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==Coverage== | ==Coverage== | ||
In general, the church | 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. | ||
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]]. | 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]]. | ||
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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]]. | 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]]. | ||
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. | ||
== Information Recorded in Church Registers == | == Information Recorded in Church Registers == | ||