelli.- creo que la fecha de nacimiento de Giovanni fue el 24 de Junio de 1851.-
Ademas si fuera posible, saber fecha de casamiento del mismo.-
Gaetana Vasile Birth Mar 1877 in Palana, Chieta Italy her mother
Filomena Palanngi
Gatana married Married Andrew /Andrea Martinelli Birth 23 Oct 1872 in Gambatesa, Campobasso, Molise, Italy His father A. Giusseppe Martinelli
Went to USA 1888 Farmers
Hope to make a better connection as this is all I have. Want to visit in two years.
I believe both my grandparents were born and married in Palena. My grandmother’s name is Gemma D’Amario (also seen listed as Maria Gemma D’Amario) and was born May 12, early 1870’s and my grandfather’s name is Panfilo D’Eletto born April 28, 1874. They both came to the United States married. I believe my grandmother waited until he came home from the war and they were in their mid-twenties when they were married in Palena. Could you please let me know any information including their parent’s names, birth date of my grandmother, and any marriage information you may find? Thank you so much for the time you are willing to take to help me find out about my grandparents.
I have been trying to find a connection between my Di Nobile Line and others for a while now….As part of that I have tried to help other Di Nobile Researchers determine their ancestors town of origin….Below are the names of the people who’s town of origin I would like to confirm so that I can continue my research….I have immigration records showing that Luigi & Guiseppe came from the town of Palena in Abruzzo , but I haven’t been able to find any records for their parents Bernardino and Fortunata Di Nobile….Your help would be Greatly Appreciated !
Parents : Bernardino and Fortunata (Di Nobile / De Nobile) DOB unknown….
Sons : Liugi Di Nobile 7/6/1878/79 & Guiseppe Di Nobile 9/21/1881
Berardino Paolo Di Nobile (born 03.21.1846 in Lettopalena) married Fortunata Esposito (born 1841 in Palena but parents born elsewhere) on August 6, 1886. Hope this helps.