Family History Research in Sicily, Italy
Map of Sicily by Piri Reis
The Italian region of Sicily is a great place to do research because of the wealth of historical material that can be found in the region's many archives, libraries, and other repositories. Some of Sicily's best resources for historical research can be found at the regional capital in Palermo, as well as various provincial archives, churches, and libraries throughout the region. Many records are also now available online at a number of great websites like Ancestry.com, MyHeritage, Antenati, and FamilySearch, all of which have large searchable databases relating to Italian history and genealogy.
There are a number of ways to get copies of vital records (birth, marriage, and death certificates) in Sicily. Italy began countrywide registration of vital records in 1809, and Antenati has digitized many of these records from that date up to the early 1900s. Prior to 1809, birth, marriage, and death records would have primarily been recorded by church parishes, which would have been responsible for keeping track of baptisms, marriages, and burials in different parts of the country.
The Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah also holds a large collection of records relating to Sicily. This is the largest and most important genealogy collection in the world and is worth a visit to explore the many billions of records that can be found there. Published material consists of books, microfilm, microfiche, and other records for all parts of Sicily. The Family History Library also has smaller family history centers located throughout the world where you can order microfilm and have these records shipped to the local area where you live. The library has also transcribed and indexed billions of Italian church records, published histories, censuses, and other types of records which are available to view or download online at FamilySearch.
There are a number of ways to get copies of vital records (birth, marriage, and death certificates) in Sicily. Italy began countrywide registration of vital records in 1809, and Antenati has digitized many of these records from that date up to the early 1900s. Prior to 1809, birth, marriage, and death records would have primarily been recorded by church parishes, which would have been responsible for keeping track of baptisms, marriages, and burials in different parts of the country.
The Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah also holds a large collection of records relating to Sicily. This is the largest and most important genealogy collection in the world and is worth a visit to explore the many billions of records that can be found there. Published material consists of books, microfilm, microfiche, and other records for all parts of Sicily. The Family History Library also has smaller family history centers located throughout the world where you can order microfilm and have these records shipped to the local area where you live. The library has also transcribed and indexed billions of Italian church records, published histories, censuses, and other types of records which are available to view or download online at FamilySearch.
The Italian Diaspora
Flag of Italy
If your goal is to trace your immigrant ancestors back to their place of origin, it is important to first locate the many different types of records that your ancestors left behind in places like the United States, Argentina, Canada, Australia, and elsewhere. Records like ships' passenger lists, naturalization petitions, censuses, military records, vital records, obituaries, and cemetery records can often provide you with information about your ancestor's birthplace, names of relatives, and other important information. This will help you narrow down your search parameters when your ancestry search continues overseas. It is generally not possible to locate family records in Italy without first conducting extensive research in the places where your ancestors immigrated to.
Getting Started with Your Research
Cefalù Cathedral at night
Many people wonder where they should begin with their family history research in Italy. If you are new to genealogical research, the first thing you'll need to do is to start building a family tree with the information you already have at your disposal. There are some great genealogy software programs available that will help you get started with this process. Family Tree Maker, Legacy Family Tree, Family Historian, and RootsMagic all make great programs that can help organize your research.
Get started by first creating a pedigree chart for yourself and family group sheets for your parents, grandparents, and other close family members. You can download free copies of these forms at FamilySearch and Ancestry.com. You can also create these records using a genealogy software program. Family group sheets allow you to record information like family members' birth dates, marriage dates, death dates, burial places, spouses' names, and other information that will be helpful to you as your research progresses. Interview living relatives and take notes about the major events of their lives. Add this information to your family files so that you will have a strong foundation of information as you move forward with your project.
During the initial stages of your research, you can accomplish a great deal using online resources. It is highly recommended that you visit websites like Ancestry.com and Antenati to help with your ongoing research. Information can also be found for free at FamilySearch. Many types of records including censuses, vital records, obituaries, and immigration records are available online and will help you put in place the building blocks for the first part of your family tree. Using a combination of online resources along with more traditional archival research will allow you to create a thoroughly documented family history.
Get started by first creating a pedigree chart for yourself and family group sheets for your parents, grandparents, and other close family members. You can download free copies of these forms at FamilySearch and Ancestry.com. You can also create these records using a genealogy software program. Family group sheets allow you to record information like family members' birth dates, marriage dates, death dates, burial places, spouses' names, and other information that will be helpful to you as your research progresses. Interview living relatives and take notes about the major events of their lives. Add this information to your family files so that you will have a strong foundation of information as you move forward with your project.
During the initial stages of your research, you can accomplish a great deal using online resources. It is highly recommended that you visit websites like Ancestry.com and Antenati to help with your ongoing research. Information can also be found for free at FamilySearch. Many types of records including censuses, vital records, obituaries, and immigration records are available online and will help you put in place the building blocks for the first part of your family tree. Using a combination of online resources along with more traditional archival research will allow you to create a thoroughly documented family history.
Map of Palermo 1888
A professional genealogist could also be helpful to your research in Italy. With the expertise and knowledge of a skilled researcher, you can have someone visit local archives and libraries on your behalf in Sicily and elsewhere. This is especially helpful if you don't live in the area and don't have ready access to court, land, and many other types of records that can often only be found after a visit to a local courthouse, public library, historical society, or registry office. If you would like a professional genealogist to assist you with your ongoing research, please click here.
It is important when carrying out your research that you are thorough in documenting your family tree. Don't overlook the importance of finding your ancestor's siblings, cousins, and other close relatives. Brick walls are often encountered in genealogical research. To get beyond an apparent impasse it is often worthwhile to approach your research holistically. Many researchers who are new to genealogy often just want to get back as far as possible along a direct paternal or maternal family line. However, it is often the death certificates, obituaries, or other records of your direct ancestor's siblings and other close relatives that will provide you with the breakthroughs you are looking for.
It is important when carrying out your research that you are thorough in documenting your family tree. Don't overlook the importance of finding your ancestor's siblings, cousins, and other close relatives. Brick walls are often encountered in genealogical research. To get beyond an apparent impasse it is often worthwhile to approach your research holistically. Many researchers who are new to genealogy often just want to get back as far as possible along a direct paternal or maternal family line. However, it is often the death certificates, obituaries, or other records of your direct ancestor's siblings and other close relatives that will provide you with the breakthroughs you are looking for.
Genealogy Resources in Sicily, Italy
Royal Standard of Italy
Many Italian family records can be found online and at various archives and libraries located throughout Sicily. Many millions of records aren't yet available online, though, and many of these are awaiting your discovery at the local level at church parishes, civil registry offices, and elsewhere in Italy. To find these and other records, click on the links below to find more information about the specific places where your ancestors lived in Italy. You'll find information on these pages that will lead you to the specific documentation you're searching for.
It is important to keep in mind when doing research that the names and boundaries of certain areas in Italy have changed over the past few hundred years. Your ancestors may have lived in one area and when borders were redrawn records relating to your family history might have been located in another area entirely. When searching for land, church, civil registration, and other records it is also a good idea to search for these records in adjacent areas. Following is a complete list of Sicily's provinces, along with links to their related municipalities and church parishes.
It is important to keep in mind when doing research that the names and boundaries of certain areas in Italy have changed over the past few hundred years. Your ancestors may have lived in one area and when borders were redrawn records relating to your family history might have been located in another area entirely. When searching for land, church, civil registration, and other records it is also a good idea to search for these records in adjacent areas. Following is a complete list of Sicily's provinces, along with links to their related municipalities and church parishes.
Provinces
Agrigento
Caltanissetta
Catania
Enna
Messina
Palermo
Ragusa
Siracusa
Trapani
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Capitals
Agrigento
Caltanissetta
Catania
Enna
Messina
Palermo
Ragusa
Siracusa
Trapani
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Municipalities
43 Comuni
22 Comuni
58 Comuni
20 Comuni
108 Comuni
82 Comuni
12 Comuni
21 Comuni
25 Comuni
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Church Records
Archives & Parishes
Archives & Parishes
Archives & Parishes
Archives & Parishes
Archives & Parishes
Archives & Parishes
Archives & Parishes
Archives & Parishes
Archives & Parishes
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