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Rebuild
your family history
You can try searching for your ancestry through services provided by organizations that offer family history research tools. Some of these services are free and others charge a fee; we report the most accredited ones.
The Ancestors Portal makes available online the enormous documentary heritage of civil status records existing in Italian state archives.
What can we
do for you
We investigate municipal, parish, and civil status archives to retrieve birth, marriage, and death certificates, notarial acts, and other relevant documents.
We create a complete family tree, linking generations and tracing your family history.
We dig up old photographs, postcards, and other visual materials that can enrich your family history.
We help you track down any relatives still residing in San Donato Val di Comino, facilitating contact and exchange of information.
We plan your trip to San Donato Val di Comino, taking care of lodging, transportation, and sightseeing at places connected to your family history.
We offer unique experiences to immerse you in local culture and traditions, such as traditional cooking classes, visits to artisan workshops, and participation in festivals and festivals.
We are here to help you
On your journey to discover the roots
Are you curious about your ancestry? Do you want to learn more about your family history? Our genealogy consultation will guide you to discover your roots, providing detailed and accurate information about your family tree.
Where can I find information about my ancestors?
The search for one's family origins can begin with two types of sources, both of which are essential in reconstructing the mosaic of your history.
Private sources represent the most intimate and personal starting point: this includes family memories, passed down orally from generation to generation, which often hold precious anecdotes and details.
Family archives, with documents, letters and photographs, offer tangible evidence of the past. In parallel, public, or "serial," sources are found in state, regional, provincial, municipal and church archives. These archives preserve official records, deeds and documents that can provide detailed information about your ancestors.
I live abroad and know that I have Italian ancestry from my last name, but at the moment I have no further information. How can I proceed?
If your surname suggests a connection to Italy, you can initiate a search to learn more about your origins. The first step is to gather all available records in your family, such as birth, marriage and death certificates of parents, grandparents and great-grandparents.
These documents may contain crucial information, such as place of birth and dates of significant events. Next, talk to older relatives, as they may hold memories and family stories passed down orally.
Family photographs can offer visual clues, while letters and diaries can reveal details about your ancestors' lives. Once you have gathered this information, you can consult this page, where you will find links to genealogical research services offered by local organizations, or you can request a quote from Visit San Donato Val di Comino's partner genealogists.
What documents would help me trace my family roots?
Researching your family roots can make use of various documents, the availability of which varies according to historical period and geographic region.
Birth, marriage and death records, kept in civil registry offices or State Archives, provide essential information such as names, dates and places. Parish registers, also dating back to the 16th century, hold data on baptisms, marriages and burials. Censuses, conducted periodically, provide a snapshot of family composition and occupations. Immigration records trace your ancestors' movements between countries, while wills and probate records reveal the distribution of property and assets.
Photographs and family correspondence provide a more intimate picture of your ancestors' lives. Military and naturalization records provide details on military service and acquisition of citizenship. Finally, family histories, collected by talking to older relatives, enrich your research with anecdotes and traditions.
How can I begin genealogical research knowing only the surname of my family?
Genealogical research, starting with the surname alone, requires identifying the family's place of origin.
In Italy, the spread of surnames varies from region to region, and in some cases, is limited to specific geographic areas. For this, it is useful to consult specialized websites such as Cognomix, Surname Map and FamilySearch.
These portals allow you to view the distribution of surnames in Italy, and to speculate in which region or municipality your family's roots lie.
Are there websites that offer resources for genealogical research where you can look up civil status records online?
Several websites offer valuable resources for genealogical research, including online reference of civil status records.
The Antenati portal, managed by the General Directorate for Archives, allows free access to digital reproductions of civil status records and other documents held in Italian State Archives.
FamilySearch, operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), offers an extensive collection of genealogical records from around the world.
Is there a site where you can look up lists of migrants who have departed from major Italian ports?
The International Center for the Study of Italian Emigration (CISEI) has databases with information on millions of Italian migrants.
By entering a person's data, it is possible to obtain information on dates and places of departure and destination, details about the journey and accompanying family members, and in some cases, narratives of the migration experience.
Can I personally access historical records or local archives to research my genealogy?
Personal access to historical records and local archives is possible at State and Diocesan Archives, often by appointment and with an access fee for Diocesan Archives. Access to records held in parishes and municipalities varies according to the policies of individual institutions.
How can I make contact with relatives in my family?
How can I find the home of my ancestors?
How can I find the grave where one of my ancestors is buried?
Can I obtain Italian citizenship while traveling to my region/city of origin?
Request your genealogical consultation
Request a quote from the local genealogist, the cost will depend on the time and difficulty of finding the information needed. At this stage you can request a free quote.
