Genealogy in Venafro
Tracing your Italian roots back to Venafro (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 Venafro.
Venafro 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 Venafro
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 Venafro, involving many surnames traditionally found in the town, including branches of the following families: Antonelli, Cambio, Cimino, Cotugno, De Luca, Giannini, Iannacone, Mascio, Matteo, Ricci, Riccio, Silvestri, Simeone, Verrecchia, Zullo 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 Venafro 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 Venafro 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 Venafro — 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 Venafro 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 Venafro community.
Civil Records (Stato Civile) in Venafro
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 Venafro from that year onwards.
(If your goal is to obtain Italian citizenship and you need official certificates from Venafro, please follow this link.)
If you know that your ancestors lived in Venafro during the past centuries, the City Office of Venafro 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 Venafro.
- 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 Venafro.
Population trends in Venafro
The chart below shows the demographic trends in Venafro 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 Venafro
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 Venafro 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 Venafro:
S. GIOVANNI IN PLATEA – P.zza S. Francesco
S. MARIA DI LORETO – P.zza Cimorelli
S. MARTINO E S. NICOLA – Via Cupa
S. SIMEONE E S. CATERINA – P.zza Mercato
SS. ROSARIO – 86079 CEPPAGNA IS
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 Venafro
Historical cadastral and land records used to identify property ownership, track real estate transfers over time, and confirm the historical presence of families within Venafro. 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 Venafro 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 Venafro
From our experience, if you plan to visit Venafro 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 Venafro
If you need professional support from our local genealogist in the Venafro area, write to venafro@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 Venafro
Here below you can read messages from other visitors in the Venafro forum. If you simply want to discuss genealogy in Venafro with other people, feel free to leave a message.
Hello, I’m interested to know about any records for my grandmother (Carmela Cascarino DOB 27/02/1896), her mother Filomena Oliva (DOB 08/10/1865) and her father Michele Cascarino. Especially interested in Michele Cascarino and the Cascarino surname. I will be visiting Venafro and surrounding areas next year (2024).
Thanks for your help.
I believe that my grandfather Francesco Venditti, his wife Philomena, and 3 children (Vincenzo, Antonio, Madeleina) lived in or around Venafro, and emigrated to the US via Napoli in 1921. Are there any records to that effect in your archives. I’ll be visiting Venafro next month! Thank you
My mother, née Ida Priscopo, was born in Venafro in 1911. She was the daughter of Luigi and Emelia . I would like to find any information I can on the family.
My name isGennarina ervolino I want to know about my Grand father is name was Gennaro Ervolino I know he was from Venafro Italy. I know he had another family in venafro.
My surname is Prete. Daughter of Emiddio Prete and Granddaughter of Antonio Prete ascenders of the Marques in Venafro Molise Italy Name Delprete of the Palace Delprete in Molise Venafro need to know rest of family.
Hello, My name is Rosemary Delprete Married name is Duby. I learned from my cousins in Italy… That my fathers grandfather was a Marquise in Venafro, Italia… I didn’t know his name. This would be my great- grandfather. Does the title of Royality run down in the family… If so … Being a great- granddaughter to the Marque what would be my title. Thank you!
I had a great grandfather named Benedetto Lombardi(1860) married to Maria De Luca (1861). They had 5 children. Rocco Lombardo (born 1887 Venafro)
Alessandro (Oct. 23, 1895 Venafro), Augustine (April 11,1897 Venafro),
Maria Lombardo (1891 Venafro).Might have had other children but we are not aware of any others.
Alessandro was my maternal grandfather. I believe that they immigrated in 1905. Settled in Philadelphia, PA. We have never had any information on him and any help you could provide would be wonderful!!
Thank you for all our help.
Regards,
Ron
I’m writing you to try and find the family name of my Grandmother. Her first name was Allesandra and she was born in Venafro in January 1862. She married a man from the neighboring town of Monteroduni, Leonardo Rago in approximately 1885.
I’m searching for my grandmother Dolorosa’s a dress.
I’m searching for information on my relatives with the last name Guarini. Pasquale Fu Giacinto Guarini (my great great grandfather) was born 1/9/1860 to Gracendo and Maria Grazia. He was married to Maria Domenica Perna. Pasquale died 10/13/1938 in Philadelphia. My understanding is that they owned a mill. It could have been a grain mill and I’m not sure if it were wind or water powered. I can provide more details if needed.
Hello, I am looking for information on a Carmela Palazzo, she immigrated to USA in 1893 on the ship ‘PLATA’. Her last place of residence was Venafro, she would have been about 19 years old at the time. Any information on her and/or her parents would be appreciated.
Hello Shauna,
My great grandmother’s name was Carmela Palazzo also. Married to Domenico Demarco. Email me if you have information that matches. Thank you, Natalie Montanaro
Hi,
Carmela (Palazzo) DeMarco was my great-great grandmother. Carmela was married to Domenico DeMarco. Their daughter Gemma was my great-grandmother. I have a decent amount of information for Carmela.
May 6,2014
Hello, I am looking for information about my ancestors that immigrated to America in 1906. The surname is MATTEO. Francesco Matteo and his wife
Felicia Di Pilla, sailed from Naples to America.
Francesco Matteo
Felicia DiPilla
Nicola Matteo
James Matteo
Raffaela Matteo.
I am looking for family members (mother, father and siblings)
of Francesco, born in Venafro in 1863.
Any information you can forward to me will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you very much.
Rochelle
Dear Rochelle,
Are you experiencing luck in finding your roots?
I too am looking out of curiosity. I live in Ohio, USA
I’d like to know what brought the Matteo’s to this region.
Would you have any links or general information concerning who were the first Matteo’s to settle in north eastern ohio ?
Any help is appreciated.
Hello!
I’m looking for any information about ancestors that immigrated to America in 1899. The surname is PROSPERO. The family left Venafro to sail from Naples to America in 1899.
Joseph and Victoria Prospero
Nicola and Lucia Prospero
Any help or direction you can send would be great.
Thank you!
Christine