On Thu, 8 Aug 2002 03:23:20 +0000 (UTC), pdellapiana@tds.net wrote: >Seeking any information AT ALL on a male born 1609 in Pianella who was given the Christian name of Leonardo. Have reason to believe his surname was NOT Della Piana, although his later history records it so. Have no other birth details, but would like anything you have, please. His wife was named Margareta. Thank you. Studying surnames in those years is quite difficult as they weren't yet fixed and could change quite easily. Anyways, have you tried checking notarial acts for traces of him ? Check what you can find here: http://archivi.beniculturali.it/ Among the others, here's what I could find: ARCHIVIO DI STATO DI PESCARA Pianella: 1605-1700 voll. 26, 1701-1800 voll. 109, 1801-1815 voll. 53 ARCHIVIO DI STATO DI TERAMO Pianella: 1617 vol. 1, 1818-1858 voll. 56 e repp. 40 Hope it helps, Fabio