Calabrian Genealogy - Death Records Of Italy

Death Act

Atti or Atto di Morte is the name for the state civil regitration records of death. A death act is a record that a death has taken place and can provide more information on the family of the decedent but does not normally give a cause of death. The format and wording of this record has changed over the years slightly, but the information provided has not. On the left side of this page you can see an actual death act. Beneath it is a basic translation of most death acts of this period (post unification). If you do not speak Italian, there is a simple, easy way of extracting the pertinent data from the record. Throughout this explanation, I will provide links to various images of documents to explain how to read these documents.

In every birth act you can find the following information:

Full name of deceased
Date of death
Father's name, age/status and profession
Mother's name, age/status and profession
Place of birth and current residence
Name of Spouse

Caution must be used when utilizing death records. The data contained within the record is unverified as reported. Always examine who reported the death. In many cases, their relationship to the deceased is written on the record. Make a note of who reported the death. It has been my experience that with the exception of the age, these records are mostly accurate. However, I have seen incorrect parent's names listed on death acts. Always use caution and when you can, verify the information.

Useful Links

Below are useful links that will help you read these documents.

Stato Civile Atto Di Morte

General translation of a death act:

Number Act number___

The year ____, the day __ of ____ month to hours _____ and minutes __ in the Town Hall . In my presence _____Name_______ and civil records officer of ________Comune name_______, it is appeared _____Name__________ of age __, ____profession_______ domicile in ________, and _________(name) of the age ____ profession_______ who both declare to me, that in the house located in __________ died __________ of the age of ______, ________ (profession) resident of ______________ born in ________________ of ________________(father's name), home in __________ and of ________________(mother's name), home in ______________________ (wife or husband of if applicable)________________.

In this act (document) were present as witnesses _________________(name), of the age______, _____________(profession) and _______________(name), of the age ____, ______________(profession). resident in this town. Read this document to all participants intervened, _______________________________________________________. ______________(signature of official)

These death acts vary slightly depending on the year issued and where they were issued but the above is an approximate translation based on the death act on this page from 1907. This should help you locate the pertinent data.

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