Genealogy in Roccella Ionica
Tracing your Italian roots back to Roccella Ionica (in Reggio Calabria province, Calabria region) begins with understanding which records 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 Roccella Ionica.
Roccella Ionica family history at a glance
- Region: Calabria
- Province: Reggio Calabria
- Record types available: civil and parish registers
- Civil registration: began in 1809
- Parish records: often earlier than civil registration (sometimes as far back as the 1600s)
Research experience on families in Roccella Ionica
Over the years, ItalianSide has conducted genealogy research on historical families from Roccella Ionica, involving many surnames traditionally found in the town, including branches of the following families: Frasca, Agostino, Macrì, Ursino, Bova, Simone, Cappelleri, Franco, Piscioneri, Mammone, Commisso, Iervasi, Coluccio, Scali and others.
Many records relating to families and individuals are already stored in our databases and include, in addition to names and dates, further information such as occupations, residential addresses, and key family and social relationships within the Roccella Ionica community in past centuries.
Part of the information used by ItalianSide in genealogy research derives from a proprietary archive of on-site research conducted over many years in Roccella Ionica and by our experts. This archive includes studies, family trees, and data not available online, such as cross-referenced family relationships, occupational histories, deciphered or translated documents, residential patterns, and visual documentation.
Research activities may include all major sources available at municipal, provincial, and regional level:
• civil records
• parish registers
• notarial archives
• military records
• historical and photographic sources
Direct access to archives and a deep understanding of the local context allow for more complete and accurate results than research conducted remotely or based on partial sources alone. Research may be carried out using all available sources in both public and private archives.
Genealogy in Roccella Ionica
If your ancestors came from Roccella Ionica, in Reggio Calabria province (Calabria region), the first step is to identify the local archives where records are kept. Most family history research starts from the civil registry office at the Comune and continues in parish and notary archives.
Where to begin your ancestry journey in Roccella Ionica
Vital records for people born, married or deceased in Roccella Ionica are usually preserved in:
- Roccella Ionica City Hall archives: civil records (births, marriages, deaths) available from 1809 onwards.
- Roccella Ionica parish churches: in Calabria, religious registers that can trace family lines back to the 1600s, and in some cases even earlier.
Civil Records (Stato Civile) in Roccella Ionica
In towns and villages of Calabria and in Reggio Calabria province, civil registration offices were established starting in 1809. This means you can often find your ancestors’ civil records in the Town Hall archives of Roccella Ionica from that year onwards.
(If your goal is to obtain Italian citizenship and you need official certificates from Roccella Ionica, please follow this link.)
If your ancestors lived in Roccella Ionica during the past centuries, the City Office of Roccella Ionica 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 Roccella Ionica.
- 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 Calabria and specifically in Roccella Ionica.
Population trends in Roccella Ionica
The chart below shows the demographic trends in Roccella Ionica 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 Roccella Ionica
Church archives in Reggio Calabria 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 Calabria, 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, graduated in history and archival studies, can consult the parish archives of Roccella Ionica on your behalf and reconstruct your family history through the centuries.
In case you want to visit churches, these are the addresses of parishes active today in Roccella Ionica:
S. NICOLA DI BARI – Viale 25 Aprile
S. NICOLA EX ALEPH – Via Roma
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.
Historical and photographic sources available in private archives
Historical photographs, prints, and documents from private collections—including ItalianSide’s archive of vintage images from Roccella Ionica and Calabria 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.
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 Roccella Ionica
Historical cadastral and land records used to identify property ownership, track real estate transfers over time, and confirm the historical presence of families within Roccella Ionica. ItalianSide provides professional assistance in accessing and interpreting these records, where available.
Planning a visit to Roccella Ionica
From our experience, if you plan to visit Roccella Ionica 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.
With the results collected by our genealogist before your trip, you will have more time to enjoy the town and its surroundings, walking in the footsteps of your ancestors.
Ready to explore Roccella Ionica? Discover our travel proposals to Calabria and Roccella Ionica — or to other destinations across Italy. Our itineraries are developed with our trusted tour operator partners and supported by the expertise of our local specialists, who design personalized heritage journeys in the footsteps of your ancestors.
Professional help for research in Roccella Ionica
If you need professional support from our local genealogist in the Roccella Ionica area, write to roccellaionica@italianside.com or fill the form here. Our expert will study your request and reply with a research plan and a quote tailored to your family history.
Messages from other visitors in Roccella Ionica
Here below you can read messages from other visitors in the Roccella Ionica forum. If you simply want to discuss genealogy in Roccella Ionica with other people, feel free to leave a message.
I am looking for any family members named Iellamo or Yellam from the Roccella Ionica area. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
I have just come upon your request for information on the Iellamo family. My name is Jean, and my father Joseph Iellamo, was born in Roccella in 1905. my grandfathers name was Vincenzo. I do have some information that may be helpful to you, Perhaps you can be helpful also.
Hi, Did you ever get more information on your Lellamo/Yellam family tree? I am looking for information on the husband of Domenica Emilia Yellam, Ilario Bova. Emilia was the daughter of Francesco Vincenzo Yellam who moved to Washington from New York. I have a lot of Lellams on my tree if you are interested in taking a look. Thanks
I am looking for a potential family member named Pasquale Rotondo, born in 1885, and I believe in Roccella Ionica. I can not find that surname in Roccella now. Can you help me to find if he is from Roccella or if not, can you write to me about where I can find this information. Thank you
I am trying to search for any relatives with the last name Schirripa. My dad Rocco Schirripa moves to Australia when he was 17. He lived in Rocella and was born there
My great grandfather was Domenic Armocida. My grandfather was Antonio Armocida who was born in Rocella Ionica and came to the U.S. In 1920. I would like to find information about my great great grandfather since I am almost sure that his name was Antonio. So any information about the Armocida family would be helpful. My grandmother was Caterins Bova so any information on the Bova family would also be welcomed.
Tony,
My name is Rose DeReimer and I believe we are related. My grandfather was Francesco Bova, born in Roccella and died in West Islip NY 1958. My grandmother was Elisabetta Armocida Bova also born in Roccella and died in Bayshore, LI in 1970. My grandparents migrated to the US in 1920 and had eight children; Jimmy, Julia (my mom), Rose, Tony, Dominick (aka Mike), Catherine (aka Katie), and Victoria. Son Patrick did not survive childhood.
Francesco’s sister Catherine Bova married Elisabetta’s brother Joseph Armocida and had 3 children; Tony, Rose, and I don’t remember the third child’s name. The Bova children and the Armocida children are double cousins as brother’s sister married sister’s brother. Julia Bova (my mom) and Rose Armocida (her double cousin) were best of friends; I am Rose’s namesake.
If we are indeed related, I have much more family information that I may share with you.
I saw your response to a post I sent in 2017. My grandfather was Antonio Armocida and my grandmother Caterina Bova. Their children Rose, Dominic (my father), Vincent (Jimmy), and Frank were double cousins of the family you mentioned. I remember my father talking about his cousins, Jimmy, Julia and Victoria (I don’t remember his mentioning others). I wonder if you had my grandfather confused with Joseph. Anyway, I am the oldest in my family now and would really appreciate any information yo may have as we are probably related.
Thanks,
Tony
Hello Cousin!
I’m certain we are related. Looking back at Mom’s picture album, Uncle Joe was Grandpa Bova’s brother and Uncle Tony is indeed Armocida. I’m sorry to say that I don’t have much on that side of the family. After Rose died, Mom didn’t have much to do with the Armocida’s as she had a falling out with one of Rose’s brother’s. Mom would only share her life with Rose; they were more like sisters than cousins. As for the Bova’s, I have quite a bit of information so let me know what details you would like to know. By the way, my Mom, Julia, was the last of the original family to pass away at 90 years old. The last Bova-in-law, Aunt Blanche, Dominic’s (Mike) wife passed away on 4/27/2021; she was 89 years old.
Take care,
Rose
I am looking for the ancestors for Domenico Marrapodi, born in Roccela Ionica, 1899 or 1900. Emigrated to Argentina with his wife: Teresa Pregno.
Thank you!
Carlos, This may or may not be helpful but I just found out that my great uncle Rocco Bova emigrated to Argentina sometime in the early 1900s with his wife Ana Marrapodi and two children. Is it possible that Marrapodi siblings moved with the spouses and children at the same time? If you think that they are related and you want me to contact my second cousin in Buenos Aires about this just let me know.
I am trying to research my grandfather:
Name: Romolo Lardarello
Birthdate: 27 May 1898
Bithplace: Rocchella
I’m trying to find mother and father information
I am trying to locate vincenzo brognanos family from Rocella.
Hello, I am trying to gather some information on my great-grandparents.
My great grandmother was Caterina Roccisano and supposedly she has some royal
ties in Roccella, Reggio Calabria. I can not find any information other than her arrival at Ellis Island . She married Francesco Guzzo I assume in Italy.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you.
Hello! Your great-grandmother and my grandfather were cousins, and neighbors in Brooklyn. My father spoke of the Guzzos with much fondness. I would be happy to have the chance to be in touch with you.
Hi, i am trying to find out any information about my great grandfather who’s name was Eugenio Conforti born July 21st,1881. I was told he was from Roccella Ionica. His mother’s name was Cecilia. The father is in question, we were told Cecila got pregnant out of wedlock with a doctor with the surname of Caristo. My grandfather said he didn’t grow up with a father but i saw the name Domenico on Eugenio’s marriage certificate. I am working on my family tree, my grandfather…Eugenio’s son, is 99 yrs.old and would love to learn more about his father and mother. Eugenio went to New York i the early 1900’s and settled in Brooklyn, N.Y. I don’t know where else to look but would appreciate any help with this.
Thank You,
Lorraine Scolaro
My grandfather was born in Coulonia, Italy 1887 or 1888 his grandmother name was Fortunata Roccella . I also have some inf. He arrived Ellis Island in 1902 . There also is a record Of Ilario Roccella born in Gerace, Italy arriving Ellis Island 1909. i am sure one was my grandfather and the other may have been a brother or relative.. any suggestion were I could start my search since I will be visiting italy for the first time to visit my grandfather village in the calabria region.
thank you , Joy Roccella- Everest
Hello My grandfather was born in Roccella Jonica in 1893. His name Giuseppi Roccisano.
He came to America around 1922. I would like to find out about his parents,grandparents etc.
Thank you if you can assist me