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

As there are for many of the ancient Italian families there are several lines.  I am able to trace my roots to the start of the Orsini line to my 33 Great Grandfather. Here is the link to the start of the Orsini Line. My line then picks up here with the Pigliatano line This link will take you to all the Orsini lines. Orsini Family, one of the oldest, most illustrious, and for centuries most powerful of the Roman princely families. Their origins, when stripped of legend, can be traced back to a certain Ursus de Paro, recorded at Rome in 998. They first became important in the late 12th century with the election of Giacinto Orsini as Pope Celestine III (1191–98), whose generosity to his nephews founded the territorial fortunes of the family. During the next 100 years, allegiance to the papacy developed into a firm, if profitable, tradition in the house of Orsini; they assumed leadership of pro-papal Guelf interest against the pro-imperial Ghibelline Colonna family, and for centuries afterward the savage rivalry of these two magnate families dominated the politics of Rome and its territory. Nerola: Orsini CastleOrsini Castle in Nerola, Italy.MM In 1241, as senator of Rome, Matteo Orsini (d. 1246) saved the city from capture by the Holy Roman emperor Frederick II and the Colonna. As the 13th century advanced, the Orsini acquired increasing influence in church policy and administration; four of the family were chosen cardinals, and one of them, Giovanni, also became pope, as Nicholas III, in 1277. Their Guelf allegiance also brought them land and lordships in the Angevin kingdom of Naples, where several long-lived lines of the family took root among the nobility. At the end of the 13th century, the Orsini were among the principal supporters of Pope Boniface VIII in his attacks on the Colonna family and were rewarded for their services with the grant of Nepi in fee. Not all of them, however, were partisans of Boniface. Napoleone Cardinal Orsini, partly for family reasons, sided with the Colonna and the French, and it was he who promoted in 1305 the election of a French pope, Clement V, the first of the “popes of Avignon.” From this time on, apart from the brief interval of Borgia rule (late 15th and early 16th centuries) when the Orsini were dispossessed of their castles and three of them were put to death, the Orsini retained their dominant place among the Roman aristocracy, providing soldiers, statesmen, and prelates to the church. In 1629 they were created princes of the Holy Roman Empire, and in 1718 they were raised to the princely dignity at Rome. In 1724 Pietro Francesco Orsini was elected pope as Benedict XIII. The family survived in the Orsini dukes of Gravina, descended from Napoleone Orsini, son of the 13th-century senator, Matteo. Their principal fiefs were Bracciano (near Rome), acquired in the 14th century, and Gravina (near Bari), acquired in the 15th century. They received the ducal title from Pius IV in 1560 and held Bracciano into the 17th century and Gravina to 1807. From the 16th century it became regular for an Orsini to hold the office of prince assistant to the pontifical throne.  Citation InformationArticle Title:Orsini FamilyWebsite Name:Encyclopaedia BritannicaPublisher:Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.Date Published:24 November 2010URL:https://www.britannica.com/topic/Orsini-familyAccess Date:February 07, 2019 The Orsini family was very prominent in the RC church.  This the list of Popes and Cardinals. Orsini popes Pope Stephen II(Stepfanus Orsinus) Pope Paul I(Paulus Orsinus) Pope Celestine III(Giacinto Bobone, created cardinal in 1144) Pope Nicholas III(Giovanni Gaetano Orsini, created cardinal in 1244) Pope Benedict XIII(Pietro Francesco Orsini, created cardinal in 1672) Orsini cardinals Pietro Orsini(1181) Matteo Rubeo Orsini(1262) Latino Malabranca OrsiniO.P.(1278) Giordano Orsini(1278) Napoleone Orsini(1288) Francesco Napoleone Orsini(1295) Matteo OrsiniO.P. (1327) Rinaldo Orsini(1350) Giacomo Orsini(1371) Poncello Orsini(1378) Tommaso Orsini(1382/1385) Giordano Orsini(1405) Latino di Carlo Orsini(1448) Cosma OrsiniO.S.B. (1480) Gerolama Duchess of Parma my 13th GG. Born in Rome, she was the daughter of Lodovico Orsini and Giulia Conti. In 1513 an engagement contract between Orsini and Pier Luigi Farnesewas drawn up, and in 1519 the wedding celebrated at Valentano.[1]Her husband was the illegitimate son of Pope Paul IIIand Silvia Ruffino. The couple had five children three of which would have further progeny. Despite a loveless marriage, Gerolama remained a faithful, devoted wife, tolerating Pier Luigi’s excesses, brutality, and extravagances with dignity.[1] When Cardinal Alessandro Farnese became Pope Paul IIIin 1534 he made his son Pier Luigi captain-general of the Church and in 1537 duke of Castro and finally in 1545 Duke of Parma and Piacenza. He was murdered in 1547, and Gerolama outlived him by 43 years, dying at the Palazzo FarnesePiacenzain 1590.[1]She was buried at the Farnese crypt at the Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Steccata, Parma. Pope Nicholas III 23rd Great Grand Uncle The lands under direct Papal rule were threatened by surrounding powers. In the second quarter of the 13th century, they were threatened by the expansionist policies of the Emperor Frederick II, who aimed to unite his inheritance in the south (Sicily and southern Italy) with his acquisition of the German Empire in northern Italy. He spent a great deal of time and energy attempting to gain control over Lombardy and Tuscany, which brought him into direct conflict with the Papacy. Frederick was repeatedly excommunicated by one pope after another. In order to drive off the Hohenstaufen, the Papacy contrived a deal with the brother of Louis IX of France, Charles of Anjou, Count of Provence, who was invited to Italy to assume the crown of Sicily and be a counterweight against the Empire. He was too successful, however, and the Papacy found itself in the deadly embrace of the Angevins. Nicholas’ prime goal was to loosen Charles I’s grip on the Papacy, Rome, and the lands of the Church. Nicholas’ pontificate, though brief, was marked by several important events. He greatly strengthened the papal position in Italy. On 1 October 1273, Rudolph Iof Habsburg, the godson of Frederick II, had been elected King of Germany and King of the Romans. Pope Gregory X had recognized him as King, after some hard negotiation, but the imperial title and coronation were withheld. Pope Nicholas was willing to negotiate, but he refused to crown Rudolf as Emperor until Rudolph had acknowledged all the claims of the Church, including many that were quite dubious. The concordatwith Rudolph I of Habsburgwas concluded in May 1278. In it the city of Bologna, the Romagna, and the exarchateof Ravennawere guaranteed to the papacy.[34]According to the chronographer Bartholomew of Lucca(Ptolemy of Lucca), he discussed with Rudolph, in general terms at least, the splitting the German empire into four separate kingdoms – Lombardy, Burgundy, Tusciaand Germany– where Rudolph’s kingdom would be made hereditary and he himself would be recognized as Holy Roman Emperor. Nicholas III was even able to persuade King Charles I of Naples and Sicily to give up his position as Roman Senator in 1278, at the conclusion of ten years of tenure,[35]as well as the position of Papal Vicar for Tuscany.[36]In July 1278, Nicholas III issued an epoch-making constitution for the government of Rome, Fundamenta militantis[37]which forbade foreigners from taking civil office. It depends for its justification not only on the biblical phrase, “Tu es Petrus, et super hanc petram aedificabo ecclesiam meam” (Matthew16:18), but also on the forged Donations of Constantine. Pope Celestine III 27th Great Grand Uncle Celestine crowned the Holy Roman EmperorHenry VIon the day after his electionin 1191 with a ceremony symbolizing his absolute supremacy, as described by Roger of Hoveden, after Henry VI promised to cede Tusculum. In 1192 he threatened to excommunicateKing Tancred of Sicily, forcing him to release his aunt Empress Constance, who was wife of Henry VI and a contender of Sicilian crown, captured by Tancred in 1191, to Rome to exchange for his recognition of Tancred while also put pressure on Henry, but Constance was released by German soldiers on borders of the Papal States before reaching Rome the following summer. He subsequently nearly excommunicatedthe same Henry VI for wrongfully keeping King Richard I of Englandin prison.[5]He placed Pisaunder an interdict, which was lifted by his successor Innocent IIIin 1198.[6]He condemned King Alfonso IX of Leónfor his marriage to Theresa of Portugalon the grounds of consanguinity. Then, in 1196, he excommunicated him for allying with the Almohad Caliphatewhile making war on Castile.[7]Following his marriage with Berengaria of Castile, Celestine excommunicated Alfonso and placed an interdict over León.[8] In 1198, Celestine confirmed the statutes of the Teutonic Knightsas a military order.[9]