How to Read an Italian Death Record REVISED

Almost eight years ago I wrote an article called How to Read an Italian Death Record. Last week I updated my 8-year-old article on Italian birth records. Today we tackle death records.

For most of my ancestral hometowns, there are no death records online for the years 1861–1930. But I do have one town with all these years, so I'll pull my examples from there.

I've divided the death records into five multi-year phases. Each of the five looks different and presents its information a bit differently. For each phase below, you'll find a simple version of the wording used. Then you'll see a more detailed version and an image highlighting certain key facts.

No matter how the document looks, the death record format boils down to this: Two witnesses came to the mayor and said someone died.

Phase One Civil Death Records, Circa 1809–1811

On many of the earliest death records, the name of the deceased's parents and spouse may be missing. This is awful, but at least it's only for a short time span.

Simple version: Today, on this date there appeared before the mayor of the town two people of this age, profession, and address, and they declare that on this date has died this person, of this age and profession, living in this place.

And having seen with our own eyes that this person is dead, we authorize the church to bury the body after 24 hours.

The earliest Italian death records contain the least amount of detail about the deceased.

Detailed version: Today, day (number) of the month of (month) in the year (number), there appeared before the mayor of the town (the name, age, profession, and address of two witnesses declaring the death), and they declared that today at this hour (number) has died (name of deceased), of the age (number) and the profession (profession), who was living in this town on the street (street name).

And having seen with our own eyes that (deceased's name) is dead, we authorize the church to bury the body after 24 hours.

Phase Two Civil Death Records, Circa 1812–1820

Simple version: This year, day, and month, there appeared before the mayor of the town two people of this age, profession, and address, and they declare that on this date in this month has died this person who lived at this place, was married to this person, and was the child of this couple.

The deceased was this age, this profession, lived at this place, and died at this place.

According to the law, we are transferring the body and recording these facts.

From about 1812 through 1820, Italian death records tell more about the deceased's family.

Detailed version: In this year (number) on this day (number) of this month (month) at this hour (number), before the mayor in the city hall of the town appeared two men (whose names, ages, professions, and addresses are written out).

They declare that on (date) of (the same) month (deceased's name, spouse of name, child of parents' names), age (number), profession (profession), who lived at (place name) has died at (place name).

According to the law, we are transferring the body and recording these facts.

Phase Three Civil Death Records, Circa 1821–1865

Simple version: This year, day, month, and time, there appeared before the mayor of the town two people who declare that on this date and month has died in their own home this person, and they were married to this person.

The deceased was this age, was born in this place, was of this profession, and lived in this place, and they were the child of this man, of this profession, who lived in this place, and this woman who lived in this place.

According to the law, we are transferring the body and recording these facts.

From about 1821 through 1865, these records are easier to read and have lots of detail.

Detailed version: In this year (number), day (number), month (month), and time (number), there appeared before the mayor of the town two men (whose names, ages, professions, and addresses are written out), and they declare that on this date (number) in the month of (month) has died in their own home (deceased's name), and they were married to (spouse's name).

The deceased was this age (number), was born in (place name), of the profession (profession), lived in (place name), they were the child of (father's name), of the profession (profession), who lived in (place name), and (mother's name) who lived in (place name).

According to the law, we are transferring the body and recording these facts.

Phase Four Civil Death Records, Circa 1866–1874

Simple version: This year, day, month, and time, there appeared before the mayor of the town two people who declare that at this time on this date and month has died in their own home this person, of this profession, of this age, who lived in this town and was married to this person. The were born in this place and were the child of this couple.

We present this document and declare this information to be true.

The handwritten documents from about 1866 through 1874 follow the standard format.

Detailed version: In this year (number), day (number), month (month), and time (number), there appeared before the mayor of the town two men (whose names, ages, professions, and addresses are written out), and they declare that on this date (number) in the month of (month) has died in their own home (deceased's name), and they were married to (spouse's name).

The deceased was age (number), was born in (place name), of the profession (profession), lived in (place name), they were the child of (father's name) and of the profession (profession), who lived in (place name), and (mother's name) who lived in (place name).

We present this document and declare this information to be true.

Phase Five Civil Death Records, Circa 1875–1945

Simple version: In this year, day, month, and time, there appeared before the mayor of the town two people who declare that at this time on this day and at this address has died this person, of this age, of this profession, who lived in this town, was born in this town, and was the child of this couple, who was [single or married to this person].

Two other witnesses attest to these facts and all declare the facts to be true.

The more modern Italian birth records, from about 1875 on, are the easiest to read.

Detailed version: In this year (number), day (number), month (month), and time (number), there appeared before the mayor of the town two people (whose names, ages, professions, and addresses are written out), and they declare that at this time (number) on this day (usually "oggi" for today or "ieri" for yesterday), and at (place name) has died (deceased's name), age (number), profession, who lived in (town name), was born in (town name), child of (father's name, profession, and hometown) and (mother's name, profession, and hometown), who was (single or married to spouse's name).

Note: The word celibe means an unmarried man, while nubile means an unmarried woman.

This testimony is confirmed by (name), age (number), (profession), and (name), age (number), (profession), both living in this town. All present attest to these facts and all declare them to be true.

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The same holds true for any vital record in any language. When you know what to expect to see and where to find it, you can harvest the important facts for your family tree.

How to Read an Italian Birth Record REVISED

In February 2017, I published an article called How to Read an Italian Birth Record. This update goes into far more detail.

The format of these birth records changed over time. This article divides Italian birth records into four phases, each spanning several years.

For each type of Italian birth record below, you'll find a simple version of the wording used. Then you'll see a more detailed version and an image highlighting certain key facts. This includes many Italian words and their English translations. The words in parentheses below are often handwritten while other phrases are pre-printed. The handwritten words are critical to your family tree. They include names, dates, places, ages, and professions.

Note that in some towns and in some years you may find a handwritten notation in the margin of a birth record. This may include the date of this child's marriage and the name of their spouse. Or it may state the date of the baby's baptism.

It's important to pay attention to who is presenting the baby. Who is coming to the town hall with a newborn? It's usually the father, but it may be a grandparent. Many times it's the midwife [levatrice] who delivered the baby.

Phase One Civil Birth Records, Circa 1809–1819

Simple version: On this date the following person appeared before the mayor to present a newborn baby. He states that the baby was born to his wife at this date and time, and they are giving this name to the baby. These people acted as witnesses.

Early Italian birth records, from about 1809 through 1819, include a bit less detail than in later years.

Detailed version: Today (day, month, year and hour) appearing before the mayor [Sindaco] of this town is (name, usually of the father of the newborn baby), of the profession (profession) of the age (number) living in this town at (place name).

This person presents a baby (bambino for a boy, bambina for a girl) who he declares to be his (son or daughter) by his legitimate wife [moglie] (baby's mother's name).

The baby was born on the day (day of the month) in the month of (month name) at the hour (hour of the day or night), and according to this person is named (baby's name).

What follows is a standard statement mentioning the names, ages, and professions of two witnesses. The mayor signs his name after a statement that he declares the above facts to be true. The father and the witnesses may be illiterate, so they will sign the document with a cross.

Sometimes these early birth records will include a small note in the margin with the date of the baby's baptism.

Phase Two Civil Birth Records, Circa 1820–1865

The next phase of birth records includes a second column to record the baptism of the baby. The main column now includes a bit more detail than before.

Simple version: On this date the following person appeared before the mayor to present a newborn baby. He states that the baby was born to his wife and to himself at this date and time. They are giving this name to the baby. These people acted as witnesses.

And in the second column (this will sound odd): On this date in this parish I declare that on this date I recorded the fact that on this date I baptized this baby.

Tip: If you see multiple dates in this column, the earliest one is the actual baptism date. A priest may be writing on the 5th that he recorded on the 4th that he baptized a baby on the 3rd!

From about 1820 through 1865, Italian birth records add more detail plus baptism information.

Detailed version: On this date (day, month, year and hour) appearing before the mayor [Sindaco] of (town name) is (name, usually of the father of the newborn baby), of the profession (profession) living in this town, and this person presents a baby (bambino for a boy, bambina for a girl) who he declares to be born to his legitimate wife [moglie] (her name) of the age (number) living in (usually "detto Comune" or "come sopra", both meaning "this town") and to himself of the age (either a number or "come sopra" meaning "as above"), of the profession (profession) living in (this town) on the day (number; this is the date of birth—often earlier than the date at the top of the document), at the hour (hour of the day of night) in the house (often it will say "di propia abitazione" meaning "his own house").

This same person states that he gives the baby the name of (baby's name).

What follows is a standard statement with the name, age, and profession of two witnesses. The mayor signs his name after a statement that he declares the above facts to be true. If the father or witnesses are illiterate, they will sign the document with a cross.

And in the second column: On this day and month in the parish of (church or town name) I state that on this day and month I made note that on this day and month of the current year I administered the sacrament of baptism to this child on this day and month.

I told you it was odd.

Phase Three Civil Birth Records, Circa 1866–1874

In this era, the birth records are completely handwritten. This is more of a challenge, but since you know the general format, you know which keywords to spot. You know where to look for the dates, names, ages, and professions.

These records offer one tremendous benefit. They tend to include the names of the baby's two grandfathers. That single fact can help you distinguish between people with the same name. Records after 1865 do not include baptism information.

Simple version: On this date and in this town the following person appeared before the mayor to present a newborn baby. He states that the baby was born at this date and time to himself and his wife in this town in this place. They are giving this name to the baby. These people acted as witnesses.

The handwritten documents from 1866 through 1874 are more challenging, but they have one advantage.

Detailed version: On this date in the city hall [Casa Comunale] there appeared before the mayor [Sindaco] (his name and sometimes the date he became mayor) this person (his name and his father's first name), of the age (number), profession (profession), living in this town, and he presented a baby of the sex ("maschile" for male or "femminile" for female) who he declared was born on this day, month, and hour to his wife [moglie] (her name, her father's first name, her age and sometimes her profession) in this town on (street or neighborhood name). To this child they give the name (baby's name).

This person made this declaration in the presence of these witnesses (their names, ages, and professions), and the mayor declares the information in this document to be true.

Phase Four Civil Birth Records, Circa 1875–1922

In all my ancestral hometowns, the available civil birth records end in 1915. There are a very small number of birth records on the Antenati website from as late as 1922.

Simple version: On this date the mayor of this town saw the following person. He declared that on this hour, day, and month, in his house to his wife a baby was born. They give this name to the baby. These people acted as witnesses.

The more modern Italian birth records, from about 1875 on, are the easiest to read.

Detailed version: On this date the mayor [Sindaco] (his name) of this town (town name) saw the following person (his name, age, and profession) living in (usually "questo Comune" meaning "this town"). He declared that on this hour, day, and month, in his house on (street name and house number) to his wife [moglie] (her name, age and possibly her profession) a baby was born of the sex ("maschile" for male or "femminile" for female). They give the baby this name (baby's name).

These people (their names, ages, professions) acted as witnesses to this presentation. The mayor declares the information in this document to be true.

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When you know what to expect to find on an Italian birth record, you'll know where to spot the details. These are the facts you need for your family tree.

3 Steps to Take When Your Source Links Break

When you can't get to your favorite resource for your family tree anymore, there are 3 steps you need to take.

Tragedy strikes! An important resource changed its website URL. They broke 328 of my valuable source citation links. I noticed it one day when I tried to go to my bookmark for one of the resource's databases. It immediately redirected from my saved link to their new homepage link.

I didn't panic. I figured they're doing a website redesign. I've lived through countless redesigns as a website manager. I know things can go wrong and take time to fix. I went back two days later and saw that they had indeed broken all my links and changed the whole interface.

Why is this a problem? Because we need to be able to prove our genealogy work. We need source citations so anyone (including us) can find the original for themselves, (as I did in Italy once). Seeing is believing.

We need to tell them where it's held, which book to open, which page to turn to, and even which lines to read.

But the archives in the province of Benevento, Italy, home of 90% of my ancestors, broke my citation links. What do I do?

If this happens to you with any online resource, take the following 3 steps:

1. See if there's a pattern to the URL change. You can use this new pattern to update your old, broken links. I noticed there was a unique 4- or 5-digit number in common between a record's old URL and new URL. A search-and-replace within Family Tree Maker didn't work, so I had to make the edits one at a time. That was a lot better than having to redo a search for each person on the new-styled website.

2. If there is no image, capture a screenshot of the facts, or copy the text, and paste it into your family tree. I can copy and paste each record's text and the new URL and update the source citation. I wasn't capturing all this detail in the past, including the volume and record numbers, but I will now.

When I save a document image from Ancestry, FamilySearch, etc., I add details about the image to:

• the image's properties
• the image's details within Family Tree Maker
• the source citation.

My census images, for example, tell you:

• which line numbers to look at
• the town, city, and state
• the enumeration district and supervisor's district
• which image it is (e.g. image 210 of 389)
• the link to the record
• the standard citation info provided by the website.

With that level of detail, even if the image goes offline, someone could access this census sheet. Note that I include document numbers or page numbers if they exist.

If you have to fix a bunch of broken source citations, seize the moment! Make them better and more useful. Make them hold their value.

3. Search for the bright side. While updating my broken bookmarks for this website, I discovered a new database. I captured details on men from my ancestral towns who were born as late as 1941. That's huge! Birth records after 1915 aren't online unless a person married between 1931 and 1942.

Yes, this is an inconvenience for me. But I can appreciate how they wanted to update the website and shorten their clunky URL. It's possible a new team runs the website and they wanted it to look more professional.

What lesson can you learn from my tragedy? Prepare yourself for future broken links by capturing all the information. Imagine it's way in the future, and a young genealogist finds your family tree online. Those ancient links don't work anymore. But you've given them so much detail that they can track down the original record for themselves.

They're grateful that you were such a thoughtful, professional family tree builder.

But wait a moment. Did you say you haven't been very good about source citations? Then these links are for you, STAT!

• How to Fix Bad or Missing Source Citations
• Choosing and Using the Most Reliable Sources
• Add Consistency to Your Source Citations