Genealogy in Cattolica Eraclea
Tracing your Italian roots back to Cattolica Eraclea (in Agrigento province, Sicilia 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 Cattolica Eraclea.
Cattolica Eraclea family history at a glance
- Region: Sicilia
- Province: Agrigento
- Type of records: civil and parish records
- Civil registration: from 1809 onwards
- Parish records: often older than civil records (in some cases from the 1600s)
How to research your ancestry in Cattolica Eraclea
Thanks to its network of local experts, Italianside has developed significant experience in genealogical research in the province of Agrigento. 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 the feedbacks of our customers on our testimonials page
Our experts in Sicilia region, conducted genealogy research on historical families from Cattolica Eraclea, involving many surnames traditionally found in the town, including branches of the following families: Amato, Arcuri, Campisi, Gentile, Iacono, Marchetta, Messina, Miceli, Pennino, Renda, Scalia, Sciortino, Spagnolo, Termine, Terrasi 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 Cattolica Eraclea 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 Cattolica Eraclea and Sicilia 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
• 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 only about collecting birth and death dates.
In Sicilia, every municipality — including Cattolica Eraclea — 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 Cattolica Eraclea and in the Province of Agrigento 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 Cattolica Eraclea community.
Civil Records (Stato Civile) in Cattolica Eraclea
In towns and villages of Sicilia and in Agrigento province, civil registration offices were established in 1809. This means you can often find your ancestors’ civil records in the Town Hall archives of Cattolica Eraclea from that year onwards.
(If your goal is to obtain Italian citizenship and you need official certificates from Cattolica Eraclea, please follow this link.)
If you know that your ancestors lived in Cattolica Eraclea during the past centuries, the City Office of Cattolica Eraclea 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 Cattolica Eraclea.
- 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 Sicilia and specifically in Cattolica Eraclea.
Population trends in Cattolica Eraclea
The chart below shows the demographic trends in Cattolica Eraclea 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 Cattolica Eraclea
Church archives in Agrigento 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 Sicilia, 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 Cattolica Eraclea 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 Cattolica Eraclea:
B.M.V. DELLA MERCEDE – Via Leonardi
S. ANTONIO ABATE – Via S.Antonio Abate
SPIRITO SANTO – Via Rosario, 113
S. ANTONIO ABATE – Via S.Antonio Abate
S. ANTONIO ABATE – Via S.Antonio Abate
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.
The provincial archive is:
Archivio di Stato di Agrigento
Address: via Mazzini, 185 – Agrigento
Phone: +390922602400
Days and opening hours: from monday to friday 8.00 – 18.00; saturday 8.30 – 13.30. weekly closing: Sunday; no reservation
or
Archivio di Stato di Agrigento. Deposito sussidiario
Address: via Piersanti Mattarella, 237 – Agrigento
Phone: +39 0922602400
Days and opening hours: 9:00 – 13:00; no reservation
or
Archivio di Stato di Agrigento. Sezione di Sciacca
Address: via Figuli, 28/30 – Sciacca
Phone: 092524896
Days and opening hours: monday: 08,30-13,45 tuesday: 08,30-13,45;14,30-17,15 wednesday: 08,30-13,45 thursday: 08,30-13,45;14,3-17,15 friday: 08,30-13,45 saturday: 08,30-13,45 weekly closing: Sunday; no reservation
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 Cattolica Eraclea
Historical cadastral and land records used to identify property ownership, track real estate transfers over time, and confirm the historical presence of families within Cattolica Eraclea. 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 Cattolica Eraclea and Sicilia 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.
Planning a visit to Cattolica Eraclea
From our experience, if you plan to visit Cattolica Eraclea 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.
Professional help for research in Cattolica Eraclea
If you need professional support from our local genealogist in the Cattolica Eraclea area, write to cattolicaeraclea@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 Cattolica Eraclea
Here below you can read messages from other visitors in the Cattolica Eraclea forum. If you simply want to discuss genealogy in Cattolica Eraclea with other people, feel free to leave a message.
Hello, I am looking for the birth certificate of my grandfather, Giuseppe Scalia , born 31 Aug 1886. I received baptism certificate from the diocese with this date of birth and baptism on 1 Sept 1886 at Chiesa Madre di Cattolica Eraclea. Parents of Giuseppe were Domenico and Maria Marinese. I am also seeking information as to whether there still may be relatives living in the area. I will be coming to Sicily at start of October 2024 and will make a quick stop in Cattolica. Some of my grandfather’s siblings settled in Montreal and Toronto Canada, Francesco, Antonino and Santa. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Hi there. Im searching for information about my uncle who was born in 1952 in Cattolica but he died at about 1 month old or so. His name was Liborio Borsellino. His parents were Giovanni Borsellino and Antoinette Olivieri. Can you help me find his birth records or a grave site. When he was born, he was my mothers twin. Any help to get information would be appreciated. I will travel to Cattolica n September and hope to get this info. Grazie
Hi I am looking for the birth certificate of my great great grandfather Gaetano Puma born 11 November 1877, Catholics Eraclea, Agrigento Province, Sicily, Italy
Both my grand parents whom I’ve never met were from Cattolica Eraclea. Both born about 1901. Grandfather name was Domenico Termini (or Termine). Grandmother’s name was Vita Graccioppo. Vita along with my uncle and aunt (both deceased) were born in Cattolica Eraclea as well. Giuseppa (born November 3, 1928) and Giuseppe (born August 5, 1932). Vita and children emmigrate to US in 1936 aboard SS Rex from Naples – Dec 2, 1936.
This is all the information I have and would like to know if there are any relatives still in the area, if I can obtain marriage certificates of my grandparents, and birth records of aunt and uncle.
Thanks.
My maternal grandmother Giuseppa Manno
My maternal grandfather calogero Manno
My paternal grandfather Giuseppe Manno
My paternal grandmother. Caterina Spagnolo
All born in Cattolica Eraclea
I am visiting Cattolica Eraclea early October. My family name is Cucuzzella. I would like to know if I can connect with any relatives while there. Thank you.
I am also a Cucuzzella. I hope that you were able to connect to family while on your trip. My brother and I live in Pennsylvania. He is very knowledgeable about our family in Sicily.
Can you find any records on tortorici family Antonio tortorici born 1905 father Francisco tortorici and mother Anna Costa thank you he was born in Cattolica eracela Sicily October 1905 thank you
Ciao,
I would like to continue my genealogy search in regards to cattolica Eracleafrom both my Marchetta family and Arcuri family.
Father : Giuseppe Marchetta, November 3-4, 1938
Paternal Grandfather:Antonio Marchetta date of birth 1914 to 1920 – mother Carmela Trapani , father Giuseppe
Paternal grandmother: Stefana Trapani date of birth 1920 to 1924
Mother : Maria Arcuri June 29-30, 1947
Maternal Grandfather : Antonio Arcuri
Maternal grand mother : Biagia Sciascia date of birth December 8-9
, 1918.
I would like to inquire more on my family history, if you have any information to add please reach me via e- mail
In the family line is a Donna Maria Lucia (morte 1856), her parents Duca Liborio Lucia and Donna Rosalia Bosco. She was born around 1795. Can you tell me why her father was called “duca”?
Prego
I am looking for family records.
My great grandmother was Giuseppa Emmanuele.
Born: October 12, 1857
Christened: October 13, 1857
Place: Cattoloca Eraclea, Agrigento, Italy
Father: Giuseppe Emmanuele
Mother: Rosa Bentivenga
She married Samuel DeJohn / Samuele Di Giovani. I have no further records for him.
I am not certain where or when. They immigrated to the United States. I don’t know if they were together or not at the time of immigration or where they came from. I imagine she came from Palermo.
Thank you for any guidance! I have visited Italy twice, but never made it to this region. It is a must now!
In doing research for a family member. I have found similar info to yours
Great Grandfather was Samuel DeJohn (aka Di Giovanni: “John” is the English version of Giovanni)
b. 1843 in France (?)
Great Grandmother was Josephine Emanuele (Josephine is the English version of Giuseppina, the female version of male name Giuseppe)
b.1857 Cattolica Eraclea, Agrigento, Sicily, Italy
They both immigrated (together or separately, not sure) to the U.S.
Samuel d. 1936, Josephine d.1950; both are buried in Newaygo Mi at St. Bartholomew Catholic Cemetary
In research, I see sometimes a sibling will take the name with two “m’s” (Emmanuele), sometimes with 1 “m” (Emanuele)