Genealogy in Caulonia
Tracing your Italian roots back to Caulonia (in Reggio Calabria province, Calabria region) begins with understanding which records exist and where they are preserved. On this page you’ll find a clear guide to the civil, parish and historical sources available for genealogy in Caulonia.
Caulonia family history at a glance
- Region: Calabria
- Province: Reggio Calabria
- Record types available: civil and parish registers
- Civil registration: began in 1809
- Parish records: often earlier than civil registration (sometimes as far back as the 1600s)
Research experience on families in Caulonia
Over the years, ItalianSide has conducted genealogy research on historical families from Caulonia, involving many surnames traditionally found in the town, including branches of the following families: Cavallo, Chiera, Di Masi, Nesci, Cirillo, Cavallaro, Rullo, Piscioneri, Tassone, Maiolo, Panetta, Franco, Ierace, Mazza and others.
Many records relating to families and individuals are already stored in our databases and include, in addition to names and dates, further information such as occupations, residential addresses, and key family and social relationships within the Caulonia community in past centuries.
Part of the information used by ItalianSide in genealogy research derives from a proprietary archive of on-site research conducted over many years in Caulonia and by our experts. This archive includes studies, family trees, and data not available online, such as cross-referenced family relationships, occupational histories, deciphered or translated documents, residential patterns, and visual documentation.
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
Direct access to archives and a deep understanding of the local context allow for more complete and accurate results than research conducted remotely or based on partial sources alone. Research may be carried out using all available sources in both public and private archives.
Genealogy in Caulonia
If your ancestors came from Caulonia, in Reggio Calabria province (Calabria region), the first step is to identify the local archives where records are kept. Most family history research starts from the civil registry office at the Comune and continues in parish and notary archives.
Where to begin your ancestry journey in Caulonia
Vital records for people born, married or deceased in Caulonia are usually preserved in:
- Caulonia City Hall archives: civil records (births, marriages, deaths) available from 1809 onwards.
- Caulonia parish churches: in Calabria, religious registers that can trace family lines back to the 1600s, and in some cases even earlier.
Civil Records (Stato Civile) in Caulonia
In towns and villages of Calabria and in Reggio Calabria province, civil registration offices were established starting in 1809. This means you can often find your ancestors’ civil records in the Town Hall archives of Caulonia from that year onwards.
(If your goal is to obtain Italian citizenship and you need official certificates from Caulonia, please follow this link.)
If your ancestors lived in Caulonia during the past centuries, the City Office of Caulonia 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 Caulonia.
- 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 Calabria and specifically in Caulonia.
Population trends in Caulonia
The chart below shows the demographic trends in Caulonia 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 Caulonia
Church archives in Reggio Calabria 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 Calabria, 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 Caulonia 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 Caulonia:
S. FAMIGLIA – Contrada Foca’
S. MARIA AIUTO DEI CRISTIANI – Contrada Ursini
S. MARIA DEL BUON CONSIGLIO – Contrada Campoli
S. MICHELE ARCANGELO – Via S.Michele
S. NICOLA – Contrada S. Nicola
S. ZACCARIA – Via Roma
SANTI SILVESTRO E BARBARA – P.zza S.Antonio
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 Caulonia and Calabria 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 Caulonia
Historical cadastral and land records used to identify property ownership, track real estate transfers over time, and confirm the historical presence of families within Caulonia. ItalianSide provides professional assistance in accessing and interpreting these records, where available.
Planning a visit to Caulonia
From our experience, if you plan to visit Caulonia 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 Caulonia? Discover our travel proposals to Calabria and Caulonia — 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 Caulonia
If you need professional support from our local genealogist in the Caulonia area, write to caulonia@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 Caulonia
Here below you can read messages from other visitors in the Caulonia forum. If you simply want to discuss genealogy in Caulonia with other people, feel free to leave a message.
I’m looking to trace back from giuseppanto buraglioti born in the 1700’s calabria married to Vittoria circosta 1700’s calabria had a son domenicantonio buraglioti born 1728? Passed in October 28 1811. I would like to get better dates for what I have please.
My grandfather immigrated to U.S. from Caulonia in late 1890’s. His name was Michele (Michael) Mercuri (name was subsequently changed to Mercure).
His sister (my Great Aunt) still lived in Caulonia in September 1958 as we have a letter written by her with a postmark of Caulonia.
We are planning a trip to Italy in 2023 and we want to visit Caulonia, Reggio Calabria. My mother was born there and I wanted to see if their home is still there and see where she lived. My Grandmother’s family is from Caulonia.
My Great Grandparents are Domenic Fanto (1858 – 1903) and Teresa Vozzo (1862 – 1903), both from Caulonia. Their daughter, Maria Fanto is my grandmother. She married Francesco Albanese. They had three children in Caulonia. My mother, Carmella Albanese Deep, her twin brother Giuseppe (Joseph), and Vincenzo (James) and two children in the United States.
My Grandfather went to the USA first, to find work and my grandmother and her three children left for America on 18th April 1937 to join him.
I do not have actual addresses of homes in Caulonia, but I think they lived on Via Antonio and there is a little alley called “Vico I Porta Allaro” and I think that is the area where my mom lived. She told me she used to play outside in an alley type area.
My grandfather, also born in Caulonia, shows an address on his marriage record of Via S. Maria.
My Mom went back to Italy to visit once or twice, but I never asked her the exact details of where she lived, etc. My Uncle, Rev. Lawrence Albanese (born in USA) has been to Caulonia and visited relatives there. I have photos, but he did not label them, so it makes it difficult. My Mom’s family has all passed away except her youngest brother William who is now in his 80’s, but he was born in the USA and is not familiar with Caulonia.
If you have any information on this family, would you please share with me.
Thank you,
Mary Lynn
I am looking for the parents of Vincenzo Campisi, born in Caulonia on July 20, 1894. He had at least one brother, Guiseppe, who also emigrated to the US as did Vincenzo. He married Rosa Angelatta, whose father was also born in Caulonia on August 12, 1876. He was married to Christina Ricici, born on December 12, 1885 (daughter of Nicholas and Carmella–also of Caulonia). Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.
My grandfather, Luigi Sghirripa, was born in Caulonia on June 1, 1884. I am hoping someone can help me to find out his parents names.
will be traveling to Caulonia soon, wondering if there are any Franco descendants of my great grandfather Laurio (Lauro) Franco still around.
My name is Bernadette Romeo. I am travelling to Calabria in a few months and would like to connect with my extended family. In particular my nonno’s nephew Giulio Manno. My nonno was from Caulonia, he married a Rosa Ciampa and his nephew married a Maria. That’s all I really have to go by.
I will be Caulonia Sept. 18 thru the 23, 2019. The purpose of my visit is to find out about my grandmother Caterina Vurra from Caulonia and my grandfather from Grotteria Vincenzo Carella. My father was born in Caulonia in1901 and he and his mother came to America in 1913. 10 years prior to their arrival my grandfather came over by himself. The last name could possibly be Vura. Her father’s name was Ilario and my dad was named after him. The name was Americanized to Larry Carello. I’m just starting out and would greatly appreciate any tips, suggestions or help form anyone. Thank You
Hello Robert! I am a descendant of Maria Vurra who is Caterina’s sister. My family lived in Rome, NY. Caterina is my great, great aunt. Were you able to find any relatives in Caulonia? My mother is going there next year and is hoping to connect with family. Any information would be terrific!
Hi Jennifer: First let me apologize for the delay in my response. I just found this email while searching Caulonia. I was able to visit Caulonia in Sep. 2019. I stayed in Marina Caulonia for 7 days and took day trips to Caulonia & Grotteria. I was lucky enough to visit the “town hall” and meet with the lady in charge. She was very helpful and we did in fact locate my Grandmother’s and father’s birth certificate’s. We also found the marriage documents between my grandmother and grand father marriage certificate. I was surprised to learn that my grandfather’s name was actually Pasqual and not Vincenzo Carella. He took his middle name when he came to America and we never knew this fact before. I did not have the same good luck in Grotteria however. It’s a smaller village and it’s not as sophisticated as Caulonia. The fact that everything is closed on Sunday and I do not speak I Italian didn’t help. I loved this part of Italy and sort of felt at home. It’s very unique in a good way. I took a train to and from Naples and rented a car in Lamezia Terme. I hope your mother can visit as I am sure she will enjoy the same feelings I experienced. I would love to return for a visit and continue my search.
My great Grandfather, Edward Dominic Pacchi was born in Caulonia, 1894 or 1895. Sailed to Ellis Island 1912 with an Uncle and name changed to Packi.
Anyone know of Pacchi’s please reply. I’m a a dead end.
Thanks! Carole
dead end. no US documents list my greatgrandfathers parents. Michaelangelo Timpano, born may 17, 1866 caulonia, reggio calabria. want to visit relatives if there are any. thank you
Dear sir/madam
I would like information about my father’s family,who lived in the village of Ursini. They immigrated to Australia in the 1950s, my father was 15 or 16. My nonno’s name was Guiseppe Maiolo & my grandmother’ s maiden name was Rosa Tassone.
My father should have hospital records in locri as he injured his leg as a young boy & had another surgery later in Caulonia that saved his life.
Any information would be appreciated.
Warm regards
Vanessa
I’m doing research and she showed up in my family as well Maria maillo was my grandmother. If you could help me it would be great. Too
could I find the history or linesin the names
Spano & Franco in Caulonia
could I find the history or lines of the names
Spano & Franco
Hi I’m looking to where to get a marriage certificate, and birth certificates from my great grandparents, and grandfather. My grandfather John D’Agostino 1914 was born in Giffone Calabria, and resided in Caulonia until boat ride to United States. My great grandfather Rocco D’Agostino born around 1897.
My great grandmother Mary Josephine Giannico I can’t find any info about. I know many Italians changed their name coming to the US. Any advice is welcoming
Can’t believe the names I am reading. My grandmother Rosa Manno married Nicola Circosta born and passed in Caulonia.
According to some research I Also have a connection to Ilario Ieraci,Camerrieri, Raschella and Cavallaro.
My grandfather’s name was Ilario Ieraci before it was americanized. He was born in the 1890′
s. He was the son of Guiseppi Ieraci and Agata Tuccio.
My great grandfather’s name was Ilario Ieraci (1893-1971), and I believe that his parents were Joseph Ieraci and Ann Circosta from Caulonia, Italy. I would love to hear from you if you have more information.
I am looking for marriage records for my great grandparents Giuseppe Carni and Rosa Alvot (Allevato?)and baptisms for any of their children.
Thanks for any help.
Hello,
I am planning a trip to research my fathers family.
My great grandfather was Domenico Marcario born 1853 in Caulonia.
Where is the best place to start my research. Grazie!!
Angelo Macario
Albuquerque,NewMexico, USA
I am looking for information on the Naïmo family from Caulonia.
My great grandfather was Francesco Naïmo.I believe he was born in Caulonia on 25/12/1856 then emigrated to Algiers. His mum was Angela Raschella, she died in Caulonia on 27/7/1877. His dad was Vicenzo Naïmo who died in Caulonia on 2/11/1862. How could I get confirmation of their births and deaths? Thanks
I am looking for relatives of Vincenzo Cavallaro (1890-1964), son of Nicolo Cavallaro and Maria Vallelonga and was from San Nicolo. His wife was Maria Rosa Strangio (1896-1988), daughter of Giuseppe Strangio and Teresa Manno. They emigrated to America and settled in West Virginia. Any response will be appreciated, even if it’s just to communicate with each other. Grazie!
Hello Thomas, all these names are people who live all around outer areas in Adelaide Australia, names that I am familiar with, my parents are from this region
I am looking for information on the Cavallaro family from Caulonia. My grandfather was Giuseppe Cavallaro son of Alessandro Cavallaro and Teresa Piscioneri. My grandmother was Grazia Cavallaro daughter of Ilario Cavallaro and Angela Fuda. I would be interested to know if I have any relatives still living in Caulonia or nearby. My dad was also born in Frataleri in 1935 and moved to Roccella before leaving Italy for Australia in 1951 approx.
I would really appreciate any help in finding some family.
My mother’s grandfather was born in Caulonia between 1850 – 1870.
His name was Francesco Lucano and he married a lady name Maria Camerleri.
They had 6 children, 4 boys and 2 girls.
My mother’s father’s name was Michael Angelo Lucano and he was born on February 10,1885 in Caulonia also.
We are traveling to Caulonia this May and are hoping to find some relatives of my mothers in the Caulonia area. Hopefully you might be of some assistance.
I am looking for my Grandfathers side of family. His name is Michael Dominico Mercure born march 15 1880( I think) Parents name were James & Teresa Mercure.
I have a friend who is coming to Calabria soon he asked me to get the name of the town my Grandfather is from. I think it is Caulonia , Calabria or Riggio Calabria.
Can you help to see if you can find birth record for Michael Dominico Mercure.
Thanking you in advance for all info you can give.
I am looking for information regarding my grandparents, Vincenzo Mercuri born 1896 (His parents are Domenico Mercuri and Catarina Muscolo) and Carmella Piscioneri born 1894 (Her parents are Domenico Piscioneri and Rosa Panaiia) both born in Caulonia, Italy. Can you please help me location any information regarding my family. I am planning on visiting Caulonia this year. Hoping to find some relatives from Caulonia
Josephine, greetings! I really hope you see this. My great-great-grandfather is Michael Dominico Mercure. I would love to connect!
My grandfather was James Napolitano but I think he changed it from Vincenzo when he moved to the US. His birthday was November 9, around 1885, and he came over to the US around 1910. He married Mary Gavin from Prince Edward Island, Canada. They lived in Rhode Island and then Boston, Massachusetts, and he died in 1965. I would really appreciate any help.Thank you.
I am looking for information on guiseppe Ieraci and Agata Tuccio parents of Ilario Ieraci born July 26, 1896 in Caulonia. Would like to expand on this family. Daughter Carmella born in 1888.
I am looking for information on Giuseppe Cimino born 1871 in Caulonia,
father was Nicolo Cimino and his mother Teresa Napolitano.
That is all I have and I would like to expand on this side of the tree.