Region: Basilicata Province: Matera
Tracing your Italian roots back to San Mauro Forte, in Matera province, Basilicata region?
This comprehensive guide empowers you to understand the records available in San Mauro Forte, unlocking your family’s rich history.
Where to Begin Your Ancestry Journey in San Mauro Forte
If your ancestral trail leads to San Mauro Forte, Italy, their vital records are likely housed in two key locations:
- San Mauro Forte City Hall Archives: Established in 1809, these archives hold civil registry records like births, marriages, and deaths for San Mauro Forte residents since then.
- San Mauro Forte Parish Churches: For records pre-dating 1809 or for religious ceremonies, exploring San Mauro Forte’s parish church archives might be necessary.
Civil Records in San Mauro Forte
In towns and villages of Basilicata and in Matera province civil registry offices were established in 1809: it means that you could find your ancestors records in San Mauro Forte Town Hall archives as of that date.
(If your goal is to get your Italian Citizenship and you need official certificates from San Mauro Forte Municipality, follow this link).
So, if your ancestors lived in San Mauro Forte during the past centuries, then you should start your family research from the City Office of San Mauro Forte to know more: our local expert is ready to help you in your research!
With his deep knowledge of people and local history he will assist you not only finding names and dates (births, marriages, deaths) but he will reveal to you many other precious information on the life of your ancestors available in the old registers.
- Professions: do you know what your ancestors did for a living? Our genealogist will be able to give you this info!
- Addresses: the house where your family lived (a great information if you intend to visit San Mauro Forte !)
- Churches: where they were baptized or married
- Signatures: if your ancestors knew how to write, he will be able to show you their original signatures.
(If you can’t visit San Mauro Forte, our researcher will give you the necessary info to find by yourself the relevant places on the maps available online)
Next picture shows the demographic trends in San Mauro Forte from the Italian Unification (1861).
This is a necessary info to understand how many people lived in the town in the past.
To go on quickly in your research is important to know if the last name you are investigating is a frequent surname in San Mauro Forte. As more your surname is common, as more it could be difficult to find the right branch of your ancestors family in San Mauro Forte archives, expecially if you have not exact dates (there could be cases of homonymy).
It’s useful for you to know that the most common surnames in Matera province are:
Andrisani, Bianco, Bruno, Carbone, Carlucci, Cifarelli, Colucci, Coretti, D’Alessandro, Di Cuia, Di Lecce, Di Pede, Ferrara, Festa, Fiore, Fortunato, Gaudiano, Giordano, Grieco, Guida, Iacovone, Lamacchia, Lauria, Leone, Manicone, Martino, Matera, Montemurro, Montesano, Nicoletti, Olivieri, Padula, Paolicelli, Papapietro, Quinto, Rinaldi, Rizzi, Romano, Rondinone, Rubino, Ruggieri, Russo, Sacco, Salerno, Stigliano, Tataranni, Venezia, Vizziello.
Church Records in San Mauro Forte
Church archives in Matera province may store even older information. You will find religious records of the same events (births, marriages and deaths) but, most important, you could go further back in time!
So in case you would like to go back in centuries, it’s good for you to know that the parish registers in Basilicata started during 1500!
Parish archives are far less accessible expecially from abroad and very hard to read and decipher if you are not used and skilled.
But our local genealogists, are graduated in history and archivistics so, with their expertise, they can research the church registers of San Mauro Forte on your behalf to gather info about your family history during 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
For our experience, if you plan to come here to visit San Mauro Forte, we always suggest to start the research months before the arrival.
This because a comprehensive genealogy research is time consuming!
Starting from home, you will have time to get a complete research avoiding to waste your holidays in the offices or in the churches dealing with italian bureaucracy .
(Remember that archives are not open to public and officers and priests are not required by law to give you access to the local archives)
With the results gathered by our genealogist and translated in your language before your arrival, you will have the possibility to plan carefully your visit.
In this way you will have more free time to enjoy your tour to the roots on your ancestors footsteps.
Another important source of information are the notary documents available to expert researchers in the State Archives of Matera.
If you need a professional help from our local genealogist in San Mauro Forte area , write to sanmauroforte@italianside.com or fill the form here.
Our expert will study your request and will reply to you with a plan and a quote for your family research.
If you think to contact the town hall by yourself, we suggest you to read our tips for your search. They are useful advices to search in Basilicata and of course in San Mauro Forte too.
Here below you can read the messages received from other visitors in San Mauro Forte forum:
if you only want to discuss with other people interested in genealogy in San Mauro Forte feel free to leave a message below.
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.
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