The Guides of Radici

Guide to Genealogical Research in Lazio: Archives, Historical Borders, Province Changes, and Territorial Variations

Genealogical research in Lazio offers an extraordinary wealth of documentation, tied to the complex historical evolution of the region, long divided among the Papal States, the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (Terra di Lavoro), Umbria, and Abruzzo. To correctly trace the birth, marriage, and death records of your ancestors, it is essential to understand the major territorial reorganizations, municipality suppressions, name changes, and transfers between provinces and regions that occurred over time.

THE PROVINCES OF LAZIO AND THEIR VARIATIONS

1. Province of Frosinone (Ciociaria and Upper Terra di Lavoro)

The Province of Frosinone preserves an archival heritage of great interest at the State Archives of Frosinone. The documents vary according to the municipality of origin: the northern area belonged to the Papal States, while the southern sector (Liri Valley and Cassino area) was part of the Province of Terra di Lavoro in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.

Region and Province Changes (Campania -> Lazio): The entire former District of Sora and part of the district of Gaeta (Cassino, Sora, Arpino, Atina, Ceccano, Cervaro, Pontecorvo, etc.) historically belonged to Campania (Province of Terra di Lavoro). They were detached from Campania and incorporated into Lazio with the establishment of the Province of Frosinone in 1927. For Bourbon records (1809–1865) and military draft records prior to 1927, reference must be made to the State Archives of Frosinone and Caserta.

Current Municipalities of the Province of Frosinone (91):

Acquafondata, Acuto, Alatri, Alvito, Amaseno, Anagni, Aquino, Arce, Arnara, Arpino, Atina, Ausonia, Belmonte Castello, Boville Ernica, Broccostella, Campoli Appennino, Casalattico, Casalvieri, Cassino, Castelliri, Castelnuovo Parano, Castro dei Volsci, Castrocielo, Ceccano, Ceprano, Cervaro, Colfelice, Collepardo, Colle San Magno, Coreno Ausonio, Esperia, Falvaterra, Ferentino, Filettino, Fiuggi, Fontana Liri, Fontechiari, Frosinone, Fumone, Gallinaro, Giuliano di Roma, Guarcino, Isola del Liri, Monte San Giovanni Campano, Morolo, Paliano, Pastena, Patrica, Pescosolido, Picinisco, Pico, Piedimonte San Germano, Piglio, Pignataro Interamna, Pofi, Pontecorvo, Posta Fibreno, Ripi, Rocca d'Arce, Roccasecca, San Biagio Saracinisco, San Donato Val di Comino, San Giorgio a Liri, San Giovanni Incarico, Sant'Ambrogio sul Garigliano, Sant'Andrea del Garigliano, Sant'Apollinare, Sant'Elia Fiumerapido, Santopadre, San Vittore del Lazio, Serrone, Settefrati, Sgurgola, Sora, Strangolagalli, Supino, Terelle, Torre Cajetani, Torrice, Trevi nel Lazio, Trivigliano, Vallecorsa, Vallemaio, Vallerotonda, Veroli, Vicalvi, Vico nel Lazio, Villa Latina, Villa Santa Lucia, Villa Santo Stefano, Viticuso.

Territorial Variations, Former Municipalities, and Official Gazette References:

• Cassino (former San Germano - Name Change and Region Transfer): Historically named San Germano, it changed its name to Cassino by Royal Decree July 26, 1863, no. 1425. It was part of the Province of Terra di Lavoro (Campania) until its transfer to Lazio and to the Province of Frosinone established by Royal Decree January 2, 1927, no. 1 (published in the Official Gazette no. 7 of 11/01/1927).
• Esperia (Merger of Roccaguglielma and San Pietro in Curolis): Established in 1867 from the union of the historically autonomous municipalities of Roccaguglielma and San Pietro in Curolis by Royal Decree July 14, 1867, no. 3822 (O.G. no. 210 of 02/08/1867).
• Fiuggi (former Anticoli di Campagna): Named Anticoli di Campagna until 1911, it changed its name to Fiuggi by Royal Decree August 9, 1911, no. 946 (O.G. no. 211 of 11/09/1911).
• Boville Ernica (former Bauco): Until 1911 the municipality was named Bauco. Name changed to Boville Ernica by Royal Decree October 19, 1911, no. 1208.
• Colfelice (former Coldragone): Formed with hamlets detached from Roccasecca, it was originally named Coldragone and later Colfelice by Royal Decree August 10, 1923, no. 1907.

2. Province of Latina (Pontine Marshes and Southern Lazio)

The Province of Latina presents a recent yet complex administrative history. It was established as the Province of Littoria in 1934 and renamed the Province of Latina in 1945. Genealogical documentation is preserved at the State Archives of Latina and its Formia Branch.

Region and Province Changes (Campania -> Rome -> Latina): The municipalities of the southern coast and the Ponziane Islands (Gaeta, Formia, Minturno, Castelforte, Santi Cosma e Damiano, Spigno Saturnia, Ponza, Ventotene) belonged to the Province of Terra di Lavoro (Campania). In 1927 they were initially annexed to the Province of Rome, and in 1934 they passed to the new Province of Littoria.

Current Municipalities of the Province of Latina (33):

Aprilia, Bassiano, Campodimele, Castelforte, Cisterna di Latina, Cori, Fondi, Formia, Gaeta, Itri, Latina, Lenola, Maenza, Minturno, Monte San Biagio, Norma, Pontinia, Ponza, Priverno, Prossedi, Roccagorga, Rocca Massima, Sabaudia, San Felice Circeo, Santi Cosma e Damiano, Sermoneta, Sezze, Sonnino, Sperlonga, Spigno Saturnia, Terracina, Ventotene.

Territorial Variations, Former Municipalities, and Official Gazette References:

• Latina (Establishment as Littoria and Name Change): Founded on December 18, 1932, raised to provincial capital by Royal Decree-Law October 4, 1934, no. 1682 (converted by Law December 25, 1934, no. 2160, O.G. no. 8 of 11/01/1935). Name changed from Littoria to Latina by Lieutenancy Legislative Decree April 9, 1945, no. 270 (O.G. no. 64 of 29/05/1945).
• Cisterna di Latina (former Cisterna di Roma): Named Cisterna di Roma until 1935, it changed its name to Cisterna di Latina by Royal Decree July 20, 1935, no. 1562 (O.G. no. 203 of 31/08/1935).
• Minturno (former Traetto): Named Traetto until the 19th century, it reverted to the name Minturno by Royal Decree July 15, 1879, no. 5003 (O.G. no. 191 of 16/08/1879).
• Formia (Merger of Castellone and Mola di Gaeta; Incorporation of Castellonorato and Maranola): Born in 1862 from the merger of Castellone and Mola di Gaeta (Royal Decree June 22, 1862, no. 661). In 1928, the former autonomous municipalities of Castellonorato and Maranola were suppressed and incorporated into Formia by Royal Decree May 10, 1928, no. 1104 (O.G. no. 134 of 09/06/1928).
• Gaeta and Elena (Temporary Autonomy and Re-incorporation): The borough suburb of Gaeta became an autonomous municipality in 1897 under the name of Elena (Royal Decree March 18, 1897, no. 101), before being suppressed and re-incorporated into Gaeta by Royal Decree February 17, 1927, no. 216 (O.G. no. 53 of 05/03/1927).
• Priverno (former Piperno): Until 1927 the municipality was called Piperno. The name was changed to Priverno by Royal Decree November 10, 1927, no. 2251 (O.G. no. 288 of 13/12/1927).

3. Province of Rieti (Sabina and Cicolano)

The Province of Rieti was created in 1927 by uniting historically heterogeneous territories. Civil status, military draft, and notary records are preserved at the State Archives of Rieti. For research prior to 1927, sources are split among different regions.

Region and Province Changes (Umbria and Abruzzo -> Lazio): Prior to 1927, Rieti and Sabina belonged to the **Umbria Region** (Province of Perugia). The entire District of Cittaducale (**Amatrice, Accumoli, Antrodoco, Borbona, Borgorose, Cittaducale, Cittareale, Fiamignano, Leonessa, Pescorocchiano, Petrella Salto, Posta**) belonged instead to the **Abruzzo Region** (Province of L'Aquila). Military draft registers and records prior to 1927 are located at the State Archives of Rieti, Perugia, and L'Aquila.

Current Municipalities of the Province of Rieti (73):

Accumoli, Amatrice, Antrodoco, Ascrea, Belmonte in Sabina, Borbona, Borgorose, Borgo Velino, Cantalice, Cantalupo in Sabina, Casaprota, Casperia, Castel di Tora, Castelnuovo di Farfa, Castel Sant'Angelo, Cittaducale, Cittareale, Collalto Sabino, Colle di Tora, Collegiove, Collevecchio, Colli sul Velino, Concerviano, Configni, Contigliano, Cottanello, Fara in Sabina, Fiamignano, Forano, Frasso Sabino, Greccio, Labro, Leonessa, Longone Sabino, Magliano Sabina, Marcetelli, Micigliano, Mompeo, Montasola, Montebuono, Monteleone Sabino, Montenero Sabino, Monte San Giovanni in Sabina, Montopoli di Sabina, Morro Reatino, Nespolo, Orvinio, Paganico Sabino, Pescorocchiano, Petrella Salto, Poggio Bustone, Poggio Catino, Poggio Mirteto, Poggio Moiano, Poggio Nativo, Poggio San Lorenzo, Posta, Pozzaglia Sabina, Rieti, Rivodutri, Roccantica, Rocca Sinibalda, Salisano, Scandriglia, Selci, Stimigliano, Tarano, Toffia, Torricella in Sabina, Torri in Sabina, Turania, Vacone, Varco Sabino.

Territorial Variations, Former Municipalities, and Official Gazette References:

• Establishment of the Province and Regional Transfers (1927): Established by Royal Decree January 2, 1927, no. 1 (O.G. no. 7 of 11/01/1927) by uniting the District of Rieti (detached from Umbria) and the District of Cittaducale (detached from Abruzzo).
• Suppression and Merger of 6 Municipalities into the Municipality of Rieti (1928): By Royal Decree March 22, 1928, no. 752 (O.G. no. 91 of 18/04/1928), 6 autonomous municipalities were suppressed and integrated into Rieti: Castel San Benedetto Reatino, Cerchiara in Sabina, Poggio Fidoni, San Giovanni Reatino, Sant'Elia Reatino, and Vazia. Civil status registers up to 1928 are found separately in the collections of the former municipalities.
• Other Former Municipalities Suppressed in the Province:
  1. Collebaccaro: Suppressed and annexed to Contigliano in 1927.
  2. Monte Santa Maria in Sabina and Oliveto in Sabina: Suppressed and incorporated into Torricella in Sabina.
  3. Posticciola: Suppressed and annexed to Rocca Sinibalda.
  4. Rocchette: Suppressed and annexed to Torri in Sabina.
• Casperia (former Aspra Sabina): Until 1947 the municipality was called Aspra Sabina. Name changed to Casperia by Decree of the Provisional Head of State June 27, 1947, no. 698 (O.G. no. 182 of 11/08/1947).
• Borgorose (former Borgocollefegato): Named Borgocollefegato until 1960, it assumed the name Borgorose by Decree of the President of the Republic (D.P.R.) March 8, 1960, no. 320 (O.G. no. 97 of 21/04/1960).

4. Metropolitan City of Rome Capital (Former Province of Rome)

Historical heart of the Papal States until 1870, the Province (now Metropolitan City) of Rome holds a vast collection of Civil Status and Military Draft records at the State Archives of Rome (Sant'Ivo alla Sapienza and Galla Placidia locations).

Current Municipalities of the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital (121):

Affile, Agosta, Albano Laziale, Allumiere, Anguillara Sabazia, Anticoli Corrado, Anzio, Arcinazzo Romano, Ardea, Ariccia, Arsoli, Artena, Bellegra, Bracciano, Camerata Nuova, Campagnano di Roma, Canale Monterano, Canterano, Capena, Capranica Prenestina, Carpineto Romano, Casape, Castel Gandolfo, Castel Madama, Castel San Pietro Romano, Castelnuovo di Porto, Cave, Cerreto Laziale, Cervara di Roma, Cerveteri, Ciampino, Ciciliano, Cineto Romano, Civitavecchia, Civitella San Paolo, Colleferro, Colonna, Fiano Romano, Filacciano, Fiumicino, Fonte Nuova, Formello, Frascati, Gallicano nel Lazio, Gavignano, Genazzano, Genzano di Roma, Gerano, Gorga, Grottaferrata, Guidonia Montecelio, Jenne, Labico, Ladispoli, Lanuvio, Lariano, Licenza, Magliano Romano, Mandela, Manziana, Marano Equo, Marcellina, Marino, Mazzano Romano, Mentana, Monte Compatri, Monte Porzio Catone, Monteflavio, Montelanico, Montelibretti, Monterotondo, Montorio Romano, Moricone, Morlupo, Nazzano, Nemi, Nerola, Nettuno, Olevano Romano, Palestrina, Palombara Sabina, Percile, Pisoniano, Poli, Pomezia, Ponzano Romano, Riano, Rignano Flaminio, Riofreddo, Rocca Canterano, Rocca di Cave, Rocca di Papa, Roccagiovine, Roiate, Rome, Roviano, Sacrofano, Sambuci, San Cesareo, San Gregorio da Sassola, San Polo dei Cavalieri, Sant'Angelo Romano, Sant'Oreste, Santa Marinella, Saracinesco, Segni, Subiaco, Tivoli, Tolfa, Torrita Tiberina, Trevignano Romano, Vallepietra, Vallinfreda, Valmontone, Velletri, Vicovaro, Vivaro Romano, Zagarolo.

Territorial Variations, Former Municipalities, and Official Gazette References:

• Fiumicino (Autonomy from Rome Capital): Formerly a district of Rome, it became an autonomous municipality by Regional Law of Lazio March 6, 1992, no. 25 (O.G. no. 66 of 19/03/1992). Archival records prior to 1992 are preserved at the Civil Status Office of Rome Capital.
• Ciampino (Autonomy from Marino): Hamlet of the Municipality of Marino, established as an autonomous municipality by Regional Law of Lazio April 26, 1974, no. 18 (O.G. no. 138 of 29/05/1974).
• Fonte Nuova (New Municipality): Established in 2001 by combining the hamlets of Tor Lupara and Santa Lucia detached from Mentana and Guidonia Montecelio by Regional Law of Lazio October 15, 2001, no. 25.
• Guidonia Montecelio (Union of Montecelio and Foundation City): Established by Royal Decree-Law October 15, 1937, no. 1836 (O.G. no. 252 of 29/10/1937) incorporating the historical municipality of Montecelio.
• Arcinazzo Romano (former Ponza d'Affile): Called Ponza or Ponza d'Affile, it changed its name to Arcinazzo Romano by Royal Decree August 10, 1891, no. 518 (O.G. no. 207 of 03/09/1891) to avoid confusion with the island of Ponza.
• Ardea (Autonomy from Pomezia): Detached from Pomezia by Law June 13, 1970, no. 396 (O.G. no. 154 of 20/06/1970). Pomezia had been created in 1938 (*R.D.L. February 25, 1938, no. 110*).
• Ladispoli (Autonomy from Cerveteri): Established as an autonomous municipality by detachment from Cerveteri by Regional Law of Lazio May 12, 1970, no. 20.
• Santa Marinella (Autonomy from Civitavecchia): Established as an autonomous municipality by D.P.R. December 13, 1949, no. 1007 (O.G. no. 14 of 18/01/1950) by detachment from Civitavecchia.

5. Province of Viterbo (Tuscia)

Corresponding to the historical territory of Tuscia and the Papal Apostolic Delegation of Viterbo, the province preserves Civil Status records and Military Draft Lists at the State Archives of Viterbo. It was established as an autonomous province detached from Rome in 1927.

Current Municipalities of the Province of Viterbo (60):

Acquapendente, Arlena di Castro, Bagnoregio, Barbarano Romano, Bassano in Teverina, Bassano Romano, Blera, Bolsena, Bomarzo, Calcata, Canepina, Canino, Capodimonte, Capranica, Caprarola, Carbognano, Castel Sant'Elia, Castiglione in Teverina, Celleno, Cellere, Civita Castellana, Civitella d'Agliano, Corchiano, Fabrica di Roma, Faleria, Farnese, Gallese, Gradoli, Graffignano, Grotte di Castro, Ischia di Castro, Latera, Lubriano, Marta, Montalto di Castro, Montefiascone, Monte Romano, Monterosi, Nepi, Onano, Oriolo Romano, Orte, Piansano, Proceno, Ronciglione, San Lorenzo Nuovo, Soriano nel Cimino, Sutri, Tarquinia, Tessennano, Tuscania, Valentano, Vallerotonda, Vasanello, Vejano, Vetralla, Vignanello, Villa San Giovanni in Tuscia, Viterbo.

Territorial Variations, Former Municipalities, and Official Gazette References:

• Tuscania (former Toscanella): Named Toscanella until 1911, it reverted to the name Tuscania by Royal Decree August 18, 1911, no. 1042 (O.G. no. 212 of 12/09/1911).
• Tarquinia (former Corneto / Corneto Tarquinia): Named Corneto or Corneto Tarquinia, it changed its name to Tarquinia by Royal Decree March 5, 1922, no. 443 (O.G. no. 88 of 14/04/1922).
• Suppression and Merger of 4 Municipalities into the Municipality of Viterbo (1927): By Royal Decree January 12, 1927, no. 88 and subsequent decrees, the autonomous municipalities of Bagnaia, San Martino al Cimino, Grotte Santo Stefano, and Roccalvecce were suppressed and integrated into Viterbo. Civil status registers up to 1927 are preserved separately in the historical collections of each hamlet.
• San Michele in Teverina (Merger into Civitella d'Agliano): Suppressed and annexed to the Municipality of Civitella d'Agliano by Royal Decree November 24, 1927, no. 2420 (O.G. no. 297 of 24/12/1927).
• Castel Cellesi (Merger into Bagnoregio): Former autonomous municipality suppressed and annexed to the Municipality of Bagnoregio.
• Villa San Giovanni in Tuscia (former Villa San Giovanni): Named Villa San Giovanni, it expanded its name by D.P.R. October 20, 1961, no. 1205.

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