Spinoso Genealogy
Tracing your Italian roots back to Spinoso (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 Spinoso.
Spinoso 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 Spinoso
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 Spinoso, involving many surnames traditionally found in the town, including branches of the following families: Oliva, Di Filippo, Vetrano, Maggi, Rivelli, Solimando, Lucca, Russo, Infantino, Racioppi, De Luise, Frezza, Bonelli, Messina 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 Spinoso), 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 Spinoso 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 Spinoso — 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 Spinoso 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 Spinoso community.
Civil Records (Stato Civile) in Spinoso
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 Spinoso from that year onwards.
(If your goal is to obtain Italian citizenship and you need official certificates from Spinoso, please follow this link.)
If your ancestors lived in Spinoso during the past centuries, the City Office of Spinoso 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 Spinoso.
- 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 Spinoso.
Population trends in Spinoso
The chart below shows the demographic trends in Spinoso 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 Spinoso
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 Spinoso 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 Spinoso 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 Spinoso
Historical cadastral and land records used to identify property ownership, track real estate transfers over time, and confirm the historical presence of families within Spinoso. ItalianSide provides professional assistance in accessing and interpreting these records, where available.
Planning a visit to Spinoso
From our experience, if you plan to visit Spinoso 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 Spinoso? Discover our travel proposals to Basilicata and Spinoso — 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 Spinoso
If you need professional support from our local genealogist in the Spinoso area, write to spinoso@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 Spinoso
Here below you can read messages from other visitors in the Spinoso forum. If you simply want to discuss genealogy in Spinoso with other people, feel free to leave a message.
Hello, I’m looking to find out where exactly my grandfather and his family came from. I was told it was Spinoso, Potenza. His name was Giuseppe Solimando
My great grandfather Domenico Revell/Rivello’s first wife was Anna Solimando/Somandi. I have seen both spellings. They had two children in Italy before she died. He married Antonia/Antoinette Padula, and they had three daughters in NYC. Domenico’s first family came to the US with him. His son Antonio (married Josephine Sinisgalli) and daughter Madeline (married Selletti) settled in NY state in or near Rochester, where the Padula side of the family ran a dairy.
Both the Revell and Vitale Solimando families were on the 1906 passenger list for the SS Sicilia departing from Naples. They lived in the same building in NYC.
Good luck on your search.
My great grandmother Maria Caterina DiMarco (1850–1920) married Nicola Maria Gaetano Solimando (1799–1878) in Spinoso. Nicola was Maria’s second husband, after her first husband Giuseppe Robortella died early in life in a railroad accident in 1909 in the United States. Nicola and Maria had a son Giuseppe Giandomenico Solimando who was born in Spinoso in 1875. The date of Giuseppe’s death is not known. I don’t have any additional information about Giuseppe, but I do have a scan of his birth certificate which I would be happy to send to you. This Giuseppe may or may not be your grandfather, but I saw your post. Best regards. From John, Canandaigua, New York USA.
hi, I looking for information on my Great Grandfather Giovanni Leo he married Rosina Cioffi, he had son Anthonio Leo,1887 birth son Lorenzo Leo birth 1891, son Fiore Leo birth 1892, son Guiseppe Leo son Emilio Leo and a sister Theresa Leo if you know anything about my great grandfather please let me know
My grandfathers name Giuseppe solimando. He had3 brothers and one sister he moved to New York City and always re visited Italy. I believe he owned a villa there but not sure exactly where. Pleas let me know where he came from and where the villa was located. His parents names were Michael and Rosalia his brothers names were Anthony, Michael and jimmy( American names). Thank you
I am searching for relatives from Spinoso or Moliterno Italy. My grandmother was Theresa Barone. That was her married name. She had a daughter – my mother – named Mary. My grandfather was from Moliterno. If anyone has any information, please let me know.
I was inquiring about my Grandmother, Maddalena Roccanova Marchesani who lived in Potenza, Spinosa. I believe she may have been born around 1890. She married my grandfather Rocco Marchesani and moved to the United States. They had 4 children. My aunt Anne was born in Italy prior to Maddalena moving to US. My father, Vincent was born in US. My grandfather lived in US prior to marrying Maddalena and went back and forth until permanently relocating the family to US. Maddalena died in 1919 from influenza epidemic. I know she had a sister and brothers and was curious about the family and her actual birth records and any family history. Any information would be appreciated. I believe her sister returned to Italy after her death. I was also curious about any records in the area for my grandfather, Maddalena’s husband Rocco Marchesani 1884-1964 and his family. Thank you for your assistance.
My great grandfather, Toney Sanzobrino (1864-1923), came from Spinoso, Italy. His father, Carl Sanzobrino (1822-1906), also from Spinoso area. I believe the surname was originally Sansobrino.
Any information on the family background would be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Michael Sanzobrin
I am researching my ancestors from Spinoso. Michele Solimando was born in
1850, his parents were Theresina Roccanova and Giovanni Solimando. Anna Maria DePuglia wAs born in 1860 and her parents were louis DePuglia and Maddalena destefano.
Michele and anna Maria married around 1880. Any info greatly appreciated.
If this is any help, my fifth great grandfather was Domenico Solimando, born circa 1735 in Spinoso. He married Beatrice Mileo. They had one son Giovanni Solimando (1757–1817) and one daughter Maddalena (1768–1828). I do not know the date of Domenico’s death. From John, Canandaigua, New York USA.
Dear sir or madam
I have been searching for my great grandparents who were born in Spinoso. My great grandfather in found. He was Angelo Raffaele Fulco born on 4 Feb 1862 in Spinoso. His parents were Giuseppe Fulco and Antonia Bonelli, both from Spinoso. Giuseppe was 33 and Antonia 30 when Angelo was born. Therefore they must have been born in 1829 and 1832 respectively.
With this information I would like to find out
1) did Antonia and Giuseppe have other children. I believe there is an older brother to Angelo names Vito
2) when were Antonia and Giuseppe born and to what parents
3) were they also from Spinoso
4) did Antonia and Giuseppe die in Spinoso. I know Angelo married Emmanuela Maccarone in 1885 and sailed on a ship to Argentina that year.
Any information would be much appreciated.
Thank you
Marilu