Italian genealogy isn’t one-size-fits-all. Each region, from Sicily’s earthquake-damaged archives to Trieste’s Austrian records to Liguria’s dense port city documents, requires specialized knowledge of local history, record-keeping systems, and migration patterns. Understanding your ancestral region’s unique challenges and resources is the key to breaking through brick walls and tracing your family back generations.
Why Region Matters More in Italian Genealogy Than Other Countries
Italy’s Late Unification Created Regional Complexity
Unlike countries with centuries of centralized record-keeping, Italy only unified in 1861. Before that, the peninsula was divided into separate kingdoms, duchies, and foreign-controlled territories:
- Kingdom of Two Sicilies (Southern Italy and Sicily): Spanish and Bourbon rule
- Papal States (Central Italy): Vatican administration
- Kingdom of Sardinia (Piedmont, Sardinia): French influence
- Lombardo-Venetian Kingdom (Northern Italy): Austrian Empire control
- Grand Duchy of Tuscany: Independent governance
- Various smaller states: Modena, Parma, Lucca, and others
Each territory had different:
- Record-keeping systems and start dates for civil registration
- Languages for official documents (Italian, Latin, French, German, Spanish, local dialects)
- Administrative divisions (provinces organized differently)
- Church record practices and diocesan structures
- Emigration patterns and destination countries
Regional Identity Remains Stronger Than National Identity
Even today, Italians often identify as Siciliano, Romano, Napoletano, or Milanese before identifying as Italian. This regional loyalty means:
- Family stories reference the region, not “Italy”
- Genealogical societies and resources organize by region
- Diaspora communities cluster by ancestral region (Little Italies were really “Little Sicilies” or “Little Calabrias”)
- Record repositories remain regional, not national
The Major Italian Genealogical Regions and Their Unique Challenges
Sicily: Island Isolation and Record Loss
Provinces: Palermo, Catania, Messina, Siracusa, Ragusa, Trapani, Agrigento, Caltanissetta, Enna
Unique characteristics:
- Distinct genetic and cultural heritage: Arab, Norman, Greek, Spanish influences
- Massive emigration: 1880s-1920s to US East Coast, Argentina, Australia
- Devastating earthquakes: 1908 Messina earthquake destroyed thousands of records
- World War II bombing: Particularly heavy damage to Palermo, Catania, Messina archives
- Mafia-related record gaps: Some municipalities have incomplete records due to destruction or corruption
Record challenges: Sicily’s civil records (stato civile) theoretically begin in 1820 under Bourbon rule, but many earlier records were lost. Church records provide backup, but some parishes also lost material in earthquakes and war.
Migration patterns:
- New York/New Jersey: Brooklyn, Manhattan’s Little Italy, Newark, Paterson
- New Orleans: Large Sicilian community, different from mainland Italian immigration
- California: San Francisco, Los Angeles (later wave, 1900s-1930s)
- Latin America: Argentina, Brazil (especially São Paulo)
- Australia: Melbourne, Sydney (post-WWII migration wave)
Key Sicilian surnames by province:
| Province | Common Surnames |
|---|---|
| Palermo | Russo, Marino, Messina, Caruso, Lombardo |
| Catania | Russo, Grasso, Messina, Rapisarda, Leonardi |
| Messina | Messina, Russo, Costa, Trimarchi, Cucinotta |
| Trapani | Amodeo, Barone, Titone, Gruppuso |
| Ragusa | Battaglia, Cascone, Sortino, Iurato |
Research strategy for Sicily:
- Identify the specific province and comune “Sicily” alone isn’t enough
- Check if records survived earthquakes (1693 Val di Noto, 1908 Messina-Reggio)
- Emphasize church records as primary sources when civil records are incomplete
- Use notarial records (atti notarili) which often survived when vital records didn’t
- Contact diocesan archives for parish records
- Join Sicilian genealogical Facebook groups organized by province
Calabria: Southern Poverty and Limited Records
Provinces: Reggio Calabria, Catanzaro, Cosenza, Crotone, Vibo Valentia
Unique characteristics:
- Extreme poverty: Led to massive emigration, but also meant some families were undocumented
- Earthquake destruction: 1783 and 1908 earthquakes destroyed significant records
- Banditry and isolation: Remote mountain villages had sporadic record-keeping
- Greek heritage: Particularly in Reggio Calabria area (Griko dialect, Greek Orthodox communities)
Record challenges: Civil registration began in 1809 during French Napoleonic rule, then restarted in 1820 under Bourbon restoration. Many comuni have gaps or lost records from natural disasters.
Migration patterns:
- Toronto, Canada: Largest Calabrian diaspora outside Italy
- US Northeast: Particularly Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York
- Argentina: Massive Calabrian immigration to Buenos Aires
- Australia: Post-WWII immigration, especially to Adelaide, Melbourne
Common Calabrian surnames:
- Arena, Caruso, Greco, Leone, Marino, Raso, Romeo, Russo, Tripodi, Versace
Research strategy for Calabria:
- Determine which earthquakes affected your ancestral town
- Check both civil and church records one may have survived when the other didn’t
- Look for emigration records at Naples (primary port) and Messina
- Use land records (catasto) which often survived disasters
- Search for relatives in Toronto’s extensive Calabrian community archives
Campania (Naples Region): Port City Complexity
Provinces: Napoli, Salerno, Avellino, Benevento, Caserta
Unique characteristics:
- Naples as major port: Millions passed through; distinguishing between residents and transients is difficult
- Dense population: Urban Naples had massive record volumes, making searches time-consuming
- Cholera epidemics: 1836, 1854, 1884, 1911 epidemics created mortality spikes and record gaps
- Allied bombing in WWII: Heavy damage to Naples archives
- Complex dialect: Napoletano is almost a separate language from standard Italian
Record challenges: Civil records begin in 1809 (French period), excellent church records from 1500s, but sheer volume makes searching difficult without specific comune information.
Migration patterns:
- New York: Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn largest Neapolitan diaspora
- Philadelphia: South Philadelphia “Little Italy” heavily Neapolitan
- Connecticut: New Haven, Hartford
- Argentina: Buenos Aires
- Venezuela: Caracas (significant Neapolitan community)
Common Campania surnames by area:
- Naples: Esposito, Russo, Romano, De Luca, Coppola
- Salerno: Esposito, Pisano, Palumbo, Napoli, Santoro
- Avellino: Iannaccone, Picariello, Grasso, Albanese
Research strategy for Campania:
- Narrow to the specific comune Naples province has 92 municipalities
- Search emigration records from Porto di Napoli (most detailed Italian port records)
- Use Neapolitan dialect resources to understand name variations
- Check both Naples city archives and provincial State Archive (different repositories)
- Look for family in Spanish Quarter (Quartieri Spagnoli) or specific neighborhoods
Puglia (Apulia): The Heel of the Boot
Provinces: Bari, Foggia, Taranto, Brindisi, Lecce, Barletta-Andria-Trani
Unique characteristics:
- Strategic location: Gateway to the Balkans and Greece, creating unique migration patterns
- Greek and Albanian heritage: Especially in Salento (Lecce area) with Griko-speaking communities
- Trulli architecture: Distinctive cone-shaped houses in Alberobello area
- Olive oil and wheat economy: Agricultural records supplement vital records
Record challenges: Good civil record survival from 1809 onward. Church records excellent in some dioceses (Lecce, Bari), spotty in others.
Migration patterns:
- Rochester, New York: Unusual concentration of Puglian immigrants
- Boston area: Particularly Revere, East Boston
- Argentina: Significant immigration
- Australia: Post-WWII, especially to Perth
Common Puglia surnames:
- Bari area: Gentile, Lorusso, Palmisano, Laera
- Lecce/Salento: Greco, Romano, Leone, Tondo
- Foggia: Clemente, Di Biase, D’Onofrio
Research strategy for Puglia:
- Research Greek-Albanian communities if surnames suggest this heritage (Greco, Albanese)
- Check cadastral records (catasto) which are well-preserved
- Look for family in specific Puglian diaspora communities (Rochester especially)
- Use Salentino dialect guides for southern Puglia research
Basilicata (Lucania): The Hidden Region
Provinces: Potenza, Matera
Unique characteristics:
- Most isolated region: Mountainous, poor, often overlooked
- Later emigration wave: 1900s-1920s, after Sicily and Campania
- Unique culture: “Sassi” cave dwellings of Matera, ancient Greek heritage
- Small population: Fewer records to search, but also fewer resources
Migration patterns:
- Waterbury, Connecticut: Highest concentration of Lucanian immigrants in US
- Cleveland, Ohio: Significant Basilicata community
- Argentina: Particularly Comodoro Rivadavia in Patagonia
Common Basilicata surnames:
- Grieco, Conte, Coviello, Fortunato, Camardo
Research strategy for Basilicata:
- Focus on church records, often more complete than civil records
- Check Waterbury’s extensive Lucanian community archives
- Research brigandage (banditry) records if family stories mention outlaws
- Use Potenza State Archive for provincial-level records
Liguria (Genoa Region): Port City Records
Provinces: Genova, La Spezia, Savona, Imperia
Unique characteristics:
- Major emigration port: Genoa was second only to Naples for departures
- Confusing residency: Many emigrants lived in Genoa temporarily before sailing (not native Genoese)
- Maritime culture: Sailors, merchants, ship workers dominate records
- Austrian and French influence: Shifted between powers before unification
Record challenges: Excellent civil records from 1806 (French period), but the sheer volume of Genoa city records and the temporary residency issue makes identifying actual birthplace difficult.
Migration patterns:
- San Francisco: Largest Ligurian community outside Italy (fishing industry)
- Argentina: Massive immigration, especially Buenos Aires
- Uruguay: Montevideo
- California: Fishing communities up and down the coast
Common Ligurian surnames:
- Parodi, Bruzzone, Raggio, Gardella, Garibaldi, Repetto, Olivieri
Research strategy for Liguria:
- Distinguish between Genoa city proper and Genoa province hill towns
- Check ship manifests for “last residence” vs. actual birthplace
- Use Ligurian dialect guides (very distinct from standard Italian)
- Search port records at Archivio di Stato di Genova
- Cross-reference with San Francisco Italian community records
Lombardy: Industrial North
Provinces: Milano, Bergamo, Brescia, Como, Cremona, Lecco, Lodi, Mantova, Monza-Brianza, Pavia, Sondrio, Varese
Unique characteristics:
- Austrian rule until 1859: Records in German and Italian
- Industrial revolution: Urban migration within Italy complicates research
- Swiss border: Cross-border movement and employment
- Excellent record preservation: Less earthquake and war damage than the South
Record challenges: Civil records begin in 1806 (Napoleonic period), excellent church records. Main challenge is urban migration within Lombardy itself.
Migration patterns:
- Chicago: Significant Lombard community
- Argentina: Massive immigration, especially to Buenos Aires
- Brazil: São Paulo (industrial workers)
- Switzerland: Cross-border work, sometimes counted as emigration
Common Lombard surnames:
- Brambilla, Colombo, Ferrari, Galli, Fumagalli, Riva, Villa
Research strategy for Lombardy:
- Check both Italian and Austrian Empire records for pre-1859
- Research internal migration (many moved Milan → industrial towns)
- Use excellent cadastral records (catasto) for property ownership
- Search Swiss archives if family stories mention cross-border work
Piedmont: French Influence
Provinces: Torino, Alessandria, Asti, Biella, Cuneo, Novara, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, Vercelli
Unique characteristics:
- French cultural influence: Many records in French, especially in Valle d’Aosta
- Savoy dynasty: Royal House that unified Italy originated here
- Alpine valleys: Valdese (Waldensian) Protestant communities
- Industrial development: Turin’s auto industry created internal migration
Record challenges: Excellent civil records from 1806, superb church records. Language shifts between French, Italian, and Piedmontese dialect.
Migration patterns:
- Argentina: Massive Piedmontese immigration (agricultural workers)
- France: Cross-border migration (sometimes permanent)
- California wine country: Vintners from Piedmont
- Pennsylvania: Particular concentration in Western PA
Common Piedmont surnames:
- Ferrero, Cavallo, Dalmasso, Gallo, Quaglia, Re, Rosso
Research strategy for Piedmont:
- Check French-language records for western provinces
- Research Waldensian archives if Protestant ancestry suspected
- Use excellent Turin city archives
- Search Argentine records (second-largest Italian community in Argentina)
Veneto: Austrian Empire Records
Provinces: Venezia, Verona, Padova, Vicenza, Treviso, Rovigo, Belluno
Unique characteristics:
- Austrian rule until 1866: Records in German and Italian
- Republic of Venice heritage: Unique administrative traditions
- Massive emigration: One of highest emigration rates in all of Italy
- Distinct dialect: Venetian is significantly different from standard Italian
Record challenges: Civil records begin in 1806 (French period), then Austrian administration 1815-1866. Must navigate both Italian and Austrian systems.
Migration patterns:
- Brazil: Largest Veneto diaspora (especially Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina)
- Argentina: Second-largest destination
- Connecticut: Significant Veneto communities
- Australia: Post-WWII immigration
- Mexico: Chipilo, Puebla (entire village speaks Venetian dialect)
Common Veneto surnames:
- Da Ros, Bianchi, Rossi, Moretto, Tessaro, Cecchin, Baldan
Research strategy for Veneto:
- Check Austrian Empire records for pre-1866
- Research Brazilian archives (Veneto records better preserved there than Sicily/Calabria)
- Use Venetian dialect resources for name variations
- Search Chipilo, Mexico records (unique Venetian-speaking community)
Emilia-Romagna: Central Records Hub
Provinces: Bologna, Modena, Parma, Reggio Emilia, Ferrara, Piacenza, Ravenna, Forlì-Cesena, Rimini
Unique characteristics:
- Multiple duchies: Parma-Piacenza, Modena, Ferrara each had different rulers
- Papal territories: Eastern portions under Vatican control
- Food culture: Prosciutto, Parmigiano, balsamic vinegar families have long records
- Excellent archives: Well-organized, accessible state archives
Record challenges: Civil records begin at different dates depending on duchy (1804-1865). Very good preservation overall.
Migration patterns:
- Argentina: Buenos Aires and agricultural colonies
- Brazil: São Paulo, Paraná
- United States: Scattered, no major concentration
- France: Lyon area
Common Emilia-Romagna surnames:
- Gatti, Montanari, Baraldi, Messori, Campagna, Borghi
Research strategy for Emilia-Romagna:
- Identify which duchy/territory ancestors came from
- Use excellent Bologna State Archive
- Research food trade records (cheese makers, wine producers often documented)
- Check notarial records (extensive and well-preserved)
Tuscany: Renaissance Records
Provinces: Firenze, Pisa, Siena, Livorno, Lucca, Arezzo, Pistoia, Prato, Grosseto, Massa-Carrara
Unique characteristics:
- Exceptional archives: Florence’s archives go back to medieval period
- Grand Duchy heritage: Independent state until 1860s
- Cultural prestige: Standard Italian based on Tuscan dialect
- Marble quarries: Carrara families have unique occupation records
Record challenges: Civil records begin in 1808 (French period). Church records exceptional. Main challenge is wealth of material requiring time to search.
Migration patterns:
- United States: Scattered, no single concentration
- France: Marseille area
- Argentina: Buenos Aires
- Luxembourg: Unique Tuscan community
Common Tuscan surnames:
- Bianchi, Rossi, Conti, Martini, Ricci, Pucci
Research strategy for Tuscany:
- Use Florence’s exceptional Archivio di Stato
- Research guild records for artisan ancestors
- Check Lucca’s separate archives (was independent republic)
- Use notarial records (excellent preservation)
Trieste and Venezia Giulia: The Austrian Border
Provinces: Trieste, Gorizia, Udine (part of Friuli-Venezia Giulia)
Unique characteristics:
- Austrian Empire until 1918: Records in German, Italian, Slovenian
- Border shifts: Territory changed hands multiple times (Austria, Italy, Yugoslavia, Italy again)
- Multiethnic: Italian, Slovenian, German, Croatian populations
- Free port status: Trieste was major commercial hub
Record challenges: Must search both Italian and Austrian archives. Place names changed with border shifts. Ethnic identity complicated.
Migration patterns:
- United States: Particularly Midwest (Chicago area)
- Argentina: Buenos Aires
- Australia: Post-WWII
- Canada: Toronto area
Common Trieste surnames:
- Privileggi, Benussi, Coslovich, Kosuta (Slavic origins), Gregoretti
Research strategy for Trieste:
- Check both Italian State Archives and Austrian Empire archives
- Account for place name changes (Trieste/Triest, Gorizia/Görz)
- Research Austro-Hungarian military records
- Determine ethnic identity from language of records and given names
- Check Slovenian archives for border areas
Sardinia: The Isolated Island
Provinces: Cagliari, Sassari, Nuoro, Oristano, Sud Sardegna
Unique characteristics:
- Unique genetic heritage: Sardinians are genetically distinct from mainland Italians
- Spanish rule: Centuries under Spanish crown, then Savoy dynasty
- Isolation: Limited emigration until 20th century
- Distinct language: Sardo is considered separate language, not just dialect
Record challenges: Civil records begin in 1806 (different timeline than mainland). Records in Italian, Spanish, Latin, and Sardo.
Migration patterns:
- Limited emigration: Much less than other regions
- Internal migration: More moved to mainland Italy than abroad
- Argentina: Small communities
- France: Marseille area
Common Sardinian surnames:
- Sanna, Piras, Serra, Melis, Lai, Murgia, Ledda
Research strategy for Sardinia:
- Use Sardo language resources
- Check Spanish colonial records
- Research internal migration to mainland Italy
- DNA analysis particularly useful (Sardinians have distinct genetic markers)
How to Identify Your Ancestral Region When You Don’t Know It
Method 1: Surname Distribution Analysis
Italian surnames cluster heavily by region. Tools like:
- Cognomix.it: Shows surname distribution map across Italy
- Gens.info: Historical surname data by province
- Pagine Bianche: Modern phone directory (current distribution)
If your surname is Grasso, it appears across Italy but concentrates heavily in Sicily (particularly Catania) and Calabria. This narrows your search immediately.
Method 2: DNA Ethnicity Regions
Modern DNA tests specify regions:
- 23andMe: Most detailed Italian regional breakdown
- AncestryDNA: Good for Southern vs. Northern distinction
- MyHeritage: European focus includes detailed Italian regions
If DNA says “Sicilian” or “Calabrian,” that’s your starting point.
Method 3: US Records Analysis
Ship manifests:
- “Last residence” field (more reliable than “birthplace” on Ellis Island)
- Port of departure (Naples = likely Southern; Genoa = likely Northern/Central)
Naturalization papers:
- Often list actual town, not just “Italy”
- Witness names can indicate regional community
Death certificates:
- Informants (often children) sometimes knew specific town
- “Birthplace” field occasionally has detail
Religious records:
- Catholic parishes often recorded Italian hometown
- Confirmation, marriage records especially detailed
Method 4: Community Clustering
Italian immigrants clustered by region in US cities:
| US Location | Predominant Italian Region |
|---|---|
| New York’s Little Italy | Mostly Naples/Campania, some Sicily |
| Brooklyn | Heavy Sicilian (Palermo, Catania) |
| South Philadelphia | Predominantly Abruzzese and Calabrian |
| Boston’s North End | Primarily Sicilian and Abruzzese |
| San Francisco | Heavily Ligurian (Genoa area) and Northern |
| New Haven, CT | Amalfi coast, Avellino, some Basilicata |
| Chicago | Mixed: Sicilian, Calabrian, Lombard |
Where your family settled provides strong clues about origin region.
Working with Regional Archives and Record Repositories
State Archives (Archivi di Stato)
Each province has a State Archive holding:
- Civil records 1809-1865/1900 (depending on region)
- Notarial records back to 1500s-1600s
- Court records
- Military conscription records (Registri di Leva)
How to access:
- Many require written requests in Italian
- Some accept email (response time: weeks to months)
- In-person visits most effective
- Hire local researchers for complex requests
Municipal Offices (Comune/Anagrafe)
Each town’s vital records office holds:
- Civil records from roughly 1866-present
- Current residency records (might trace living relatives)
Privacy laws:
- Records less than 70 years old restricted
- Direct-line descendants can request with proof of relationship
- Non-Italians often need local researcher assistance
Diocesan Archives (Archivi Diocesani)
Catholic diocese archives hold:
- Parish registers compiled from all churches in diocese
- Marriage dispensations (valuable for family relationships)
- Seminary records
Access varies by diocese:
- Some have published indices
- Many require appointment and research fees
- Researcher credentials sometimes needed
FamilySearch and Online Resources by Region
Sicily:
- FamilySearch has digitized some Palermo, Catania civil records
- Antenati portal: growing but incomplete
- Local Facebook groups very active (search “[town name] genealogia”)
Campania:
- Naples civil records partially on FamilySearch
- Antenati has Salerno, Avellino coverage
- Naples State Archive has online indices
Puglia:
- Limited digitization
- Antenati portal growing
- Must often contact archives directly
Liguria:
- Genoa State Archive excellent
- Some online indices
- Ligurian genealogical society very helpful
Lombardy/Veneto:
- Antenati has good Northern coverage
- Austrian Empire records searchable online
- Milan State Archive partially digitized
When Regional Research Hits a Wall
The “Founded as Foundling” Problem
Southern Italy (especially Naples, Rome, Palermo) has thousands of ancestors with assigned surnames who were foundlings:
If you hit this wall:
- Document everything about the foundling
- DNA test extensively to find biological family
- Research foundling wheel records (ruota degli esposti)
- Accept that documentary trail may end there
Earthquake and War Destruction
Towns with major record loss:
1908 Messina-Reggio earthquake:
- Messina, Reggio Calabria provinces devastated
- Solution: Use Palermo or Naples emigration records, US-side documentation
1693 Val di Noto earthquake:
- Southeastern Sicily
- Solution: Focus on post-reconstruction church records
WWII Allied bombing:
- Naples, Messina, Palermo hit hard
- Solution: Notarial records sometimes survived when vital records didn’t
The “Too Common Surname” Problem
If your ancestor is Giuseppe Russo from Sicily, you’re searching for one of thousands.
Strategies:
- Narrow to specific comune before searching
- Use middle names (very important in Italy)
- Cross-reference with spouse’s surname
- Use sibling names as cluster
- Check for nickname (soprannome) usage
Connecting with Regional Genealogical Societies
Sicily:
- Società Siciliana di Storia Patria (Palermo)
- Regional Facebook groups by province
- Italian Genealogy Group (focus on Sicily)
Calabria:
- Circolo Culturale Calabrese (regional organizations worldwide)
- Town-specific associations (especially in Toronto)
Campania:
- Istituto Italiano di Cultura in Naples
- Neighborhood-specific societies in US
Northern regions:
- ANTENATI portal most developed
- Genealogical associations in each provincial capital
- Better English-language resources available
Regional Dialect Resources
Understanding dialect is crucial:
Sicilian: Vastly different from Italian
- Resource: “Vocabulario Siciliano” by Piccitto
- Google “dizionario siciliano online”
Napoletano: Almost separate language
- Resource: Eduardo De Filippo’s works (captures dialect)
- Online dictionaries available
Venetian: Distinct grammar and vocabulary
- Still spoken in Chipilo, Mexico
- Resources through University of Padova
Why dialects matter:
- Names might be recorded in dialect
- Understanding documents requires dialect knowledge
- Family stories in dialect contain clues
The Regional Research Timeline
What to expect for each region:
Well-Documented Regions (Tuscany, Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna):
- Civil records: 1806-present, excellent preservation
- Church records: 1500s-present, well-indexed
- Expected timeline: 4-8 weeks to trace back to 1800s
Moderately Documented (Veneto, Piedmont, Liguria):
- Civil records: 1806-present, good preservation
- Church records: Variable by diocese
- Expected timeline: 6-12 weeks for 19th century research
Challenging Regions (Sicily, Calabria, Basilicata):
- Civil records: 1820s-present with gaps
- Church records: Essential, variable preservation
- Expected timeline: 3-6 months due to record gaps and access issues
Complex Regions (Trieste, border areas):
- Multi-language records: Requires specialist knowledge
- Multiple archive systems: Italian and Austrian
- Expected timeline: 2-4 months due to complexity
What Regional Information Unlocks
Once you identify your ancestral region and specific town:
Cultural Connection
- Regional festivals and traditions your family practiced
- Cuisine specifics (Sicilian vs. Neapolitan vs. Ligurian cooking all different)
- Dialect and speech patterns
- Regional music and folk traditions
Extended Family Network
- Living relatives who stayed in Italy
- Diaspora community in specific US/Argentine/Brazilian cities
- Regional associations and clubs worldwide
Historical Context
- Understanding why family emigrated (poverty, natural disasters, political upheaval)
- Role of region in Italian unification
- Local historical events that affected your family
Property and Citizenship
- Potential property claims if family owned land
- Italian citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis) documentation
- Connection to specific parishes and communes
Ready to Trace Your Regional Italian Roots?
Whether your family came from Sicily’s sun-baked hills, Calabria’s mountain villages, Naples’ crowded streets, or Genoa’s bustling port, each region tells a different story and requires specialized research approaches.
Understanding your ancestral region isn’t just about finding names in records, it’s about understanding who your people were, why they left, and the rich cultural heritage they carried across the ocean.
We specialize in region-specific Italian genealogy research, with experts familiar with each area’s unique records, dialects, and challenges.
Your regional Italian story is waiting to be discovered.