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This guide is for researchers who do not speak Italian but must write to Italy or parts of Switzerland to request genealogical records. It includes a list of sentences you could use in a letter requesting genealogical records and the Italian translation for each of these sentences. | This guide is for researchers who do not speak Italian but must write to Italy or parts of Switzerland to request genealogical records. It includes a list of sentences you could use in a letter requesting genealogical records and the Italian translation for each of these sentences. | ||
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If the records you want are not available through the Family History Library, you can use this guide to help you write to a church or a civil registration office to obtain information. The Italy Research Outline can help you decide whether church records or civil registration records will be more helpful to you. | If the records you want are not available through the Family History Library, you can use this guide to help you write to a church or a civil registration office to obtain information. The Italy Research Outline can help you decide whether church records or civil registration records will be more helpful to you. | ||
==Before You Write== | |||
Before you write a letter in Italian to obtain family history information, you should do three things: | Before you write a letter in Italian to obtain family history information, you should do three things: | ||
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* Determine where records from your ancestor’s hometown are stored. Records for smaller localities may be stored in repositories in nearby larger villages. You can use a gazetteer to determine which parish or civil jurisdiction serves your ancestor’s locality. You may also use the Italy Research Outline for help in locating records. | * Determine where records from your ancestor’s hometown are stored. Records for smaller localities may be stored in repositories in nearby larger villages. You can use a gazetteer to determine which parish or civil jurisdiction serves your ancestor’s locality. You may also use the Italy Research Outline for help in locating records. | ||
==Research by Mail== | |||
Church records are obtained from parishes, and civil records are obtained from civil registration offices. Both kinds of records may be stored in archives. Genealogical societies may also be able to help you find some of the information you need. | Church records are obtained from parishes, and civil records are obtained from civil registration offices. Both kinds of records may be stored in archives. Genealogical societies may also be able to help you find some of the information you need. | ||
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'''Genealogical societies.''' Genealogical societies usually collect genealogies, periodicals, and some original records from their area and recommend researchers you can hire to search local records. | '''Genealogical societies.''' Genealogical societies usually collect genealogies, periodicals, and some original records from their area and recommend researchers you can hire to search local records. | ||
==How To Address the Envelope== | |||
For a Catholic parish: | For a Catholic parish: | ||
Reverendo Parroco <br>(Street address, if known) <br>(Postal code followed by the name of the locality, including the province abbreviation) <br>ITALY | :Reverendo Parroco <br>(Street address, if known) <br>(Postal code followed by the name of the locality, including the province abbreviation) <br>ITALY | ||
For a Protestant parish: | For a Protestant parish: | ||
Reverendo Viccario <br>(Street address, if known) <br>(Postal code followed by the name of the locality, including the province abbreviation) <br>ITALY | :Reverendo Viccario <br>(Street address, if known) <br>(Postal code followed by the name of the locality, including the province abbreviation) <br>ITALY | ||
For a civil registration office: | For a civil registration office: | ||
Egregio Sindaco <br>Commune di (name of the locality) <br>(Street address, if known) <br>(Postal code followed by the name of the locality, including the province abbreviation) <br>ITALY | :Egregio Sindaco <br>Commune di (name of the locality) <br>(Street address, if known) <br>(Postal code followed by the name of the locality, including the province abbreviation) <br>ITALY | ||
You can find some archive and society addresses in the Italy Research Outline, or you can call the Family History Library at 801-240-3433. | You can find some archive and society addresses in the Italy Research Outline, or you can call the Family History Library at 801-240-3433. | ||
==Postal Codes== | |||
Every Italian town (comune) has a post office. Smaller villages, known as frazioni, fall within the jurisdiction of a comune. If you cannot locate a postal code for your locality, check a gazetteer to determine the comune (see the Italy Research Outline). | Every Italian town (comune) has a post office. Smaller villages, known as frazioni, fall within the jurisdiction of a comune. If you cannot locate a postal code for your locality, check a gazetteer to determine the comune (see the Italy Research Outline). | ||
International postal codes can be found on the Internet at: | |||
* [http://www.nonsolocap.it/ www.nonsolocap.it] | * [http://www.nonsolocap.it/ www.nonsolocap.it] | ||
* [http://www.micronet.it/italian/cap/p.html www.micronet.it/italian/cap/p.html] | * [http://www.micronet.it/italian/cap/p.html www.micronet.it/italian/cap/p.html] | ||
A listing of Internet sites that contain postal codes by country can be found at: | A listing of Internet sites that contain postal codes by country can be found at: | ||
* [http://www.grcdi.nl/linkspc.htm www.grcdi.nl/linkspc.htm] | * [http://www.grcdi.nl/linkspc.htm www.grcdi.nl/linkspc.htm] | ||
When addressing your letter, write the postal (zip) code in front of the name of the town to which you are writing. For help in finding postal codes, use a gazetteer or call the Family History Library at 801-240-3433. | When addressing your letter, write the postal (zip) code in front of the name of the town to which you are writing. For help in finding postal codes, use a gazetteer or call the Family History Library at 801-240-3433. | ||
==How To Send Return Postage and Money== | |||
When you write to someone in Europe, send an international reply coupon (available at most large post offices) to pay for return postage. When writing to Italy, some people have had more success sending an international bank draft. | When you write to someone in Europe, send an international reply coupon (available at most large post offices) to pay for return postage. When writing to Italy, some people have had more success sending an international bank draft. | ||
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'''Writing to other offices or organizations.''' Some researchers do not send money when writing to a civil registration office, archive, or genealogical society for the first time. These organizations may prefer to bill you for their services. Some may ask you to make the check payable to their account number. If you want, you may write an institution to determine their fees before making a request. However, this will significantly increase the time it takes to get information. | '''Writing to other offices or organizations.''' Some researchers do not send money when writing to a civil registration office, archive, or genealogical society for the first time. These organizations may prefer to bill you for their services. Some may ask you to make the check payable to their account number. If you want, you may write an institution to determine their fees before making a request. However, this will significantly increase the time it takes to get information. | ||
==Checklist for Mailing a Letter to Europe== | |||
* Keep a photocopy of your letter. | * Keep a photocopy of your letter. | ||
* Enclose payment for the return postage. | * Enclose payment for the return postage. | ||
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* Mark the envelope Air Mail. | * Mark the envelope Air Mail. | ||
==What To Expect== | |||
It may take six months or longer for you to receive a reply to your request for information. The results of writing to parishes or civil registration offices can vary greatly. You may get a great deal of information, or you may get no answer at all. Some pastors and civil registrars are willing to do considerable research. Others will not answer until money is sent or offered. Some may be unable to provide information. | It may take six months or longer for you to receive a reply to your request for information. The results of writing to parishes or civil registration offices can vary greatly. You may get a great deal of information, or you may get no answer at all. Some pastors and civil registrars are willing to do considerable research. Others will not answer until money is sent or offered. Some may be unable to provide information. | ||
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If you do not receive an answer, write again and send a copy of your first letter. Do not send more money unless you verify that your first letter did not arrive. | If you do not receive an answer, write again and send a copy of your first letter. Do not send more money unless you verify that your first letter did not arrive. | ||
==How To Write a Letter in Italian== | |||
Your letter should include: | Your letter should include: | ||
* The date (at the top). | * The date (at the top). | ||
* The name and address of the addressee. | * The name and address of the addressee. | ||
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Do not use this guide as the letter itself. That might insult the recipient and lessen the chance of a reply. | Do not use this guide as the letter itself. That might insult the recipient and lessen the chance of a reply. | ||
=== Writing Dates === | ===Writing Dates=== | ||
Write dates in the European style: day, month, year. Write the month and the year in full. For example, for December 10, 1889, you would write 10 dicembre 1889, not 12-10-89 or 10-12-1889. | Write dates in the European style: day, month, year. Write the month and the year in full. For example, for December 10, 1889, you would write 10 dicembre 1889, not 12-10-89 or 10-12-1889. | ||
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26. I am enclosing a copy of a letter I sent you on (date). Please write and tell me if you can do this research. 26. Sto accludendo una copia della lettera che vi ho trasmesso il ___________. Vi prego di scrivere per farmi sapere se potete fare questa ricerca. | 26. I am enclosing a copy of a letter I sent you on (date). Please write and tell me if you can do this research. 26. Sto accludendo una copia della lettera che vi ho trasmesso il ___________. Vi prego di scrivere per farmi sapere se potete fare questa ricerca. | ||
=== Example Letter === | ===Example Letter=== | ||
'''Date''' 4 novembre 1999 | '''Date''' 4 novembre 1999 | ||
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'''Return Address'''<br>Jane Doe <br>334 G Street <br>Salt Lake City, UT 84103 <br>USA | '''Return Address'''<br>Jane Doe <br>334 G Street <br>Salt Lake City, UT 84103 <br>USA | ||
==Comments and Suggestions== | |||
The Family History Library welcomes additions and corrections that will improve future editions of this guide. Please send your suggestions to: | The Family History Library welcomes additions and corrections that will improve future editions of this guide. Please send your suggestions to: | ||