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Italy Military Records: Difference between revisions
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If you do not know the name of a town, provincial military records can identify a man’s birthplace. Even if you know only the region, you can check the records of all military districts within the region. | If you do not know the name of a town, provincial military records can identify a man’s birthplace. Even if you know only the region, you can check the records of all military districts within the region. | ||
==Historical Background== | |||
In some regions, military records begin about 1792 and give information about the man’s military career, such as promotions, places served, pensions, and conduct. They also usually include information about his age, birthplace, residence, occupation, physical description, and family members. | In some regions, military records begin about 1792 and give information about the man’s military career, such as promotions, places served, pensions, and conduct. They also usually include information about his age, birthplace, residence, occupation, physical description, and family members. | ||
Conscription of all males at the age of eighteen was instituted in 1865. Every Italian male—even those obviously disabled—was and still is required to report to the draft board for a physical exam. Therefore, draft records list every native Italian male who was born from about 1850 to the present and do who did not leave the country at an early age. | Conscription of all males at the age of eighteen was instituted in 1865. Every Italian male—even those obviously disabled—was and still is required to report to the draft board for a physical exam. Therefore, draft records list every native Italian male who was born from about 1850 to the present and do who did not leave the country at an early age. | ||
==Military Records of Genealogical Value== | |||
The military records that are most useful to family history researchers are described below. | The military records that are most useful to family history researchers are described below. | ||
===Conscription Records [''registro di leva''].=== | |||
These records list all males by year of birth and provide the name, parents’ names, place of residence, birth date and place, vocation, literacy, and physical description. They also show the draft board’s decision regarding the draftee’s fitness for service. If the draftee had emigrated, the date and destination are noted. | |||
===Draftee Curriculum of Service Record [''registro dei fogli matricolari''].=== | |||
These records include details of the young man’s military service, including such items as promotions. | |||
===Discharge Records [''foglio di congedo illimitato''].=== | |||
These records prove a soldier’s discharge from military service. They include birth information, parents’ names, physical description, vocation, and educational information. They also give information regarding the date and place of draft, length of service, transfers, campaigns, medals, and wounds. One copy was given to the soldier, and one copy was kept in his file. | |||
===Service Records [''registro di ruolo''].=== | |||
These also contain details of the man’s military service. | |||
==Finding Military Records== | |||
Italian military records are kept by military districts. The archive of the military district stores the records. Most military districts are within the geographical boundaries of a province. A province can have up to three military districts, and in rare cases a military district may encompass two provinces. | Italian military records are kept by military districts. The archive of the military district stores the records. Most military districts are within the geographical boundaries of a province. A province can have up to three military districts, and in rare cases a military district may encompass two provinces. | ||
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You can also write to the provincial archives for information. See the "[[Italy Archives and Libraries|Archives and Libraries]]" section of this outline for more information. | You can also write to the provincial archives for information. See the "[[Italy Archives and Libraries|Archives and Libraries]]" section of this outline for more information. | ||
==External Links== | |||
*(Italian) [http://www.esercito.difesa.it/root/vario/distretti.asp Esercito Italiano: I Centri Documentali](Italian Army: Places Documentation) | *(Italian) [http://www.esercito.difesa.it/root/vario/distretti.asp Esercito Italiano: I Centri Documentali](Italian Army: Places Documentation) | ||
*[http://www.italiamerica.org/id132.htm Italian Military and Conscription Records] | *[http://www.italiamerica.org/id132.htm Italian Military and Conscription Records] | ||