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In general the church began keeping records in 1563 because of reforms proclaimed at the Council of Trent. Not all parishes conformed until much later. Most parishes, however, have kept registers from about 1595 to the present. A few parishes kept records as early as the 1300s. The church records of Palermo, for example, start about 1350, and the baptistry in Firenze has records from the early 1400s. A few examples of important dates are: | In general the church began keeping records in 1563 because of reforms proclaimed at the Council of Trent. Not all parishes conformed until much later. Most parishes, however, have kept registers from about 1595 to the present. A few parishes kept records as early as the 1300s. The church records of Palermo, for example, start about 1350, and the baptistry in Firenze has records from the early 1400s. A few examples of important dates are: | ||
'''1563''' | '''1563''' The Council of Trent required priests to begin keeping records of baptisms, marriages, and deaths. | ||
'''1595''' | '''1595''' Papal proclamation reinforced record-keeping practices. | ||
'''Early1800s''' | '''Early1800s''' Printed forms started to be used in the Trento area. | ||
'''1900s''' | '''1900s''' Duplicate copies were made to be kept by the diocesan archives [''curia vescovile'']. | ||
Unfortunately some Italian church records were destroyed in the various wars throughout Italy’s history. Other records were destroyed when parish churches burned down. Some were lost, and still others have been badly worn and destroyed by insects, vermin, and moisture. | Unfortunately some Italian church records were destroyed in the various wars throughout Italy’s history. Other records were destroyed when parish churches burned down. Some were lost, and still others have been badly worn and destroyed by insects, vermin, and moisture. | ||
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In most areas, printed forms were not used until the late nineteenth or early twentieth centuries. Printed forms were used as early as 1820 in the Trentino-Alto Adige region. | In most areas, printed forms were not used until the late nineteenth or early twentieth centuries. Printed forms were used as early as 1820 in the Trentino-Alto Adige region. | ||
'''Baptisms ''' | '''Baptisms''' | ||
Children were generally baptized within a few days of birth. Baptismal registers usually give the names of the infant and parent, status of legitimacy, names of witnesses or godparents, and the baptism date. You may also find the child’s birth date, father’s occupation, and the family’s place of residence. Death or marriage information has sometimes been added as a note in the margin. The street name or family’s address may also be given for larger cities. | Children were generally baptized within a few days of birth. Baptismal registers usually give the names of the infant and parent, status of legitimacy, names of witnesses or godparents, and the baptism date. You may also find the child’s birth date, father’s occupation, and the family’s place of residence. Death or marriage information has sometimes been added as a note in the margin. The street name or family’s address may also be given for larger cities. | ||
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Earlier registers typically give less information. They may give only the names of the child and father and the baptism date. They may not contain the mother’s name, or they may contain only her given name. Early records only record the baptism date; later records may include the birth date. | Earlier registers typically give less information. They may give only the names of the child and father and the baptism date. They may not contain the mother’s name, or they may contain only her given name. Early records only record the baptism date; later records may include the birth date. | ||
'''Marriages ''' | '''Marriages''' | ||
Couples were generally married in the home parish of the bride. Typically, girls married between ages 18 and 25. Men married in their twenties. | Couples were generally married in the home parish of the bride. Typically, girls married between ages 18 and 25. Men married in their twenties. | ||
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In addition to the marriage date, marriage registers sometimes give the dates on which the marriage intentions (banns) were announced. | In addition to the marriage date, marriage registers sometimes give the dates on which the marriage intentions (banns) were announced. | ||
'''Marriage Banns ''' | '''Marriage Banns''' | ||
A wedding was generally was announced for three consecutive Sunday masses prior to the wedding. These announcements, called banns, gave opportunity for anyone to come forward who knew of any reasons why the couple should not be married. | A wedding was generally was announced for three consecutive Sunday masses prior to the wedding. These announcements, called banns, gave opportunity for anyone to come forward who knew of any reasons why the couple should not be married. | ||
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In addition to or instead of the actual marriage registers, some Italian churches kept separate books to record marriage banns. | In addition to or instead of the actual marriage registers, some Italian churches kept separate books to record marriage banns. | ||
'''Burials ''' | '''Burials''' | ||
Burials and deaths were recorded in the church record of the parish where the person died or was buried. The burial usually took place within a day or two of the death in the parish where the person died. | Burials and deaths were recorded in the church record of the parish where the person died or was buried. The burial usually took place within a day or two of the death in the parish where the person died. | ||
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Effective use of church records includes the following strategies: | Effective use of church records includes the following strategies: | ||
* When you find an ancestor’s birth or baptismal record, search for the births of siblings.<br | * When you find an ancestor’s birth or baptismal record, search for the births of siblings.<br> | ||
* Search for the parents’ marriage record. Typically, the marriage took place one or two years before the oldest child was born. You can also use information from the marriage record to find the parents’ birth records.<br | * Search for the parents’ marriage record. Typically, the marriage took place one or two years before the oldest child was born. You can also use information from the marriage record to find the parents’ birth records.<br> | ||
* Search for the parent’s birth records.<br | * Search for the parent’s birth records.<br> | ||
* If you do not find earlier generations in the parish registers, search neighboring parishes.<br | * If you do not find earlier generations in the parish registers, search neighboring parishes.<br> | ||
* Search the death registers for all family members. | * Search the death registers for all family members. | ||
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http://www.fiddlelily.com/comunes.htm | http://www.fiddlelily.com/comunes.htm | ||
[[Category:Italy]] | |||