Italy Church Records: Difference between revisions

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==Coverage==
==Coverage==
Church records are crucial for research before the civil government started keeping vital records, which began about 1809 to 1820. After that, church records continued to be kept but often contain less information.
In general, the church 'began keeping records in 1563 because of reforms proclaimed at the Council of Trent. Not all parishes conformed until much later. '''Most parishes have kept registers from about 1595''' to the present. A few parishes kept records as early as the 1300s. The church records of Palermo, for example, start about 1350, and the baptistry in Firenze has records from the early 1400s.
Nearly every person who lived in Italy was recorded in a church record during the last 200 to 300 years.  


Although the Italian government recognizes other religions, the Roman Catholic Church is traditionally recognized as the state church because most Italians are Roman Catholic. All references to church records in Italy, unless otherwise specified, refer to Catholic records. For more information about other churches in Italy, see [[Italy Church History]].  
Church records are crucial for research before the civil government started keeping vital records, which began about 1809 to 1820. After that, church records continued to be kept but often contain less information. For more information about government vital records, see [[Italy Civil Registration- Vital Records]].  


For more information about government vital records, see [[Italy Civil Registration- Vital Records]].  
'''Nearly every person who lived in Italy''' was recorded in a church record during the last 200 to 300 years.  


== General Historical Background  ==
Although the Italian government recognizes other religions, the '''Roman Catholic Church is traditionally recognized as the state church''' because most Italians are Roman Catholic. All references to church records in Italy, unless otherwise specified, refer to Catholic records. For more information about other churches in Italy, see [[Italy Church History]].  
 
In general the church began keeping records in 1563 because of reforms proclaimed at the Council of Trent. Not all parishes conformed until much later. Most parishes, however, have kept registers from about 1595 to the present. A few parishes kept records as early as the 1300s. The church records of Palermo, for example, start about 1350, and the baptistry in Firenze has records from the early 1400s. A few examples of important dates are:
 
'''1563''' The Council of Trent required priests to begin keeping records of baptisms, marriages, and deaths.  
 
'''1595''' Papal proclamation reinforced record-keeping practices.
 
'''Early 1800s''' Printed forms started to be used in the Trento area.
 
'''1900s''' Duplicate copies were made to be kept by the diocesan archives [''curia vescovile''].  


Unfortunately some Italian church records were destroyed in the various wars throughout Italy’s history. Other records were destroyed when parish churches burned down. Some were lost, and still others have been badly worn and destroyed by insects, vermin, and moisture.  
Unfortunately some Italian church records were destroyed in the various wars throughout Italy’s history. Other records were destroyed when parish churches burned down. Some were lost, and still others have been badly worn and destroyed by insects, vermin, and moisture.  
=== Duplicate Church Records  ===
If the original church records that you need have been lost or destroyed or are illegible, you may be able to find a duplicate church record. Unfortunately it was not standard practice to keep duplicate records until the 1900s. But some dioceses, such as that of Torino, started making duplicates as early as 1820.
Duplicates, when they exist, are normally located at the ''curia vescovile'' (diocesan archives).


== Information Recorded in Church Registers  ==
== Information Recorded in Church Registers  ==


The information recorded in church books varied over time. Later records generally have more complete information than the earlier ones.


The most important church records for genealogical research are baptism, marriage, and burial registers. These registers were usually written in freehand with about three to eight entries per page. Sometimes you will find an alphabetical index arranged by Latinized given name at the beginning or end of the volume. [Correction. It is much more complicated than this. Actually, when inserted in the record (not the stand-alone index) the “internal” index may be in the beginning, the end, or anywhere in the middle of the record, or in the proceeding record or nowhere at all! There may be no index, one index, two indices or possibly even three indices per record. When part of the record (as opposed to the stand-alone index) it is almost always organized alphabetically in a group based upon the first letter only, of the first name (nome) not family name (cognome) and may be in Latin (uncommon) Italian or Sicilian, or somewhat transliterated. The same person could have his name spelled four different ways, or a nickname used, or any one of five different “nome” used in different places. Furthermore the name in the stand-alone index may be an “Italianized” version of a name originally written in a variation of the Sicilian language (note I did not say dialect). It is then organized in sequence of entry (with corresponding page number, not image number), which is usually based upon date, but not always. Names are often abbreviated. When in the stand-alone index names are organized in groups based upon the first letter of the family name (cognome), and then by date. Any “whoops” entries may be bunched together in semi-random dates at the end of the entries for any particular letter, so you must check there also. LJDeF] 
Frequently the name of the principle person or persons identified in the record will be noted in the left hand margin. Another helpful church record is the stato delle anime or status animarum (church census).
Catholic records were written in Latin into the twentieth century, but some have been written in Italian. Protestant church records were generally kept in Italian. In both Catholic and Protestant records from areas near the country’s borders, you will find records written in French, German, and other languages. Local dialects may have affected the spelling of some names and words in the church records.
In most areas, printed forms were not used until the late nineteenth or early twentieth centuries. Printed forms were used as early as 1820 in the Trentino-Alto Adige region.


=== Baptisms  ===
=== Baptisms  ===
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Not all priests regularly kept church censuses. Where the censuses do exist, the registers list all family members living in a household and their ages or birth dates. Deceased children were not listed. Married children, if living in the same household, were recorded with the family but as a separate household. Familial relationships and addresses were also noted.  
Not all priests regularly kept church censuses. Where the censuses do exist, the registers list all family members living in a household and their ages or birth dates. Deceased children were not listed. Married children, if living in the same household, were recorded with the family but as a separate household. Familial relationships and addresses were also noted.  
The information recorded in church books varied over time. Later records generally have more complete information than the earlier ones.
==Indexes===
*These registers were usually written in freehand with about three to eight entries per page. Sometimes you will find an alphabetical index arranged by Latinized given name at the beginning or end of the volume. [Correction. It is much more complicated than this. Actually, when inserted in the record (not the stand-alone index) the “internal” index may be in the beginning, the end, or anywhere in the middle of the record, or in the proceeding record or nowhere at all! There may be no index, one index, two indices or possibly even three indices per record.
*When part of the record (as opposed to the stand-alone index) it is almost always organized alphabetically in a group based upon the first letter only, of the first name (nome) not family name (cognome) and may be in Latin (uncommon) Italian or Sicilian, or somewhat transliterated.
*The same person could have his name spelled four different ways, or a nickname used, or any one of five different “nome” used in different places. Furthermore the name in the stand-alone index may be an “Italianized” version of a name originally written in a variation of the Sicilian language (note I did not say dialect). It is then organized in sequence of entry (with corresponding page number, not image number), which is usually based upon date, but not always. Names are often abbreviated.
*When in the stand-alone index names are organized in groups based upon the first letter of the family name (cognome), and then by date. Any “whoops” entries may be bunched together in semi-random dates at the end of the entries for any particular letter, so you must check there also. LJDeF] 
*Frequently the name of the principle person or persons identified in the record will be noted in the left hand margin. Another helpful church record is the stato delle anime or status animarum (church census).


== Finding Church Records  ==
== Finding Church Records  ==
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The headquarters of the parish is the town where the church building is located. Although most church buildings were usually named for a saint, the FamilySearch Catalog may refer to a parish by the name of the town where the parish church was located. In large cities that have many parishes, the catalog usually uses the parish church name (such as San Giovanni) to distinguish the records of different parishes.<br>  
The headquarters of the parish is the town where the church building is located. Although most church buildings were usually named for a saint, the FamilySearch Catalog may refer to a parish by the name of the town where the parish church was located. In large cities that have many parishes, the catalog usually uses the parish church name (such as San Giovanni) to distinguish the records of different parishes.<br>  
=== Duplicate Church Records  ===
If the original church records that you need have been lost or destroyed or are illegible, you may be able to find a duplicate church record. Unfortunately it was not standard practice to keep duplicate records until the 1900s. But some dioceses, such as that of Torino, started making duplicates as early as 1820.


Duplicates, when they exist, are normally located at the ''curia vescovile'' (diocesan archives).
== Records at the Family History Library  ==
== Records at the Family History Library  ==


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*Request for a complete copy of the original record.  
*Request for a complete copy of the original record.  
*International reply coupon, available from the post office (optional).
*International reply coupon, available from the post office (optional).
==Reading the Language--
Catholic records were written in Latin into the twentieth century, but some have been written in Italian. Protestant church records were generally kept in Italian. In both Catholic and Protestant records from areas near the country’s borders, you will find records written in French, German, and other languages. Local dialects may have affected the spelling of some names and words in the church records.


In most areas, printed forms were not used until the late nineteenth or early twentieth centuries. Printed forms were used as early as 1820 in the Trentino-Alto Adige region.
== Search Strategies  ==
== Search Strategies  ==


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