I have been posting almost daily and I really appreciate the response from people ( over 5000 views in 2 months), both on the tips and links I have provided and the enthusiasim on my family roots.  My goal is to help people to find their families either in the US or in Italy.  I am constantly searching for new links or websites to help people to uncover their roots. As you can see this as become a passion of mine, and if you like detective work, searching for you families past certainly fulfills that mission.  There are many of us out there, and more coming everyday.  If you are enjoying the history, or want to be updated as I find more links, please subscribe by clicking the little bell on the lower left. Thanks Bob. You never know what you will uncover. Since publishing the original post above we now have over 244,000 hits not the site, 5000 on our Facebook Group started a podcast and YouTube Channel.  Thanks for all the support!  Bob. Prince Marino Caracciolo c1630 3rd Prince of Avellino, 1st Count of Serino, 4th Duke of Atripalda, 1st Marqui of Sanseverino, Knight of the Golden Fleece and my 8th great grandfather Me 1977 Blogger

Two new helpful Links!!  Italian Surname Database and Calabria Exchange Whether your just beginning your ancestry search, or your a seasoned veteran, there is always another link or site that will help you to pull in a missing piece of the puzzle.  The Best Genealogy Support Links are listed below.  Sometimes, you just need that extra push to get you going.   For anyone just starting out the 5 minute videos and the free downloadable  forms will be a big help to you.   For more to the Best Genealogy Support Links list our links page  Italian Research and previous posts. Starting research can be daunting, which is why we are listing as many links we can find. Ancestry.Com Glossary of Genealogy Terms Ancestry on Youtube Rootsweb Free Charts and Forms Dutch Translation Tools French Translation Tools German Translation Tools Italian Translation Tools Spanish Translation Tools Swedish Translation Tools Five Minute Finds Videos Census Abbreviations Behind the Name — History of First names History Pin and What Was There  Historical Photos of the Past Manifest Markings — Notations on US immigrant manifest Historical Maps

The roots of this family is very complicated and the beginning of the family actually goes back to Caracciolo roots.  To Gregorio Caracciolo and Maria Pignatelli.   This link takes you to the first line — Carafa Antiche The first notable figure is my 19th great grandfather Bartolomeo(Naples 7-12-1362), Patrizio Napoletano, Vicerè of the Basilicata in 1302, Master Ostiario of the Reign of Sicily in 1309, Manservant, Advisor and Royal Chamberlain in 1309, Vicerè and General Captain of the Abruzzo in 1309, Rational Master of the Great court in 1343; Married  Mabilia, daughter of Andrew Signore di Montefalcione His son Tomasso Patrizio Napoletano, Capitano dell’Aquila founded this branch Carafa Della Stadera Tomasso’s grandson Antonio, my 16th GG was the next prominent figureI dictate “Malice” (* shutters 1373 10-10-1437), Patrizio Napoletano; Justice of Land of Bari in 1400, Royal Chamberlain buys Mercurio’s land in 1400, Gentleman of Pescolanciano, Boccalino and Vignali with the hamlets of Cupili and Casacellola in 1410, in 1410, Castellano di Torre del Greco of 8-6-1420 as pawn for a loan done to the Queen of Naples, ambassador in Aragona in 1420, had the income of 800 onze on the trades of the Reign of Sicily with Privilege of 6-8-1420; celebrated Neapolitan diplomat, was a partisan and favourite of King Alfonso V. Spouse Caterina Farafalla. Antonio’s grandson Fabrizio, began this line, Dukes of Andria His daughter Crisostoma then married Prince Marino Caracciolo who are my 12th great grandparents. To see all the lines click here — Carafa The Carafa line had 16 Cardinals and one Pope — Paul IV The full story can be read here — Carafa Strada

Capece Capece Piscicelli Capece Piscicelli Piromallo Click here to join Italian Genealogy on Facebook This is where my research began.  Having my great grandfather’s card, I knew that it matched the crest on the far right.  However, in all my research, I could not find his name in the family line attached below.  As Piromallo is not a very common name, I was really stumped for quite some time.  It seemed very logical that I was related in some way to this line, but I don’t assume anything and needed proof.  After a few years, I hire Bella Italia Genealogy to help. Calling Card of Nicola Piromallo   Not only did they find my grandfather’s birth record, but also his father’s birth record, tying them both to Count Giacomo and Countess Beatrice.  See line  K3  in the lineage chart.  Duchess Beatrice merged the family names, and what appears to have happened is that only her eldest son, that inherited the title, took all three names.  My great great grandfather, and his siblings remained with their fathers name which was Piromallo.Famous Neapolitan patrician family of the Chair of Capuana, acting part of the political clique of Capeci. He notices from the time of the Normen, it was made related by Capece Zurlo (already Piscicelli) and Capece Aprano, families with whom it was sharing the coat of arms and probably the common origin. Initially they were carrying the surname Piscicelli, then become Capece Piscicelli. They had the family grave in the church of Santa Restituta to Naples. According to De Lellis to this origin they belonged: Tommaso called Masello Piscicelli, defined “Vir Potens et Dives”, was a commander of 100 riders and later on commander of the personal guard of Regina Joanna I of Sicily; Ligorio, Captain to war of the Principality Farther under Joanna I; Ottinello, Andreazzo, Sorrel and Rinaldo Piscicelli were named in the amnesty allowed in 1380 at Regina Joanna I; Joy (about 1384) was an Abbess of the monastery of Santa Patrizia to Naples before 8-1-1376; Joy dictates Cicella (* shutters 6-5-1393 1438), perhaps nipte of the preceded one, she was an Abbess of the monastery of Santa Patrizia to Naples; in 1382 Juliano Piscicelli had 20 annual ounces (transmissible to the heirs) for war merits on the incomes of the bagliva of Francavilla and of the province of Abruzzo; Malefatto lived during the reign of Ladislao I of Sicily, was a Prior of Capua by the Order of San Giovanni of Jerusalem; Ettore, Captain of King Ladislao I was charged by this sovereign with reforming the army; Gurrello, faithful partisan of Regina Joanna II, married Covella Dentice and had a son of name Francesco, died without heirs it; Piscicella had in gift of King Ferdinando I of Naples the tower of Sant’ Angelo Limosano and Civitella Vecchia, and there married Giovanni of Lamentations Gentleman of Sicignano; Sorrel Piscicelli had in 1499 the feudal properties and burgensatici confiscated to Antonello de Litto. The genealogy includes three families probably tied between them at ties of cousinhood. This branch of the family, the only one who joined the ducal rank without being nevertheless historically the most important, had originated: Illustre famiglia patrizia napoletana del Seggio di Capuana, facente parte della consorteria dei Capeci. Nota fin dal tempo dei Normanni, era imparentata con i Capece Zurlo (già Piscicelli) e i Capece Aprano, famiglie con le quali condivideva lo stemma e probabilmente l’origine comune. Inizialmente portavano il cognome Piscicelli, poi diventato Capece Piscicelli. Avevano il sepolcro di famiglia nella chiesa di Santa Restituta a Napoli. Secondo il De Lellis a questa stirpe appartennero: Tommaso detto Masello Piscicelli, definito “Vir Potens et Dives”, fu comandante di 100 cavalieri e in seguito comandante della guardia personale della Regina Giovanna I di Sicilia; Ligorio, Capitano a guerra del Principato Ultra sotto Giovanna I; Ottinello, Andreazzo, Sauro e Rinaldo Piscicelli erano nominati nella amnistia concessa nel 1380 dalla Regina Giovanna I; Letizia (+ ca. 1384) fu Badessa del monastero di Santa Patrizia a Napoli prima dell’8-1-1376; Letizia detta Cicella (* ante 6-5-1393 + 1438), forse nipte della precedente, fu Badessa del monastero di Santa Patrizia a Napoli; nel 1382 Giuliano Piscicelli ebbe 20 once annue (trasmissibili agli eredi) per meriti di guerra sulle rendite della bagliva di Francavilla e della provincia d’Abruzzo; Malefatto, vivente durante il regno di Ladislao I di Sicilia, fu Priore di Capua per l’Ordine di San Giovanni di Gerusalemme; Ettore, Capitano del Re Ladislao I fu incaricato da questo sovrano di riformare l’esercito; Gurrello, fedele partigiano della Regina Giovanna II, sposò Covella Dentice e ne ebbe un figlio di nome Francesco, morto senza eredi; Piscicella ebbe in dono dal Re Ferdinando I di Napoli la torre di Sant’Angelo Limosano e Civitella Vecchia, e sposò Giovanni di Lagni Signore di Sicignano; Sauro Piscicelli ebbe nel 1499 i beni feudali e burgensatici confiscati ad Antonello de Litto. La genealogia comprende tre famiglie, probabilmente legate tra loro da vincoli di cuginanza. Questo ramo della famiglia, l’unico che giunse al rango ducale senza essere però storicamente il più importante, fu originato da: Capece Piscicelli Nobili Napoletani  Capece Piscicelli Naples Nobility  CAPECE. – The family Capece, said in origin Cacapice, original of Sorrento, moved in Naples to the Manfredi times. It was persecuted by Carlo I of Angiò, sicché those his components that managed to do it, they left the reign. After some time nevertheless the exiles returned in country and were readmitted in the enjoyment of the feuds and of the wealth, of which they had been undressed. The C. were inscribed to the Neapolitan chair of Capuana and Nest, and, not to remain inferior in front of the Caracciolo in the elections of the rappresentamti to the chairs, they united with other families, who the Piscicelli, the Tomacelli, the Bozzuto, I Bark, the Galeota, the Minutolo, the Zurlo. All these associated the own surname with that C., forming so an alone familiar organism, that was operating I compact in the civic life, and it had also (1584) a particular “Mountain” said about the Capece, to provide the figliuole females and to succour the males belonging to several families of the group. As far as he has called himself it must not be considered exact the derivation of all the families, who united the name to that C., with the common trunk of the C. themselves. Between the members of the family C. we will remember a Marine one, which ran the Manfredonia construction, he participated in the battle of Benevento and – with the brother Giacomo – was sent to the torture at Carlo’s d’ Angiò, to have sided with Corradino di Svevia. More famous two was another brother Corrado, gentleman of Atripalda. These combatté for Manfredi to Benevento; then, when Corradino gone down in Italy, did Corrado get off in Sicily with Federico di Castiglia, and drew the island to rebel against Carlo d’ Angiò. Renowned vicar of the young man Hohenstaufen, C. held the Sicily as long as the Angevin ones forced it to surrender in the fortress of Centuripe. Having fallen on the hands of Guglielmo l’ Estendart, (1270) had become blind and hung. In the Sixteenth century we find Antonio C., reader of civil and feudal right in the Neapolitan Study, Ferdinando’s royal advisor the Catholic and of Carlo V, author of a harvesting of Decisiones (Venice 1556 and 1564) emitted at the courts of which it was part. It died to Naples in 1545 Also in the sec. XVI was lived by the Latin poet Scipione C. (v.) and Porzia C., wife of another poet Bernardino Rota, died in 1559. In the Seven hundred the teatino is a Gaetano Mary C., archbishop of Trani and teacher of ethics in the Neapolitan University of 1754 to ’69. CAPECE. – La famiglia Capece, detta in origine Cacapice, originaria di Sorrento, si trasferì in Napoli ai tempi di Manfredi. Fu perseguitata da Carlo I d’Angiò, sicché quelli dei suoi componenti che riuscirono a farlo, lasciarono il regno. Dopo qualche tempo però gli esuli tornarono in patria e furono riammessi nel godimento dei feudi e delle ricchezze, di cui erano stati spogliati. I C. furono iscritti al seggio napoletano di Capuana e Nido, e, per non rimanere inferiori di fronte ai Caracciolo nelle elezioni dei rappresentamti ai seggi, si unirono ad altre famiglie, quali i Piscicelli, i Tomacelli, i Bozzuto, i Latro, i Galeota, i Minutolo, gli Zurlo. Tutte queste associarono il proprio cognome a quello dei C., formando così un solo organismo familiare, che operava compatto nella vita cittadina, e aveva anche (dal 1584) un particolare “Monte”, detto dei Capece, per dotare le figliuole femmine e soccorrere i maschi appartenenti alle varie famiglie del gruppo. Per quanto si è detto non deve ritenersi esatta la derivazione di tutte le famiglie, che unirono il nome a quello dei C., dal comune tronco dei C. stessi. Fra i membri della famiglia C. ricorderemo un Marino, che diresse la costruzione di Manfredonia, partecipò alla battaglia di Benevento e – col fratello Giacomo – fu mandato al supplizio da Carlo d’Angiò, per aver parteggiato per Corradino di Svevia. Più famoso dei due fu l’altro fratello Corrado, signore di Atripalda. Questi combatté per Manfredi a Benevento; poi, quando Corradino scese in Italia, Corrado sbarcò in Sicilia con Federico di Castiglia, e trasse l’isola a ribellarsi a Carlo d’Angiò. Nominato vicario del giovane Hohenstaufen, C. resse la Sicilia sinché gli Angioini lo costrinsero ad arrendersi nella fortezza di Centuripe. Caduto nelle mani di Guglielmo l’Estendart, fu accecato e impiccato (1270). Nel Cinquecento troviamo Antonio C., lettore di diritto civile e feudale nello Studio napoletano, regio consigliere di Ferdinando il Cattolico e di Carlo V, autore di una raccolta di Decisiones (Venezia 1556 e 1564) emesse dai tribunali di cui fece parte. Morì a Napoli nel 1545 Anche nel sec. XVI vissero il poeta latino Scipione C. (v.) e Porzia C., moglie dell’altro poeta Bernardino Rota, morta nel 1559. Del Settecento è il teatino Gaetano Maria C., arcivescovo di Trani e professore di etica nell’Università napoletana dal 1754 al ’69.   Bibl.: G. Capecelatro, De antiquitate et varia Capyciorum fortuna, Napoli 1830.   

Prince Marino in 1630 and me in 1977.   Updated with some new information. If you are thinking about doing family research or just starting out, I highly recommend that you check out these three sites.  The first is Family Tree Advice.  Diann’s site gives you a wealth of information on finding, tracking and recording your results.  In addition, she gives you a lot of genealogy lessons and advice on Italian genealogy. The other site is Cyndi’s List.  From what I have found so far,  Cyndi has the most comprehensive list of genealogy websites you can find.   Here’s what Cyndi has to offer. Cyndi’s List has been a trusted genealogy research site for more than 20 years. Cyndi’s List is free for everyone to use and it is meant to be your starting point when researching online.   What exactly is Cyndi’s List? A categorized & cross-referenced index to genealogical resources on the Internet. A list of links that point you to genealogical research sites online. A free jumping-off point for you to use in your online research. A “card catalog” to the genealogical collection in the immense library that is the Internet. Your genealogical research portal onto the Internet. Calabria Exchange also provides a wealth of information If you are looking for professional help you can contact:  Bella Italia Genealogy Sicily Genealogy Research Links Recommended Books Click Here To Join Our Facebook Group