Italian genealogy tips

- It’s not an easy work.
In many italian city offices there is not an electronic database for old records.
It means that the officer has to search on old heavy handwritten registry books: it’s not an easy work.

- Try to be as precise as possible
It’s not an easy work, so offices need information as accurate as possible, in order to correctly answer to your requests.
The office of the registrar cannot undertake extensive research of its files to locate a record which is not properly identified.
Try to give the exact names of your ancestors and exact dates of the events. In many cases, lack of precision is the best reason to receive …no answer.
In any case remember that Italian registrars are not required by law to assist in genealogical research work.

- Write in Italian!
We strongly suggest you to send your request in Italian.
We strongly suggest you to use automatic translations (like common online translator)because, the resulting translation is not correct very often, and it could become almost impossible to understand the exact meaning og the request for an Italian reader.
If you want we could prepare for you a request in Italian to send to the town hall.

- Be sure to have the right address.
Very often people try to contact municipalities without any idea of the right office where to send their request.
You have to be sure to talk with the right officer.
Sending the email to the wrong office means that it’s up to the receiver to forward the message to the right office.
If you can’t find the right address by yourself, you could ask our Community.

- It takes time!
Often Registry offices give less priority to genealogy requests and even less to requests from abroad: in many cases, a quick answer depends on the goodwill of the officer.

- Be concise.
Your best friend could be very interested in all your family history: the civil servant who will read your request needs only you go straight to the point to understand quickly what is your question.