Genealogy in Castelpetroso
Tracing your Italian roots back to Castelpetroso (in Isernia province, Molise 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 Castelpetroso.
Castelpetroso family history at a glance
- Region: Molise
- Province: Isernia
- Record types available: civil and parish records
- Civil registration: introduced in 1809 (Napoleonic era, former Kingdom of Naples)
- Parish registers: often earlier than civil records (sometimes dating back to the 1600s)
How to research your ancestry in Castelpetroso
Thanks to its network of local experts, Italianside has developed significant experience in genealogical research in the province of Isernia. 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 Molise region, conducted genealogy research on historical families from Castelpetroso, involving many surnames traditionally found in the town, including branches of the following families: Armenti, Biondi, D’Uva, De Francesco, Duva, Ferrara, Forte, Giancola, Messere, Notte, Petrecca, Ricci, Tamburri, Toto, Vacca 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 Castelpetroso 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 Castelpetroso and Molise 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
• cadastral and property 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.
ItalianSide research: Beyond Names and Dates
Italian genealogy is deeply local. It can’t be reduced only about collecting birth and death dates.
In Molise, every municipality — including Castelpetroso — 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 Castelpetroso and in the Province of Isernia knows how 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 Castelpetroso community.
Civil Records (Stato Civile) in Castelpetroso
In towns and villages of Molise and across Isernia province, civil registration offices were formally established in 1809, when this area was part of the Kingdom of Naples. This means you can often find your ancestors’ civil records in the Town Hall archives of Castelpetroso from that year onwards.
(If your goal is to obtain Italian citizenship and you need official certificates from Castelpetroso, please follow this link.)
If you know that your ancestors lived in Castelpetroso during the past centuries, the City Office of Castelpetroso 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 Castelpetroso.
- 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 Molise and specifically in Castelpetroso.
Population trends in Castelpetroso
The chart below shows the demographic trends in Castelpetroso 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 Castelpetroso
Church archives in Isernia 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 Molise, 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 Castelpetroso 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 Castelpetroso:
S. MARIA DELLA LIBERA – Piazza Don Raffaele Notte, 1
MARIA SANTISSIMA ADDOLORATA – Via Santuario
S. MARTINO VESCOVO – Piazza G. Marconi, 13/BIS
S. NICOLA DI BARI – Via Rondine
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.
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 Castelpetroso
Historical cadastral and land records used to identify property ownership, track real estate transfers over time, and confirm the historical presence of families within Castelpetroso. ItalianSide provides professional assistance in accessing and interpreting these records, where available.
Historical and photographic sources available in private archives
Historical photographs, prints, and documents from private collections—including ItalianSide’s archive of vintage images from Castelpetroso and Molise 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.
Planning a visit to Castelpetroso
From our experience, if you plan to visit Castelpetroso 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.
Thanks to the findings gathered by our genealogist before your trip, and the help of our local guides, you’ll have more time to plan the exact locations (family homes, churches, streets, cemeteries, etc.) you’ll visit during your stay in the city.
This way, you can enjoy the city and its surroundings, following in the footsteps of your ancestors for an unforgettable journey back to your roots.
Professional help for research in Castelpetroso
If you need professional support from our local genealogist in the Castelpetroso area, write to castelpetroso@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 Castelpetroso
Here below you can read messages from other visitors in the Castelpetroso forum. If you simply want to discuss genealogy in Castelpetroso with other people, feel free to leave a message.
Hello I am looking for the paolella family in castelpetroso. My 3rd great grandfather was antonio giovanni paolella he was born in 1869 he immigrated to canada around 1901. Antonio married filomena biondi born around 1877. Antonio’s parents were nicola paolella and Giuseppa vacca. Filomenas parents were fiore biondi and sarafina forte. im looking for any information related to them. I was also wondering if there are still family members in castelpetroso today.
Hello I am looking for any information on the paolella & biondi family
My great great grand parents were.
Anthony or Antonio paolella 1869-1940 &
Filomena paolella- biondi 1877- 1934
From castelpetroso & possibly even casacalenda both immigrated to Canada from italy around the late 1800s- early 1900s any help would be appreciated.
My name is Linda. I need help to find my family heritage. My grandfather’s name is Nicola Armenti born on April 12 1909 who was married to Giulia Armenti born on March 29 1909. They had 2 sons Mario Armenti, and Antonio Armenti who left Italy to go to reside in Canada. Please if anyone can tell me how I can obtain records of my grandparents, and their parents it will be greatly appreciated.
Hello Linda, my father (Carmelino) was born in Castelpetroso May 26, 1948, and my grandparents were from there (Rosina Armenti, born 1907, and my grandfather Vincenzo Armenti). They moved to Ignace and Dryden in Ontario in 953. I have a family scrapbook that dates back to the 1800s.
Hi Rosina,
Your father must know mine – Carmello. My grandparents, Maria & Alfredo Forte moved to Ignace from Castelpetroso in 1957 and my father grew up with the Armenti children – later both families moved to Thunderbay.
Is your aunt Rosa Armenti?
Does anyone know Giuseppe D’Uva? He left Castelpetroso in 1912.
I am coming to Castelpetroso in May or June 2020 and want to know if any relatives on my father’s side are still there.
Carlo Duva 1865-1822 His parents Giacomo Duva 1824-1880 His wife Carmela Armenti 1824-1880
Parents of Giacomo Duva ….. Vincenzo Duva 1787-1860 His Wife Antonia Cifelli 1796-1837
Parents of Vincenzo Duva…..Giacomo Duva 1742-1817 His Wife Anna Cifelli no dates
Also have names on my maternal grandparents
I have Caterina D’Uva born about 1705 married Silvestro Donato Notte son of Cosmo 1670 son of Libero ?1640
children:
Ippolito Lorenzo Cassiano Notte b 1730 d 1803
Francesco Notte b abt 1732
Giulia Notte b abt 1734
Antonio Nicola Notte b abt 1736
from Church records lineage of Eduardo Notte born and living in Castelpetroso. Has since past in 2006. RIP
I am beginning a search for Maria Roberti or Ruberto or Ruperti from Frosolone married to Giovannantonia Pugliese abt 1850. Also Petrecca, Iannone, Armenti, di Santo, Giancola,di Francesco
My mother’s parents both came from Italy. Using family search, I found her father’s family going back several generations in the records for Gorga and Stio. I asked her cousins where her mother’s family is from and they gave me three wildly different answers from different parts of Italy. However, I think I found my mother’s grandfather’s immigration record and it says he is from Castelpetroso. His name was Giovanni Notte and the records I have for him say he was born in 1872 or 1873. He was married before he left Italy for the US. I can’t find anything else online for him, though. Any tips appreciated!
Looking for any info. concerning my grandfather Salvatore C. Duva, born in Castelpetroso Italy , in or around 1879, he Immigrated to Jersey City,N.J. when he was in his early 20’s. Was a butcher with his own shop for many years On Ocean Ave. in Jersey City. He and his wife Mini ,had 6 children.Emily,Anna, Ed.,George,
Jean, and Joe. He passed at the age of 86 ,still in Jersey City, at 75 Armstrong Ave. .Where he had lived with his daughter Jean , and son in law Michael, with grandson Mickey and his son Joseph. Any info. please contact me
My father Celestino(Charles Duva) had a nephew, Salvatore Duva. I can give you some dates if you’d like. My father was born in NJ but his father, Carlo was born in Castelpetroso and his mother, Amelia Bottiglieri is from the town of Isernia.
Contact me at Ginger@rentalsbyginger.com
I know who this is as, his father is Angelo Duva who is the brother of my grandfather. I have more info on Angelo if you want it
Hello, my name is Lori Gentile. My grandfather was a Giovanni Benedetto Giancola. He was born in Castelpetrodo on January 28, 1896. I am trying to locate the names of his parents. I am wondering if it would be possible to locate my grandfathers birth certicate. I would appreciate your help. Thanks so much!
My husbands grandfather came from Castlepetrona. He was born in 1893 and came to New Jersey when he was 11. His name was John Thomas Forte
My grandfather was Annibale Palumbo who was married to Christina Armenti. They had a daughter Giovina Rosa born in 1898 in Castelpetroso. They came to New Jersey in the early 1900’s and settled in Jersey City. My mother Jean (Jennie-Giovanna)was born in Jersey City in 1913 and married my father Gerard Gillio. My mother and I visited Campobasso and tried to go to Castelpetroso in 1986,but could not get a lift from the highway.
We are researching the Palumbo family. Are there any people who are related to either grandparent?
if you visit Castelpetroso, the town cemetery may be helpful as i have gone there to better understand my family roots/genealogy.
Can’t find anything for the Armenti side so I hope you can help me. My grandmother is Antoinetta Giancola and her husband Giuseppe Armenti also known as Salvatore. Giuseppe was born in 1916 and died 2003.
My grandfather was from Castelpetroso and his name was Giuseppe Giancola
The name Antoinetta Giancola born in Castelpetroso
Italy is familiar to me. She was my aunt and married
a Petrecca … I think. She also had 2 sisters, (Maria)
and (Anna), 1 brother (Carmine) and 1 half brother
(Nicolo)
Maria Giancola also in Castelpetroso Italy but never
married.
Anna Giancola born Jan 13/1930, came to Toronto,
Canada in … I’m assuming 1954.
Carmine Giancola (my dad) born Dec 13/1923 who also
came to Toronto, Canada around 1954. He passed
away Nov 24/2008. I wish I could have relayed all
these messages to him as he knew so many people.
I hope this helps ! 🙂 Keep in touch.
Wrong Antonietta. Mine married an Armenti.
Any information about the Vacca and Armenti families in / around Castlepetroso area would be great!
my grandparents are Filomena Vacca and Giovanni Armenti both born in the 1930’s and moved to Canada in the late 50’s
Buon giorno, Michelle,
My greatgrandmother was a vacca, and her daughter, Rosa, married Angelo Armenti. Both my grandmother (then Nitti) and my grandfather moved to New Jersey USA in early 1900’s. On the census, my grandfather’s naturalization papers say that he was from Castelpetroso.
Don’t know if we are related since I am new to this search, but willing to share anything I find. This is such a small town, hard to believe that we are not somehow related.
Can you tell me if you were able to get a birth certificate from Castelpetroso. I want one for my grandfather.
Grazie,
Carol Ann Armenti
ps Family lore says that my grandfather passed through Canada; I am also aware of family in Argentina.
Hi there. My great grandparents are Nicola Vacca 1868-1953 and Giuseppa Armenti 1868-1928 from Castelpetroso. They never immigrated to Canada. Their daughter Maria Vacca and her husband Giuseppe Forte immigrated to Winnipeg around 1950ish.
Michelle,
I’m trying to find some information on my Great grandmother, Celeste Vacca, born I estimate in the 1880’s. She was married while still in Italy to Achille Tamburro then settled in Newark, NJ.
Perhaps she had a connection to the Vacca family that you mentioned.
Thank you,
Andrew Infante
My name is kathy I am at the beginning of tracing my family history.I have little info…not sure if anyone would have any info for me to connect to..my fathers parents come from camps basso italy the migrated to america and settled in Portland Maine.my grandfathers name was Luigi martello..my grandmother. Was filomena martello her maiden name pizzinto..they came to america in the late 1800or early 1900 I am not sure..if anyone has any info please contact me.I appreciate it..
Does anyone know Caranci family from Campobasso?
I am looking for any information about my grandmother’s family. Her maiden name was Brigida Armenti. I know of one brother she had who was Angelo Armenti. They both immigrated to America around 1916-1922. Brigida was born Around 1892. She married Giovanni Palumbo. I have no more information. Please help. Thank uou
Any research about the Arcaro & Zappitelli families in Indiprete would be fantastic!
Grazie!
I have been researching my ancestry on my fathers side. Both my great grandparents were from Castelpetroso. I know they came to America together in 1908 at the age of 21. His name was Carmine Forte, I believe he was born in 1886 and his mothers name was Angelina (not sure of her maiden name) and she was born around 1850. Carmine married Erminia Tamburri, who was born around 1887. I believe she had a sister Filomena, born around 1890 who came to America in 1908 but returned to Italy. Erminia also had a brother Guiseppe, born around 1883 who also came to America.
I would love any additional information that someone may have or if someone can direct me where I can get more information.
Grazie mille!
Felicia
My husband’s grandmother’s family came from Castelpetroso, Italy. I am hoping to find any formation and/or living relatives related to:
Angelo Forte (born in 1858) and was married to Marguerite Vacca (born in 1860)
Archangelo Giancola* who was married to Rufina Armenti.
*Archangelo Giancola worked as a stone mason in Castelpetroso and helped lay the foundation of Santuario della Madonna Addolorata di Castelpetroso.
My husband and I are planning a future trip to Italy and would very much like to visit the area, the church, and meet possible relatives.
Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated.
Grazie!
Vickie
Hello. My name is Bill. My great grandfather and Great Grandmother was Michele Arcangelo Giancola and Rufina (Rose) Armenti. Did you make the trip to Italy and do you have any more information on the family? Thanks.
These are my husbands Great Grandfathers all from Castlepetroso. How would I get some more information about them? Is there any online information that I could access??
Pietro Martella (Martello)
4th great grandfather of husband
Birth About 1754 in Castlepetroso, Iserno Molise Italy
Death About 1827 in Castlepetroso, Iserno Molise Italy
Matteo Martella (Martello)
3rd great grandfather of husband
Birth July 27, 1788 in Castlepetroso, Iserno Molise Italy
Death 1845 in Castlepetroso, Iserno Molise Italy
Antonio Martella (Martello)
2nd great grandfather of husband
Birth August 11, 1828 in Castlepetroso, Italy
Death April 1, 1937 in Iserno, molise, Italy
Martella Benedetto Addolorato Angelo Martello
great grandfather of husband
Birth 1873 in Campobasso, Molise, Italy
Death March 12, 1926 in Los Angeles, California
Thank you!
Stacy
My 5th great grandfather is Pietro Martella, my 4th great grandmother is Serafina Martella, the sister of Matteo. There are several trees on Ancestry for Martella.