Valsinni Genealogy
Tracing your Italian roots back to Valsinni (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 Valsinni.
Valsinni 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 Valsinni
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 Valsinni, involving many surnames traditionally found in the town, including branches of the following families: Montemurro, Sollazzo, Olivieri, Guarino, Bruno, Mele, Celano, Zaccone, Montesano, Agresta, Truncellito, Petrigliano, Magno, Rinaldi 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 Valsinni), 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 Valsinni 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 Valsinni — 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 Valsinni 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 Valsinni community.
Civil Records (Stato Civile) in Valsinni
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 Valsinni from that year onwards.
(If your goal is to obtain Italian citizenship and you need official certificates from Valsinni, please follow this link.)
If your ancestors lived in Valsinni during the past centuries, the City Office of Valsinni 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 Valsinni.
- 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 Valsinni.
Population trends in Valsinni
The chart below shows the demographic trends in Valsinni 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 Valsinni
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 Valsinni on your behalf and reconstruct your family history through the centuries.
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 Valsinni 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 Valsinni
Historical cadastral and land records used to identify property ownership, track real estate transfers over time, and confirm the historical presence of families within Valsinni. ItalianSide provides professional assistance in accessing and interpreting these records, where available.
Planning a visit to Valsinni
From our experience, if you plan to visit Valsinni 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 Valsinni? Discover our travel proposals to Basilicata and Valsinni — 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 Valsinni
If you need professional support from our local genealogist in the Valsinni area, write to valsinni@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 Valsinni
Here below you can read messages from other visitors in the Valsinni forum. If you simply want to discuss genealogy in Valsinni with other people, feel free to leave a message.
Buongiorno. Mi chiamo Suzanne Truncellito e cercavo informazioni su mio nonno Vincenzo Truncellito e sui miei bisnonni da parte di mio nonno. Anche la mia bisnonna si chiamava Antoinette Morra prima di sposare mio nonno, Joseph Agresta, e venire in America all’inizio del secolo. Qualsiasi informazione possiate fornirmi vi sarà grata.
Grazie
My Mothers maiden name is Oetrigliano. Her Mothers maiden name was LIONETTI Thank you. GRAZIE!!!
I assume your mother’s maiden name was Petrigliano. My grandfather had two half-brothers, Santo and Giuseppe Petrigliano. Santo (Sam) married Rosina Lionetti here in the USA. They had three sons and three daughters. You may contact me if you wish.
my maternal grandfather was a Lionetti. His name was Vincenzo and his parents lived on a farm of some sort, (i dont know their first names nor my great grandmothers maiden name, Grandfather Vincenzo had a twin sister who unfortunately I never knew-not even her name–but SHE had a daughter named Philomena-who i met only once long ago. I think she lived in northern New Jersey and I think she had at least one daughter living there as well. Vincenzo had other brothers and sisters as well. I never knew or met any of them.
Vincenzo married my grandmother, Isabella Angiolillo, who was born in Noepoli, Province of Potenza. I believe they married in the US and in Italy as well-though not sure whether it was in Potenza or Matera or both.
I know so little about the Lionetti side (and not as much as i would like about the Angiolillos) Any information would be appreciated
My half great aunt, Maria Giuseppa Rinaldi married Giuseppe Lionetti, youngest brother of Vincenzo, in 1906 in Valsinni. the came to the US in 1907 and I know nothing more of them. I am looking for any information about them. They may have changed their names to Joseph and Josephine.
Since that last post in 2018 I have learned that my maternal grandfather, Vincenzo Lionetti was born on Jan 15, 1879.
By 1904, probably even a bit earlier than that, Vincenzo, a tailor, was living somewhere in New Jersey, possibly In the East New York, NJ area (a guess based on one of my aunts being born there in 1912 or so)
Also understand that he and my grandmother made several trips back and forth from America back to Valsinni. Some of my aunts and uncles were born there – others here. I think that my grandfather may have suffered with depression and the trips back home to his native environment were Believed to be beneficial. Also he was not only called Vincenzo. He was also known to use the name James or Jimmy.
Hi, I am looking for records on my great Grandfather, Vincenzo Stigliano born November 10 1882 in the Valsinni area. Most of my Stigliano relatives were from Pescapagano and immigrated to the US early 1900’s Vincenzo married Marie Vittoria Digirolomo born August 21, 1882 somewhere in southern Italy and they had a son Michele In Italy around 1900. I am interested in my Italian citizenship. My Paternal grandfather Thomas Stigliano(Vincenzo’s son) born in the US in 1908 started the first Chiropractic clinic in Salerno in 1976 or 1977 and used to contribute to Casa Materna (orphanage) in Portici Naples. I would appreciate any help in my search. Thank You! Lisa Craney
Well several years later and further into my geneology research I have found out that the Stigliano’s were born in Valsinni and the Digerolomo and Miele side of the family were from Pescopagano. Still looking for Stigliano relatives in Valsinni, Guiseppe and VIncenzo were from Valsinni , a Barber and a Tailor. Guiseppe went back and forth, but Vincenzo worked in Jersey City and Died young at 37 in East orange NJ. Any input welcome. I believe we were all decendents of Don Antonio from Nova Siri abt. 1810 he had 5 or 6 Children and we have traced Guiseppe back to him, but am wondering about Pietro Stigliano 1830? who was also a tailor in Valsinni. His brother Fabbiano was the county Sheriff/debt collector and lost his life trying to collect a debt. Guiseppe and Concetta worked their farm in Valsinni even after they came to the US. Thanks Lisa