The Radici Guides

Guide to Genealogical Research in Abruzzo: Archives, Historical Borders, and Territorial Changes

Genealogical research in Abruzzo rests on a solid documentary foundation inherited from the administration of the Kingdom of Naples and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (and partly from the Papal States for certain border areas). However, to conduct effective investigations, it is essential to master the profound territorial transformations, the creation of new provinces in the 20th century (such as Pescara), and the transfers of entire administrative districts (mandamenti) between different regions.

THE PROVINCES OF ABRUZZO AND THEIR CHANGES

1. Province of L'Aquila (Historical Abruzzo Ultra II)

Corresponding largely to ancient Abruzzo Ultra II, the province of L'Aquila includes the basins of Marsica, Valle Peligna, Alto Sangro, and the Navelli Plateau. The civil status holdings and military draft lists are preserved at the State Archive of L'Aquila and its branch offices in Sulmona and Avezzano.

Note on Territorial Transfers: In 1927, following the Fascist administrative reorganization, the district (circondario) of Cittaducale (including the municipalities of Amatrice, Antrodoco, Borbona, Borgo Velino, Cittaducale, etc.) was detached from the province of L'Aquila and annexed to the newly created Province of Rieti (Lazio Region). For pre-1927 records of those municipalities, reference must be made to the L'Aquila archives or the Lazio repositories.

Current Municipalities of the Province of L'Aquila (108):

Acciano, Aielli, Alfedena, Anversa degli Abruzzi, Ateleta, Avezzano, Balsorano, Barete, Barisciano, Barrea, Bisegna, Bugnara, Cagnano Amiterno, Calascio, Campo di Giove, Campotosto, Canistro, Cansano, Capestrano, Capistrello, Capitignano, Caporciano, Cappadocia, Carapelle Calvisio, Carsoli, Castel del Monte, Castel di Ieri, Castel di Sangro, Castellafiume, Castelvecchio Calvisio, Castelvecchio Subequo, Celano, Cerchio, Civita d'Antino, Civitella Alfedena, Civitella Roveto, Cocullo, Collarmele, Collelongo, Collepietro, Corfinio, Fagnano Alto, Fontecchio, Fossa, Gagliano Aterno, Gioia dei Marsi, Goriano Sicoli, Introdacqua, L'Aquila, Lecce nei Marsi, Luco dei Marsi, Lucoli, Magliano de' Marsi, Massa d'Albe, Molina Aterno, Montereale, Morino, Navelli, Ocre, Ofena, Opi, Oricola, Ortona dei Marsi, Ortucchio, Pacentro, Pereto, Pescasseroli, Pescina, Pettorano sul Gizio, Pizzoli, Poggio Picenze, Prata d'Ansidonia, Pratola Peligna, Prezza, Raiano, Rivisondoli, Rocca di Botte, Rocca di Cambio, Rocca di Mezzo, Roccacasale, Roccaraso, San Benedetto dei Marsi, San Demetrio ne' Vestini, San Pio delle Camere, San Vincenzo Valle Roveto, Sante Marie, Santo Stefano di Sessanio, Scanno, Scontrone, Scoppito, Scurcola Marsicana, Secinaro, Sulmona, Tagliacozzo, Tione degli Abruzzi, Tornimparte, Trasacco, Villa Sant'Angelo, Villa Santa Lucia degli Abruzzi, Villalago, Villavallelonga, Villetta Barrea, Vittorito.

Territorial Changes, Former Municipalities, and Official Gazette References:

• Detachment of the District of Cittaducale (Transfer to the Province of Rieti / Lazio): With Royal Decree January 2, 1927, no. 1 (O.G. no. 7 of 01/11/1927), the municipalities of the former district of Cittaducale (including Amatrice, Antrodoco, Borbona, Cittaducale, Leonessa, Posta) passed from the province of L'Aquila to the province of Rieti. Pre-1927 Bourbon civil status records for these centers retain trace of their L'Aquila origin.
• L'Aquila (Name Change): Originally named Aquila degli Abruzzi, it assumed the official name of L'Aquila with Royal Decree October 22, 1939, no. 1849.

2. Province of Teramo (Historical Abruzzo Ultra I)

Corresponding to ancient Abruzzo Ultra I, the province of Teramo extends between the Gran Sasso mountain range and the Adriatic coast. The State Archive of Teramo preserves the records of the Napoleonic, Bourbon, and Italian Civil Status, as well as prefectural and military district holdings.

Significant Historical Changes: In 1927, upon the creation of the Province of Pescara, numerous municipalities in the Pescara valley and the Vestina area were separated from the province of Teramo to form the new provincial district.

Current Municipalities of the Province of Teramo (47):

Alba Adriatica, Ancarano, Arsita, Atri, Basciano, Bellante, Bisenti, Campli, Canzano, Castel Castagna, Castellalto, Castelli, Castiglione Messer Raimondo, Cermignano, Civitella del Tronto, Colledara, Colonnella, Controguerra, Corropoli, Cortino, Crognaleto, Fano Adriano, Giulianova, Martinsicuro, Montefino, Montorio al Vomano, Morro d'Oro, Mosciano Sant'Angelo, Nereto, Notaresco, Penna Sant'Andrea, Pineto, Rocca Santa Maria, Roseto degli Abruzzi, Sant'Egidio alla Vibrata, Sant'Omero, Silvi, Teramo, Torano Nuovo, Torricella Sicura, Tortoreto, Valle Castellana.

Territorial Changes, Former Municipalities, and Official Gazette References:

• Martinsicuro (Municipal Autonomy): Formerly a hamlet of Controguerra, it was established as an autonomous municipality with Law April 17, 1963, no. 597 (O.G. no. 119 of 05/07/1963).
• Alba Adriatica (Municipal Autonomy): Historical hamlet of Tortoreto, established as an autonomous municipality with Law July 14, 1956, no. 758 (O.G. no. 195 of 08/04/1956).
• Pineto (Municipal Autonomy): Initially named Villa Filiani and detached from Atri, it gained autonomy and the name Pineto with Royal Decree June 30, 1930, no. 1029.

3. Province of Pescara (Established 1927)

The Province of Pescara did not exist in the Bourbon or pre-unification period. It was established ex novo with Royal Decree January 2, 1927, no. 1 (O.G. no. 7 of 01/11/1927), combining territories previously belonging partly to the province of Teramo (Vestina area and northern Pescara city itself) and partly to the province of Chieti (Pescara valley and part of the Maiella).

Genealogical consequences: For vital record searches prior to 1927 in the municipalities of the province of Pescara, it is necessary to consult the original archival holdings at the State Archives of Teramo or Chieti, depending on the historical affiliation of the municipality before 1927. The State Archive of Pescara holds documentation post-dating its founding as well as concentrated registers.

Current Municipalities of the Province of Pescara (46):

Abbateggio, Alanno, Bolognano, Brittoli, Bussi sul Tirino, Cappelle sul Tavo, Caramanico Terme, Carpineto della Nora, Castiglione a Casauria, Catignano, Cepagatti, Cugnoli, Elice, Farindola, Lettomanoppello, Loreto Aprutino, Manoppello, Montebello di Bertona, Montesilvano, Moscufo, Nocciano, Penne, Pescara, Pescosansonesco, Pianella, Picciano, Popoli Terme, Rosciano, Salle, San Valentino in Abruzzese Citeriore, Sant'Eufemia a Maiella, Scafa, Serramonacesca, Spoltore, Tocco da Casauria, Torre de' Passeri, Turrivalignani, Vicoli, Villa Celiera.

Territorial Changes, Former Municipalities, and Official Gazette References:

• Creation of the Province of Pescara: Established with Royal Decree January 2, 1927, no. 1 through the separation of municipalities from the provinces of Teramo and Chieti.
• Merger of Pescara and Castellammare Adriatico (1927): The city of Pescara was officially born from the aggregation of the municipality of Pescara (historically part of Chieti south of the river) and the municipality of Castellammare Adriatico (historically part of Teramo north of the river) with Royal Decree July 14, 1927, no. 1369 (O.G. no. 182 of 08/08/1927). Pre-1927 records for Pescara and Castellammare must be searched separately in the historical holdings of Chieti and Teramo.
• Popoli Terme (Name Change): Named Popoli until 2023, it assumed the name Popoli Terme following regional and national measures.

4. Province of Chieti (Historical Abruzzo Citra)

Corresponding to ancient Abruzzo Citra, the province of Chieti extends between the Theatine hills, the Sangro, the Trigno, and the Adriatic coast. The State Archive of Chieti and its branch section in Vasto preserve rich holdings of the Napoleonic and Bourbon Civil Status (1809–1865), Italian registers, military draft lists, and historical land registries.

Current Municipalities of the Province of Chieti (104):

Altino, Archi, Ari, Arielli, Atessa, Bomba, Borrello, Bucchianico, Canosa Sannita, Carpineto Sinello, Carunchio, Casacanditella, Casalanguida, Casalbordino, Casalincontrada, Casoli, Castel Frentano, Castelguidone, Castiglione Messer Marino, Celenza sul Trigno, Chieti, Civitaluparella, Civitella Messer Raimondo, Colledimacine, Colledimezzo, Crecchio, Cupello, Dogliola, Fallo, Fara Filiorum Petri, Fara San Martino, Filetto, Fossacesia, Fraine, Francavilla al Mare, Fresagrandinaria, Frisa, Furci, Gamberale, Gessopalena, Gissi, Giuliano Teatino, Guardiagrele, Guilmi, Lama dei Peligni, Lanciano, Lentella, Lettopalena, Liscia, Miglianico, Montazzoli, Montebello sul Sangro, Monteferrante, Montelapiano, Montenerodomo, Monteodorisio, Mozzagrogna, Orsogna, Ortona, Paglieta, Palombaro, Pennadomo, Pennapiedimonte, Perano, Pietraferrazzana, Pizzoferrato, Poggiofiorito, Pollutri, Pretoro, Quadri, Rapino, Ripa Teatino, Rocca San Giovanni, Roccamontepiano, Roccascalegna, Roccaspinalveti, Roio del Sangro, Rosello, San Buono, San Giovanni Lipioni, San Giovanni Teatino, San Martino sulla Marrucina, San Salvo, San Vito Chietino, Santa Maria Imbaro, Scerni, Schiavi di Abruzzo, Taranta Peligna, Tollo, Torino di Sangro, Tornareccio, Torrebruna, Torrevecchia Teatina, Torricella Peligna, Treglio, Tufillo, Vacri, Vasto, Villa Santa Maria, Villalfonsina, Villamagna.

Territorial Changes, Former Municipalities, and Official Gazette References:

• Transfer of Territories for the Province of Pescara (1927): With Royal Decree January 2, 1927, no. 1, several municipalities in the Pescara valley and the southern coastal strip were detached from Chieti to form the new province of Pescara.
• San Giovanni Teatino (Municipal Autonomy): Formerly a hamlet of Chieti (named Sambuceto / San Giovanni Teatino), established as an autonomous municipality with Royal Decree July 24, 1908, no. 515.

Synoptic Table of Territorial Changes, Province Changes, and Decrees in Abruzzo