Genealogy in Brusnengo
Tracing your Italian roots back to Brusnengo (in Biella province, Piemonte 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 Brusnengo.
Brusnengo family history at a glance
- Region: Piemonte
- Province: Biella
- Type of records: civil and parish records
- Civil registration: in the town hall from 1866 onwards
- Parish records: often older than civil records (in some cases from the late 1500s)
Research experience on families in Brusnengo
Over the years, ItalianSide has conducted genealogy research on historical families from Brusnengo, involving many surnames traditionally found in the town, including branches of the following families: Ferrero, Poverello, Menegatto, Polla, Viti, Tonetti, Guabello, Stefani, Diana, Bertocco, Ferrari, Romersa, De Rocco, Micheletti and many 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 Brusnengo 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 Brusnengo and Piemonte 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 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.
Genealogy in Brusnengo
If your ancestors came from Brusnengo, in Biella province (Piemonte 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 Brusnengo
Vital records for people born, married or deceased in Brusnengo are usually preserved in:
- Brusnengo City Hall archives: civil records (births, marriages, deaths) from 1860 onwards.
- Brusnengo parish churches: in Piemonte religious registers, which can often take your research back to the 1600s and sometimes as far as the 1500s.
Civil Records (Stato Civile) in Brusnengo
In towns and villages of Piemonte and in Biella province, as Brusnengo, civil registry officially began on january 1 1866.
A first civil registry system had already been introduced during the Napoleonic period (1806–1814). This means you can often find your ancestors’ civil records in the Town Hall archives of Brusnengo from that year onwards.
(If your goal is to obtain Italian citizenship and you need official certificates from Brusnengo, please follow this link.)
If your ancestors lived in Brusnengo during the past centuries, the City Office of Brusnengo 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 Brusnengo.
- 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 Piemonte and specifically in Brusnengo.
Street names in Brusnengo
The names of the street in Brusnengo, can help identify ancestral addresses found in civil records, parish documents, and old family papers.
At today, some of the main streets in Brusnengo are: VIA FORTE, VIA ROVASENDA, VIA BIELLA, VIA CHIOSO, CORSO LIBERTA’, VIA CURINO, VIA ROMA, VIA CERRO, VIA OGLIARO BALOCCA, VIALE CARLO VERZONE, VIA TORINO, CANTONE PASSERI, VIA GIULIO PASTORE, CANTON TONETTI, PIAZZA GIACOMO MATTEOTTI, VIA GIUSEPPE GARIBALDI, VIA GIUSEPPE SCRIBANTE, CANTON BOCCHIETTI E GIORZA, VIA VACCARICCIA, CANTON TORRE and others.
If you want help to identify street names connected with your ancestors in Brusnengo just follow the link below.
Population trends in Brusnengo
The chart below shows the demographic trends in Brusnengo 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 Brusnengo
Church archives in Biella 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 Piemonte, 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 Brusnengo 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 Brusnengo:
S. BERNARDO – Via Rovasenda, 79/CARACETO
SANTI PIETRO E PAOLO – Via Eusebio Garizio
Our experts could search registers and historical religious documents collected and kept at the diocesan archive:
Archivio Diocesano di Biella – Via Vescovado 10, Biella
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.
The provincial archive is:
Archivio di Stato di Biella – Via Giuseppe Arnulfo 15/a, – 13900 Biella BI
Historical and photographic sources available in private archives
Historical photographs, prints, and documents from private collections—including ItalianSide’s archive of vintage images from Brusnengo and Piemonte 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 Brusnengo
Historical cadastral and land records used to identify property ownership, track real estate transfers over time, and confirm the historical presence of families within Brusnengo. ItalianSide provides professional assistance in accessing and interpreting these records, where available.
Planning a visit to Brusnengo
From our experience, if you plan to visit Brusnengo 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 Brusnengo
If you need professional support from our local genealogist in the Brusnengo area, write to brusnengo@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 Brusnengo
Here below you can read messages from other visitors in the Brusnengo forum. If you simply want to discuss genealogy in Brusnengo with other people, feel free to leave a message.
My grandfather’s name was Alberto Leone Gnotta and was born in the mining town of Kambove in the Belgian Congo back in 1917.
Hi father, my grand grand father, was a mining explorer from Brusnengo named Giacomo Gnotta, his mother’s name was Linda Gallinetti.
As far as I know Giacomo Gnotta went to the US first at the beginning of the 20th century, I was told he was in California but what from I reading now and from his line of work it’s quite likely that he actually went to Missouri as well.
After his US stint he went to South Africa by ship and then to the Belgian Congo region of Katanga where he discovered a huge copper mine for the Belgian government.
Grandparents from Brusnengo Umberto Fiore and Ermes Negri. Immigrated to Wahington DC around 1913. Looking for information.
Hi,
My father, Sebastiano Natale Balocca and my mother Maria Angela Elena were both born in Brusnengo.
My father went to New York but returned to Brusnengo then emigrated to Rhodesia in the early 1900’s.
My father was born on 31 May 1898 and my mother on 23 January 1909.
I’m looking for the names of my paternal and maternal grand parents.
My husband and I and our two children left the then Rhodesia and came to Pretoria in South Africa.
Can anybody help!!!
Thank you
I am looking for information on my great grandparents. My great grandfather, Emile (Ameglio?) Beretta, born on December 17, 1865, in Brusnengo, Italy. I believe his father was Carlos (Carlo?) Beretta, and his mother, I believe was Rose, last name unknown.
My great grandmother, Louisa Luiggia Diana-Olario, was born on November 19, 1882, in Brusnengo, Italy. I believe her father was Paulo Olario, and her mother was Giovanna Diana.
Anything anyone could help me with would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Cindy! My great-great-grandmother is Carolina Beretta born in 1853 in Brusnengo, Italy. She married Giovanni Poverello. That is all the information I have on them but thought I’d share in case this helps with your research. Thanks! Cadie
I am looking for information on my grandfathers family. His name was Vincent Fiora and his father was Anthony Fiora. Anthony’s father was Quinto Fiora. I am looking for any information about Quinto that may be available. I know his fathers name was Bernardo and his mothers name was Caterina Corso. I am curious to know if Quinto had any siblings.
Secondly, I had been told that there was a cemetery filled with the name Fiora. I am curious if that exists as well.
Finally, any information about the following last names would be helpful as well: Olmo, DeStefanis, Avondo, and Torre. These are additional last names in my grandfathers family. I know some of the Olmo’s moved to South Africa.
I am needing to know which cemetery Antonio Gallinetti 1850-1924 is buried. He is my great grandfather and I will be vsiting Brusnengo September 1923. Thank you. Janet
my grandmother was born in Brusnengo her family ran a bakery in the early 1900’s her name was Stella Iorio any information would be appreciated
Trying to confirm date of deaths for my great grandparents Secondo and Martha Wilhelmina Sophia (nee Jurgens) Poverello. Secondo born 1862 and Martha 1867 in Brusnengo, Italy
I am trying to research my family from Brusnengo. We have the surname as “Ferlo”, but I think it is actually “Ferla”. Benedetto Ferla is my great, great grandfather. They settled in Cherokee County, Kansas. Please let me know if there is a way to find information about the Ferla family. Thank you.
My dad is Anthony Joseph Beretta His father Giuseppe Beretta was born in Brusnengo He moved to Salsbury Rhodesia
hi my grandfather is alsp Giuseppe Beretta from Brusnengo
I grew up in Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe and every last name mentioned below are part of my youth. My father, Lino Balocca, was born in Rhodesia in 1910. He was the first son of Ercole Balocca and Angela Perotti who both came from Brusnengo. Ercole had first come to Osage, Kansas. Many from Brusnengo ended up in Salisbury, Rhodesia. Marchetti, Scribante, Berretta, Garizio.
Italia Scribante married a Guion. Some Guion family is still in Osage, Kansas area.
My grandma, Maria Gallinetti, was born in Brusnengo and her parents were Louisa Balocca and Louis Oliaro. I remember visiting her relatives in San Francisco by the name of Periotti. We might be distant relatives!
Maria Gallinetti was my great grandmother. she married Baptista Beretta if this is the same one
Hi! My mom and I are sitting here trying to do a little family research. Her maiden name is Gallinetti. Her mother was Dolcina Borella & her father was Carlo Remo Gallinetti. Both my moms parents were from Brusnengo and came to NY sometime during the late 1920’s. There has to be a family relation here. My mom knows her dad , Carlo, had about 7 or 8 siblings so that may be where the relations lie.
My husband’s name is Renzo and we live in Sydney Australia. I am looking for information about his father Armando Gallinetti born in Rhodesia in 1906, returned to Brusnengo as a small child. He married Amalia Mosca from Pralungo she was born in 1908. They eventually settled in South Africa where my husband was born. We have visited Brusnengo many times and still have relatives living there. It would be amazing if somebody knew about them and contacted me. As I am gathering info for our family tree an am finding it very difficult to get information from Italy.
Hi there – My Grandmother on my Mother’s side was Florida Scribante from Brusnengo, and she was married to Rinaldo Giorza also apparently from Brusnengo. They lived in Gwelo (later Gweru) Rhodesia/Zimbabwe. My mother was Odette Dunne (nee Giorza) who was born in 1924 in Bulawayo, Rhodesia. Interesting that so many from this small village went to Rhodesia – working often for the Railways I understand. I now live in new Zealand.
My great grandfather on my father’s side was Florindo Italo Scribante – moved to South Africa and married Thelma Louise Rose. I grew up in South Africa but now live in New Zealand too.
My husbands family is from Brusnengo. His grandfather was a Gnotta (Eraldo b.1897) and grandmother a Tonetti (Alfonsine b.1901) His great grandfather was Pietro Tonetti and great grandmother was Teresa Maria Beretta (1866-1954). Great Great grandparents were Giacomo Beretta (1870-1935) and Maria Proverello. Any information would be so helpful.
My great grandfather on my mother’s side was a Gnotta as well, his name was Felice but used Felix when he emigrated to Kansas City, Missouri. He was an older brother of Eraldo’s. I have many pictures and items of Felice and my mother has many stories.
Hi! My great grandfather was Eraldo Gnotta.
Alfonsina (Tonetti) Gnotta was his wife and my great grandmother.
They came to Lexington Missouri, which is about a 45 minute drive from Kansas City,Mo.
They lived and worked in a mining camp there for, I believe, only a few years.
They bought a home in Lexington, and also had three children.
Alice(Gnotta)Schwab, Teresa(Gnotta)Kenney, and Mary(Gnotta)Bishop.
Alice was my grandmother.
Several descendants of Eraldo and Alfonsina are still living and raising families in the Lexington and Kansas City areas.
In Lexington,Mo, Giorza, Beretta, Gnotta, Roncelli, Marchetti, Oliaro, Ghisalberti, Mautino, Luce, were all families in Lexington. Most of these families were from Brusnengo and most still have descendants in this area.
Any info is appreciated. Especially, making family connections in Italy historically. Who knew who!?
Eraldo and Felice had other siblings btw..
Their names were Alessandro, Alfonso, Pierina, and at least two ther women who stayed in Italy.
Octavia or Lydia maybe..
Hello! My Dad’s family, the Bardones and Berettas, were part of the families from Brusnengo that moved to Lexington, Missouri, and worked in the Summit Mines. From there they moved to Illinois and then to St. Louis. I don’t know much more than that but thought I’d share!
I have information about this family because I made a family tree in Italy. You can contact me anytime
Greetings
My name is Giacomo Avondo here in South Africa.
Our Nono ……Silvestro Giacomo Luigi Avondo
He had a brother name ………..?
came from Brusnengo circa 1910 to 1920 to Barberton South Africa with his young wife Rossetta Caviggia from the village Roasio.
Trying to build the family tree and find relatives?
The author HANS Bornman wrote book about the Piedmontese that’s came to South Africa during this Period. Book “Pioneers of the Lowveld” page 51…… Silvestro Avondo. And he if going to publish again the same book and title, he would like to add more about Silvestro Avondo and his background and family etc. The Tonnetti he has much information as Silvia Tonnetti still lives on the exact same farm and house.
Can you please provide some inform action and or suggestions?
Silvestro was good friends with Giacomo Tonnetti also from Brusnengo, some photos attached, Left: Giacomo Tonnetti (1870-1935) and Agostino Tonnetti (1879-1962). Photos: Dr Vittorio Tonnetti.
TONETTI………………. One of these contractors was Giacomo Tonnetti (1870-1935), who came from Caraceto in 1892, a suburb of Brusnengo near the northern border of Italy.
I can speak a little Italian and understand Piedmontese, many 2nd and 3rd generations are keen to trace their routes and I plan to get this book once published in about 6 weeks’ time into Italian for Piedmontese and history
My husbands great grandfather was Giacomo Beretta who was married to Maria Poverello. Where can I find the picture of Giacomo Tonetti that was attached to your message?
My family from Brusnengo also immigrated to Lexington, Missouri. The Bardones, Poverellos, Berrettas, Bochietta.
Looking for info on
Celeste Edwardo Mussatto born 1853
Costanza Scribante born 4/29/1864
Giuseppe Facenda born 11/18/1866
All supposedly form Brusnengo and Celeste and costanza may have married there in 1888
Thank you
I stumbled on this site looking for another family from Brusnengo. Some of the miners who settled in Osage County, Kansas were from Brusnengo and some were surnamed Mussatto and Scribante. Celestino Mussato appears as the godfather several times in the Baptismal records inf the Catholic Church in Osage City. Constant Scribante appears of the godfather of Constance Amanda Scribante. Let me know if we can possibly help more.
Eileen Matzek Davis; Osage County ARchivist (Kansas)
Eileen, my Great Grandparents came from Brusnengo to Osage City. Both of them are buried in the “Protestant” cemetery at Osage City. But I have tried to find out more links to the ancestry and come up to a dead end in Italy. My Great Grandfather was Giacomo Marchetti, born January 11, 1853, and died April 23, 1898. He was married to Theresa born in 1858, died in 1931. They had two sons Adolf Emile (Duke) Marchetti and Latt (Banty) Marchetti. I know Theresa was born in Brusnengo according to her funeral handout but I do not know her maiden name. After my Great Grandfather passed away, she remarried to Frank Silvain. Any help would be appreciated.
looking for my great grandfathers birth certificate. I have a name, date of birth etc.
I am trying to locate the marriage certificate of my grandfather, Vincenzo Annibile Gaetano Garizio. My grandmother’s name was Desolina (I am not sure how it is spelt) but was always told by my mother that it meant Daisy. My grandmother lived in Brusnengo and as far as I know, her father was the Mayor of Brusnengo when she was a young woman. I only presume that my grandparents were married in Brusnengo and that the marriage may be recorded in the church records. My grandmother was born in 1900 maybe 1901. I think her first child was born in 1928 and the second child born in 1932 which was my mother, Anna Maria Garizio. They moved to the Belgium Congo from Italy.