Genealogy in Celano
Tracing your Italian roots back to Celano (in L’Aquila province, Abruzzo region) begins with understanding which records and documents exist and where they are preserved. On this page you’ll find a clear guide to the civil, parish and historical sources available for genealogy in Celano.
How to research your ancestry in Celano
Through its network of local experts, ItalianSide has extensive experience in genealogical research in the province of L’Aquila. For this reason, over the years it has become a reliable reference for those wishing to reconnect with their Italian roots and could be a key partner in the success of your research too. You can read feedback from our customers on our testimonials page
Our experts in Abruzzo region, conducted genealogy research on historical families from Celano, involving many surnames traditionally found in the town, including branches of the following families: D’Andrea, Santilli, D’Ovidio, Di Renzo, Ciaccia, Morgante, Contestabile, Felli, Stornelli, Paris, Dovidio, Taccone, Baliva, Fidanza and others.
Much of the information available about families and individuals in public and private local archives include, in addition to names and dates, further information such as occupations, the address where the family lived (a valuable info if you plan to visit Celano!), and key social relationships within the community in past centuries.
The information in genealogy research derives from the archives available for on-site research in Celano and Abruzzo. In previous research projects, our local genealogists have reconstructed family trees, cross-referenced family relationships, traced occupational and residential histories, and deciphered or translated historical documents useful to add information now forgotten to the history of your family.
Research activities may include all major sources available at municipal, provincial, and regional level:
• civil records
• parish registers
• emigrants database
• notarial archives
• military records
• cadastral and property records
• historical and photographic sources available in private archives
Direct access to local archives and a deep understanding of the local context allow for more complete and accurate results. Research may be carried out using all available sources in both public and private archives.
ItalianSide research: Beyond Names and Dates
Italian genealogy is deeply local. It can’t be reduced to collecting birth and death dates.
In Abruzzo, every municipality — including Celano — has its own archival history, record‑keeping traditions, and unique documentary sources. This is why Italianside is able to help you in your Italian ancestry research, through a national network of local experts, each specialized in the archives of their specific territory.
Our researcher who works in Celano and in the Province of L’Aquila knows how to navigate local civil, parish, military, and notarial records, uncovering details that go far beyond basic dates. By combining national coordination and methodology with deep local expertise, our researcher will bring your ancestors’ stories back to life within the history of the Celano community.
Civil Records (Stato Civile) in Celano
In towns and villages of Abruzzo and in L’Aquila province, civil registration offices were established in 1809. This means you can often find your ancestors’ civil records in the Town Hall archives of Celano from that year onwards.
(If your goal is to obtain Italian citizenship and you need official certificates from Celano, please follow this link.)
If you know that your ancestors lived in Celano during the past centuries, the City Office of Celano is usually the first place to start your family research. Our local expert can access these records on your behalf and interpret them correctly.
- Professions: discover what your ancestors did for a living.
- Addresses: find the street or house where the family lived in Celano.
- Family links: identify parents, witnesses and neighbours that appear in the records.
- Signatures and notes: see how your ancestors signed and read any marginal annotations.
If you prefer to contact the Town Hall by yourself, we suggest reading our genealogy tips for Italy. They include practical advice for research in Abruzzo and specifically in Celano.
Celano Emigrants Database
Looking for ancestors who left Celano? Explore our Celano Emigrants Database to discover people who emigrated from this municipality, their destinations, travel details, and other available records. The database is continuously growing thanks to historical sources and contributions from our visitors. Browse the emigrants database from Celano
Street names in Celano
The names of the street in Celano, can help identify ancestral addresses found in civil records, parish documents, and old family papers.
At today, some of the main streets in Celano are: VIA ORESTE RANELLETTI, VIA STAZIONE, VIA VESTINA, VIA FONTEGRANDE, VIA DELLA TORRE, VIA SAN FERRANTE, VIA AQUILA, STRADA PROVINCIALE 19 ULTRAFUCENSE, VIA CAMPITELLI, VIA FONTANELLE, VIA MONTERONE, VIA SARDELLINO, VIA DEGLI ALPINI, VIA SANTA MARIA, VIA COSTE AIA, VIA MARCHESE CLAUDIO AREZZO, VIA GRANATIERI DI SARDEGNA, VIA MURANUOVE, VIA TRIBUNA, VIA MURICELLE and others.
If you want help to identify street names connected with your ancestors in Celano just follow the link below.
Population trends in Celano
The chart below shows the demographic trends in Celano from the Italian Unification (1861). Understanding how many people lived in the town over time is useful when interpreting migration and family movements.
Church Records in Celano
Church archives in L’Aquila province often preserve information that predates civil records. Parish registers include baptisms, marriages and burials and sometimes allow you to push your family tree back into the 1700s and 1600s.
In many areas of Abruzzo, parish registers began around the 1500s. These manuscripts are not easy to access from abroad and can be hard to read without specific training.
Our local genealogists, with backgrounds in history and archival studies, can consult the parish archives of Celano on your behalf and reconstruct your family history through the centuries.
If you want to visit churches, these are the addresses of parishes active today in Celano:
S. GIOVANNI BATTISTA – P.zza S.Giovanni
S. MARIA – Via S.Maria Valle Verde
REGINA DELLA PACE – Via Strada XIV, 1
S. CUORE – Via Vaschette, 2
Planning a visit to Celano
From our experience, if you plan to visit Celano we always recommend starting the research months before your arrival. This way you avoid spending your holidays in offices or churches dealing with bureaucracy.
Remember that archives are not open to the general public and officers or priests are not required by law to grant direct access to the records.
Thanks to the findings gathered by our genealogist before your trip, and the help of our local guides, you’ll have more time to plan the exact locations (family homes, churches, streets, cemeteries, etc.) you’ll visit during your stay in the city.
This way, you can enjoy the city and its surroundings, following in the footsteps of your ancestors for an unforgettable journey back to your roots.
Notary records and other historical sources
Another important source of information is represented by notary documents, which preserve wills, dowries, property sales and contracts. These records are usually kept in provincial and State Archives and can provide valuable details on the social and economic life of your family.
Military records
Conscription lists and service records documenting physical descriptions, dates and places of enlistment, units and ranks held, periods of service, military postings, transfers, and movements, often providing detailed insight into an individual’s life beyond civil registration.
Cadastral and property records in Celano
Historical cadastral and land records used to identify property ownership, track real estate transfers over time, and confirm the historical presence of families within Celano. ItalianSide provides professional assistance in accessing and interpreting these records, where available.
Historical and photographic sources available in private archives
Historical photographs, prints, and documents from private collections—including ItalianSide’s archive of vintage images from Celano and Abruzzo region are available. Old pictures add significant value to your family history research and offer a real sense of the places where your ancestors once lived.
Need help finding information about your ancestors in Celano?
Get a private reply from our local genealogist, or post a public message on this page.
Ask our local Genealogist
Send a private message to our local genealogy expert for Celano. You will usually receive a personal reply by email within 24 hours.
Ask the Community
Write a public message below, other readers can view and reply. Our genealogy expert for Celano may not monitor this page regularly.
I have recently began the search for more information of my family. I know my great Grandfathers name is Agostino Montagliano (Montagliani), I believe his parents we Angelo and Domenica (Iaconi). Agostino was marriage to Orienda (spelling? and maiden name was Amendola) Montagliano (Montagliano). Orienda came to America with my great uncle Angelo around 1915. I even found somewhere that Orienda’s fathers name is Castore Amendola. I was hoping someone could help me find more information about my family and names. I would like to build a family tree for my children with my heritage as well.
My grandfather was born in Celano,Gabrile Angelo Liberatore and immigrated to America in 1908.He returned to Celano in 1920 to deal with the estate of his mother,Maria Pompilii Liberatore.I can find nothing online on his mother Maria Pompilii or his father Simplecio Liberatore.I am an experienced genealogist and have hit a brick wall on this one.Any suggestions?
my grandfather was born in Celano Italy. His last name was Amendola. He came to the US about 1885. I don’t know his first name.
Please email any information. I’m planning to visit Celano some day.
Hi,
I am researching for the origins of my family tree (my father’s side) by the surname of Pace.
I know that from Celano’s history, that in 1233 all the male population of Celano were banished to settle in Sicily and Malta.
I am Maltese and the link that I have is one Gerolamo Pace who was married to Domenica and settled in Gozo-a sister island of Malta. This happened around 1600. There is no documentation of their marriage act
The reason that I am contacting you is to see if there is a list somewhere in Celano of the banished male citizens of Celano and if this list is divided into two:- a list under the heading of Sicily and a list under the heading of MALTA.
Does such lists exist?
Maybe you shed a light on this?
Thanking you beforehand.
Buon Anno.
Saluti da Malta
Philip Pace
Hi
Looking for Massaro relatives in Celano. Nunzio and Severino are ggrandfather and grandfather.
Any assistance would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Bob and Sue
Hi Sue
I was born in Celano. My mother’ maiden name was Massaro. Her father’s name was Vittoriano. Brothers: Angelo, Franceso, Carmine. Sisters: Antonina, Giustina, Assunta. My grandfather married Marianna Santilli, she was an only child.
Hi Gabriella:
I think way back there might be a connection. Your reply said your mother was a Massaro-what was her first name? Did her father Vittoriano have a brother Pasquale? The brothers and sisters you listed are your mother’s brothers or Vittoriano’s?
Thanks!!!
Hi Gabriella
There might be a connection – none of the names are familiar however, Carmine might be a cousin. Any chance you have a relative Agostino?
Hello:
My mom was born in Celano Italy in 1920, her name was Leda C. Molinelli. Her mother was Angelina Santucci, also from Celano, and her father was Giovanni Molinelli, from Celano as well. I am looking for any information on my grandparents and great grandparents. My grandmothers mothers maiden name was Santa Nicola, Elisabetta. Also looking for information on a Nino Ranalletta. Hope you can help. Thank you!!!
My maternal great grandparents were gaspare Ciccarelli (died before 1928) and pasquarosa Ranalletta I believ born in 1857. Her parents were Andrea Ranalletta and Maria Ciccarelli. Are there any records before this online that I can search? Or is my next step to contact Celano? I have emailed several times but no answer. Thanks for any help you can provide.
I would like to know if you please can tell if the name (Polidano) originated from that area of Italy back in 16th or 17th century,nice to know it’s originality,thanks very much.