The history of Bernalda, going back to the tenth century, and the contributions to its growth and governance made by 19 members of the Dell'Osso family are documented in the book, Storia di Camarda e di Bernalda, by Bernardino Giuseppe d'Angela. The author describes the Dell'Osso family as one of the three early families that were, "veramente ricche" (very rich). Another historical document described them as "una nobile famiglia bernaldese" (a noble bernaldese family). In the original part of Bernalda, there is a street now called, "Via Antica" but whose original name was, "Strada Dell'Osso" and is still referred to as "Via di Dell'Osso" by the locals. It was on this street that the extended family resided in a villa and surrounding houses. The Dell'Osso family maintained their influence by having members in areas of the law, the church, and city administration. They served as notaries, city council members, and clergy. Four Dell'Ossos served as mayors of Bernalda (the most famous, Cav. Dott. Luigi Dell'Osso served two terms as mayor, 1877-1883 and 1897-1901), and six as priests (Rev. Don Luigi, Rev. Don Bernardino, Rev. Don Francesco Antonio, Rev. Don Giovanni Bernardino, Rev. Don Domenico Antonio, and my grandfather, Rev. Don Luigi) including three who rose to the rank of arch priest. There was also the nun, Suora Maria Teressa.

In another book, Vivurrè, Angelo Tataranno documents the key roles played by Dott. Luigi Dell'Osso, Dott. Camillo Dell'Osso, Francesco Dell'Osso, and Gaetano Dell'Osso in the historical events of April 8, 1888. In, Dizionario dei Patrioti Lucani da T. Pedio, the arrests of the brothers Filippo and Francesco Dell'Osso and their subsequent pardons are documented. The pamphlets, I Fondatori della Società Operaia di Mutuo Soccorso di Bernalda da Angelo Tataranno and Memorie della Società Operaia di Mutuo Soccorso di Bernalda Luigi Dell'Osso - Angelo Lorito 1879 - 2001 da Angelo Tataranno document the founding by Luigi Dell'Osso and history of this Bernaldese society.

If you can read Itialian and are interested in the contributions of the Dell'Osso family to the history of Bernalda and Italy itseelf, I recommend reading these works. I have translated each passage mentioning a member of the Dell'Osso family from both the above books and from some other documents I have uncovered. These are fascinating and surprising tid-bits about some of our ancestors and I highly recommend that all family members read them.

NEW! Work in Progress (Added 18 Oct 2013) History of the Dell'Osso Family in Bernalda. Last Updated: [27 May 2018]

Other contributions are documented in Dell'Osso Contributions to Bernalda containing the translations of the three documents found on Bernalda's web site.
The following links provide some additional historical notes about Bernalda.
Story of Bernalda
History of Bernalda
From Camerda to Bernalda: short historical annotations of the homeland, by Nunzio DiBiase    (PDF)
About Bernalda
Commune di Bernalda: Storia, Dove, ...
Commune di Bernalda-Storia

Impressions from my first visit to Bernalda (1992)   (PDF)
(10 Nov 2012) Impressions from my second visit to Bernalda (1996)   (PDF)
(10 Nov 2012) Impressions from my third visit to Bernalda (2008)   (PDF)
(18 Sep 2024) Impressions from my fourth visit to Bernalda (2012)   (PDF)
(18 Sep 2024) Impressions from my fifth visit to Bernalda (2016)   (PDF)
(18 Sep 2024) Impressions from my sixth visit to Bernalda (2024)   (PDF)

                                [Southern Corner]                         XVII Century Palazzo Dell'Osso [Via Archita (fka Strada Dell'Osso)]                                                   [Northern Renovated Portion]
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DNA-Based Origins of the Dell'Osso Family
(Where did the Ancient Ancestors of the Dell'Osso Family come from? How did they get to Italy?)

We now have DNA evidence that traces the male members of the Dell'Osso family from their origin in Africa 60,000 years ago, their earliest ancestor 50,000 years ago (M168), the earliest DNA-documented mutation `50,000 years ago (YAP), their initial migration about 30,000 - 40,000 years ago (M96), their arrival in the middle east 20,000 years ago (M35), to roughly 8,000 years ago by which time they migtated from the fertile crescent valley into the Mediterranean world. The Y-chromosome results of the Dell'Osso family belong to the DNA haplogroup E1b1b1 (M35); this is comprised of M168 > YAP > M96 > P147 > P177 > P2 > M215 > M35.



"Today, the E1b1b1 line of descent is most heavily represented in Mediterranean populations. Approximately 10 percent of the men in Spain belong to this haplogroup, as do 12 percent of the men in northern Italy, and 13 percent of the men in central and southern Italy. Roughly 20 percent of the men in Sicily belong to this group. In the Balkans and Greece, between 20 to 30 percent of the men belong to E1b1b1, as to nearly 75 percent of the men in North Africa. The haplpgroup is rarely found in India or East Asia. Around 10 percent of all European men trace their descent to this line. For example, in Ireland, 3 to 4 percent of the men belong, in England, 4 to 5 percent, Hungary, 7 percent, and Poland, 8 to 9 percent. Nearly 25 percent of Jewish men belong to this haplogroup." (from the Genographic report for Louis F. Dell'Osso) To download the complete report, Click Here.

A better understanding of the above paragraph requires one to understand that although only 25 percent of Jewish men belong to this haplogroup today, many of those listed from northern Italy, southern Italy, Sicily, and perhaps even Spain, the Balkans, and Greece may also have originally been Jewish and were forced to convert to Catholicism either in Spain or after they were expelled to these regions. Thus, it is likely that this haplogroup included more men of Jewish origin.

History of the Dell'Osso Family's Origins
(Who were the Dell'Ossos? Where did they come from? Were they really nobility?)

In my research, I have tried to answer the above questions about the geographical, ethnic, economic, and social origins of the Dell'Osso family. We know that they appeared in Bernalda before the late 1600's (i.e., 1500 - 1650) and were already wealthy (they built 'palazzo/casa Dell'Osso' on 'Strada Dell'Osso'). We know they were well-educated and powerful in Bernalda society (they held high political, administrative, and clerical positions, prominant members were addressed as "Don," "Magnifico," "Dottore," and "Cavaliere," and they intermarried with other rich and powerful bernaldese citizens). Were they part of the 'nobility' accompanying the Spanish rulers during the time of King Alfonso II or perhaps, close associates or employees of the Spanish nobility? Although they were Catholic and had many members who became priests or archpriests, were they originally people of Jewish background who were either forced to convert during the time of the Spanish inquisition or voluntarily converted before or afterwards?

Geographically, their roots appear to lie in Spain both because of the timing of their arrival and the Spanish first names they used. Indeed, the story that our ancesters came from Spain has been carried down through many generations of different branches of the Dell'Osso family, now living in different countries. Perhaps "Dell'Osso" is a Spanish name where "Dell" means "of the" and "Osso" means "bone." Howeveer, the "Dell" may refer to their city of origin, as in "from;"this was a common practice. It is interesting to note that there are two towns in northern Spain called "Osso;" one is now called "Osso de Cinca" and the other, "Ossó de Sió." [Note: There is also a town in southern Spain called, "Ossa de Montiel" which may be the place of origin of the family "De La Ossa" who emigrated from Spain (probably through Mexico and then moved north) to settle in Encino, California.] Research into the Dell'Osso family branch of San Lucido and Roggiano Gravina goes back to Francesco (1700 - 1745) and also uncovered an original family of San Lucido with the name, "Osso" that later became, "L'Osso" and then, "Dell'Osso." The name, "Dell'Osso" appears in different forms, both within Italy and in the U.S. In addition to the forms listed above, "DellOsso," "Dell'osso," "dell'Osso." "Dellosso," "Del Losso," "De Losso," "Di Losso," "Dilossi," "DiLossi," and "DeLose," were used and may be found in various documents.The connection between the Dell'Osso branches in San Lucido and Bernalda has not been determined at this time. However, like the Bernalda branch, they were well educated, wealthy, and were notaries, priests, etc.

There are many possibilities regarding whether this was one family or several families who emigrated from Spain. Also, it is unclear how the Bernaldese Dell'Osso family arrived there. They could have sailed from Spain (e.g., Barcelona) to Rome, where they sought Converso acceptance (see below). From Rome, they could have sailed to San Lucido with those who settled in San Lucido and went overland to Bernalda or they could have sailed from Rome to Taranto, which is closer to Bernalda.

Economically the source of the Dell'Osso wealth remains unanswered but may stem from either their high political/administrative positions and education or their possible nobility. If the former, the question of their ethnic background needs further research. If the latter, they probably were originally Catholics either from Spain or Italy. The question of nobility is a murky one, especially in Italy where there historically were several "kingdoms," both internally and externally, due to conquest. To date, I have found no records of a truly noble (i.e., by directive of the king) family with the name "Dell'Osso." In Italy, it was common to bestow local 'nobility' onto individuals or families who, by virtue of their wealth and contributions to the society earned them that title in the eyes of their fellow citizens; that appears to be the reason for the description of the Dell'Ossos as "una nobile famiglia bernaldese". Similarly, no bone fide coat of arms seems to exist, despite some which are commercially available. Finally, there are Dell'Osso families in the western United States who may or may not be directly related to those from Bernalda; I have not researched that branch.

Dell'Osso is a very rare name; I have found no such name in lists of Medieval surnames of either Italy or Spain. Nor is Dell'Osso listed as a Marrano surname (Spain) or a medieval surname of Italians of Jewish origin. There is one story that has been related to me that may explain this lack of either Marrano or Italian Jewish surnames. According to this story, the "De La Ossa" family was expelled from Spain during the Inquisition of 1492 and settled in or near Rome, Italy. In the 1600's they petitioned the Vatican for acceptance as Conversos but the Roman Catholic Church refused to accept the "Dell'Osso" family. The family then fled to what is now southern Italy (e.g., Bernalda, San Lucido, and Roggiano Gravina) and converted to Catholicism; their prominance in the Catholic church of Bernalda certainly attests to their complete acceptance of and by the church. At present, this remains a family story for which I have seen no documentation. It is very interesting however, that the Sephardic Jewish practice of namimg the firts-born son afer the paternal grandfather, the first-born daughter after the paternal grandmother, etc. was used in the Dell'Osso family for many genreations, continuing to the current generation in my branch. Also, Francesco Dell'Osso (1700 - 1745) of San Lucido named his son "Giosue" from the Hebrew "Joshua." I continue to search for the origin of the Dell'Osso family and the connection between the Bernalda and San Lucido branches; I welcome any information that would help to document either.

Tracing the Dell'Osso lineage backwards from the information I have at present (circa late 1500's) can best be done using Italian church records (baptismal, marriage, and death) or Spanish ships manifests to determine if, when, and where they left Spain (perhaps Barcelona or ???) and arrived in Italy (possibly Rome, if the above story is correct, or either Naples, San Lucido, or Taranto, if they went directly to southern Italy). One thing that is currently unknown is the Jewish surname they used in Spain; that is most likely to be found via ship manifests or in the Vatican library with other appeals for Converso acceptance.

If there is anyone, be they a Dell'Osso, associated with the Catholic church, or a student of Italian or Spanish history, who can either help me obtain permission to search church records or ships' manifests or who has any information (documented or not) bearing on these questions of Dell'Osso origin or status, please contact me. (E-Mail: LF Dell'Osso)

Researching the Ancestral Roots of the Dell'Osso Family Tree
*** We are who they were ***
*** [Siamo chi erano] ***


Lou and Antonio searching the records for members of the Dell'Osso family

The Maestro (Antonio) finding a member and explaining his place in the family

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Family Trees

The family trees available on this web site were originally made using Reunion v 9.07 on a Mac computer (earlier versions (circa 1992 - 2002) made using Family Tree Maker, were imported into Reunion. Current trees were made using Reunion v 10.0.3). They are all works in progress and require additional information and corrections. The genealogical data that I gathered in Italy and elsewhere are constantly being incorporated into the Reunion master family files and will be reflected in updated family-tree files (pdf) that will replace the older ones on this site. The Reunion master family files contain a wealth of additional information (e.g., occupations, burial sites, etc.) in addition to the genealogical data presented in the family trees. I will make Dell'Osso, Perrone, or Tuminelli master family files available to members of those families upon request. The family trees below show the roots of the Dell'Osso family up to my generation in most branches. The responsibility for updating (i.e., births, marriages, and deaths) each branch of the Dell'Osso family is best done by current family members in each branch. If you wish to have new information included in the master Dell'Osso family tree, please email it to me and I will add it.

The information produced and displayed on this site is downloadable and free for anyone's personal use. Any commercial use of this information, or of the results of my earlier research on the Dell'Osso, Perrone, and Tuminelli family trees, is a direct violation of my intellectual property rights; especially egregious is the failure by commercial businesses to cite my research of those family trees as the source of the genealogical information that they sell. The latest and most correct information will be available at no cost on this website as soon as the data can be verified and placed into the appropriate family tree.

The following updated family trees are either of the descendant (Des), pedigree (Ped) [older pedigrees were called ancestor (anc)], or relatives (Rel) type. After the Dell'Osso trees, there are trees for related families (e.g., Perrone and Tuminelli). The filename of each tree will identify the person for whom the tree was constructed (name, birth, death), the type of tree, and the construction date. The trees are in pdf format and may be printed out either on poster paper (height x width dimensions in inches "in" are given in filename) or 8.5"x11" paper (row x column number of pages "pp" given in the filename). The trees have been plotted so that no page breaks transect the rectangular boxes containing family members' information. Thus, the pages can be cut and joined to produce a large chart. Listed in a figure legend within each tree is the date the tree was constructed, the date of the last revision, the researchers, and the sources of information.

A glossary of the symbols used in the family trees is provided in both English and Italian for our relatives in Italy.
[Un glossario dei simboli utilizzati negli alberi genealogici è fornito sia in inglese che nell'italiano per i nostri parenti in Italia.]
Family Tree Terminology [Terminologia dell'Albero Genealogico]   (PDF)
In order to determine the relationship between any two members (e.g., you and another member) of the Dell'Osso family, the use of a "Cousins Chart" ["Diagramma dei Cugini"] is invaluable.
Cousins Chart   (PDF)   ["Diagramma dei Cugini"]   (PDF)

I encourage Dell'Osso family members to email me (E-Mail: LF Dell'Osso) any corrections or additions so they may be incorporated into updated versions of the trees and posted on this web site. Special attention will be given to attaching branches that have not been fully researched to date. Any information that might help me to determine where such branches belong would be appreciated.
When a tree is updated, a message will appear next to the tree's filename with the date of the last update.

Dell'Osso [Bernalda] Family Trees
(NEW & Updated on 22 May 2018) The family trees below were generated from the current (final?) version of the approximately 390-year Dell'Osso family tree database (Reunion), beginning with the parents of Giovanni Batista (circa 1630). They not only contain additions and connections between all family branches but also CORRECTIONS to prior trees.

(NEW & Updated on 24 May 2018) An approximately 390-year family tree documenting the Dell'Osso relatives of the Dell'Osso family from Bernalda and the descendants of Giovanni Bernardino. The Dell'Osso trees go back twelve generations.
GBDO_1630-unk_Rel_21x449_in   (PDF)       GBDO_1630-unk_Rel_2x68_pp   (PDF)       GBDO_1630-unk_Des_602x17_in   (PDF)       GBDO_1630-unk_Des_62x2_pp   (PDF)
Sig Cav Luigi Adolfo_1849_Ped_11x25_in   (PDF)       Sig Cav Luigi Adolfo_1849_Ped_8x14_in   (PDF)

(Updated on 23 Jul 2016) An approximately 360-year family tree documenting the relatives of Louis Frank Dell'Osso in the Dell'Osso, Manna, and Perrone families. The Dell'Osso tree goes back eight generations to Giovanni Batista, the Manna tree goes back 4 generations to the parents of Francesco, and the Perrone tree goes back 4 generations to the father of Pasquale.
Louis Frank_1941-_Rel_21x136_in   (PDF)       Louis Frank_1941-_Rel_2x16_pp   (PDF)

(Updated on 20 May 2018) An approximately 360-year compressed family tree documenting the relatives of Louis Frank Dell'Osso in the Dell'Osso, Manna, and Perrone families. The Dell'Osso tree goes back eight generations to Giovanni Batista, the Manna tree goes back 4 generations to the parents of Francesco, and the Perrone tree goes back 4 generations to the parents of Pasquale.
Louis Frank_1941-_Rel2_40x31_in   (PDF)       Louis Frank_1941-_Rel2_3x5_pp   (PDF)
Prof Louis Frank_1941_Ped_33x21_in   (PDF)       Prof Louis Frank_1941_Ped_2x5_pp   (PDF)

(NEW 22 May 2018) An approximately 275-year family tree documenting the families of Maestro Bernardino Dell'Osso's grandsons, most of whom remained in Bernalda, Gaetano, who moved to Rome, and Rev. Cosimo Damiano, who emigrated from Bernalda, Italy around the turn of the century (circa 1900) and settled in Brooklyn, New York, USA.
Mstro Bernardino_1745_Rel_22x217_in   (PDF)       Mstro Bernardino_1745_Rel_2x35_pp   (PDF)
Angelo_1946_Ped_v2_7x15_in   (PDF)       Angelo_1946_Ped_1x4_pp   (PDF)

(NEW 25 May 2018) An approximately 200-year family tree documenting the families of Alfonso Dell'Osso's grandsons, Luigi, Nicola, Giovanni "Ditile," Natali, and Bernardo, who emigrated from Bernalda, Italy around the turn of the century (circa 1900) and settled in Brooklyn, New York, USA. Their children, who were first and second cousins, maintained close contact throughout their lives.
Alfonso_1817-1878_Rel_11x97_in   (PDF)       Alfonso_1817-1878_Rel_1x15_pp   (PDF)
Alfonso_1817-1878_Des_21x88_in   (PDF)       Alfonso_1817-1878_Des_2x11_pp   (PDF)

(NEW & Updated on 23 May 2018) An approximately 216-year family tree documenting the families of Gaetano Dell'Osso's great grandchildren Giuseppe and Aldo, who remained in Rome, Italy.
Gaetano_1822-1885_Rel_11x57_in   (PDF)       Gaetano_1822-1885_Rel_1x9_pp   (PDF)
Annarosa_1963_Ped_v1_11x41_in   (PDF)       Annarosa_1963_Ped_v1_1x5_pp   (PDF)
Noemi_1962_Ped_v1_11x41_in   (PDF)       Noemi_1962_Ped_v1_1x5_pp   (PDF)

(NEW 25 May 2018) An approximately 162-year family tree documenting the families of Giusepppe Antonio Dell'Osso's son, Berardino, and his son Giuseppe.
Giusepppe Antonio_1836_Des_21x9_in   (PDF)       Giusepppe Antonio_1836_Des_2x1_pp   (PDF)
Antonio_1982_11x49_in   (PDF)       Antonio_1982_Ped_1x6_pp   (PDF)

(Updated on 22 Jul 2016) An approximately 175-year family tree documenting the families of Giovanni Bernardino Dell'Osso's sons, Nicola, Giovanni "Ditile," Natali, and Bernardo, who emigrated from Bernalda, Italy around the turn of the century (circa 1900) and settled in Brooklyn, New York, USA. Their children, who were first cousins, maintained close contact throughout their lives.
Giovanni Bernardino_1845-unk_Rel_11x65_in   (PDF)       Giovanni Bernardino_1845-unk_Rel_1x10_pp   (PDF)

(NEW & Updated on 25 May 2018) Approximately 165-year and 210-year family trees documenting the families of Bernardino Raffaelle Dell'Osso's children, including Luigi, who remained in Bernalda, Italy and Cosimo Damiano, who emigrated from Bernalda around the turn of the century (circa 1900) and settled in Brooklyn, New York, USA.
Bernardino Raffaele_1851-1914_Des_62x9_in   (PDF)       Bernardino Raffaele_1851-1914_Des_7x1_pp   (PDF)
Bernardino Raffaele_1851-1914_Rel_11x81_in   (PDF)       Bernardino Raffaele_1851-1914_Rel_1x12_pp   (PDF)
Bernardino_1865-unk_Rel_11x57_in   (PDF)       Bernardino_1865-unk_Rel_1x7_pp   (PDF)
Pierluigi Maria_1949_Ped_v1_11x41_in   (PDF)       Pierluigi Maria_1949_Ped_1x5_pp   (PDF)
Giuseppe Rodolfo_1951_Ped_v1_10x40_in   (PDF)       Giuseppe Rodolfo_1951_Ped_v1_1x5_pp   (PDF)
Liliana_1953_Ped_v1_10x40_in   (PDF)       Liliana_1953_Ped_v1_1x5_pp   (PDF)
Guido Rafaelle_1954_Ped_v1_10x40_in   (PDF)       Guido Rafaelle_1954_Ped_v1_1x5_pp   (PDF)
Adriana_1956_Ped_v1_11x41_in   (PDF)       Adriana_1956_Ped_v1_1x5_pp   (PDF)
Ricardo Luigi_1963_Ped_v1_10x40_in   (PDF)       Ricardo Luigi_1963_Ped_v1_1x5_pp   (PDF)

Dell'Osso [San Lucido/Roggiano Gravina] Family Trees
(NEW 26 Jul 2016) The family trees below were generated from the current version of the approximately 350-year Dell'Osso [San Lucido] family tree database (Reunion), beginning with Antonio (1670-UNK).

(Updated 28 Jul 2016) Approximately 350-year family trees documenting the relatives of the Dell'Osso family from san Lucido and Roggiano Gravina. The Dell'Osso treee go back ten generations.
Antonio? Dell'Osso_1670-UNK_Rel_22x81_in   (PDF)       Antonio? Dell'Osso_1670-UNK_Des_9x1_pp   (PDF)

Data connecting the specific points at which the following branches of the Dell'Osso family tree might connect to the main Bernalda tree or the San Lucido/Roggianno Gravina trees have not yet been verified.

(Added on 23 Nov 2009) An approximately 210-year family tree documenting the family of Gaetano Dell'Osso's great great grandchild Franco, who remained in Calabria, Italy.
Gaetano_unk-unk Calabria_Des_11x32_in   (PDF)       Gaetano_unk-unk Calabria_Des_1x5_pp   (PDF)

Perrone Family Trees
An approximately 140-year family tree documenting the families of Pasquale Perrone's sons, Vitaliano and Salvatore, who emigrated from Calabria, Italy around the turn of the century (circa 1900) and settled in Brooklyn, New York and Jersey City, New Jersey, USA.
Pasquale_unk-1933_Des_11x112_in   (PDF)       Pasquale_unk-1933_Des_1x14_pp   (PDF)

Tuminelli Family Trees
An approximately 160-year family tree documenting the families of Antoniette, Angelo, Benedetto, and Maria, children of Giuseppi Tuminelli's son Paolo, who emigrated from Sicily, Italy around the turn of the century (circa 1900) and settled in Brooklyn, New York, USA.
*****Coming Soon*****

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Dell'Ossos Around the World

Below is a link to the first, and very well-executed, Dell'Osso family web site plus a link to a web site showing the many places in Italy and the United States of America where members of the Dell'Osso family currently live.

The Dell'Osso.net Family Website
Where are [Dove] Dell'Osso

Artistic, Historical, Literary, Scientific, Legal, Philosophical, and Theological Contributions

Work in diverse fields by Dell'Ossos plus links to relevant web sites.

Artistic
Facebook Page of Domenico Dell'Osso
Website of Gabriela Gonzalez Dell'Osso

Historical and Literary
Studio su L'ambiente di Bernalda, scritta Antonietta Dell'Osso Gerardi
Piccolo fiore di loto, scritta Assunta Angela Dell'Osso    (PDF)
Books Illustrated by Gabriela Gonzalez Dell'Osso
Carz Carz, by John Dell'Osso ("Winfield")

Scientific and Legal
Nystagmus of Infancy and Childhood by Richard W. Hertle and Louis F. Dell'Osso
L'altra Marilyn . Psichiatria e Psicoanalisi di un Cold Case by Liliana Dell'Osso and Riccardo D. Luche
Scientific Presentations and Publications of Louis F. Dell'Osso
Scientific Presentations and Publications of Liliana Dell'Osso
Studio di Architettura Dell'Osso of Riccardo and Guido Dell'Osso
Researchgate of Guido Raffaele Dell'Osso
Researchgate of Bernardo Dell'Osso
Linkedin of Pierluigi Maria Dell'Osso

Philosophical and Theological
Of Human Values by Bernardino Dell'Osso
Credo-A prophetic novel by Bernardino Dell'Osso
Anything but Catholic by Joseph Dell'Osso
About Book by Joseph Dell'Osso
Books by Mike Dell'Osso

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