Rotondella Genealogy
Tracing your Italian roots back to Rotondella (in Matera province, Basilicata region) begins with understanding which records exist and where they are preserved. On this page you’ll find a clear guide to the historical sources as birth, marriage and death civil and religious records available for family history in Rotondella.
Rotondella family history at a glance
- Region: Basilicata
- Province: Matera
- Type of records: civil and parish records
- Civil registration: from 1809 onwards
- Parish records: often older than civil records (in some cases from the 1600s)
How to research your ancestry in Rotondella
Thanks to its network of local experts, Italianside has developed significant experience in genealogical research in the province of Matera. 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 Basilicata region, conducted genealogy research on historical families from Rotondella, involving many surnames traditionally found in the town, including branches of the following families: Manolio, Buongiorno, Suriano, Santarcangelo, Toscano, Laguardia, Tarantino, Bianco, Pitrelli, Pastore, D’Alessandro, Fortunato, Dimatteo, Ripoli 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 Rotondella), 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 Rotondella and Basilicata. During the previous activities, our local genealogists 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
• 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.
Italian family history research: Beyond Names and Dates
Italian genealogy is deeply local. It can’t be reduced only about collecting birth and death dates.
In Basilicata, every municipality — including Rotondella — 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 Rotondella and in the Province of Matera will be of help 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 Rotondella community.
Civil Records (Stato Civile) in Rotondella
In towns and villages of Basilicata and in Matera province, civil registration offices were established in 1809. This means you can often find your ancestors’ civil records in the Town Hall archives of Rotondella from that year onwards.
(If your goal is to obtain Italian citizenship and you need official certificates from Rotondella, please follow this link.)
If your ancestors lived in Rotondella during the past centuries, the City Office of Rotondella 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 Rotondella.
- 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 Basilicata and specifically in Rotondella.
Population trends in Rotondella
The chart below shows the demographic trends in Rotondella 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 Rotondella
Church archives in Matera 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 Basilicata, 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 Rotondella 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 Rotondella:
S. MARIA DELLE GRAZIE – Via Beccaria, 7
S. ANTONIO DI PADOVA – P.zza Plebiscito
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.
Historical and photographic sources available in private archives
Historical photographs, prints, and documents from private collections—including ItalianSide’s archive of vintage images from Rotondella and Basilicata 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.
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 Rotondella
Historical cadastral and land records used to identify property ownership, track real estate transfers over time, and confirm the historical presence of families within Rotondella. ItalianSide provides professional assistance in accessing and interpreting these records, where available.
Planning a visit to Rotondella
From our experience, if you plan to visit Rotondella 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.
With the results collected by our genealogist before your trip, you will have more time to enjoy the town and its surroundings, walking in the footsteps of your ancestors.
Ready to explore Rotondella? Discover our travel proposals to Basilicata and Rotondella — or to other destinations across Italy. Our itineraries are developed with our trusted tour operator partners and supported by the expertise of our local specialists, who design personalized heritage journeys in the footsteps of your ancestors.
Professional help for research in Rotondella
If you need professional support from our local genealogist in the Rotondella area, write to rotondella@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 Rotondella
Here below you can read messages from other visitors in the Rotondella forum. If you simply want to discuss genealogy in Rotondella with other people, feel free to leave a message.
Looking for any relative related to my Grandpa, Vincenzo James Rago, Rotondella, Italy traveled to the US March 15, 1905
Looking for GUERRA, Guiseppe born 13 Dec 1877 in Rotondella. He may have had brothers Nicola and Francesco. Also D’AMATO, Laura, his wife, born 1884 in Rotondella. Her parents may have been Nicola D’AMATO and Mariangela Filomena PERSIANI. Laura may have had a brother older Nicola. Also, CESENE, Carmela born 14 Feb 1888 in Rotondella. Her parents were Leonardo CESENE and Victoria RUSSO. All immigrated tot he US over 100 years ago to New Jersey.
Hi. I am looking for any information of my grand parents Guglielmo Lucio Manfredi and Anna Manolio. They were born in Rotondella around 1901. My grand father had a sister, Vittoria Manfredi immigrated a New York. My grandfather was supposed to get on the ship, when they closed the gates. any information. much appreciated.
Looking for any information on a Francesco Vitale , married Maria Dalesandro
My grandmothers name was Maria Dalesandro – April 1, 1891-April 1st 1926. She died at the age of 35 in McKees Rcoks, PA
Looking for any information on my Great Grandparents GUISEPPE CIRIGLIANO and CARMELA MONTESANO who were born and married in Rotondella and came to the US in 1906- not entirely 100% on Montesano, I found that from Immigration papers- my Aunt seems to recall the name SETTEMBRINI when she visited her Rotondella with her Mother to visit family.
Wow – according to my research, my great grandparents were Giuseppa Cirigliano (great grandmother) and Nicola Lettieri (great grandfather), from Rotondella. My grandmother’s birth record says her parents were “Giuseppe Cirigliano di Vincenzo” and “Nicola Lettieri di Carmela.” Does anyone know what the “di Vincenzo” and “di Carmela” signify? Are they nearby towns? Oddly, it appears that Giuseppa and Nicola had two other children named…Vincenzo and Carmela!
I am looking for information on the Soriano (aka as Suriano) family from Rotondella … My ancestor Giovanni Suriano (later changed his name to Soriano out of research indicating this was the original family surname) emigrated to the US and later to Argentina … he was born in Rotondella on June 22, 1854. Son of Nicola Suriano, born in Rotondella January 31, 1812. In turn, son of Joannes Baptista (or Giambattista) Suriano born in Rotondella on June 29, 1790. Son of Egidio Nicola Pasquale Suriano, born in Rotondella on February 14, 1762. Son of the Magnifico Joannes Baptista Soriano born in Rotondella on June 2, 1714.
Does anybody share my family tree at one point? I’m trying to go backwards and link us to Spanish Jewish emigrants persecuted by the inquisition.
Alejandro, I too am looking for information regarding Suriano from Rotondella, Itlay who may have moved to South America. There seem to have been several Suriano from Rotondella who moved to the USA (some to Ohio) in the early 1900’s, but my grandfather’s sister married Pietro Antonio Suriano in Rotondella and later moved to either USA or South America. Could this tie in with the family you are researching?- Tina
Hello Tina, Sorry for the late reply. We are most likely family. My great-grandfather Giovanni Batista Soriano (nee Suriano) sent half of their children to the US (Ohio, NJ) and half to Argentina. He eventually moved to Argentina too. He is the one that changed our last name back to Soriano (he was a professor and according to his research the Soriano’s in Rotondella were from Spain, having fled the Inquisition they italianized their last name). I was also always curious why my grandfather in Argentina never mentioned or communicated with his brothers in the US. Very odd. Happy to be in touch. I live in the US now. Warm regards, Alejandro Soriano
I’m looking for information on the family of Vincenzo Soriano and his parents Nicola Soriano and Maria Felicia Laguardia. Vincenzo was born ~1872 a brother Rocco born ~1860. Vincenzo married Maria Sottarelli (b ~1877) in June 1904 and they emigrated to US in 1905. I believe all births and the marriage were in Rotondella.
My great grandfather was Rocco Soriano. He came over to the USA at that time and lived in Newark New Jersey. I have a bunch of postcards with those names on those. My grandfather and grandmother has passed away and I have been trying to research more into these postcards and time lines. Please message me
Hi Mara,
Would love to compare notes. The Rocco Soriano I’m related to eventually settled in Ohio. Is this the same person?
Diane
I am looking for information about Antonio Bianchi (born 1891) in Rotondella. He married Maria Campese (born 1901) also in Rotondella. They emmigrated in early 1900s to New Jersey. Any information about them or their parents would be greatly appreciated.
I am trying to find any history of the surname Disanluciano in Rotondella or area prior to 1920. Any information would be welcome.
Thanks!
Hello,
I am looking for relatives of my maternal grandfather and grandmother Antonio Granito and Maria Monsanto, both born circa 1890’s in Rotondella. I will be traveling to Basilicata in mid-October and would so appreciate any information you might have.
Many thanks!
Hello, I am looking for information on the ancestry of Vincenzo Simone b. 1871, married to Mariangela Romano b. 1875. Both are from Rotondella.
Estimados mi bisabuelo Vicenzo LaGuardia vino a la Argentina en 1885 mi abuelo Giovanni Laguardia junto a su hermana Laura vino en el año 1899 a Buenos Aires , mi bisabuela se llamaba Ana Maria Trovato todos oriundos de Rotondella , tendré parientes ahora
Hello! I am seeking information on Nicholas (Nicolo?) Iorio b. 1861 in Rotondella. His wife I believe was Lavinia Manfredi and they had at least one son, Fred (Frederico??) Iorio b. 1883.
Any information you can provide would be most helpful. Thanks you.
Hello,
I am also searching for a Fred (Fredinando) Antonio Iorio from Rotandella, my great-grandfather. I believe he came to Ellis Island with his sister, Carmela Iorio, on route to Argentina (uncertain of birth dates). The eventually settled in Pittsburgh, PA (McKees Rocks area).
If you’ve found any information in your search, perhaps we could help each other find our family members. I am traveling to Italy-and Basilicata-this spring where I can find more information.
Gayle, Nicola was mine (and Kristina’s) great great grandfather. While visiting family in Rotondella area, I learned that his parents names were Lina Iorio and Rocco Comparoto (never married, Rocco is believed to have died young)
Looking for Geseppie Philip Cosentino (1800’s) married to Philamina Fortinato had three sons:
Giacomo Born 1876
Gabriele Born 1883
and another son who died at 21 – drowned.
A distant cousin owns the GULF gas station in Rotondella Rocco Dalasandro. Can you give me any more information?
Patricia, this is a very old post, but coming across now. My great grandparents came over from Rotondella. They are Ferdinando Mele and Rosa LaGuardia. On the ship manifest, it is listed as they were coming to see his brother in law, Gabriele Cosentino in Mckees Rocks PA. The Cosentino/Fortinato/Dalasandro name have appeared in some of my DNA. Do you have any info on where any of the Cosentino sons settled and if in PA in the US.
Hi Stacy,
I am looking for info on my great-great grandfather’s parents. His name was Gaspare (or Casparo) Mele. I am wondering if he might be related to your Ferdinando Mele. He was married to a Vittoria Lello (after his first wife died, she was also a Lello).
I am also seeking any information on the name Petrasini/Petrosina and also LaBattaglia.
All theses ancestors came from the Rotondella area.
Thanks!
Hi Stacy – I am responding to your post from February of this year and Patricia’s post from 2013 with hopes that either one or both of you have a chance to see my response. My great grandfather was Giacomo Cosentino. He settled in McKees Rocks, PA. He and his wife Teresa had nine children. My grandfather Gabriel (named after Giacomo’s brother Gabriele) was the youngest of those children. Giacomo and Teresa had three children pass away at a very young age but the remaining six children: Tony, Angeline, Joe, Jim, Phyllis and Gabe (my grandfather) all had children of their own and their children had children, etc. and are scattered across the country. I am planning a trip to Italy later this year and am including a visit to Rotondella to walk the same streets as my great grandparents, their parents and families before them. I would love to know any information about where in Rotondella my ancestors were from and how everyone is all connected prior to this trip, so I encourage you or anyone on this message board to reply and to potentially be in touch. Any information about how we could all be connected would be greatly appreciated!