If you search your ancestors in Santo Stefano Quisquina, 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 Santo Stefano Quisquina
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 Santo Stefano Quisquina town hall archives as of that date.
(If your goal is to get your Italian Citizenship and you need official certificates from Santo Stefano Quisquina, please follow this link)
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So, if your ancestors lived in Santo Stefano Quisquina during the past centuries, then you should start your family research from the City Office of Santo Stefano Quisquina 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 Santo Stefano Quisquina too!
Next picture shows the demographic trends in Santo Stefano Quisquina 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 Santo Stefano Quisquina. As more your surname is common, as more it could be difficult to find the right branch of your ancestors family in Santo Stefano Quisquina 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 Santo Stefano Quisquina
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 Santo Stefano Quisquina on your behalf.
In case you want to visit churches, these are the addresses of parishes active today in Santo Stefano Quisquina:
B.M.V. DEL CARMELO – Via Roma
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 Santo Stefano Quisquina area , write to santostefanoquisquina@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 Santo Stefano Quisquina forum:
if you only want to discuss with other people interested in genealogy in Santo Stefano Quisquina feel free to leave a message below.
Hello! Ive been researching my ancestors from Santa Stefano, Agrigento. My great grandfather Francesco Ginexi (I believe he changed his name to Ginechesi) born in Santa Stefano in 1868, His fathers name was Giovann Battista Ginexi born 1845 also in Santa Stefano. He married Vincentia Cannella, born 1842 also Santa Stefano. I’m looking for more information especially about the Ginexi family. I have Francesco as their only child but I think there were more. Any information is greatly appreciated! Other family names are Ula and Maida.
Thank you! Researching before our trip in June 2024.
Just found this site. After many years of doing genealogy, I am once again searching for the death record of my paternal g-grandfather Giuseppe Pullara Caiazza from SSQ. In 2011 we visited SSQ and found the record of another family member. Employees in the “records department” were most helpful, even crawling around-literally!- in the cabinets to locate the record.
Giuseppe Pullara Caiazza was born 29 May 1844 to Salvatore PC and Carmela Ciccarello (Bianchino).
He married Maria Anna Salvaggio 10 Nov 1869.
He died abt 1892–per family oral history.
Many of the names mentioned in these posts appear in my tree. Many Sicilians from SSQ also settled in Pueblo, CO.
Hi ! I’ll be in Agrigento in 2 weeks and was hoping for some leads my 5x great grandparents are from ssq Nicola pirello and Giovanna La Sara their daughter Maria pirello 1783-1853 married Francesco messina1778-1842 who had my 3x great grandfather Nicola Messina 1812-1890married to concetta castellano(1824-1891)Hoping for some leads thank you
In a search for Salvatore Militello of Santo Stefano. Born October 12, 1860. Looking for his father and mother, perhaps any siblings that may have remained.
I’m heading to Santo Stefano Quisquina later this year. I know my grandmother Felippa’ Comparetta was from there and born January 3,1887.
She arrived through Jacksonville, Fl port and married a 2nd time (widow) and married my grandfather Angelo Palermo.
I’m not certain Angelo was from the same place but I’m 90% sure with other info I have collected. Angelo came through Ellis Island at a young age and settled in Ybor. He owned his own bodega / neighborhood grocery store. I have his birth date too. I have my grandmother’ sister’s (my great aunt) daughter (1st cousin) nationalization papers showing Santo Stefano birth place, of Rosalia Guinta the daughter of Guiseppl ? Comparetto Nincergo.
Hoping to find more documentation
My grandfather Charles Salvatore Valenti emigrated from Saint Stefano , Sicily in early 1900’s to Newark , New Jersey. What Province In Sicily is Santa Stafano ?And are there any other Valenti’s from there that emigrated around that time to Newark, NJ ?
My great grandparents , Francesco (Frank) Valenti and Concettina (Connie) Cacciatore (b 1891, d 1974) were both from and married in Santo Stefano. They came to Tampa, FL in 1938. I will be traveling to Sicily (summer 2019) and am hoping to visit SSQ.
From the posts on this site, it appears that many Sicilians settled in Tampa, FL. Both my parents were born in Tampa and so was I.
My maternal grandmother, Francesca Leone Demmi, was from Santo Stefano Quisquina. She and my grandfather, Giovanni Demmi, came to Tampa, FL in early 1900 [1905-1908]. Not sure if they were married in Sicily or Tampa. I will be going to Sicily next year and am working on locating any family from the Leone or Demmi ancestors.
Is anyone posting here presently living in Tampa, FL?
I realize you wrote this in 2019. But I just found this post. I am from Tampa. And am looking to go in March 2022 for 10 days or if I go in June I will be there the entire month.
Tiffany,
I hope your visit to SSQ was a great success! Soon I hope to go there to find information on my Cacciatore forebearers. I’m hoping I can learn and benefit from your search.
My great grandmother Maria Reina Di Maggio, married Pedro Cacciatore. She and Pedro baptized their first child in Santo Stefano di Quisquina in 1890. Seven months later (June, 1891) the three of them immigrated to the United States. In 1894 my grandmother was born in Tampa Florida. I have birth and death dates for my great grandmother (Maria), baptism date for my great Uncle (Salvador). Unfortunately, I do not similar facts for Pedro.
If Pedro was the same age as Maria he would have been born 1870. Could he have been Concettina’s uncle?
If you respond to this e-mail, I will be most delighted.
Mike Lopez
Trying to find grandfather ignatio Ognazio Ferlita Was born in april 1885 in santo stephano Quesquena. His father was Vincenzo Ferlita and was married to Rosa Ferrera
He left Santo stephano for america about 1906, I believe port of departure was from Palermo.Want to know if I have any relatives still there.
My great grand Mother was Angela Chillura Martino. She married Vicenzo Caccaciatore in SSQ in the 1870’s. They immigrated to Tampa with their 6 children at various times. I’d like to know what their parents names were and when they were born and died. I’m planning a visit in the Fall and would like to find their graves. I also would like to know if there are any Spicola relatives left there. My grandfather was Gaetano Carlo Spicola and my grandmother was Rosina LoCicero.
My grandmother Giuseppa Candileri born March 27, 1892 in Santo Stefano. Father Giuseppe Candileri and mother Lauretta Labruzzo. Lauretta’s maiden name may have been Ficarrotta but not sure. She came to Tampa in 1903 I would love to know if there are relatives still there. She may have been baptized in Chiesa Madre.
Folks, I’ve been reading all your posts and so many of the surnames sound familiar to me. I was born in NJ but my mom, aunts and uncles all immigrated from SSQ in the 1960’s as middle-aged adults. Before that the family has been there for many, many generations back into time. I’ve been to SSQ many times myself and should be going back soon as we still have property there along with my mom’s cousins. My uncle Vincenzo recently passed away here in NJ but went back every year and knew everyone especially all the elderly people and their relatives, great grand parents etc. I wish he were still alive so that I could have asked him questions for all of you and tried to help you out….. My best to you all. Good luck!
My great grandfather was born in Santo Stefano Quisquina. His name was, I believe, Francesco Lazzara and he was known as “Cico”, perhaps “Ciccio”, Frank and I have heard that some in Tampa called him Pancho. He left Sicily for Tampa, FL before he could go into the army and without going into the family shoe business. His 2 paternal uncles were Pasquale Lazzara (1855-1911) and Giovanni Lazzara. Pasquale Lazzara married Angela Ginexi (1870-1943) in the Catholic Church in about 1883 and they were married by the state about 2 years later. In about 1893 they moved to Tampa, FL with their 5 children and in Tampa, they had 5 more children. Around 1908, they went back to Sicily but upon the death of their first grandchild, they returned to Tampa. Pasquale had 2 brothers one named Giovanni Lazzara who also immigrated to Tampa, had 8 children, and eventually died in Tampa. The other brother is my great, great grandfather and his name is unknown to me. He died in Santo Stefano and his son, my great grandfather, is the person who was Francesco “Cico” or Frank (or Pancho). If anyone has information about my great grandfather Francesco, or my great great grandfather I would love to hear it. I hope to visit Santo Stefano in August 2017. Thank you.
Tamara, we are related! And I might be able to help a little bit. Pasquale & Angela Lazzara are my great great grandparents. I’ve been trying to find anything about Angela Ginexi which is how I came across this page, and your post! I believe your great great grandfather might be Antonino Lazzara? I’d be happy to share anything I have that may help you.
Pasquale Lazzara and Angelina Ginex are my mom’s grandparents. I remember my grandmother talking about zio Cicco, her father’s brother.
My great-grandmother was from Santo Stefano. Her first marriage was to Guiseppi Castellano. She was Maria Comparetto before she married. She had a sister named Santa. Santa married into Di Gaetano family .There was a brother Ignacio who was believed to have gotten lost in NY. Through my great grandmother was more difficult since she married a 2nd time and her name was misspelled. Some headway with Santa. Now my question is what was my great grandmother’s mother’s maiden name and her father’s mother’s maiden name? My greatgrandmother was born in 1879. My grandmother was born here in 1898. So she must have come to ybor City maybe 1895?
was your great grandmother married to a Giulio Di Giorgio??
I will be visiting Santo Stefano in a couple of weeks. My great great grandparents were born there, Antonio Ficarrotta and Laura Ferlita. I am not certain what year they left for Tampa, FL but guessing late 1800’s. Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
My grandmother immigrated to Tampa, FL around the turn of the century or maybe just a little later into the early 1900’s. Her name was Rosina Gaetano from Santo Stefano Quisquina. We are going to Sicily in September, 2017 and would like to find out if we have living relatives from there. Rosina married Francisco Fernandez from the Canary Islands in Tampa, FL. She was born around 1890.
I believe my grandfather was born in santo sephano. His name was Salvatore Gagliano. His mothers maiden name was Vincenzo Romano. And believe his fathers name was Vito Gagliano Any one with any info?
My great grandfather Francesco Valenti(b. abt. 1835) married Guiseppa Carnova (b. abt. 1840). They were born and died in S”Stefano Quisquino. They had two sons, Sabastiano and my grandfather Antonio Valenti b. 3/13/1859 in S’Stefano and d. 1939 in Tampa,Florida. I would like to know Francesco and Guiseppa’s birth, death and marriage dates. Also if records have their parents, I would appreciate their names and information. Thank you in advance.
My grandmother was Maria Valenti 1879-1976 and she married Giuseppe Lauria. I believe they spent some time in tampa, florida before moving to frankfort, ny. Both grandparents were born in Santo Stefano.
My grandmother was Rosalia Traina. She immigrated to Tampa in 1893. She was born in 1890.Her parents were Francisca Napoli and Calogero Traina. Rosalia married Antonio Cardoso Badillo in Tampa. They had 6 children. Rosalia returned to Sicily sometime between 1960 and 1963. She died in November of 1963. She had 9 grandchildren. I am her youngest grand child. I plan to visit Italy and Sicily in October of 2016 and would like to know if there is any family in Santo Stefano.
My father was from Santo Stefano and came to America on the ship, La Patria in 1921. His name was Rosario LoPresti and his parents were Giuseppi and Gaetano LoPresti. Are there any famiky members remaining in the town? I am visiting in a few werks and would like to meet them.
Nancy we are cousins. My husband and I found some relatives in 2002.
Unfortunately many have passed. My mother stays in touch with few remainingrelatives.
My great grandparents were Maria Rosa Lazzara and Giuseppe Cardinale. Both are from Santo Stefano. They settled in Tampa Florida and had two sons, Angelo and Bastiano Cardinale….any information is appreciated..
I’m sorry that I don’t have anything specific on Maria Rosa or Giuseppe; however, I have a relative who married a Filippo Lazzara who married my grandfather’s sister, Gaitana Scozzari. Gaitana was born in 1866 and died in 1938. They had 2 children, Frank and Giavanina. Eventually, Gaitana and her children left SSQ and moved to Tampa.
I bring this up only because Maria Rosa and Filippo were siblings or cousins.
Frank–I do not see those names in my family tree at this time—but perhaps they will show up at some point. Thanks so much for the info!
How do you know they were cousins?? or sibling??
So sorry it took so long to respond…I just saw this.
Roxanne, Im not sure but years ago my father took the family to Tampa to visit my dads aunt Josephine and her husband. My fathers name was Thomas F Cardinal and his fathers name was Andrew Cardinal, My Grand parents came from Santo Stefano Quisquina, Ilaty.
Raymond—-do you have an e mail where we can correspond—-I believe I have made contact with some of your relatives recently and yes—we are related!
Wow—all this time later , Raymond —last year i have connected some dots and met a Tom R who is likely your cousin….he came to Florida to meet me and my family…..ask him about it…magical!
His mother is Josephine Cardinal——
I am needing help obtaining official documentation of my great grandfater’s (Pietro Alfieri) citizenship records in Sicily. He was from Santo Stefano Quisquina. He married Croce Piazza and had 3 children, one of which was my grandfather (Andrew Alfieri), who was my mom’s father. Can you please help me determine how to obtain official documentation of Pietro’s citizenship and birth records?
Hi! My great grandparents, Salvatore Ciccarello and Rosalia Alfieri were from SSQ. Their second son was Pietro Ciccarello, which means he was named after his mother’s father. I have a public record and some photos on ancestr.com — bet we are related. 🙂 look under Ciccarello and my first name. I’m trying to find more Ciccarello history from SSQ!
My great grandmother, Annie Condellari, was born in SSQ March 30, 1828. At some point she married my great grandfather, Pasquale Florestano, who lived in Olivadi, Catanzaro, Calabria. I am looking for any information regarding her birth, marriage, or any other children she may have had. Most importantly, when and how did she meet my great grandfather and move to Calabria? Can you offer any help or point me in the right direction?
I’m so grateful to see this available. I was in SSQ for 2 days back in 2000, but haven’t had the opportunity to return. My grandparents, Giuseppe Scozzari and Marie Leto came to the States in the late 1890s and, like many others, settled in Tampa.
Giuseppe’s parents were Francesco Scozzari Biao and Rosalia Maurici. Marie Leot’s parents were Fillippo Leto and Maria Angela Cacciatore. Rosalia’s mother was Modesto Maurici. Franceso’s father may have been Adamo Scozzari, but I’m not sure.
I have been hopeful I could trace back to the last half of the 1700s when, according to documents, “A family of Spanish heritage migrated to Italy, specifically to the city of Sutera, Sicily. The first member of the family was named Paul and on April 30, 1767 by the authorities, he obtained the title of Baron of Solfaria. Title waas fully recognized by the Royal Seal on September 30, 1768. On April 7, 1769, the son of Paul married Lady Isabelle Ajala who had very little assets, but who was born from the very noble family Ajala of Enna.”
Francesco Scozzari-Biao was born around 1825 and so there are only 2 to 3 generations to link Francesco to the Spaniard. I am also hopeful to find information on Marie Leto’s ancestors.
This is a real long shot since this comment was left so long ago but I have a Filippa Scozzari Baio in my tree born about 1817. Her line stayed in SSQ all the way to about 1905. I hope you see this because I’d love to compare notes!
Frank, I am traveling to Sicily in October 2022. My mother was Angelina Maximina Adamo Scozzari parents born in Tampa May 14, 1907. Do you know any of our relatives in Scicily
Mother; Angelina Maximina Adamo Scozzari DOB 14 May 1907 Tampa Florida USA – Her Father Pietro Salvatore Adamo Scozzari DOB 1884 Easter Sunday, Her Mother – Girolama Cacciatore DOB 17 April 1881 both born in Santo Stefano de Quisquina, Sicily; immigrated through Ellis Is USA moved to Tampa. Florida (Ybor City)
Girolama Cacciatore daughter of Vincenzio Cacciatore and Angela (or Angelina) Cuilura Martion -her parents Tommaso Cuilura Martino & Rosalia Leto
Pietro Salvatore Adamo Scozzari son of
Mother; Angelina Maximina Adamo Scozzari DOB 14 May 1907 Tampa Florida USA –
Her Father Pietro Salvatore Adamo Scozzari DOB 1884 Easter Sunday, Her Mother – Girolama Cacciatore DOB 17 April 1881 both born in Santo Stefano de Quisquina, Sicily; immigrated through Ellis Is around around1890 USA moved to Tampa. Florida (Ybor City)
Girolama Cacciatore daughter of Vincenzio Cacciatore and Angela (or Angelina) Cuilura Martion -her parents Tommaso Cuilura Martino & Rosalia Leto
Pietro Salvatore Adamo Scozzari son of Francisco Adamo Scozzari and Rosalia Antinori Scozzari
I am traveling to Scicily in October 2022 trying to look up my mother’s family.
My husband’s great grandparents immigrated to the US from Santo Stefano di Quisquina in 1903 and traveled back and forth several times, sometimes with family members. They were born and married and had children in Santo Stefano and settled in Tampa, FL. Great Grandmother was Rosalia Castellano b. 1881, her brother, Rosario Castellano b. 1873, her husband, Silvestro (Silvester/Silvestre)Torregiante/Torrigianti/Torreggiante b. 1873. Silvestro was born at an orphanage in Santo Stefano and family members have visited there but they had no records for us. The story was that he was the product of an affair between a servant and an affluent Torregiante.
Hoping to further research on the Castellano side. Rosalie and Rosario had a cousin, Concetta/Coucetta Camparetto/Campanetto and an Uncle Giacchino/Giachino Camparetto/Campanetto presumed to be the brother of Rosalia and Rosario’s mother. Would love to see if there is already established genealogy research on this line/family.
Thank you so much for your assistance,
April
Hi April,
We might be related. I have Castellanos from Santo Stefano Quisquina as well. Carmela Castellano (1826-?) married Antonio Vicari (1831-?). I believe her parents were Niccolo Castellano and Giovanna Mirabile. Carmela and Antonio has a daughter, Giuseppa Vicari, who married Francesco Parrino and came to Tampa, FL in 1895.
Salvatore Castellano m. Maria Pizzo in Santo Stefano c. 1895 and travelled by boat with her two sisters and their infant daughter Vincenzina to New York in 1901. One sister remained in New York while the other two sisters, Salvatore, and Vincenzina moved to Tampa FL. Vincenzina was my maternal grandmother.
My grandmother came to the US in 1900. She had a brother who stayed behind and never came to the US. His name was Nicola Pullara. He married Vincenza Geraci in 1907. They had a daughter named Caterina (1909) who married Costantino Parrino in 1926. I’m trying to find their descendants. How do I go about finding people who are still living in Sicily? I’m sure Nicola and Vincenza had more children besides Caterina.
My great Nonno (mother’s side) was from Santo Stefano Quisquina. His name was Pietro Alfieri, immigrated to New York, then to Tampa. I am trying to determine his citizenship status when he had my Nonno in the U.S.
Thank you for your help,
Kevin
My grandmother, Angelina Maria Vizzi was born in SSQ on March 14, 1892 or 1893. I could not find anything at the courthouse on her birth. She had brothers and sisters: Rosina(b.1890), Emanuel (b.1884)
Giuseppe(B.1887), Maria Francesca (1888), and Rosalia .
Rosalia Leto (b. 1860) and Emanuel Paulo Vizzi were the parents, I think, and the grandparents were Rosalia Maria Filangieri and Santi Leto. Could you verify this? Could you tell me where they were baptized? Thank you so much. I know that we have a cousin, Francesco Messina, who lives there now. Could I have his address so I might write him.
Sincerely, Angie
My grandfather Guissepe Pizzo left Santo Stefano in 1903. His future wife Emilia Zambito left with her family in 1907. They married in Tampa, Fl and I am their granddaughter. I am coming to Santo Stefano in early October, can you connect me with any family?
Did you find any relatives there? I have Pizzos from Santo Stefano on my mother’s side. Her father Liborio born c. 1895 and her maternal grandmother Maria born c. 1880. They always said they were not related but were from different Pizzo families in Santo Stefano.
My great grandmother, Josefina Luppo, was born in Santo Stefano. She migrated to Ybor City w father and brothers. Her dad went back to Sicily. Would like to look up Luppos. Lupo???