Cathy is right.

If we can help with advice or translations we will always try our best. But you will need to give us information on what it is that you need.

Thanks... you guys are the best. I posted a translation request under the proper link

thanks again,
Mauro

Hi Mauro and all,
I'm new to this site but not to some of you who use Edmodo's site I'm just wondering whether you have had any developments regarding the Catasto Onciario of Molfetta. Also to let you know I'm trying my best to get over to Molfetta in January for a few days but i am definitely going in April so if you want me to post any letters directly or what ever but just bear in mind it's my first trip to Molfetta and although my Italian is enough to feed me, buy me wine and find me somewhere to stay negotiating with a priest may be beyond me but I am Scouse (from Liverpool) and will try anything once. As regards to purchasing the Castasto Onciaro of Molfetta maybe we could consider buying it between us (really!) now I'm about to be moving into the 18th century for my family in Molfetta.

Regards Mark

Hi Mark!

Buying the Catasti (for a reasonable price) would be a good idea, but who would we buy it from?!?

As per my understanding those who have obtained the catasti from their respected cities had someone (or themselves) go and copy it for them from a regional archivio. I've sent three requests asking for information about a certain surname and they have all gone unheeded.

My hope is that there is a copy or digitized copy of the catasti from Molfetta circulated out there somewhere. But who knows?

Hi Mauro,
Am I right in thinking the original is held in Naples (and accessible on certain days) so the copies held at regional archives would be in old written form (not digital) but still accessible by public and academic. If a digital copy is around then it will likely be in academic circles. It might be worth trying to establish a contact at the local university. Shame I have literally just finished working for Liverpool Museum, which did have Italian academic contacts but anyway I've still got contacts here at the university of Liverpool, only problem is it is with archaeology rather than history but I'll still try.

Another point worth considering is I'm not sure about archives and museums over in the states but over here and I think I'm talking about the rest of Western Europe their is a real push towards digitisation and interactives' as opposed to physical objects so for e.g. the museum here in Liverpool once was full of objects not it is over balanced with interactive imagery utilising digital copies of... Great stuff but the balance has to be right. Point is maybe if there is not a digital copy then soon their might be something in the pipeline.

What about the college/university you teach at? no contacts there?
in my experience the majority of universites covering excavations over in Italy are from the States, I know that is archaeology but is it not the same with history. Just trying to come up with another avenue for you to explore.

I need to go to work now, ahh I'm late.

Regards

Mark

Hi Mark,

You are correct, the original is in Naples with copies at the Archivio in Bari. I am almost positive that there MUST be copies circulating in Molfteta itself. I've seen a few books about Molfetta's history that cite the Catasti Onciario, so i'm guesing that the academic circles know where to find a copy, and of course a digitized copy would serve our cost-concerns perfectly.

i have asked some "experts" about this at my university and for the most part they are more familar with northern italian archives and like many professional scholars differentiate between historical research and geneaology. Not giving much respect for the latter. I will keep searching!

By the way, i see that you are researching De Gioa and Palombella, send me over the exact names/dates and i'll keep a look out if they come across any references to them. My dad left me a pretty decent library on Molfettese history.

Hi Mauro,
Yes, I'm sure a digital copy will turn up or some advertised research on it. I will still ask questions this end. Thanks v much for the offer to look out for my surnames. As you know I haven't been researching in Molfetta long in fact you ponited me that way last year when I first started logging onto Edmondo's site.
I'll get them together and pm to you.

By the way is there only one hotel in Molfetta, the Garden hotel?
I'm looking at gonig over for Jan 08 and then Apr 08, and this is all I've come up with.

Mark