Picerno Genealogy

Tracing your Italian roots back to Picerno (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 Picerno.
Picerno 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 Picerno
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 Picerno, involving many surnames traditionally found in the town, including branches of the following families: Caivano, Faraone, Salvia, Marino, Casale, Carella, Russo, Marcantonio, Tirone, Marchetto, Capece, Figliuolo, Marsico, Curcio 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 Picerno), 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 Picerno 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 Picerno — 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 Picerno 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 Picerno community.
Civil Records (Stato Civile) in Picerno
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 Picerno from that year onwards.
(If your goal is to obtain Italian citizenship and you need official certificates from Picerno, please follow this link.)
If your ancestors lived in Picerno during the past centuries, the City Office of Picerno 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 Picerno.
- 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 Picerno.
Population trends in Picerno
The chart below shows the demographic trends in Picerno 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 Picerno
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 Picerno 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 Picerno:
S. NICOLA DI BARI – Via S. Nicola
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 Picerno 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 Picerno
Historical cadastral and land records used to identify property ownership, track real estate transfers over time, and confirm the historical presence of families within Picerno. ItalianSide provides professional assistance in accessing and interpreting these records, where available.
Planning a visit to Picerno
From our experience, if you plan to visit Picerno 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 Picerno? Discover our travel proposals to Basilicata and Picerno — 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 Picerno
If you need professional support from our local genealogist in the Picerno area, write to picerno@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 Picerno
Here below you can read messages from other visitors in the Picerno forum. If you simply want to discuss genealogy in Picerno with other people, feel free to leave a message.






Hi- my great grandmother was from picerno Italy born 1861- Amelia Brancata- she lost her first husband in the war and married my great grandfather Felix LaTorra in the United States. I am interested in learning her parents names and any other information I can find out. Thanks for any help
Hello Joan, can’t see the date of your original comment but it sure gave me whiplash! I was JUST reading the original marriage record of Maria Emidia Brancato and Felice La Torre. It’s for a friend’s tree, so it’s all new to me. She had many surnames all terribly mangled by American clerks obviously trying their best to write them phonetically. Looking for records in Italy goes nowhere without using THEIR spelling! Maybe she could swap info with you. Can’t tell when you wrote your comment, or whether you’ll even see this. But worth a try. Thank you for your time, Valerie K
I am looking for information on Vito Demeo, Picerno, b. Nov 8, 1882 and my grandmother Angela Faraone, Picerno, b. Mar 18, 1886.
My great grandparents were Francesco and Anna Fiore from Picerno. I do not know my great grandmother’s maiden name. They left Naples in March of 1892 on the Victoria and arrived in New York on April 8, 1892. One of their children was born in Italy in 1890, a daughter named Maria. Their other children, including my grandfather Rocco, were born in Port Chester, NY, and Bridgeport, CT.
They eventually ended up living in Bridgeport, CT.
Any information about their families would be appreciated.
I am able to assist you in loicating some info on both Gerardo and Lucia.
I am looking for any information on a Gerardo (Jerry)Casale that was born in Picerno Italy and left for New York I think about 1882 – also a Luci Carelli born in Picerno Italy and I believe on the same ship as the above Gerardo Casale and married in Picerno before leaving for New York.
I am able to assist you in loicating some info on both Gerardo and Lucia.
I have a great great Grandfather Salvatore Casale from Picerno that was born in 1845 I wonder if they could be related. I don’t have much info on him at all. I know his wife was Rosa and they came to the US but don’t know when. I haven’t been able to find any Casales is Italy.
I am searching for any information on my great grandmother Lucia Fortunato. I have found when she traveled with her sister Felice to New York out of Naples, arriving on Sept 22, 1904. I believe her mother’s name was Angela and she had a brother Domanico.
That is as far as i have been able to get. Any information you can provide would be wonderful.
Thanks you so much!
Vicki
I’m looking for my husbands family, luisa jasparra buchicchio, born nov 9, 1888. She married February 1911 to Antonio buchicchio born in around 1880. He had travelled to the U.S. several times as a boy, I’m assuming for work. They lived in Ohio then in Los angeles together until Antonio died in 1926. I’m looking for any info regarding their lives or family info in Italy.
I am looking for information about my grandfather Vito Marcantonio , who I believe was born in Oct of 1881. His name shows up in the US Census of 1920 , 30 & 40… Might have been through Ellis Island in NY around 1911 from Naples. Any and all information would be appreciated.
Regards
Rick
mjstewart31@aol.com
My grandmother was Marie Marantonio Scavone who was born in Picerno We have Marantonio
cousins who lived in Connecticut and a distant cousin Vito Marcantonio who lived in Bronx NY.
Feel free email me
I am searching for information on my grandfather, Felice Tancredi. He traveled to the US on the Prinz Adalbert out of Naples, arriving on Jan. 30, 1904. He is listed as 32 years old and his last place of residence was Picerno.
I am also searching for information on his wife, Anna Capece, my grandmother. She traveled on the Burgundian from Naples, arriving on April 2, 1897.
Thank you in advance for any information you can provide.
Warm regards,
Anna
Anna,
Have any luck finding info on Felice Tancredi? I have done quite a bit of research in Picerno, as this was the home of my great grandmother.
Mike