Archival research guide

How to request Roman records concerning the Diocese of Trebinje–Mrkan and the Noncovich family

The Archivio Storico di Propaganda Fide in Rome preserves reports sent by bishops, priests, and missionaries concerning the Diocese of Trebinje–Mrkan. Unlike the Venetian patents, several Roman shelfmarks have already been published by Milenko Krešić, so the search can begin with a specific request to verify and reproduce identified folios.

Krešić’s study directly cites AP, SOCG, vol. 547, fols. 372r–376v. Bishop Antonio Righi’s report of October 24, 1703, mentions a Nonković at the fortress of Klek on fol. 372r–v. The archive should nevertheless confirm the current form of the shelfmark and its reproduction requirements.

Official links

Archive homepage and contact details: Archivio Storico di Propaganda Fide
Overview of archival fonds: Archival Funds
Access, research, and reproduction regulations: Regulation
Holy See overview of the archive: Vatican.va
Request email address: arch.storico@propagandafide.va

Why the Roman records matter

The Scritture Originali riferite nelle Congregazioni Generali (SOCG) fonds contains letters and reports from bishops and missionaries, apostolic visitations, synodal records, and other material used as the basis for decisions by the Congregation.
The Scritture riferite nei Congressi (SC) fonds includes a geographical arrangement; its Dalmazia series covers 1638–1892 and documents the daily life of the missions.
Krešić cites several exact shelfmarks in SOCG, ACTA, and SC Dalmazia. The clearest family lead is a 1703 episcopal report mentioning a Nonković who answered from the fortress of Klek concerning a proposed episcopal visitation.

Documents and names for the initial search

Nonković at Klek — October 24, 1703: AP, SOCG, vol. 547, fols. 372r–376v, especially 372r–v. Bishop Antonio Righi’s report to Propaganda mentions a Nonković at the fortress of Klek in connection with permission for an episcopal visitation.
Diocese of Trebinje–Mrkan: AP, SOCG, vol. 555, fols. 582v and 586r–v, and other reports by Bishops Primi and Righi concerning Gradac, Popovo, and Dubrave parishes, their clergy and people, and conditions after the Morean War.
Dalmazia — Dubrave parish: AP, SC, Dalmazia, vol. 4, fols. 310r–v and 349r. Records from 1705–1706 concerning the parish, its population, and the difficulties of church life in Zažablje.
Names and places: Noncovic, Noncovich, Nonkovich, Nonković; Nikola/Nicolò, Vule/Vukoslav; Klek, Narenta/Neretva, Zažablje, Gradac, Trebinje/Mrkan; Don Petar Dragobratović and Don Jure Sentić.

Recommended procedure

Begin with a concise inquiry to the archive’s official address. Cite Krešić’s article and the known shelfmarks rather than requesting a general genealogical search.
Make verification and digital reproduction of AP, SOCG, vol. 547, fols. 372r–376v the first priority because this document explicitly mentions a Nonković at Klek.
Ask for the current order form, price, and payment method for digital reproductions. The official regulations prohibit personal photography and provide for copies ordered through the archive.
If staff cannot conduct remote research, ask which indexes and related volumes should be consulted in the study room.
An in-person visit requires an advance application giving personal details, research purpose, and qualifications, together with a letter from a recognized research institution or qualified historian.
Check current notices before arranging travel. The archive normally closes from July 15 until mid-September, and annual research permissions expire on July 15.

Suggested request in Italian

Add your name and personal details. The request begins with published shelfmarks and asks for verification, copies, and guidance for further research.

Oggetto: Richiesta di orientamento archivistico e riproduzioni — diocesi di Trebinje-Mrkan e famiglia Noncovic

Gentili responsabili dell'Archivio Storico di Propaganda Fide,

sto svolgendo una ricerca storica sulla famiglia Noncovic (varianti: Noncovich, Nonkovich, Nonković) e sulla diocesi di Trebinje-Mrkan tra la fine del XVII e l'inizio del XVIII secolo.

Lo studio di Milenko Krešić, «Povijesne okolnosti osnutka i osnutak župe Dubrave u Trebinjskoj biskupiji prije 300 godina», CCP 57 (2006), cita le seguenti segnature del vostro Archivio:

- AP, SOCG, vol. 547, ff. 372r–376v, relazione del vescovo Antonio Righi del 24 ottobre 1703; a f. 372r–v è menzionato un Noncovic residente nella fortezza di Klek;
- AP, SOCG, vol. 555, ff. 582v e 586r–v;
- AP, SC, Dalmazia, vol. 4, ff. 310r–v e 349r.

Chiedo cortesemente:

1. conferma delle forme attuali e complete di queste segnature;
2. istruzioni e costi per ottenere riproduzioni digitali dei fogli indicati, iniziando da SOCG, vol. 547, ff. 372r–376v;
3. indicazione di eventuali indici o altri volumi relativi a Trebinje-Mrkan, Gradac, Zažablje, Klek, Nikola/Nicolò Noncovic, don Petar Dragobratović e don Jure Sentić negli anni 1684–1703.

La ricerca è destinata alla documentazione storica della famiglia Noncovich. Qualora sia necessaria l'ammissione personale alla Sala di studio o una lettera di presentazione prima di ordinare le riproduzioni, vi prego di indicarmi la procedura corretta.

Vi ringrazio per l'assistenza.

What to expect

This is a private archive open to qualified researchers. Study-room research is free, but admission is not automatic.
The archive may verify a shelfmark and provide reproductions of identified folios, but it is not required to conduct a broad family-history search.
Publication of photographic reproductions requires separate permission; permission to consult and transcribe a document is not permission to publish its image.
If an in-person search is necessary, the most efficient option may be a historian familiar with the Propaganda Fide collections or a researcher recommended by the archive.