You do not have to be fluent in Italian to be able to read and translate Italian genealogical records into English but knowing the English translation for the most common words in these documents is essential. This month I am providing you with a list of the most common words. The more you research records, the better you will get at being able to recognize Italian words and their English equivalents.
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Other Italian Terms |
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Anno / Anni |
Year / Years |
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Giorno |
Day |
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Indice |
Index |
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Mese |
Month |
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Nome |
Name |
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Bambina / Bambina |
Baby |
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Cognome |
Surname |
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Madrina / Padrino / Padrini |
Godmother / Godfather / Godparents |
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Decesso |
Deceased |
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Infante |
Child |
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Sindacco |
Mayor |
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Chiesa |
Church |
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Defunta (o) |
Deceased Person |
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Fu |
Late, Deceased, Was |
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Gemelli |
Twins |
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Family Relationships |
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Madre / Padre / Genitori |
Mother / Father / Parents |
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Figlia / Figlio |
Daughter/ Son |
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Sorella / Fratello |
Sister / Brother |
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Nonna / Nonno/ Nonni |
Grandmother / Grandfather / Grandparents |
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Sposa / Sposo |
Bride / Groom |
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Moglie / Marito |
Wife / Husband |
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Vedova/ Vendovo |
Widow / Widower |
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Zia / Zio |
Aunt / Uncle |
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Cugina / Cugino / Cugini |
Cousin female / Cousin male / Cousins |
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Bisnonna / Bisnonno |
Great Grandmother / Great Grandfather |
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Nipote |
Grandchild |
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Occupations |
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Contadino / Contadina |
Farmer / Peasant / Sharecropper |
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Bastaio |
Saddler |
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Calzolaio |
Shoemaker |
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Bracciale / Bracciante |
Day Laborer |
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Casalinga |
Housewife |
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Falegname |
Carpenter |
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Filatrice |
Spinner of Thread |
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Muratore |
Bricklayer, Stone mason |
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Possidente |
Land owner |
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Proprietario |
Owner |
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Levatrice |
Midwife |
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Pastore |
Shepherd |
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Pescatore |
Fisherman |
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Ferraro |
Blacksmith |
