Castelgrande Genealogy
Tracing your Italian roots back to Castelgrande (in Potenza 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 Castelgrande.
Castelgrande family history at a glance
- Region: Basilicata
- Province: Potenza
- 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 Castelgrande
Thanks to its network of local experts, Italianside has developed significant experience in genealogical research in the province of Potenza. 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 Castelgrande, involving many surnames traditionally found in the town, including branches of the following families: Bologna, Gasparrini, Cristiano, Masi, Coppola, Troiano, De Santis, Federici, Paradiso, Cianci, Esposito, Palermo, Muro, Cerone 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 Castelgrande), 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 Castelgrande 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 Castelgrande — 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 Castelgrande and in the Province of Potenza 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 Castelgrande community.
Civil Records (Stato Civile) in Castelgrande
In towns and villages of Basilicata and in Potenza province, civil registration offices were established in 1809. This means you can often find your ancestors’ civil records in the Town Hall archives of Castelgrande from that year onwards.
(If your goal is to obtain Italian citizenship and you need official certificates from Castelgrande, please follow this link.)
If your ancestors lived in Castelgrande during the past centuries, the City Office of Castelgrande 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 Castelgrande.
- 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 Castelgrande.
Population trends in Castelgrande
The chart below shows the demographic trends in Castelgrande 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 Castelgrande
Church archives in Potenza 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 Castelgrande 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 Castelgrande 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 Castelgrande
Historical cadastral and land records used to identify property ownership, track real estate transfers over time, and confirm the historical presence of families within Castelgrande. ItalianSide provides professional assistance in accessing and interpreting these records, where available.
Planning a visit to Castelgrande
From our experience, if you plan to visit Castelgrande 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 Castelgrande? Discover our travel proposals to Basilicata and Castelgrande — 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 Castelgrande
If you need professional support from our local genealogist in the Castelgrande area, write to castelgrande@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 Castelgrande
Here below you can read messages from other visitors in the Castelgrande forum. If you simply want to discuss genealogy in Castelgrande with other people, feel free to leave a message.
I am looking for my great
Grandfathers heritage. He was born in Castlegrande and migrated to the US. His name was William Gerald Palermo.
Alla ricerca di informazioni su Vincenzo Ruvo/Margherita Coppola Ruvo – Figlio: Gaetano Ruvo, Figlia, Maria Antonina Ruvo da Castlegrande, Italia – Emigrata a Newark/Bloomfield, NJ intorno al 1911
I would like to know if anyone has information about Francesco Masilotti, born in Castelgrande
My great-grandfather, Vito Antonio Ruvo, was born on September 30,1882 in Castelgrande and moved to Bloomfield, New Jersey. Does anyone have any relation to him? It appears that “Ruvo” was not a common name
Looking for infor on Vincenzo Ruvo/Margherita Coppola Ruvo – Son Gaetano Ruvo Daughter Maria Antonina Ruvo from Castlegrande Italy – Immigrated to Newark/Bloomfield NJ around 1911
We are looking for Victoria Ruvo- so another person with the same surname in Castelgrande
Looking for information on Vito Masi and Maria Custode. I unfortunately have little to no information as far as dates of birth or death. They had a child Rosa Masi born October 2nd, 1882 in Castelnuovo di Conza Salerno, Italy. Any information I could get on either person would be amazing. Thank You, in advance, for reading this and any help provided.
Looking for information on family of Giuseppe Cristiano (Cristiani); born 1889 in Castegrande. I have his birth certificate, and marriage (Angelina DeSantis); but not of his brothers, sisters…reportedly brothers went to Argentina. He came to USA in 1914 on the Princess Irene to Ellis Island.
Looking for information on Vincenzo Masi (1870-1928) his parents and grandparent’s. Vincenzo was born in Castelgrande and then lived in Norwalk, CT before returning to Italy after his first wife (Vincenza D’Elia) passed. I think his father’s name was Pasquale and his mother Vincenza (possible maiden name also Masi) from Castelgrande. Also looking for family of Anna Rosa Federici (1840-) She was married to Gaetano E’Elia (1884-) They were both born in Castelgrande.
Hi Katrina,
Pasquale Masi, D’elia, and a couple other young men came to America with my grandfather, Domenico Cardillo. I haven’t looked at my notes in a long time, but happy to look through and give you more information.
Looking for information on my grandmother, Maria DeNicola, and grandfather, Vincenzo Gasparrini from Castelgrande, Italy. They were married in 1903. He was 36 and she was 22 at the time of their marriage.
looking for info about my ggm Rosa bologna who married Giovanni battista Ippolito in castelgrande. they had two daughters Catarina and christina born abt 1883
what was rosa maiden name. rosa died and then giovanni married Maria Felice Christiano and had a daughter Victoria Ippolito.did rosa have family sisters.
Looking for information on the Christiano and Franco family
My grandmother was Angela Maria Franco Christiano
My grandfather was Lawrence Christiano
They came through ellis island and lived in Greenwich, CT
There must be some connection: I know D’Elia’s, Masi, bologna Matturro and Gaspirinni in the bronx…
Went to Castelgrande to visit I will never forget it!
I have been doing genealogy on the descendants of Guglielmo Gasparrini b. circa 1750 the grandfather of Guglielmo Gasparrini born 1804. I have at least two blank areas in the tree.
1. Angelo Gasparrini who was an Italian consul in Angara (Ankara) Turkey around 1880. He married an Armenia-Turkish woman, Ripsima. I don’t know who were his parents and couldn’t find his death record.
2. The other is the Gasparrini family in Venezuela. The story I heard was that a Gasparrini emigrated to Venezuela and married a rich girl whose father owned the race track. The other thing I heard is that they had property in Castelgrande and an elderly woman died in the Irpino earthquake when the roof collapsed on her.
The other thing I wanted to mention is that the descendants of Guglielmo Gasparrini were originally Gasparrino. Even the scientist Guglielmo Gasparrini was known as Gasparrino. Somewhere before 1850, he adopted Gasparrini and the rest of the cousins seemed to follow him.
Any insights or comments are welcome.
I’m interested in my great grandfather whose name was Vincenzo Leo (we think this is the surname) boring in 1888. He left around 1910 for Ellis Island. He left by himself so his family was still there. Would like know a little more as my Grandma doesn’t know anything about his family.
My grandparents were born in Castelgrande. They didn’t know each other when they came over to NY, as they left there home in Italy when they were young with their parents. My grandmother was Pasqualina Ianuzzi, born in Sept of 1888. She came over to NY with her mother (her dad had died) at around the turn of the century (maybe a yr earlier). Her mother was Dorotea Cerrone. Dorotea eventually remarried here and lived in Portchester, NY with her second husband, whose last name was Pace. My grandfather, Giuseppe Matturro, was born in April of 1885. He had brothers (Pasquale, Vincenzo, and I think Antonio). Some of them settled in NJ, others on Long Island, NY, and the rest in NYC and the Bronx. We are not sure if the spellings of the surnames are correct, as we could never find any birth records on them when we went through their things. My grandmother never went back to visit, as she said there were no relatives left there. My grandfather died very young in 1922. Her sister, Regina, married a Gasparini in Castelgrande, and then came over to NY with him. Again, not sure if this spelling is correct. Anyone out there think there may be relatives in Italy with whom I can connect, or maybe folks here with whom I am related? Hope to find someone out there!!!! Thanks!!
My great grandfather was vincenzo gasparrini. He married Regina Ianuzzi. Lived in Westchester.
Regina Ianuzzi was my grandmother’s older sister! She married Vincenzo Gasparini and they lived in the Bronx, NY. My grandmother was Pasqualina and she married Guiseppe Matturro.
I guess you and I are indirectly related!
I am the Granddaughter of Angelo DeSanctis (his mother was Maria Pace) and Rose DeSanctis ( nee: Manzi)
Looking for any info
My grandfather was born March 8 1879 in Castlegrande Potenza Italy. His father was Angelo Masi. Does anyone know his mothers name.
The majority of the Masilotti Family lives in Caracas, Venezuela.
The majority of the Masi’s family lives in Caracas Venezuela
Yes, the Italian State digitized much of the records from Castelgrande. I can find out for you if you have not already found the answer. Yes, a lot of Masi’s moved to South America, but there are plenty in the US and Italy as well….
Angelo Masilotti who came in the early 1910s or 20s in ny and years later started Cumberland county cleaners is my great great grandfather. His son Hugo my great grandfather and His youngest son Donald my Poppop
My great-grandmother, Vincenza Gasparina, left Castelgrande with her children Maria, Matilde, and Pasquale sometime around 1883-1885. Her husband was Isadoro, but I have no information about happened to him except that her marriage license to Lorenzo Bologna (Belloni) listed her as a widow. My grandfather, Patrick Gasparin, was born in 1881 in Italy, and he grew up in the Bowery in Little Italy. Would like info about Gasparina or Gasparini family. Please use Italian Family in the subject line.
Looking for any information on the Racaniellos from Castelgrande. Immigrated through New York.
My great grandfather was Vito Masi from Castelgrande and he came over through Ellis Island I think in late 1890’s and had a son in 1902 Angelo Masi born I think in Port Chester, New York. He married Anna (Graziano) and had my father Victor in 1936 and his sister Marilyn in 1931 and three both grew up in Port Chester. I am seeking any info on Vito and his family in Castelgrande. Have any Masi’s ever returned to Castelgrande to meet with relatives there?
Chris – what’s you email? We may have a connection. Thanks – Mike
I am interested in learning any information about the Lissanti/Christiano family. Their names were Peter and Teresa Christiano and came to New York around 1912.
Thank you.
I had an uncle pete christiano that came to America form castelgrande around that time….
I am searching for my husband’s extended family via information. The only details I have is the names;
Vincent Mennona (M) life approx. 1851-1911 in area of Castlegrande, Italy
Angela Racaniello (F) life approx. 1851-1911 in area of Castlegrande, Italy
Presumable left and arrive Ellis Island? They both married and gave birth to children, one whom was Anna Mennona born in Stamford, CT. 6/18/1916, since deceased.
Any info would be most helpful, thank you.
Hi ru related to vincenzo cristiano from castelgrande…immigrated to canada around 1900 married assunta saggese
Marie,
I am a descendant of Felice. Archangelo ended up in Colorado and Felice and Vittorio ended up in elizabeth nj. I have never heard or was told of the others but am actively trying to piece the information together.
My grandfather wasDomenico Cardillo who emigrated to the US in 1900 with several friends (from the families Masi,Melillo, Bologna, and D’elia). I would like to know how I might be able to find out if the Cardillo families still residing in Castelgrande are my relatives. Any help or guidance would be appreciated.
Dear friend. I am from Venezuela. I was born in Castelgrande and when I was 6 month old my parents emigrated to Venezuela. As I remember, there is a group of memmbers of the Cardillo family in caracas.
I don’t know how I got on this page but my grandmother was a Masilotti born around 1900 from Castlegrande. Her parents were Vito and Vincenza. Maybe Masilotti was a common name. Just some info.
My Grand mother’s name was Vincenzo Masilotti. Her husband Giuseppe Masilotti. They had a son named Vito who emigrated to USA. You
Hi Ken,
My Great Grandfather Giuseppe Bologna came over in 1901 and resided in NYC, i wonder if our grandparents came over together.
I am interested in the Colonna family. My grandmother Agnese Colonna came to New York via Ellis Island in 1921. She was born in 1899 and lived in Catelgrande with her parents Giuseppe and Carmela and siblings, Felice, Archangelo, Vittorio, Gerald, Mary and Theresa. I would appreciate if you could provide me with any information about the family. I believe there are relatives still living in Castelgrande. I will be visiting Italy in the Spring and would like to make contact.
Thank you for your help.
I am interested in the Pace family. My great-grandfather Giambattista Pace came to New York via Ellis Island in 1909 with one of his sons ( I think his name was Pietro?); then in 1912 he brought the rest of his family to New York including my grandfather Guiseppe Pace. It would be appreciated if you could provide any information on the Pace family. I miss my grandfather very much since he died and any link to his history would comfort all my family. Thank you for your help.
My great grandfather was Pietro Pace and he had a brother “joe”. Contact me if I can assist with any information on the Pace family. Thank you
Maria Lucia Pace was my 2nd Great Grandmother, she was the daughter of Giuseppe.
She married Nicola Marie Caputi. My Great grandfather Micheal Caputi was their son.