Italy Church Records: Difference between revisions

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''For information about records for non-Christian religions in Italy, go to the [[Italy Religious Records|Religious Records]] page.''

==Definition==

Records of births, marriages, and deaths are commonly called vital records. Church records are vital records kept by priests and are often called parish registers or church books. They include records of christenings (baptisms), marriages, and deaths (burials). In addition, church records may include confirmations, first communions, and church census records. Church records [''registri ecclesiastici''] are excellent sources for accurate information on names; dates; and places of births, marriages, and deaths.  

==Coverage==

*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.  

*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).  

Duplicates, when they exist, are normally located at the ''curia vescovile'' (diocesan archives).  

ITALY, [PROVINCE], [TOWN] - CHURCH RECORDS  

Italy has no single repository for church records. If the baptism, marriage, and burial records have not been microfilmed, you will have to contact or visit the local parish or archive in Italy.  

''Il parroco di'' [name of parish, town, province] Italy  

*[http://registriparrocchiali.weebly.com/ Italy: Tuscany: Church Parish Records:]  This is an index of over 5,000 parish registers from Tuscany, Italy, containing baptism, marriage, and burial records. For some, it gives date ranges and names, and for others it shows types of record available in which date ranges, and a link to where they are physically located with an address to contact the diocese.

=== Church Archives  ===

*Check or money order for the search fee in local currency, when possible.  

*Your relationship to the person.  

*Reason for the request (family history or medical).  

== Search Strategies  ==

*Online resources are available to help you learn to read these records:  

== Records of Non-Catholic Religions  ==

Although the Roman Catholic Church is the dominant religion in Italy, other churches do exist and have kept records.  

*'''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.  

*'''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]].

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