Genealogy in Padula
Tracing your Italian roots back to Padula (in Salerno province, Campania 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 Padula.
Padula family history at a glance
- Region: Campania
- Province: Salerno
- Record types available: civil and parish records
- Civil registration: began in 1809 (when this area was part of the Kingdom of Naples)
- Parish registers: usually earlier than civil registration (sometimes dating back to the 1600s)
Research experience on families in Padula
Over the years, ItalianSide has conducted genealogy research on historical families from Padula, involving many surnames traditionally found in the town, including branches of the following families: Arato, Brigante, Caggiano, Cimino, De Lisa, Finamore, Guzzo, Iannelli, Morena, Pinto, Polito, Sanseviero, Tepedino, Tierno, Vegliante 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 Padula 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 Padula 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 Padula
If your ancestors came from Padula, in Salerno province (Campania 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 Padula
Vital records for people born, married or deceased in Padula are usually preserved in:
- Padula City Hall archives: civil records (births, marriages and deaths) available from 1809 onwards.
- Padula parish churches: in Campania, parish registers that can trace family lines back to the 1600s, and in rare cases even earlier.
Civil Records (Stato Civile) in Padula
In towns and villages of Campania and across Salerno province, civil registration offices were established after 1809, following Napoleonic reforms in the former Kingdom of Naples. This means you can often find your ancestors’ civil records in the Town Hall archives of Padula from that year onwards.
(If your goal is to obtain Italian citizenship and you need official certificates from Padula, please follow this link.)
If your ancestors lived in Padula during the past centuries, the City Office of Padula 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 Padula.
- 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 Campania and specifically in Padula.
Population trends in Padula
The chart below shows the demographic trends in Padula 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 Padula
Church archives in Salerno 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 Campania, 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 Padula 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 Padula:
S. MICHELE ARCANGELO – P.zza S. Clemente, 4
S. ALFONSO DEI LIGUORI – Via Nazionale Starza
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.
Planning a visit to Padula
From our experience, if you plan to visit Padula 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.
Professional help for research in Padula
If you need professional support from our local genealogist in the Padula area, write to padula@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 Padula
Here below you can read messages from other visitors in the Padula forum. If you simply want to discuss genealogy in Padula with other people, feel free to leave a message.
I am researching Vincenzo Buoniello born 1898 in Padula, Italy, who arrived in Philidelphia in 1921 on ship America before settling in Brooklyn, NY. as a jeweler. Possible brother’s or cousins Michael, John (Giovani) and Frederico Buoniello all born around the same time in Padula and all arriving in New York in the early 1900’s. Any information about this family or anyone related would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
I am researching our great great grandmother, Luisa Armellino. She was born in Padula in 1876. I have her birth record stating she was abandoned as a baby. We were always told that she lived with the police chief while growing up. One of her immigration records show a relative named Vine (Vincenzo?) Brigante. Is there a way to find out if V. Brigante was the police chief and if she lived with him? Census records??
My mothers name was Padula. She’s from Ithaca NY. I’m just looking to Learn MORE.
Hello, I am looking for any information concerning the surname of Spisso. My grandmother, Antonia, DOB December 28, 1881,and two great aunts, Giuseppina and Assunta. All three immigrated from Padula to the U.S. in 1905. Their father was Louis Spisso and mother Barbara Cuomo. I’m looking for any information about that family or from anyone who has the Spisso surname. Grazie
My name is Dr. Vincent J. Petrosino And I am the great=nephew of Lt. Joseph Petrosino of the NYPD who was killed in the line of duty in Palermo, Siicily in March, 1909. My grandfather, Vincenzo, was his only full blooded brother. And my father, Prospero, was his full blooded nephew. My father married Michelina Vegliante, third daughter of Vincenzo and Raffaela Vegliante also from Padula. IF you are connected to our family in anyway, we would love to meet you. We are holding a family reunion in 2021 in Port Jervis, New York on the weekend of August 7-8th. My cousins and my sister and I have been researching our family for decades. Any information we have we will gladly share with you as I hope you will with us. Arrive-derci! Dr. Vince Petrosino
Hello Dr. Petrosino, I am a descendant of Stefano Antonio Vegliante b. 1662 in Padula. I have ancestral ties to more than 30 known families in Padula going back to the early 18th century. I have long admired the story of Lt. Joseph Petrosino and would delighted and proud to think I (and my family) are somehow distantly related. My most recent ancestral family names from Padula are; Giasi, Solitto and La Greca.
Best, Andrea
Hello! We may be distant family! My great grandfather Angelo Raffaele Vegliante was born in Padula in 1845. He had 6 siblings. Immigrated to Brooklyn, New York in 1883. Most of this family found there way to Adelphi Street. Raffaele had 6 children, one being my grandfather, Michael. I have found a great amount of history of my family in Padula. In my research I had come across the intriguing story of your great Uncle Joseph Petrosino. Quite an unbelievable man!
Hi, I am looking for information regarding Cirillo’s. More specifically Michele Arcangelo Antonio Cirillo born in December of 1883. Any information would be appreciated.
Thank you
Hi! My name is Charles Oliveira, and I am from Brazil. My great-grandmother was Anna Finamore, daughter of Jacob Finamore and grand-daughter of Giovanni Finamore, from Salerno. I heard that Jacob Finamore migrated to Brazil in the Nineteenth Century. Can you help me to find something out about Giovanni Finamore, such as his wife’s name and Jacob’s name, as well as their date of birth?
Hello, my name is Jeffrey Di Muria. I am trying to find information about my Grandfather. His name was Michele Di Muria. He was born on October 8th 1875 in Padula. That is all that I have on him. Can you tell me how I might be able to find out more?
Thank you,
Jeffrey
Hello, I’m Adriano and I think that my great-great-grandfather Nicolau Bruno, born between 1854/1855, son of João (Giovanni) Bruno, who emigrated to Brazil (Betim – MG) around 1875-1879 was a descendant of Bruno Padula. However, I have not yet been able to trace his genealogy to Padula’s ancestors. Nicolau married Rosa Maria Camardelli born in some comune of Salerno. I would be grateful if anyone had any information or genealogy from Bruno de Padula. Thank you.
HI MY NAME IS RALPH GARONE MY GRANDFATHER WAS FROM PADULA AND CAME TO NEW YORKSETTLED INBROOKLNY NEWYORK AT THE AGE 15 I BELIEVE. HE OF MARRIED MY GRANDMOTHER CARMELLA MAFFIO AND HAD TEN CHILDREN MY DAD WAS THE BABY OF THE FAMILY.RAEFFELLE GARONE PASSED AWAY IN 1952 .MY FIRST COUSIN LOUISE IS A MEDICAL DOCTOR AND VISITED PADUAL IN MAY OF 2018. DEEPLY GREATFUL FOR ANY INFORMATION YOU MAY HAVE -GOD BLESS ALL
Ralph contact me please, I have posted below about family from Padula and researching the Garone surname.
I am looking for info on my grandfather Gaetano Finamore Gallo. His daughter,my mother MarleNE del Carmen Finamore and her sister Adelina were born in Colombia. I am interested in finding info about him and family. We live now in the United States.
Luis Carlos, I’d like to contact you too.
Marlene, nieta DE Gaetano
Looking for information on my Great Grandparents Giovanni Filmeno Brigandi (Briganti/Brigante/Brigande – spelling variations). Giovanni married Louisa Caggani and they had four children; Michele, Antonio, Nicholas (Cono) and Filomena.
I am looking for family from Padula. Great grandmother was Saveria Moscarella. She was orphan raised by aunt Rosangela (Moscarella) Labriola who was married to Antonino Labriola. Son named Michele Labriola. Any help would be appreciated.
My great grandparents were Stelios Delardas and Padula (first or last name of grandmother?). I believe they lived in Phoceas, Smyrna, Asia Minor in the 1800’s. Could my great grandmother have come from Padula, Salerno, Italy?
Estoy buscando informacion de los ancestros de Giuseppe Emilio Greco Tortora, nacido en 1927 es hijo de Tomasso Greco Carratu e Ida Tortora Romano todos de Padula. Tomasso Greco Carratu, nacido en 1902, es hijo de Vincenzo Greco y Filomena Carratu, por su parte Ida Tortora Romano, nacida en 1900, es hija de Prisco Tortora y Pascualina Romano.
Giuseppe Emilio Greco Tortora, tiene 92 anos y vive actualmente en Caracas, Venezuela y es el padre de mi esposa Ida Patrizia Greco. Estoy armando su arbol genealogico. Agradezco la ayuda que puedan dispensar. Gracias!!
I am researching the following families from Padula: Garone, LaRocca, Pisano, Lentino, Malvaso, and Curcio. Luckily I have found dozens of direct ancestors to my great grandfather Paolino (Paul) Garone, who immigrated to the USA through Castle Garden in 1882. Paolino Garone (b. 1859) is 1 of 10 children born to Gerardo Garone. Gerardo was 1 of 7 children (b. 1823) to Michele Vincenzo. Michele Vincenzo (b. 1799) and his brother Francesco Garone (b. 1801) are the only two children I have found of Feliciano Garone. I would welcome the chance to talk to anyone currently living in Padula with the surname Garone currently. Grazie.
I am trying to find lost connections to Padula. My greatgrand parents left around 1877 to come to NY, Francesco Deno (b 1852) and Sabina Carbone (b 1854)and had 5 children born in Padula – Michelena 1874, Michele 1876, Nicholas 1893, Raffaeli 1890, and James 1892. Francesco’s parents we beleive were Raffaeli Deno (b 1830) and Maria Finamore (b 1830).
I would welcome and assistance that can be provided to find out where they lived and worshiped and if any relations remain in Padula after all these years.
Grazie, Anthony
Vincenzo Padula birth 1856. Cousin to Joe petrosino. Came to ny about 1876. I think his parents were guiseppe and rosa padula
My great grandmother was cousins with Joe petrosino..her name was Jessie Larocca and she migrated to Brooklyn from Padula
.
I knew the Petrosino family. My aunt was married to Prospero Petrosino, nephew of Joseph Petrosino. He was a tough police detective in New York. His younger brother was Vincenzo who was the father of Prospero and Joseph. They immigrated to Brooklyn from Padula. Vincenzo also had a daughter,Josephine. She stayed in Padula to be with her mother, Alfonsa who was the sister of my great grandfather, Michele Vegliante. Uncle Prospero and Aunt Margaret had two kids, Vincent and Alfonsa who are my first cousins. Small world, isn’t it. On my paternal side, I am a proud Padulesi. Get in touch if you can.
Buon Giorno!
My great grandfather immigrated from Felitto, Italy in 1902 to Old Forge, PA – USA, like so many during that time. His wife and first born son, Angelina Padula (Padupa,Padua)Salerno & Nicholas followed a year later. They lived briefly with Angelina’s sister, Stella Padula, who left Italy earlier.
Giuseppe Salerno – born 1876, left Felitto, Italy 1902
Angelina Padula Salerno – born 1885, left Felitto, Italy, around 1903/4
Nicholas Salerno – born 1903, Felitto, Italy
I am truly hoping to find remaining cousins, no matter how distant. However, I am aware of a catastrophic earthquake, but do not know it’s reach.
Please direct me. I visited Firenze, Italy in 1995 but plan on a trip to Southern Italy in the near future. Angelina would tell my dad (they lived together) that they were the Salerno’s, who lived on a Street named Salerno, in Salerno, Italy – but we know they are originally from Felitto. I am only looking to make contact & introduce our family. We have always been taught the importance of blood.
Grazie,
JCSalerno
Catherine – My great grandmother is Ermelinda Salerno. She is from Felitto. She was born in 1877 and came to the U.S. via Ellis Island in 1903 on the ship Nord America. She settled in Old Forge, PA. There she married my great grandfather Domenico Ventre. He too is from Felitto and immigrated in 1901. He worked in the mines and in the 1910’s, they moved south to Cincinnati from Old Forge, along with many other Ventre’s. While we have voluminous info for the Ventre family, we have relatively little info regarding Ermelinda. We know she had a sister who also settled in Old Forge. The sister married another Ventre (the trail grows cold) and we know that family remained in that part of the country with the family remained in the mining business. I am going to Felitto in September. I am reaching out to Ventre relatives still in Felitto. Perhaps you have info for the Salerno’s?. If you would like further info, please let me know.
Steve,
There were/are several Salerno families in Old Forge from Felitto. I am sorry to tell you, your ggrandmother was not a part of mine. I pray your trip to Italy can give you more insight & that it’s blessed!
JCS
hi, i am looking for information on the following people; guiseppe caolo, giovanni zero, maria domenica onerato, thank you,mike
My Father, Felice Cupo,was born in Padula in Nov.17, 1911. His Mother was Maria Finamore and his father was Salvatore Cupo. Salvatore died in about 1920.
I was told he was a Railroad Conductor. My Father, his Mother and his Brother, Louis
and his Sister, Carmella left on the ship, Taormina(?) from Palermo(?) They arrived in Ellis Island, New York, United States in 1921.
I would like to find out about my Grandfather, Salvatore Cupo, and about my Father’s
Family in Padula. I would appreciate any help you can give me. Thanks
Maria
maria – I recently learned that my 2nd great grandmother was a Maria Finamore likely from Padula. Wonder what if any information you have learned and if possibly we have some connection to work together?
Oi , gostaria de saber de meus antecedentes meu avo Antonio Vincenzo Matera, nasceu em 10 de setetembro de 1861, filho de PePPino e Di Stefano Rachele. Casou-se em 1892 com Lentino Mariangela , na Comune Di Padula. E minha bisavo Mariangela é filha de Antonio e Baratta Anna Teresa, nascida em 1875.Vieram Para o Brasil em 1893..Obrigado
Hi Maria, I am looking for information about my grandparents. My grandfather Antonio Dono was born March 12, 1875. My grandmother Giovannina Caputo was born in 1875. That is all the info I have. I would appreciate any information. Thank you.
terri – just learned that I my family is from Padula. My great grandparents were Deno (as far as we can decipher) and came to NY around 1877. Dono / Deno not being too common, I wonder if we could possibly have some connection and therefore assist each other?
I found out Joseph Petrisino is my Greatgrandmothers cousin..Do you know the Larocca Family from Pedula
I would like information on my great grandfather, Francesco Russo and my great grandmother, Rosina (maiden name unknown. Francesco’s birthdate was January 21, 1886 and he came to the USA around 1906/07. He married Rosina in Italy. She was born around 1882,and came to the USA around 1914. Their three children, Alfonso, Carolina and Antonetta were also born in Padula, and came to the USA in 1914 with a Dr. Donza as their guardian abourd ship (USS Europa).
Thank you so much!
chris
My grandfather was Vincent DeGuida (DeGuido). He married Rose Breglio (Breglia) in New York. He was a member of the New York Police squad with Joseph Petrosino. I would like any information on either of my grandparents.
Hi Linda,
I just saw your posting. My Grandfather was Michael Breglia-Breglio- finally became Breglie.He was married to Maria Gallo and they came over from Padula.They had five girls and my Mom is the last surviving, soon to be 94.Rose was his sister! Is your Mom Marie?
Hi Marina, I am trying to get any information about the actual family of my grandfather in Padula, his name was Gaetano Finamore Gallo, he was born in Padula in September 1899 and die in June of 1972, he was married with Emilia Borgia (1912), I apriciate any information that you have…. thanks a lots.
Sorry that I didn’t respond sooner. Didn’t realize that you had replied. I found Gaetano Finamore born on 23 September. His father was Domenico and his grandfather was Giuseppe. Giuseppe was already deceased by 1899. They lived on via Case della Terra? Gaetano’s mother was Adelina Gallo…and her father was Giovanni. Giovanni was already deceased by 1899. I’ll keep looking later. Hope this helps.
Michael,
Michele Raffaele De Vita married 28 December 1838 Maria (Maddalena) Pinto
How did you get the information to the marriage date?
Hi, my name is Luis Carlos and I am trying to make information on my grand grandfather, his name was Gaetano Finamore Gallo, he was born in Padula in September 1899 and die in June of 1972, we was born in Colombia (Carmen de Bolivar) where he was the father of my grandmother, after that he return to Italy and we lost the contact with him, I am trying to make all the information that I can. Please help me.
Hi, My name is Michael DeVito and I am trying to get information on my Great Grandfather, Raffaele DeVita. He was born in Padula 5 March1852. His father was Raffaele DeVita and his mother was Maria Pinto. He married Filomena Speranza in Padula on 9 April 1876. I am planning a trip to Padula in Sept. of 2015. I would greatly appreciate any information.
Was Raffaele (Married to Filomena) born De Vita or De Vito?
My daughters and I will be coming to Padula, Italy on May 10th 2014. My name is Marie Matera, and my relatives Michael (Michele) Luisi was born in 1856 in Padula, Carmine Matera was born in 1887 in Padula, Maria Luisi was born in 1888 in Padula, Italy, Michael (Michele) Matera was born in 1911 in Padula, and Jennie (Vincenza) Matera was born in 1908 in Padula. We are looking for any additional information you can give us for example, where in Padula they lived, schools and churches they went to etc. Thanks so much!
Hi, Marie,
My name is Marco Antonio and am descended from Matera family, I live in Brazil and I have to Matera family genealogy.
My grandmother Annita Matera is the daughter of Antonio Vincenzo Matera and Mariangela Lentino.
Nice meet you!
Hi Marco,
my great grandfather is Vincenzo Matera Volpe from Padula.death in Venezuela. have you info about it?
Orlando? Tocayo eres de Venezuela? Somos Primos!
Mi nombre es Orlando José Alvarez Contreras, yo soy tataranieto de Vincenzo Matera Volpe, soy nieto de Domingo Vicente Contreras Matera. Quisiera saber que informacion tienes al respecto y si estoy en lo correcto. Saludos!
Hi Orlando! My name is Albory and I think we are cousins too. Regarding your comment, my great-great grandfather was Vincenzo Matera Volpe, great grandmother was Rosa Matera de Contreras married with Custodio Contreras and my grandmother was Luisa Contreras Matera from Queniquea, Tachira-Venezuela. If its the same line of the family, I would like to know if you have more information about our Italian ancestors.
Hi, I am looking for Luigi Riccard born 16 Apr 1886 in Padula, Italy according to his Immigration Papers in United States. Riccardi isn’t a name that quickly comes up in searches for that area and may have been a different surname. It is believed in the family that it was pronounced differently or “Americanized” so it could be spelled more easily.
Thank you.
Michol