Genealogy in Valva
Tracing your Italian roots back to Valva (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 Valva.
Valva 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 Valva
Over the years, ItalianSide has conducted genealogy research on historical families from Valva, involving many surnames traditionally found in the town, including branches of the following families: Caprio, Cecere, Conte, Costantino, Cuozzo, D’Ambrosio, Falcone, Luongo, Macchia, Mandia, Marciello, Spiotta, Tenebruso, Torsiello, Vuocolo 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 Valva 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 Valva 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 Valva
If your ancestors came from Valva, 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 Valva
Vital records for people born, married or deceased in Valva are usually preserved in:
- Valva City Hall archives: civil records (births, marriages and deaths) available from 1809 onwards.
- Valva 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 Valva
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 Valva from that year onwards.
(If your goal is to obtain Italian citizenship and you need official certificates from Valva, please follow this link.)
If your ancestors lived in Valva during the past centuries, the City Office of Valva 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 Valva.
- 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 Valva.
Population trends in Valva
The chart below shows the demographic trends in Valva 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 Valva
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 Valva 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.
Planning a visit to Valva
From our experience, if you plan to visit Valva 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 Valva
If you need professional support from our local genealogist in the Valva area, write to valva@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 Valva
Here below you can read messages from other visitors in the Valva forum. If you simply want to discuss genealogy in Valva with other people, feel free to leave a message.
généalogie famille feniello
Penso la zia di mio bisnonno era un Feniello da Valva Salerno
Hello, I would like to know if you have any records of surname Valva and where/when they moved – I am from Albania and was wondering why my surname is the same as this town or just coincidence
I am looking for information on my great grandfather, Lorenzo Lupo, he was born in Italy in 1854 and died in Scranton Pennsylvania in May of 1899, he was married to Francesca Cuozzo ..after the death of Lorenzo, Francesca returned to Italy with my grandfather, Guiseppe Lupo. Did Guiseppe have any siblings, I have no other information on Francesca. My grandfather did return to the United States have his marriage in Italy approx in the year of 1923
My name is Ginny. My maternal grandfather was born in Fossato Serralta, Reggio Calabria, italy, 1/2/1877. His name was Salvatore Curto but possibly may have used the last name of Gilardi. The story goes he was an orphan and this family took him in. He immigrated to the US in 1892 at age 15. He eventually settled in Pittsburgh pa.
My Grandmother was Antonia Fornataro she married Policarpo Strollo DOB: 15 May 1878 from Valva. His Father was Patsy Strollo and his Mother was Rose Torcello or Torsiello. Antonia’s Father was Paolo and her Mother was Marianna. Any further help is appreciated!
WE ARE DESCENDED FROM THE STROLLO AND ALLESANDRI/DALLESSANDRO FAMILY. GIUSEPPI STROLLO MARRIED MARIA GOFFREDA AND RELOCATED TO BUCCINO ….FROM BUCCINO THEY IMMIGRATED TO NY……FIRST CARMINE WHO SPONSORED ROCCO WHO BECAME A BUTCHER AND MARIED MARIA DALLLESSANDRO . THEN SPONSORED HIS PARENTS..SISTERS GIOVANINA (BECAME CONCELIERI), MOLLY (BECAME SICA), BROTHERS PASQUALE, PAOLI, ANGELO ALSO A BUTCHER..AND GEORGE…ALSO A BUTCHER. RAISED 7 CHILDREN AND EVENTUALLY SETTLED ON FENTON AVE IN THE BRONX AS DID HIS SISTERS. HIS SON JOSEPH WAS ALSO A BUTC.HER….WAS GIUSEPPI A BUTCHER IN BUCCINO? OR VALVA? OR COLIANO?
DOES ANYONE HAVE INFO OR STORIES ARE THERE ANY BOOKS OR POSTINGS ABOUT THEIR EVERY DAY LIFE IN ITALY. THE ALL SEEM TO HAVE COME TO NY IN LATE 1800 OR EARLY 1900
My Grandfather,Angelo Michael Strollo, born Aug 5th 1888 ; had a brother and sister from Valva- Colliano
My Grandfather,Angelo Michael Strollo, born Aug 5th 1888 ; had a brother and sister from Valva- Colliano
My grandfather was Antonio Yannuzzi. He came to USA in 1830’s or 1840’s. He was engaged to a much younger
woman named Francesca Spatola or Spadola. She eventually came to USA. They both settled in Jersey City, NJ.
I’ve been told they came from Valva.
Is there any information on them?
Looking for info on my grandfather’s parents.
Angelo Donato Voltura or Volturo
Hello,
My name is Carmen from Batavia, NY. Did Angelo have siblings. Some of my Great grandfathers nephews and nieces were Volturas.
I am interested in finding out my fathers grandparents name his father was born in Valva around 1850 he lived and died in Italy my grandfather was born in Valva Salerno Campania, on Sept 25, 1883 his name was Francesco Spiotta he immigrated to the US around 1901. If you could assist me with any information about my Dads grandfather, and grandmothers name that would be awesome.
Thanks you for your time it is really appreciated.
Julie
Julie, my grandmother’s maiden name was Santina Spiotta, she Married Nicola Cuozzo, they were both from Valva, they came to the US in 1901. My grandmother had cousins from Valva that lived in Kansas City Missouri, and decided that they wanted to move to Kansas City. They returned to Valva and in 1903 returned to KC with Family members and one of them was my grandmother’s brother Angelo Spiotta. My Great Grandmother Spiotta’s maiden name was Feniello. All from Valva.
Just came across your posting re Spiotta relations. I’ve been trying for a long time to get information on my great-grandfather who I believe was called Donato Spiotta or Spiotto born according to his marriage certificate 10 March 1867 in Italy. He immigrated to the US in about 1890. He lived in Hazleton Pennsylvania and Rochester NY. He was married to Anna Maria Rizzo and they had several children. We’ve been told he died in 1908 but cannot find a death certificate. I’ve contacted many commune in Italy including Valva but there seems to be no record of his birth. In your family histories do you have a Donato (or Daniel Spero as he began to call himself)? Thanks!
Hi I believe Michele was my grandfathers cousin. His name was Frank or Francesco Fenello. He was born in 1897 in Valva… They looked very similiar and lived in Batavia New York..
Ciao, I’m looking for birth records and correct names for my Grandfather Frank Fennello (possibly Fennell or Fenell), and my grandmother Mary Josephine Strollo, Frank Fennello born 1873-1880?
Arrival in USA 1899 (NA 1901,1903 or 1914.) Passed in Michigan or Pennsylvania somewhere between 1945-1958.
Mary Josephine Strollo (Fennello) born April 29, 1878
Passed May 3, 1965 Wayne county MI, USA
1927-NY
1930 -1940 Spangler PA
Brothers: Adam P Strollo- Valva, Salerno born Oct. 28-1889- passed 1964 PA
Anthony Strollo born-12-31-1894 Valle d’Aosta,-passed in Spangler Cambria PA 1953
and my great grandparents: Michael and Beatrice Strollo, are all from Valvs Salerno. Michael Strollo April 19 1853 Palermo, Scicilia -1929 Cambria county PA USA.
Beatrice Strollo-co nome Ceceri or Cecere born abt.1854 Valva. Salerno Campania
stayed in Italy but Frank and Mary came to USA in the early 1900s.
Frank Fennello and Mary Strollo were married in Italy. Had two children born in Italy before they came to USA. Anthony Fennello (or optional spellings) and Lilia or Jennie Fennello. My father Arthur was a younger son born in PA. Both my parents passed away and my grandparents died when I was very young or before I was born. I’ve been at a dead end in the USA. I can’t even find either of their birth or death records.
I have been coming to Italy for three years to research, I have found my mother side in Abruzzo and I actually found cousins, it has been amazing. I will be there in September 2017 and have a car I could come to Valva to the commune if I have any leads or you can find any information. Thank you from the bottom my heart for any help that you have. Or suggestions of the churches or the websites that may have more information. Neither of these names are the common names of the community?
My Great great grandparents were: Guiseppe Strollo 1842 Colliano, Salerno, Campania -1907
Maria Goffredi-1843-1907 Westchester NY
Arrived-25-1898
Lived in PA 1930’s
I am currently in Italian citizen by virtue of finding family and becoming a EU citizen if that helps in anyway.
GRAZIE’
I have Feniello family on my side from Valva as well! Anthony Feniello was my great great grandfather, born in 1883, and had 3 siblings: Michael, Charles, and Herman. From research on Ancestry it looks like their father was Alfonse.
Hello, my grandmother was Maria Grazia Feniello, she had a sister Angelina and 2 brothers Joe and Vito Feniello. They were all born in Jersey City, NJ and my great grand parents went back to Valva with my grandmother and her sister. Her brothers remained in New Jersey. I am also a Maria Grazia. I was born in Connecticut. I have been fortunate to go back and forth to Valva growing up.
It’s amazing how many people had the same name from this area. My great grandmother was a Maria Feniello as well, born to Clelia Fredo and Giuseppe Feniello. They came to New York in 1909 and ended up near lake Erie…I would someday like to visit valva hopefully as a citizen.
Just got back from Valva! Make sure you go
My Great-Grandmother was Guiseppa Josephine Strollo from Valva and they settled in PA as well maybe Connesville? i think she passed about 1957 before I was born.
I had no luck finding information on my great-grandparents. Their names were Salvatore and Vincenza (Del Plato) Anastasio. Their parents’ names were Antonio Anastasio and Giuseppa Mastrantonio, and Vito Del Plato and Maria Mastrolia. I do know Salvatore and Vincenza left Valva and settled in Batavia, NY.
(Salvatore’s first wife was Antonia Torsiello. They had two children before she died, Fiorentino and Anna.)
Salvatore was born in 1880, and Vincenza was born in 1891 (I think).
I am trying to find out information on my grandfather, Michele Fasano, born in Valva, Italy about 1875. He was married to Vincenza Torsiello from Laviano.
Any information on siblings, parents of Michele would be appreciated.
He came to America about 1910.
My name is Donna. My grandparents were from valva, Italy. Michael Spiotta and Mary Spiotta. Born in the mid 1800. Im trying to track down distant relatives or information. In a couple years myself and my husband will travel to Italy and surrounding areas and want to visit.
Hi Donna
Looking for information on my great-grandfather Donato Spiotta. I think that he was born in Campania in 1866. He came to the US and married Anna Maria Rizzo from Ascea. The family lived in Hazleton Pennsylvania and Rochester New York. I’ve been unsuccessful in finding any information about him. Do you know anything about this Spiotta family?
Thanks, Stephanie