If you search your ancestors in Porto Empedocle, in the province of Agrigento, Sicilia region, the documents about your Italian family are stored in the City Office archives and in the parishes in the town.This is where to start your family history research.
Civil Records in Porto Empedocle
In towns and villages of Sicilia and in Agrigento province registry offices were established in 1809: it means that you could find your ancestors records in Porto Empedocle town hall archives as of that date.
(If your goal is to get your Italian Citizenship and you need official certificates from Porto Empedocle, please follow this link)
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So, if your ancestors lived in Porto Empedocle during the past centuries, then you should start your family research from the City Office of Porto Empedocle to know more: our local expert is ready to help you in your research!
Otherwise, if you think to contact the town hall by yourself, we suggest you to read our tips for your search. They are useful advices to search in Sicilia and of course in Porto Empedocle too!
Next picture shows the demographic trends in Porto Empedocle from the Italian Unification (1861).
This is a necessary info to understand how many people lived in the town in the past.
To go on quickly in your research is important to know if the last name you are investigating is a frequent surname in Porto Empedocle. As more your surname is common, as more it could be difficult to find the right branch of your ancestors family in Porto Empedocle archives, expecially if you have not exact dates.
It could be useful for you to know that some of the most common surnames in Agrigento province are:
Alaimo, Amato, Argento, Arnone, Bellavia, Bono, Burgio, Butera, Cacciatore, Carlino, Castronovo, Ciaccio, Cipolla, Colletti, Costanza, Cuffaro, Cusumano, Di Caro, Ferraro, Gallo, Gambino, Giardina, Greco, Iacono, Indelicato, La Porta, La Rocca, Lauricella, Licata, Lombardo, Mangione, Maniscalco, Marino, Messina, Miceli, Montalbano, Morreale, Mule’, Palumbo, Patti, Piazza, Rizzo, Russo, Sanfilippo, Tuttolomondo, Vaccaro, Vella, Volpe.
Church Records in Porto Empedocle
Church archives in Agrigento province may store even older information. You will find religious records of the same events (births, marriages and deaths) but, most important, you could go further back in time!
So in case you would like to go back in centuries, it’s good for you to know that the parish registers in Sicilia started during 1500!
They are far less accessible expecially from abroad and very hard to read and decipher if you are not used and skilled.
But our local genealogists, are graduated in history and archivistics so, with their expertise, they can research the church registers of Porto Empedocle on your behalf.
In case you want to visit churches, these are the addresses of parishes active today in Porto Empedocle:
MARIA SS. DEL BUON CONSIGLIO – Via Roma
MARIA SS. DEL CARMINE – Via Agrigento
S. CROCE – Via S.Croce
S. GIUSEPPE LAVORATORE – Via Enrico Berlinguer
SS. TRINITA’ – Via Cannelle
Anyway for our experience, if you plan to come here, we always suggest to start the research months before the arrival.
In this way you will avoid to waste your holidays in the offices or in the churches dealing with italian bureaucracy .
(Remember that archives are not open to public and officers and priests are not required by law to give you access to the local archives)
With the results gathered by our genealogist before your arrival, you will have more free time to visit the town and surroundings on your ancestors footsteps.
Another important source of information are the notary documents available to expert researchers in the State Archives.
If you are in Sicilia and you are able to decipher old italian handwritten documents you can reach the archive here:
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
If you need a professional help from our local genealogist in Porto Empedocle area , write to portoempedocle@italianside.com or fill the form here.
Our expert will study your request and will reply to you with a plan and a quote for your family research.
If you want to read this page in other languages:
– Italiano
– Espanol
– Portuguese
Here below you can read the messages received from other visitors in Porto Empedocle forum:
if you only want to discuss with other people interested in genealogy in Porto Empedocle feel free to leave a message below.
I am interested in the Caruana family from Porto Empedocle. Anna Caruana was born there in 1896 to Gerlando Joseph Caruana and his wife Annuziata Ferlise. They came to the US and settled in Brooklyn. Gerlando lived to be 92 yrs old, died in 1947. Anna married Simone Stabile 1916 in Manhatten, NY US. He was born in Mazzaro, in 1888. Gerlando and his wife had a family of ten children. Any informtion on the Caruana family would be so welcomed. Thank you.
My grandfather was Paolo Caruana. Not sure if he’s related to your family but who knows? He came to the US from Porto Empedocle in 1913.
Looking for any Naviglio family members in the area of Porto Empedocle, possibly in the area around it. Possible descendants of Emanuele or Giorge Naviglio, b. 1892 in Ragusa, emigrated to the US in 1913, likely returned to Italy around 1923 but I do not know where in Italy he would have gone. No record of him in Ragusa. A search for the surname led me to Porto Empedocle, where there are supposedly a small cluster of Naviglios.
I am researching my family history and trying to get my Italian citizenship.
Looking for any information on my grandparents who were born and also married in Porto Empedocle. Grandfather’s name is Raymond (Raimondo) Imbro born October 1, 1891. His wife, my grandmother, is Mary (Maria) Cambria Imbro born March 11, 1898. They were married on June 18, 1919.
I need birth certificates and an original of their marriage license.
Any information will be most appreciated. Thank you, Kathy Beverley
CIAO, sto facendo occupandomi della genealogia degli IMBRO’ nel Mondo.
a presto, Ray
Looking for information on my great-grandfather and great-grandmother. I believe his name is Salvatore Lovecchio and her name is Carmela Distefano (not sure if spelled correctly). Probably from Sicily. They had a son named Antonio that left Italy when he was 18. From what I could find of Antonio he was born in Roccella Sicily. Very hard to confirm information. I am sure there is more facts but I don’t have them.
Salve.
I am trying to find if there are any living relatives of my grandparents Raimondo and Raimonda (Buscemi) Santamaria who, as far as I know, were both from Porto Empedocle and were married there. I have a copy of their marriage certificate and I found their immigration records on the Ellis Island website. My grandfather had two brothers, Alfonso and Giuseppe, who also emigrated to the United States. I also know that my grandfather served in the Italian army in WWI. I have pictures of him in uniform but I have not been able to find his military service record. When my grandparents came to the US, they settled in Brooklyn and lived there the rest of their lives.
I’d welcome any information or advice on finding more about them and their families.
Grazie mille!
Ray
My great grandfather was named Alfonso Santamaria.
He married Francesca Inzerillo
He had two sons named Raimondo and Antonio
Hi, Anthony.
Where did your great grandfather live in the US? Do you know when he died?
Ray
Hi, my name is Robert Albano I am trying to find some information on my grandfather Micale Albano DOB 8/17 1896. He married my grandmother Anninziatta in NY in 1920’s they had 4 children Gerlando my dad Joseph Angelo and Rose
Good morning,
I am looking for any information on the following family members. anything would be helpful. I would love pictures if available.
FRANCESCO BURGIO (VINCENZO, BURGIO) was born February 15, 1829 in Agrigento, Agrigento, Italy. He
married MARIA TERESA FAZIO March 02, 1851 in Porto Empedocles, Agrigento, Sicily, Italy, daughter of FAZIO.
She was born 1833 in Santa Catarina, Italy
Ciao,
My grandfather Giuseppe D’aula was born in Port Empectocal. He left Sicily I believe in the late 1930s. He was one of four children I believe. (Grace,Anna,Alfonso) They all settled in Brooklyn Ny. I believe when they got to Ellis Island they took the D’AULA and switched it to Daula. I’ve heard many stories how my great grandfather had a villa w olive groves, with the house overlooking the Sea. What I do know is they left around the time of World War 2 because of Mussolini. I am in the process of becoming a duel citizen, any information you can provide me would be extremely helpful. (Birth certificate, marriage etc)
Thank you,
Gary Daula
My mom is insisting I get my dual citizenship, because she & my sister are Italian.
My grandfather was born in Porto Empedocle 1893….died in L.A. 1966. I need some record, to begin the process. His name is Emanuelle Cardella….he married Ida Perotti
Thank you for any information, Jeanine C.
I’m looking for any information on my grandfather he came from porto empedocle in the early 1900s I believe he was born around 1873 and married Ninfa Navarro any information would help. Thanks
Hello Kathy,
My paternal grandfather was from Porto Empedocle, Pasquale Albano. He was born in 1908 to Salvatore Albano and Rosa DiStefano Albano. My great grandfather was a fisherman. He and Rosa had 7 biological children and 1 adopted son. The entire family moved to the USA by 1920. Salvatore sold his fishing boats to his brother, who’s name we think was Pietro.
I’ve been to the City Office in Porto Empedocle and found it helpful. I wonder if we’re related!
Best wishes, Anne Marie
Hello Kathy! I am trying to find some info on my family from Porto Embedocle. My grandfather Gerlando’s parents were Micale and Annunziata Albano. They moved to Brooklyn around 1920/1930 and had my grandfather Jerry (Gerlando) his brother was Joseph. I was wondering if there is anyone in your family with these names and if maybe we were related! If you have any information please let me know!!!
Hi Dana,
We are related…my grandfather Pasquale (Patsy or Pat) is your great grandfather’s brother, I believe. My grandfather and grandmother (Alice) had Salvatore and Joseph (he’s my dad; Katie is my mom). We all lived on Staten Island until we all moved to Florida in 1971.
I try to keep in touch with Carlo and Josie in Rochester, and their kids. My parents are still in Florida.
Best,
Anne Marie Albano
Hello. I am trying to trace my family history on my maternal side of the family. My grandmothers name was Rosina Galante and her parents were Francesco Galante and Giuseppa Albano. Rosina was born 11/30/1897 in Porto Empedocle. I believe Francesco was born ~1858 and Giuseppa was born ~ 1862 in Porto Empedocle. I cannot find online records for Francesco Galante in Porto Empedocle or in Sicily. The only viable candidate was born in Palena (Chieta). Can you help me find information on Francesco? Also, any information on where the Galante family lived in Porto Empedocle (occupation too)? Thank you so much.
I am doing work on a family history for a friend. His Father, Giuseppe Gallo, was born in Porto Empedocle on January 5, 1948. Would like his birth record as well as any information on his parents. Thank you.