The earliest record I have is my ggrandmother's Italian passport, 1928, which uses PIRZ as the spelling. This is the only variation I'm aware of. My family comes from Pola (Pula), Istrian Peninsula, which has been at times, part of Austria, Italy, Yugoslavia, Croatia. I would like to research my roots there and would like to know how to go about it. Where would I go for records? What languages are spoken there now? Is it difficult to get civil or church records? Is it safe to travel there? Any help or advice would be appreciated. Thank you. Maggie