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Guide to Genealogical Research in Campania: Archives, Historical Boundaries, and Territorial Changes

Genealogical research in Campania offers one of the richest and most continuous documentary coverages in Italy, linked to the administrative evolution of the Kingdom of Naples and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, but it requires a deep understanding of territorial changes, as well as changes in Province and Region.

THE PROVINCES OF CAMPANIA AND THEIR CHANGES

1. Province of Avellino (Irpinia)

Corresponding to the historical Principato Ultra, Irpinia preserves the Murattian and Bourbon Civil Registration funds (1809–1865), Italian Civil Registration (1866–1945), Military Service Records, and Draft Lists at the State Archive of Avellino.

Note on Region/Province Changes (Transfers to Apulia): Historically, several municipalities in eastern Irpinia were detached from Campania and annexed to Apulia (Province of Foggia) during the 20th century.

Current Municipalities of the Province of Avellino (118):

Aiello del Sabato, Altavilla Irpina, Andretta, Aquilonia, Ariano Irpino, Atripalda, Avella, Avellino, Bagnoli Irpino, Baiano, Bisaccia, Bonito, Cairano, Calabritto, Calitri, Candida, Caposele, Capriglia Irpina, Carife, Casalbore, Cassano Irpino, Castel Baronia, Castelfranci, Castelvetere sul Calore, Cervinara, Cesinali, Chianche, Chiusano di San Domenico, Contrada, Conza della Campania, Domicella, Flumeri, Fontanarosa, Forino, Frigento, Gesualdo, Greci, Grottaminarda, Grottolella, Guardia Lombardi, Lacedonia, Lapio, Lauro, Lioni, Luogosano, Manocalzati, Marzano di Nola, Melito Irpino, Mercogliano, Mirabella Eclano, Montaguto, Montecalvo Irpino, Montefalcione, Monteforte Irpino, Montefredane, Montefusco, Montella, Montemarano, Montemiletto, Monteverde, Montoro, Morra De Sanctis, Moschiano, Mugnano del Cardinale, Nusco, Ospedaletto d'Alpinolo, Pago del Vallo di Lauro, Parolise, Paternopoli, Petruuro Irpino, Pietradefusi, Pietrastornina, Prata di Principato Ultra, Pratola Serra, Quadrelle, Quindici, Rocca San Felice, Roccabascerana, Rotondi, Salza Irpina, San Sossio Baronia, San Martino Valle Caudina, San Michele di Serino, San Nicola Baronia, San Potito Ultra, San Stefano del Sole, Sant'Andrea di Conza, Sant'Angelo a Scala, Sant'Angelo all'Esca, Sant'Angelo dei Lombardi, Santa Lucia di Serino, Santa Paolina, Scampitella, Senerchia, Serino, Sirignano, Solofra, Sorbo Serpico, Sperone, Sturno, Summonte, Taurano, Taurasi, Teora, Torella dei Lombardi, Torre Le Nocelle, Torrioni, Trevico, Tufo, Vallata, Vallesaccarda, Venticano, Villamaina, Villanova del Battista, Volturara Irpina, Zungoli.

Territorial Changes, Former Municipalities, and Official Gazette References:

• Montoro (Merger of Montoro Inferiore and Montoro Superiore): Established on December 3, 2013, by unifying the two historical autonomous municipalities under Regional Law of Campania of December 3, 2013, no. 11 (published in the Official Gazette, 3rd Special Series, no. 14 of 04/05/2014). Records prior to 2014 are kept separately in the archives of the former Municipality of Montoro Inferiore and the former Municipality of Montoro Superiore.
• Accadia and Orsara di Puglia (Regional Transfer: Campania -> Apulia): Historically part of the province of Principato Ultra (Avellino), they were detached from Campania and annexed to the Province of Foggia by Royal Decree of January 24, 1927, no. 107. Bourbon Civil Registration (1809–1865) and historical Draft Lists up to 1927 are preserved at the State Archive of Avellino.
• Anzano di Puglia (Regional Transfer: Campania -> Apulia): Formerly named Anzano degli Irpini (Province of Avellino), it was transferred to the Province of Foggia in 1929, changing its name to Anzano di Puglia under Royal Decree of January 24, 1929, no. 106.

2. Province of Benevento (Sannio)

Key genealogical exceptions:

1. The city of Benevento was an enclave of the Papal States inside the Kingdom of Naples until 1860. In the capital municipality, Murattian/Bourbon Civil Registration (1809–1865) does not exist: for that period, only parish registers are consulted.
2. Ex-novo Creation of the Province (1860): The Province of Benevento did not exist during the Bourbon period. It was created on October 25, 1860, by decree of Garibaldi (confirmed by Royal Decree of February 17, 1861, no. 250) assembling municipalities taken from 4 different administrative entities:
   • From the Papal States: City of Benevento and surrounding territory.
   • From Principato Ultra (Avellino): Municipalities of the Caudina and Vitulanese Valleys (Montesarchio, Vitulano, San Giorgio del Sannio).
   • From Terra di Lavoro (Caserta): Municipalities of the Telesina and Titina Valleys (Cusano Mutri, Cerreto Sannita, Guardia Sanframondi, Telese).
   • From Molise (Province of Campobasso): Municipalities of Val Fortore (San Bartolomeo in Galdo, Baselice, Colle Sannita).

For research prior to 1860, documentation varies depending on the municipality of origin and is fragmented among the State Archives of Avellino, Caserta, Campobasso, and the Diocesan Archive of Benevento. The State Archive of Benevento (established in 1954) preserves series from 1860 onwards and civil registration records retransmitted by municipalities.

Current Municipalities of the Province of Benevento (78):

Airola, Amorosi, Apice, Apollosa, Arpaia, Arpaise, Baselice, Benevento, Bonea, Bucciano, Buonalbergo, Calvi, Campolattaro, Campoli del Monte Taburno, Casalduni, Castelfranco in Miscano, Castelpagano, Castelpoto, Castelvenere, Castelvetere in Val Fortore, Cautano, Ceppaloni, Cerreto Sannita, Circello, Colle Sannita, Cusano Mutri, Dugenta, Durazzano, Faicchio, Foglianise, Foiano di Val Fortore, Forchia, Fragneto l'Abate, Fragneto Monforte, Frasso Telesino, Ginestra degli Schiavoni, Guardia Sanframondi, Limatola, Melizzano, Moiano, Molinara, Montefalcone di Val Fortore, Montesarchio, Morcone, Paduli, Pago Veiano, Pannarano, Paolisi, Paupisi, Pesco Sannita, Pietraroja, Pietrelcina, Ponte, Pontelandolfo, Puglianello, Reino, San Bartolomeo in Galdo, San Giorgio La Molara, San Giorgio del Sannio, San Leucio del Sannio, San Lorenzello, San Lorenzo Maggiore, San Lupo, San Marco dei Cavoti, San Martino Sannita, San Nazzaro, San Nicola Manfredi, San Salvatore Telesino, Santa Croce del Sannio, Sant'Agata de' Goti, Sant'Angelo a Cupolo, Sassinoro, Solopaca, Telese Terme, Tocco Caudio, Torrecuso, Vitulano.

Territorial Changes, Former Municipalities, and Official Gazette References:

• Telese Terme (Name Change): Re-established as an autonomous municipality in 1934 by detachment from Solopaca under the name Telese, it took the name Telese Terme under Decree of the President of the Republic (D.P.R.) of November 22, 1991 (O.G. no. 80 of 04/04/1992).
• Ponte (Municipal Autonomy): Detached from Casalduni and Torrecuso and established as an autonomous municipality by Royal Decree of June 22, 1913, no. 841 (O.G. no. 173 of 07/25/1913).

3. Province of Caserta (Former Terra di Lavoro)

Critical Case for Genealogical Research:

The Suppression of Terra di Lavoro (1927): With Royal Decree of January 2, 1927, no. 1, the Fascist regime suppressed the historical province of Terra di Lavoro (capital Caserta), splitting over 160 municipalities across 5 different provinces and 3 different regions:

• Transfer to LAZIO (Region Change): The entire district of Gaeta and Sora (Gaeta, Formia, Minturno, Cassino, Sora, Ponza, Ventotene, Spigno Saturnia, Castelforte, etc.) was detached from Campania and assigned to Lazio (Provinces of Rome, then Frosinone and Latina established in 1927/1934).
• Transfer to MOLISE (Region Change): Municipalities such as Venafro, Sesto Campano, Capriati a Volturno passed to the Province of Campobasso.
• Transfer to the Province of NAPLES: Over 30 municipalities in the Aversa and Giugliano agricultural area (Aversa, Giugliano, Qualiano, Frattamaggiore, Sant'Antimo, Trentola, Casal di Principe, etc.) were incorporated into the Province of Naples.
• Transfer to the Province of BENEVENTO: Municipalities of the Caudina and Telesina Valleys (Airola, Sant'Agata de' Goti, Telese, Solopaca, Cerreto, etc.) passed to Benevento.

The Re-establishment of Caserta (1945): With Lieutenancy Legislative Decree of June 11, 1945, no. 373, the Province of Caserta was re-established, reabsorbing the municipalities returned by Naples and Benevento, but without regaining the territories that passed to Lazio (Gaeta, Cassino, Formia, Sora) or Molise (Venafro).

For research between 1927 and 1945 on Caserta municipalities, documentation and military service records are divided among the State Archives of Naples, Benevento, Frosinone, Latina, and Campobasso. Documentation prior to 1927 and after 1945 is preserved at the State Archive of Caserta (Royal Palace of Caserta).

Current Municipalities of the Province of Caserta (104):

Aversa, Baia e Latina, Bellona, Caianello, Caiazzo, Calvi Risorta, Camigliano, Cancello ed Arnone, Capodrise, Capriati a Volturno, Capua, Carinaro, Carinola, Casagusenda, Casal di Principe, Casaluce, Casapesenna, Casapulla, Caserta, Castel Campagnano, Castel di Sasso, Castel Morrone, Castel Volturno, Castello del Matese, Cellole, Cervino, Cesa, Ciorlano, Conca della Campania, Curti, Dragoni, Falciano del Massico, Fontegreca, Formicola, Francolise, Frignano, Gallo Matese, Galluccio, Giano Vetusto, Gioia Sannitica, Grazzanise, Gricignano di Aversa, Letino, Liberi, Lusciano, Macerata Campania, Maddaloni, Marcianise, Marzano Appio, Mignano Monte Lungo, Mondragone, Orta di Atella, Parete, Pastorano, Piana di Monte Verna, Piedimonte Matese, Pietramelara, Pietravairano, Pignataro Maggiore, Pontelatone, Portico di Caserta, Prata Sannita, Pratella, Presenzano, Raviscanina, Recale, Riardo, Rocca d'Evandro, Roccamonfina, Roccaromana, Rocchetta e Croce, Ruviano, San Cipriano d'Aversa, San Felice a Cancello, San Gregorio Matese, San Marcellino, San Marco Evangelista, San Nicola la Strada, San Pietro Infine, San Potito Sannitico, San Prisco, San Tammaro, Santa Maria a Vico, Santa Maria Capua Vetere, Santa Maria La Fossa, Sant'Angelo d'Alife, Sant'Arpino, Sessa Aurunca, Sparanise, Succivo, Teano, Teverola, Tora e Piccilli, Trentola Ducenta, Vairano Patenora, Valle Agricola, Valle di Maddaloni, Villa di Briano, Villa Literno, Vitulazio.

Territorial Changes, Former Municipalities, and Official Gazette References:

• Villa Literno (Name Change): Until 1927, the municipality was named Vico di Pantano. Name changed to Villa Literno under Royal Decree of October 13, 1927, no. 2014 (O.G. no. 259 of 11/09/1927).
• Cellole (Municipal Autonomy): Historical hamlet of Sessa Aurunca, established as an autonomous municipality under Regional Law of Campania of March 12, 1975, no. 14 (O.G. no. 111 of 04/28/1975). Consult civil registration records of Sessa Aurunca for pre-1975 records.
• Falciano del Massico (Municipal Autonomy): Former hamlet of Carinola, established as an autonomous municipality under Law of October 10, 1964, no. 981 (O.G. no. 264 of 10/26/1964).
• Piedimonte Matese (Name Change): Named Piedimonte d'Alife until 1970 (D.P.R. of February 13, 1970, no. 119).
• Albanova (Fascist Merger and Subsequent Separation): In 1928, the municipalities of Casal di Principe, San Cipriano d'Aversa, and Casapesenna were merged into the municipality of Albanova (later suppressed in 1946 with the restoration of individual municipalities).

4. Metropolitan City of Naples

The State Archive of Naples (San Severino and Sossio complex) preserves the Napoleonic and Bourbon Civil Registration of the Neapolitan province, military service records, Draft Lists, and the Catasto Onciario (1741–1755).

Current Municipalities of the Metropolitan City of Naples (92):

Acerra, Afragola, Agerola, Anacapri, Arzano, Bacoli, Barano d'Ischia, Boscoreale, Boscotrecase, Brusciano, Caivano, Calvizzano, Camposano, Capri, Carbonara di Nola, Cardito, Casalnuovo di Napoli, Casamarciano, Casamicciola Terme, Casandrino, Casavatore, Casola di Napoli, Casoria, Castellammare di Stabia, Castello di Cisterna, Cercola, Cicciano, Cimitile, Comiziano, Crispano, Ercolano, Forio, Frattamaggiore, Frattaminore, Giugliano in Campania, Gragnano, Grumo Nevano, Ischia, Lacco Ameno, Lettere, Liveri, Marano di Napoli, Mariglianella, Marigliano, Massa Lubrense, Massa di Somma, Melito di Napoli, Meta, Monte di Procida, Mugnano di Napoli, Napoli, Nola, Ottaviano, Palma Campania, Piano di Sorrento, Pimonte, Poggiomarino, Pollena Trocchia, Pomigliano d'Arco, Pompei, Portici, Pozzuoli, Procida, Qualiano, Quarto, Roccarainola, San Gennaro Vesuviano, San Giorgio a Cremano, San Giuseppe Vesuviano, San Paolo Bel Sito, San Sebastiano al Vesuvio, San Vitaliano, Sant'Agnello, Sant'Anastasia, Sant'Antimo, Sant'Antonio Abate, Santa Maria la Carità, Saviano, Scisciano, Somma Vesuviana, Sorrento, Striano, Terzigno, Torre Annunziata, Torre del Greco, Trecase, Tufino, Vico Equense, Villaricca, Visciano, Volla.

Territorial Changes, Former Municipalities, and Official Gazette References:

• The Expansion of Naples (1925–1926) and the Suppression of 7 Autonomous Municipalities: Between 1925 and 1926, 7 outlying autonomous municipalities were suppressed and merged into the Municipality of Naples:
  1. Barra
  2. Chiaiano ed Uniti (including Marianella and Polvica)
  3. Pianura
  4. Ponticelli
  5. San Giovanni a Teduccio
  6. Secondigliano
  7. Soccavo
  Legislative References: Royal Decree-Law of November 15, 1925, no. 2183 (O.G. no. 293 of 12/17/1925) and Royal Decree of June 3, 1926, no. 1002 (O.G. no. 06/23/1926). For ancestors born, married, or deceased in these centers before 1926, searches are conducted in the separate registers of the former autonomous Municipalities.
• Ercolano (Name Change): Until 1969, the municipality was named Resina. Name modified to Ercolano under D.P.R. of February 12, 1969, no. 40 (O.G. no. 62 of 03/08/1969).
• Trecase (Municipal Autonomy): Detached from Boscotrecase and established as an autonomous municipality under Regional Law of Campania of March 11, 1980, no. 18.
• Massa di Somma (Municipal Autonomy): Annexed to Cercola in 1927, it regained municipal autonomy under Regional Law of Campania of November 25, 1988, no. 23.
• Pompei (Creation of the Municipality): Established as an autonomous municipality in 1928 by detachment from Scafati (Salerno) and Torre Annunziata, being assigned to the Province of Naples (Royal Decree of March 29, 1928, no. 880).

5. Province of Salerno (Principato Citra)

Corresponding to the historical Principato Citra, the province extends from the Amalfi Coast to Cilento and Vallo di Diano. The State Archive of Salerno (with the branch section of Sala Consilina) preserves the Napoleonic and Bourbon Civil Registration registers (1809–1865), Italian Civil Registration, Draft Lists, and Military Service Records for the military districts of Salerno and Vallo della Lucania.

Current Municipalities of the Province of Salerno (158):

Acerno, Agropoli, Albanella, Alfano, Altavilla Silentina, Amalfi, Angri, Aquara, Ascea, Atena Lucana, Atrani, Auletta, Baronissi, Battipaglia, Bellizzi, Bellosguardo, Bracigliano, Buccino, Buonabitacolo, Caggiano, Calvanico, Camerota, Campagna, Campora, Cannalonga, Capaccio Paestum, Casal Velino, Casalbuono, Casaletto Spartano, Caselle in Pittari, Castel San Giorgio, Castel San Lorenzo, Castelcivita, Castellabate, Castiglione del Genovesi, Cava de' Tirreni, Celle di Bulgheria, Centola, Ceraso, Cetara, Cicerale, Colliano, Conca dei Marini, Controne, Contursi Terme, Corbara, Corleto Monforte, Cuccaro Vetere, Eboli, Felitto, Fisciano, Furore, Futani, Giffoni Sei Casali, Giffoni Valle Piana, Gioi, Giungano, Ispani, Laureana Cilento, Laurino, Laurito, Laviano, Lustra, Magliano Vetere, Maiori, Mercato San Severino, Minori, Moio della Civitella, Montano Antilia, Monte San Giacomo, Montecorice, Montecorvino Pugliano, Montecorvino Rovella, Monteforte Cilento, Montesano sulla Marcellana, Morigerati, Nocera Inferiore, Nocera Superiore, Novi Velia, Ogliastro Cilento, Olevano sul Tusciano, Oliveto Citra, Omignano, Orria, Ottati, Padula, Pagani, Palommonte, Pellegrino, Perdifumo, Perito, Pertosa, Petina, Piaggine, Pisciotta, Polla, Pollica, Positano, Postiglione, Praiano, Prignano Cilento, Ravello, Ricigliano, Roccadaspide, Roccagloriosa, Roccapiemonte, Rofrano, Romagnano al Monte, Roscigno, Rutino, Sacco, Sala Consilina, Salento, Salerno, Salvitelle, San Cipriano Picentino, San Giovanni a Piro, San Gregorio Magno, San Mango Piemonte, San Marzano sul Sarno, San Mauro Cilento, San Mauro La Bruca, San Pietro al Tanagro, San Rufo, San Valentino Torio, Sant'Angelo a Fasanella, Sant'Arsenio, Sant'Egidio del Monte Albino, Santa Marina, Santomenna, Sanza, Sapri, Sarno, Sassano, Scafati, Scala, Serramezzana, Serre, Sessa Cilento, Siano, Sicignano degli Alburni, Stella Cilento, Stio, Teggiano, Torchiara, Torraca, Torre Orsaia, Tortorella, Tramonti, Treninno, Valva, Vibonati, Vietri sul Mare.

Territorial Changes, Former Municipalities, and Official Gazette References:

• Bellizzi (Municipal Autonomy): Historical agricultural hamlet of Montecorvino Rovella, established as an autonomous municipality under Regional Law of Campania of January 2, 1990, no. 1 (O.G. no. 22 of 06/02/1990). Consult the archive of Montecorvino Rovella for pre-1990 records.
• Capaccio Paestum (Name Change): Named Capaccio, it changed its name to Capaccio Paestum under Regional Law of Campania of December 29, 2016, no. 38.
• Battipaglia (Municipal Autonomy): Established as an autonomous municipality in 1929 by detachment from the municipalities of Eboli and Montecorvino Rovella (Royal Decree of March 28, 1929, no. 415).
• Nocera Inferiore and Nocera Superiore (Municipal Division): In 1851, the historical city of Nocera San Matteo was divided into the two present-day autonomous municipalities. Records from 1809 to 1850 are found in the single Civil Registration fund of Nocera at the State Archive of Salerno.

Synoptic Table of Territorial Changes, Province/Region Changes, and Decrees in Campania