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Italy Church Records: Difference between revisions
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'''Learn how to use Italian church records with a '''[http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/education/education_research_series_online.asp?ActiveTab=2#italyBeginningResearch '''new online class!'''] | '''Learn how to use Italian church records with a '''[http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/education/education_research_series_online.asp?ActiveTab=2#italyBeginningResearch '''new online class!'''] | ||
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 | 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 [''registri ecclesiastici''] are excellent sources for accurate information on names; dates; and places of births, marriages, and deaths. Nearly every person who lived in Italy was recorded in a church record during the last 200 to 300 years. | Church records [''registri ecclesiastici''] are excellent sources for accurate information on names; dates; and places of births, marriages, and deaths. Nearly every person who lived in Italy was recorded in a church record during the last 200 to 300 years. | ||
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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. | 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 | For more information about government vital records, see [[Italy Civil Registration- Vital Records]]. | ||
== General Historical Background == | == General Historical Background == | ||
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To find church records, you must know the town where your ancestor lived. You should also determine the parish that your ancestor’s town belonged to so that you will know which parish registers to search. Larger towns frequently have more than one parish. | To find church records, you must know the town where your ancestor lived. You should also determine the parish that your ancestor’s town belonged to so that you will know which parish registers to search. Larger towns frequently have more than one parish. | ||
Your ancestor may have lived in one village and belonged to a parish in a nearby larger town. For more information, see | Your ancestor may have lived in one village and belonged to a parish in a nearby larger town. For more information, see [[Italy Gazetteers]] and [[Italy Maps]]. | ||
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 Family History Library 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. | 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 Family History Library 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. | ||
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*'''Waldensians [''Valdesi''].''' These records follow the format of most church records but are written in French. | *'''Waldensians [''Valdesi''].''' These records follow the format of most church records but are written in French. | ||
*'''Eastern Orthodox [''Chiesa Ortodossa'' or ''Chiesa Greca''].''' Where they exist, these records are virtually identical to Roman Catholic Church records and are available at the local parishes. | *'''Eastern Orthodox [''Chiesa Ortodossa'' or ''Chiesa Greca''].''' Where they exist, these records are virtually identical to Roman Catholic Church records and are available at the local parishes. | ||
*'''Jewish [''Ebrei''].''' Jewish records are somewhat sparse. Two main record sources are available: the book of circumcisions and the marriage books. To identify where these records are today, contact an Israeli consulate. See also | *'''Jewish [''Ebrei''].''' Jewish records are somewhat sparse. Two main record sources are available: the book of circumcisions and the marriage books. To identify where these records are today, contact an Israeli consulate. See also [[Italy Jewish Records]]. | ||
[[Category:Italy|C]] [[Category: | [[Category:Italy|C]] [[Category:Roman_Catholics]] | ||