RootsChat.Com
General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: woodworth on Wednesday 07 December 05 19:41 GMT (UK)
-
Could anyone tell me if there was a call up of young people for conscription in Italy betwean 1880 and 1900. What age would they have been called up and how long would they serve in the army.
Thanks
George Woodworth
-
Hi George!
How are you?
All I have found out is - that Military service was mandatory in Italy - his records in the Italian Army should reflect his occupation or profession - in the book "In Search of Your European Roots" by Angus Baxter - he discusses "Conscription Records". Since he doesn’t mention military records otherwise - that may be the records you can obtain. As to Conscription Records, (Registri degli Uffici di Leva) he says:
"These started in 1869 and continue to the present day. They include name, birth date, town of residence and whether the draftee served, was refused, was exempted, died or emigrated before the call-up age of eighteen. The records are in the custody of the local Military District (Distretto Militare). The address for the area in which you are interested can be obtained from your nearest Italian Embassy or Consulate."
In his book "Finding Italian Roots" John P. Colletta says - "Shortly after the unification of Italy, military service became mandatory for all 21 year old males. since about 1870, therefore, registri degli Uffici di Leva (registers of the Offices of Conscription) have been kept. These registri list the name, comune of birth, date of birth, parents' names, and physical description of all young men eligible for the draft, together with an explanation of their military status - whether they ever served, or deserted, or were exempted, and so forth. The registri are divided into annual classe di leva (conscription classes or groups), each of which is indexed by the names of the draftees who composed that classe di leva - that is, the names of those who turned 20 since the previous classe di leva. Registri degli Uffici di Leva are maintained by Distretto Militare (Military District) - a provincia may contain perhaps 5 or 6 distretti militare - and those created since WW I may still be in the custody of the Distretto Militare where they were created. But older registri di leva have been deposited in the archivio di stato."
Mr. Colletta's book contains further details about this subject and would be a worthwhile addition to an Italian genealogical researcher's library.
Annie :)
-
well done annie,thats good info,mack
-
Hi Annie,
I am Ok, I hope you and your family are well. I am still searching and thinking of ideas to get me to that final step.
That's wonderful information Annie, your full of surprises. I just hope the the records have been passed on to the National Archives in Naples as I don't know the commune.
I have just received the death certificate of my great Grandmother from Oswestry where she died in a mental hospital. She wasn't even registered by the family so I don't know what happed there. It doesn't give much information, however it confirms she is the wife of Antonio Gentile Travelling Musician.
Thanks again
George
-
Me again George.
Was your GRandmothers maiden name Riley? I.e.wife of Girolomo?
-
Hi Shep,
She did use that name a couple of times , I don't know why. Her real maiden name was Parton. She was married to a John Woods before my Grandfather Girolomo. He was soldier in the Cheshire's I think she went to India with him.
-
Guessing you have acquired a copy of the book by now. Does it contain just records for Italian born males who did their military service in Italy or in America? Silly questions, but I like to ask silly questions as it can save me from feeling silly later on.
Trying to the family tree for my grandson and his mother's (D in L) maternal grandparents were born in Italy with her GF born in Zafferana, Etnes Catania Sicily. Allegedly his father and an uncle served during WW1 and I'd like to be able to verify this if possible. Also given the GF age b 1923 he may have been drafted as well for WW2. Suggestions appreciated.
-
Hi Abygail
I only know how you can find information about Italian soldiers who died during WWI or who were prisoners of war during WWI or who died as military internees in Germany in WWII.
http://www.cadutigrandeguerra.it/
http://www.pietrigrandeguerra.it/
http://www.cimeetrincee.it/
https://grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/File/Search
http://alboimicaduti.it/
Regards
Svenja