Looking for Information?
I have finally finished transcribing all of the Chieuti marriage records which are available through the Family History Library (1809-1929). Yippee!! If you have questions about your Chieuti ancestors, please e-mail me, and I will be happy to share whatever relevant information I might have. What do I ask in return? Information on your ancestors after they immigrated.
I also have access to most of the Serracapriola (Foggia) marriage records and most Poggio Imperiale (Foggia) records. To the extent I can, I am happy to answer your questions. Please e-mail me.
If you would like to hire someone to research your ancestors in another town, I can help you with that too! I charge an hourly rate, plus the cost of film rental at the Family History Library. Please e-mail me with your questions.
Researching Your Ancestry
I receive many emails from people looking for information on their ancestors. If your ancestors were born in Chieuti or Serracapriola, I will most likely be able to provide information that will be useful. For people whose relativies are not from Chieuti or Serracapriola, you have two choices. You can: (1) hire someone to research your ancestry or (2) do your own research. I will provide some tips here if you choose to do your own research.
Step One - Buy this Book!
Genealogists Guide to Discovering Your Italian Ancestors: How to Find and Record Your Unique Heritage by Lynn Nelson. This is the book that got me started and it's all I've used. Since stealing it from my sister about eight years ago, I've transcribed thousands of records. I can't emphasize it enough; this is a great, invaluable book and you must have it to help you solve your mysteries. Nelson provides much more detail than I will be providing here. She walks the reader through the step-by-step process of identifying your ancestor's town, locating films, ordering a film, deciphering unfamiliar handwriting, transcribing the records and recording your data. Buy it! Now!
Step Two - Know the Town
In order to research your ancestors, you must know their town of origin. Ask your relatives or research documents which might contain this information. If you don't know the town, Nelson provides (in her book mentioned above) guidance in locating the town name.
Step Three - Look for the Films
Once you know the town of origin, check the Family History Library to see what films are available. Find the Library Catalog and enter the place name. Click on the blue links until you get to a page which says "View Film Notes" in the top right corner. Click on this link to see what the Chieuti page looks like. Notice "View Film Notes" in the top right corner. Once that is selected, you will then see a page which lists all of the films available for your town, as well as the item number. So if I want to order the film for Chieuti which contains 1905 marriages, I would order Film No. 1802926 from the nearest Family History Center.
Step Four - Find Your Nearest Family History Center
Go to the Family History Centers page and enter the information in order to find the nearest Center. I live in King County, Washington and there are 12 centers in my county. While several are near to me, I go to the Center that has the best hours and facilities for me. You can visit the Centers and make your decision. Once you find a Center, you're ready for Step Five.
Step Five - Order your Film
The cost of film rental is approximately $6.50. Order your film and you will be notified when it has arrived. Then you will have approximately four weeks to review the film. You can renew the rental two times and then the film stays indefinitely at the Center.
Step Six - Review the Film
Here's where you must have Lynn Nelson's book: Genealogists Guide to Discovering Your Italian Ancestors: How to Find and Record Your Unique Heritage. Order it and have fun!