San Mauro Forte Genealogy
Tracing your Italian roots back to San Mauro Forte (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 San Mauro Forte.
San Mauro Forte 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 San Mauro Forte
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 San Mauro Forte, involving many surnames traditionally found in the town, including branches of the following families: Bubbico, Belmonte, Bruno, Pierro, Savino, Lamagna, Grassano, Salerno, Imperatore, Piliero, Malacarne, Deufemia, Tricarico, Caporale 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 San Mauro Forte), 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 San Mauro Forte 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 San Mauro Forte — 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 San Mauro Forte 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 San Mauro Forte community.
Civil Records (Stato Civile) in San Mauro Forte
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 San Mauro Forte from that year onwards.
(If your goal is to obtain Italian citizenship and you need official certificates from San Mauro Forte, please follow this link.)
If your ancestors lived in San Mauro Forte during the past centuries, the City Office of San Mauro Forte 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 San Mauro Forte.
- 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 San Mauro Forte.
Population trends in San Mauro Forte
The chart below shows the demographic trends in San Mauro Forte 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 San Mauro Forte
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 San Mauro Forte 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 San Mauro Forte:
S. MARIA ASSUNTA – P.zza dei Caduti, 54
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 San Mauro Forte 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 San Mauro Forte
Historical cadastral and land records used to identify property ownership, track real estate transfers over time, and confirm the historical presence of families within San Mauro Forte. ItalianSide provides professional assistance in accessing and interpreting these records, where available.
Planning a visit to San Mauro Forte
From our experience, if you plan to visit San Mauro Forte 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 San Mauro Forte? Discover our travel proposals to Basilicata and San Mauro Forte — 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 San Mauro Forte
If you need professional support from our local genealogist in the San Mauro Forte area, write to sanmauroforte@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 San Mauro Forte
Here below you can read messages from other visitors in the San Mauro Forte forum. If you simply want to discuss genealogy in San Mauro Forte with other people, feel free to leave a message.
Hello. Where can I find newspaper articles about family members who lived in San Mauro Forte? Surnames in my family are Calbi, Giametta, Sarubbi, Micuio, Longo and Dinoto, although my main focus at this time is Felice Antonio Calbi 1856.
Carmela, I am also a Calbi! Have you had any success on your search?
Carmela have you had any success on your search ? I to am a Calbi
My paternal Nono was from San Mauro forte. Born Giuseppe Di Biase 1895. He had a sister Donata. His father I was told was Francesco and had some affiliation with the police of San Mauro Forte. I believe Francesco died in 1933.
I just found out that my great grandparents Dominick Fantasia and Domenica Girotti Fantasia were possibly from San Mauro Forte. They immigrated to the U.S. in 1902 I believe. Best place to look for possible family or information?
Thanks, Duane
My mother’s paternal great grandparents were Concetta Fugaro & Francesco Bisaccia and Madeline Cifichiello & John D’Ambrosio and two of her maternal grandparents were Frances Cifichiello & Peter Lacovara. As far as we know, all were born in San Mauro Forte. Any information anyone could provide us on them or their lineage would be most sincerely appreciated.
My grandfather Salvatore Cifichiello was the younger brother of Maddalena and Francesca. Francesca had a daughter and two sons…..Salvatore, Rocco, and Madeline Lacovara…..which line are you on? Maddalena and John had Frank, Michael and Concetta…..(there may be more but I don’t have the family tree in front of me). Which of those lines are you on as well?
Donna
Hi Robert. My paternal great grandparents are Francesco Bisaccia and Concetta Fugaro as well. If I have this correctly one of your mothers parents would be a sibling of my grandfather Nicola Bisaccia. I believe Nicola had 5 siblings: Anthony (Nicola’s twin), Angelina, Margaret, Mary and Lucy. I also believe that Francesco has 2 brothers: Raphael and Leonard. We have not advanced our family tree beyond Francesco and Concetta Bisaccia as of yet.
My grandfather (Antonio Autero) and grandmother (Concetta Guarino) were born in San Mauro Forte in 1888 and married there in February, 1902. I believe GGF Autero’s name was Pietro Autero. Does anyone have any information on these families?
Hello, I have an immigration record of a Michele Cavalcante coming from San Maulo Forte. He was on the same ship as Vincenzo Villone, in 1902 (and they were both 24). It is not clear if they were blood related, but their destination happened to be the same family at same address in Rochester, NY. Can anyone tell me if these names truly originated in SMF?
My grandparents, Vito Cazzorla & Angela Salamone were from San Mauro Forte. Is there any family left there? Any geneology info? Appreciate your help.
Hello Jane,
I have Salomone ancestors from San Mauro Forte going back to at least 1700.
My next move is to write the Church. My tree has a lot of information.
My branch of the Salomone’s left for another town in Basilicata by 1834, but many cousin- families stayed in San Mauro, the last one I know of, Mariantonia Salomone, a first cousin 4 generations back.
Hello,
I am seeking confirmation of birth for my paternal Grandfather. I have two locations of birth. William Dominic Querrieri or Guerrieri DOB: 02 July 1897 perhaps in San Mauro Forte, Poutenza Italy. If someone would guide me in the correct direction of where to find a birth certificate & parents names?
Grazia
Hi Nicole, yes that is correct. There are birth, death and marriage records for both these surnames in San Mauro Forte.
My grandfather, Victor (Vito?) Urgo, immigrated from San Mauro Forte to Passaic, New Jersey, USA, married to Fannie DiOrio. I haven’t interviewed my New Jersey cousins, who likely have more info. Just starting.
I was told my father, Michael Ralph Spinelli was born in 1899 in the town of San Mauro Forte. His name is listed as Michele Ralph Spinelli. His father’s name is Frank or Francis Spinelli and his wife is Rose Spinelli. They were first cousins. I would like any information you can give me about him.
All four of my grandparents emigrated from San Mauro Forte to the USA at the beginning of the 20th century. (Salvatore Cifichiello-Filomena Mulierè and Mauro T. Lamagna-Rosaria Cifichiello)..
I have done a lot of family tree research but need more information to connect family lines and go further back. The site only has a few files for me to see.
I need marriage certificates for:
Great great grandparents:
Vito Cifichiello – Francesca Paglia. Married about 1840s
PietroAntonio Disanza-Maddalena Lacovara also probably married about 1840s
And great grandparents:
Vincenzo Mulierè-Donata Ronzillo married probably 1890s
Francesco Lamagna-Francesca Tufo probably married about late 1870s
Any and all help greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Donna Cifichello
My great grandfather was Giuseppe Tufo, he came from from Basilicata, I believe San Mauro Forte in the early 1900s.
Donna,
I just left you a phone message – I believe that my great grandparents were Francesco Lamagna-Francesca Tufo. They were my grandmother, Santa Cirillo’s parents. Santa came to the US in 1916 were her mother – the last of the children to immigrate. My grandmother married Joseph Cirillo and my mother was Anna Cirillo and my uncle was Rocco Cirillo.
Hi, Donna. I believe you are the cousin, Lisa found (John Lamagna’s daughter). I am Camille Rowe, formerly Camille LaMagna. My father was William, brothers, Joseph and Frank. Their father was Salvatore, whose brother was Mauro. Salvatore married Grace Sanchirico. I do have their passports, as well as my great grandmother. I just returned from Italy but the town San Mauro Forte was not known by anyone in the Amalfi coast region. I will try to dig up those passports.
Hi Camille…..I met you…..I am the daughter of Phyllis Lamagna Cifichello (aka Fanny). I brought my mom to your dad’s funeral…..and I was also at Lisa’s daughter’s communion….my mom passed away last year…she was 96…. after your dad died she was the last surviving member on that side of the family!
Hi Marianne, Donna, and Camille – I’m descended from Mauro Lamagna through his grandson Domenico (Domenic), who was my great grandfather. Would be great to connect with all of the extended family. My mother is Serafine Lamagna.
My father said he was born 0n September 10,1899 in Salerno in the province of San Mauro Forte Polenza. Can you please verify this. Thank you, Robert Spinelli
My family is from San Mauro Forte surnames are Michael birth around 1850 ish or Giovanni birth around 1870 is or Mauro diFate or diFato also Maria Scavetta birth around 1876 mother Maria and Onorato . I believe Michael married Caremisa Baso ablos born around 1850
THANK YOU
I believe that my grandparents came to America in the 1890s from SMF. Do you have any record of a Giovanni Onorato, married to Benedetta, pls?
My grandfather was Giovanni Onorato married to Benedetto Fanelli. My husband and I went to San Mauro forte and found there names in the commune. How are you related to them? They had seven children, Victor, Bosco(Tony) Joe Louis ( my father) Rita, Jean AndThomas now all deceased. Would love to hear from you!
Bernadette, My great grandfather Rocco Onorato was born in SMF in 1867 and immigrated to USA in 1889 with his wife Angelina(Urgo) Onorato.My grandfather -Nicholas Onorato (born 1894) lived in Yonkers where my father Dr. Joseph Onorato( born 1925) and passed away in 2001.
Looking for info on my great grandfather Mauro Cifone, born 13 December 1880, emigrated to US 1903.
Hi. My Great Grandmother was Celia urgo. She was married to Antonio Cavaliere. Both were from San Mauro Forte. I have very little information on Celia. Please email me. I have a lot of information on the Cavaliere side.Also, my grand uncle’s wife was Margaret Tricarico. They lived in Astoria, NY.
JOSEPH
I am trying to find as much information as possible about my grandparents who were born either in the city of San Mauro Forte, Italy or in the very close surrounding area. My grandfather was William Urgo. He was related to Antonio Urgo who owned a ranch in San Mauro Forte. I don’t know what year he was born but, He passed around October 16, 1970, in Whitestone, New York. His father’s name was Salvatore Urgo. Grandpa was one of 13 brothers including, Dan & Frank and they had 1 sister named Louisa. He was a Veteran of WWI. He married my grandmother Caterina Buonfante. It was a fixed marriage. She was related to Francesco & Antonio Buonfante. One of her cousins was Frank Buonfante & they were all from San Mauro Forte. I don’t know when my grandmother was born. She passed around 1981, in Whitestone, New York. I appreciate your help & very kind assistance! Many blessings!
My great grandparents were born in San mauro forte:
Rosa Tricarico 12/20/1870
Giuseppe D’Ambrosio 10/3/1864
Her parents were:
Tomassa DiSanza and Antonio Tricarico
His parents were:
Maria Furioso and Andrea D’Ambrosio
I would like to find out any information about any of these individuals – dates of birth, marriage, death, their parents, etc.
Thank you
Mark,
Check Accetturra, neighboring town for Tricaricos.
Pat