If you search your ancestors in Palermo, in the province of Palermo, 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 Palermo
In towns and villages of Sicilia and in Palermo province registry offices were established in 1809: it means that you could find your ancestors records in Palermo town hall archives as of that date.
(If your goal is to get your Italian Citizenship and you need official certificates from Palermo, please follow this link)
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So, if your ancestors lived in Palermo during the past centuries, then you should start your family research from the City Office of Palermo 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 Palermo too!
Next picture shows the demographic trends in Palermo 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 Palermo. As more your surname is common, as more it could be difficult to find the right branch of your ancestors family in Palermo archives, expecially if you have not exact dates.
It could be useful for you to know that some of the most common surnames in Palermo province are:
Aiello, Amato, Barone, Battaglia, Bruno, Caruso, Catalano, Costa, Cusimano, D’Amico, D’Angelo, Di Maggio, Di Salvo, Ferrante, Ferrara, Gambino, Geraci, Giordano, Greco, La Barbera, La Rosa, Lo Cascio, Lombardo, Macaluso, Mancuso, Maniscalco, Mannino, Marchese, Marino, Martorana, Mazzola, Messina, Mineo, Orlando, Palazzolo, Parisi, Pecoraro, Piazza, Randazzo, Rizzo, Romano, Russo, Sciortino, Siragusa, Taormina, Tarantino, Vassallo, Vitale.
Church Records in Palermo
Church archives in Palermo 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 Palermo on your behalf.
In case you want to visit churches, these are the addresses of parishes active today in Palermo:
ANNUNCIAZIONE DEL SIGNORE – Via A. Verdinois, 44
MADONNA DELLA PROVVIDENZA – Via Ammiraglio Rizzo, 68
MADONNA DI LOURDES – P.zza Ingastone
CUORE EUCARISTICO DI GESU’ – Corso Calatafimi, 327
GESU’ MARIA E GIUSEPPE – Via Sacra Famiglia
GESU’ SACERDOTE – Via Castellana, 110
MARIA SS. ADDOLORATA – Piazza Molara, 1 – Borgo Molara
MARIA SS. ADDOLORATA – Via Dietro la Parrocchia, 4
MARIA SS. ASSUNTA – Via Mater dei, 9 – Mondello
MARIA SS. ASSUNTA – Via Perpignano, 183
MARIA SS. ASSUNTA NELLA CATTEDRALE – Corso Vittorio Emanuele
MARIA SS. AUSILIATRICE – Via Sampolo, 71
MARIA SS. CONSOLATRICE DEGLI AFFLITTI – Viale Resurrezione
MARIA SS. DEL BUON CONSIGLIO – Via Aloi
MARIA SS. DEL CARMELO – Via Decollati, 2/C
MARIA SS. DEL CARMELO – Corso dei Mille, 1459 – Croce Verde
MARIA SS. DEL PERPETUO SOCCORSO – Via Madonna del Soccorso, 2
MARIA SS. DELL’ADDAURA – Lg.re Cristoforo Colombo, 4521
MARIA SS. DELLA LETTERA – Via Altavilla, 107 – Acquasanta
MARIA SS. DELLE GRAZIE – Corso dei Mille, 1085
MARIA SS. DI POMPEI – Viale Regione Siciliana S.E., 2907
MARIA SS. IMMACOLATA – Via G. Roccella, 4
MARIA SS. IMMACOLATA – Via Sperone, 144 – Sperone-palermo
MARIA SS. MADRE DELLA CHIESA – Via Montecarlo, 2
MARIA SS. MADRE DELLA MISERICORDIA – Via Liguria, 6
MARIA SS. MEDIATRICE – Viale Maria Ss. Mediatrice
MARIA SS. REGINA DEGLI APOSTOLI – Via Bordonaro, 48 – Vergine Maria
MARIA SS. REGINA PACIS – P.zza 4 Novembre
MARIA SS. STELLA MARIS – 90133 PALERMO PA
MATER DEI – Via Trabucco, 109/A
NOSTRA SIGNORA DELLA CONSOLAZIONE – Via dei Cantieri, 66
NOSTRA SIGNORA DELLE NAZIONI IN S. EUGENIO PAPA – P.zza Europa, 40
S. AGATA LA PEDATA – Via del Vespro
S. AGNESE VERGINE E MARTIRE – P.zza Danisinni
S. ALBERTO MAGNO – Viale Regione Siciliana, 3414
S. AMBROGIO – Via Caduti del Lavoro, 106
S. ANNA LA MISERICORDIA – P.zza S. Anna
S. ANTONIO DI PADOVA – Corso Tukory, 2
S. ANTONIO DI PADOVA – Via S. Vincenzo De’ Paoli
S. BASILIO – Via Paruta, 10
S. CARLO BORROMEO – Via Pagliarelli
S. CATERINA DA SIENA – Via dell’ Airone, 18
S. CHIARA DI ASSISI – Via Giuseppe Crispi, 7
S. CRISTINA V. E M. – P.zza S. Cristina
S. CUORE – C.da Barone Scala
S. CUORE DI GESU’ – P.zza Noce
S. ERNESTO – Via Campolo, 9
S. ESPEDITO – Via N. Garzilli, 28/B
S. FILIPPO NERI – Via Fausto Coppi, 10
S. FRANCESCO DI SALES – Via Notarbartolo, 52
S. GABRIELE ARCANGELO – P.zza S. Gabriele Arcangelo, 4
S. GAETANO-MARIA SS. DEL DIVINO AMORE – Via Brancaccio, 260
S. GIACOMO DEI MILITARI – Corso Pisani, 203
S. GIACOMO LA MARINA – C/o S. Maria la Nuova
S. GIOACCHINO – Via Santicelli Villa Maio
S. GIOVANNI APOSTOLO – Via Barisano da Trani, 1
S. GIOVANNI BATTISTA – P.zza Baida – Baida
S. GIOVANNI BOSCO – Via Messina Marine, 259
S. GIOVANNI DEI LEBBROSI – Via S. Cappello, 38
S. GIOVANNI M. VIANNEY – Via della Capinera, 13
S. GIROLAMO – Mondello
S. GIUSEPPE AI LEONI – Viale del Fante
S. GIUSEPPE ARTIGIANO – Via Brancaccio-cortile Deposit
S. GIUSEPPE CAFASSO – Via Benedettini, 12
S. GIUSEPPE COTTOLENGO – Largo Zappala’, 16
S. GREGORIO PAPA – Via San Martino, 54 – Boccadifalco
S. IPPOLITO M. – Via Porta Carini, 27
S. LUCA – Via Paratore, 12
S. LUCIA V. E M. – Via E. Albanese, 2
S. LUIGI GONZAGA – Via G. Ugdulena, 32
S. LUISA DE’ MARILLAC – Via Franz Liszt
S. MAMILIANO VESCOVO E M. – Via Squarcialupo, 1
S. MARCO EV. – Via Sacco e Vanzetti, 48 1 Sperone
S. MARGHERITA V. M. – Via Marabitti, 16
S. MARIA DEGLI ANGELI – Via Iandolini, 117 – Partanna Mondello
S. MARIA DELLA PACE – P.zza Cappuccini
S. MARIA DELLA PIETA’ – Via Torremuzza
S. MARIA DI GESU’ – P.zza S. Maria di Gesu’
S. MARIA DI MONSERRATO – Via delle Croci, 53
S. MARIA GORETTI – Corso dei Mille, 1393
S. MARIA LA REALE – Via Salita del Convento, 55
S. NICOLO’ DA TOLENTINO – Via Maqueda, 157
S. NICOLO’ DEI GRECI – P.zza Bellini
S. OLIVA V. M. – Corso Calatafimi, 484
S. PAOLO APOSTOLO – P.zza S. Paolo, 5
S. PIETRO APOSTOLO – P.zza del Parlamento, 1
S. PIO X – Via Chiavelli, 1
S. RAFFAELE ARCANGELO – Via G. Roccella, 28
S. ROSA DA LIMA – Fondo Petix, 26
S. ROSALIA – Via S. Lorenzo Colli, 168
S. SERGIO – Corso dei Mille, 1044
S. SILVIA – Via Tommaso Natale, 87 – Cardillo
S. STANISLAO KOSTKA – P.zza Noviziato, 1
S. STEFANO PROTOMARTIRE – P.zza Zisa
S. SUSANNA – P.zza Generale Cascino, 150
S. TARCISIO – Via Sebastiano la Franca, 73
S. TERESA DEL BAMBIN GESU’ – Via F. Parlatore, 67
S. TOMMASO D’AQUINO – Via Andrea Guarnieri, 2
S. VINCENZO DE’ PAOLI – Via dei Quartieri, 19
SACRA FAMIGLIA – Largo Mignosi, 18
SPIRITO SANTO – Via Filippo Juvara, 43
SS. COSMA E DAMIANO – Via Torretta – Sferracavallo
SS. ECCE HOMO – P.zza S. Alfonso – Uditore
SS. PIETRO E PAOLO APOSTOLI – Via Bentivegna
SS. TRINITA’ LA MAGIONE – Via Magione, 44
MARIA SS. ADDOLORATA – Via Dietro la Parrocchia, 4
MARIA SS. ASSUNTA – Via Mater dei, 9 – Mondello
MARIA SS. AUSILIATRICE – Via Sampolo, 71
MARIA SS. DELLE GRAZIE – Corso dei Mille, 1085
MARIA SS. IMMACOLATA – Via G. Roccella, 4
MARIA SS. IMMACOLATA – Via Sperone, 144 – Sperone-palermo
MARIA SS. IMMACOLATA – Via G. Roccella, 4
S. PAOLO APOSTOLO – P.zza S. Paolo, 5
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 Palermo
Address: Via Vittorio Emanuele, 31 – Palermo
Phone: +39 0912704001 .002 .003
Days and opening hours: monday – friday 08:00 – 18:00 saturday 08:00 – 13:30 weekly closing: Sunday and holidays; no reservation
If you need a professional help from our local genealogist in Palermo area , write to palermo@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 Palermo forum:
if you only want to discuss with other people interested in genealogy in Palermo feel free to leave a message below.
I’m looking for information on Charles Leto, born around 1884 in Palermo, immigrated to the US, Boston, 1902, was a blacksmith and became an American citizen. There is a plaque in Plymouth with this info, but no one seems to know who he is.
My great grandmother Rosalia Palazzo was born in Corleone Sicily in 1875 and later moved to Palermo where she married Giuseppe Perri (or Pirri), born in Palermo in 1874i. She gave birth to at least 3 children (Antoinette, Matilda, Salvatore, Helena)while living in Palermo before immigrating to New York. My grandmother Antoinette Perri Bianco would visit with her mother’s sisters every three years in Palermo. I will be traveling to Sicily soon and would like to meet up with relatives. Several relatives visited New York back in the 1960s and unfortunately, I do not remember their names. Can you help?
Thank you.
Donna
I’m looking for Giovanni Maria Vassallo born in 1449 from Maltese parents, mother Giacoma de Vaccaro (Vassallo) and father Marco Vassallo who died in 1531 in Palermo in the Pavia Battle. He is supposed to be Knight of England and Sir.
I am looking for family members with the last name Ribecca that are from Sicily . Thank you 😊
I’m looking for my 2nd great-grandfather’s grandparents. Parents my 2nd great-grandfather was Carlo Lusco, Born on Jan 4, 1879. Sadly he died from the Spanish flu in 1918 in Lafourche Parish. He had a brother named Vincenzo Turco Lusco SR. He was born in 1870. In Cefalù, His parents, I think they were Francesco Turco Lusco and Francesca Citrano. I think his parents had six sons and One Daughter. Also, I was searching through other family trees when I was looking at his brother Vincenzo Turco Lusco Sr. tree, and that had I have found his parents. I don’t know who his grandparents were, but I’m interested in finding out who his grandparents were. If you find them, please let me know. Please and thank you
Hello, I am looking for info or descendants of Rosalia provenzale. Born Porto carini Palermo. 1873. She was apparently a concert pianist, but I have no info. Thanks
I am looking for relatives of Luigi Patricolo (Patricola?) and Cattarina D’Angelo with child Isabella born 1886? in Palermo. Can you help with this?
I am looking for my great grand parents birth place, my GGM was Giuseppina Allegri born in Sicilia in 1893, she married Giovanni Bonavia and relocated to Malta. While in Malta she had two children Rita and Edmundo in 1912 and 1914 respectively. They all migrated to Detroit Michigan by 1915.
I’m looking for information on my great great grandparents. Alfredo Russo possibly a shoe cobbler from Palermo in the mid to late 1800’s.
Also Antonio and Nancy Gallo. I think they were from Messina and had 3 kids Angelo, Catherine, and Giovanni.
I am looking for any information on my great grandparents:
Giuseppe A Cangemi, born 03/1886 in Monreale, Palermo, Sicily.
Giovanina Patellaro Cangemi, born 02/1886 or 1887 in Monreale, Palermo, Sicily.
They were married in Sicily and had 2 sons before moving to the US in 1913 or 1914.
I am looking for any documents that state my Grandfathers birth Pietro Armetta Palermo 10/19/1889 parents Pietro Armetta an mother Maria Furio.
Also my Grandmother Caroline Furio 1/15/1894 Palermo Parents Rosa Corrao and Francesco Furio
Im going to Palermo next yr and want to be able to locate this information
I am looking for birth records for my ggf. I have had someone check in supposedly in his birth town of termini with no luck. Any ideas where else to look?
I am looking for information on any currently living relatives of ‘philip Salvador Raineri“ born in or around Palermo Sicily around 1900. He immigrated into the United States in the 1920s. Any information would be greatly appreciated
Hello, I am researching my GGrandparents, Vincenzo Concolino and Gisella Aloi/Concolino. The birthdates do not match up with their children’s and I can find nothing more. Looks Like Vincenzo immigrated to Australia and I wonder if they all changed their names. Any information would be helpful. Thank you!
Im looking for any information at all on my Great Granfathers parents. My Great Grandfathers name was Giacomo Maltese born 6 June 1887 im Palermo. He married Virginia Messina who was also born in Palermo. Then they came to America. Any help finding anything on Giacomo Maltese’s parents would be greatly appreciated
Hello I am looking for information on Vincenzo Frangipane and his wife Rose(Rosa) Giacona from Palermo. We have accounted for Three of their children who came to America, one whom is my husband’s great grandfather. Thank you
Looking for information on my paternal Grandmother and Grandfather from Gangi, Palermo, Italy. Anna Piraino or Peraino born around 1904 in Palermo. Filippo or Philip Pane born 1903 also in Palermo. Philip’s father could have been Domenico Pane born around 1857 also in Palermo, Italy. Philip(Filippo) immigrated to New York, U.S. in 1923 with a brother named Santo. on a ship named S.S. Taormina. Anna possibly immigrated to New York, U.S. a year after she was born circa 1905.
My grandfather, John Celona born May 1, 1884. His farther’s name was Anthony and his mother, Ernelind LaGagna of Palermo.
Seeking any known family members please
Hi,
I am searching for any information on my ggg g/father’s family. His name was Stefano Poscic(spelt many different ways) and he was a fisherman. He was born in Palermo about 1785 possibly earlier, to Croatian parents and his mother’s name was Caterina, also possibly spelt differently.
Long story but he ended up as a convict in NSW Australia in 1813 via England and his many ancestors have tried for years to trace his family. I was wondering where I could look for a birth certificate for him or a death certificate for his mother. They would have been catholics.
I Appreciate any help you can give me.
Shirley
My grandfather’s family name was Clemente from the city of Palermo. He came to the U.S. and his brother and sister stayed there. How would I locate the cousins that are my age. Half of my family is in Italy and I would love to make contact with them. y Nonna’s family was from Catania and her maiden name was Cuttita (American version). Her mother was from Siracusa and her name was Parisi, but on a document it was different. Thank you.
DIane, I don’t know if you still come on this site but just in case, we have Cuttita as American version also however, I’m told it could have been spelled a number of ways, extra “t” s or even an “o” at the end.
I’m looking for my great grand father Antonio Laudicina. He died of a horse accident. His wife moved to the U.S. and is buried in Saint Bernard Cemetery. I am trying to find his grave in Italy. They tell me he was from Palermo. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Good morning, my grandmother Pierina Cuzzaniti Portolano was born in Palermo. Her father was Anthony Cuzzaniti. I am looking for her birth certificTe so I can get information on my fraternal grandmother. Hoping to hear from you. Sincerely Rina Brenkovich
My great-grand parents immigrated to America in 1883. Vito Geraci born in 1855 and Filipino Cipolla born in 1862 both of Palermo. I know the ship they came to America on was Egbert. They had a son born during the journey they named him Martino. I believe when they left Palermo two of their children were left with family and sent for at a later date. I believe their names were Carlos and Lena Geraci. Later in America the would have Maggie and Guiseppe.
I am trying to find the area in Palermo they are from and hopefully who the families are. I want to pass the information to my children. I do not want our heritage to be lost. So where do I start looking? Is there a census index or cemetary index?
Hello,
I am trying to find out more on my 2nd great-grandfather, Luigi Licciardi, born 30 Jan 1891 in Palermo. His father was Bernardo and his mother was Cristina (her maiden name could be Corvino or Colombo). He married Adele Parazzini from Milano, and had two daughters in Piemonte. He came to America in 1920 from Naples.
I would like to find his birth certificate and information on his parents and maybe other family members, if possible. He had a few siblings that died in infancy and I think two sisters that lived on. His brother Salvatore emigrated to France. Also, he was a Captain in the Italian military during WWI, while his brother was a Lieutenant.
Any help is much appreciated,
Ashley
I am trying to find out information on my family from Palermo. My grandmother, Providenza Labruzzi was born 9/17/1888 in Palermo, Italy. Her Mother was Rosalie Labruzzi. They immigrated to the united states in 1905. I have found some variations on this spelling: i.e. Provvidenza Labruzzi, and also Abruzzi. Any information you have I would so very much appreciate. Specifically I am trying to find out where (the provence) in Palermo my grandmother was from. And if there are any living relatives. Also, the name of my great grandfather. Is this information you can provide or can you refer me to a genealogy researcher in Palermo.
My grandfather Guiseppe Alberti was born in the Palermo region on November 13, 1895 to Salvatore Alberti it is hard to read his wife’s name but it looks something like Rosalia. My grandfather immigrated to the United States on the ship the Taormina on May 7, 1913. He left his parents and siblings in Palermo. He visited in the 70’s.I would like to know how to get his birth certificate and find any relatives I may have.
I am looking for relatives from San Cipirello, Palermo, Sicily by the name of Scamardo and Segreto.
Antonio Scamardo married Marie Segreto in San Cipirello on June 1, 1893. They arrived in New York City on July 22, 1915 and on to Frankfort, New York. Antonio’s parents were Antonio Scamardo and Calogera Barone. Marie’s parents were Matteo Segreto and Anna DeGristina. I am looking for other descendants of these two couples and are there any cousins still in the San Cipirello or San Giuseppe area. If so, please contact me.
My name is Ms. Todd. I have been told that my mother’s father, Samuel Potera’s grandparents were born in Sicily. I would love to research and locate any family I may have there, however I do not have any idea where to start. Could you share any ideas you may have to where I can gather any information?
Best.
Ms. Todd
I’m an associate producer for the PBS show “Finding Your Roots.” We need help with on the ground research in Palermo as soon as possible (ideally tomorrow). Please contact me as soon as you can.
Thank you,
Ariel
My grandmother was Giuseppina Arena was born in Messina 1889, she married my grandfather Raffaele Giannone he was born in Palermo from what I was told they were 4th cousins match made. For their honeymoon they came to America and my grandfather’s brother told them to stay and they did. They went through Ellis Island this is all I know. Also my cousins Margaret and Josephine’s last name is Ruta they traveled to Italy to visit. Margaret and Josephine were there in 1992 when my mother passed away. My mom’s name was Grace (Giannone) MacNeill.
I would like to find detailed history on my Great Grandparents who came from Palermo to America. My great grandfathers name was Arcangelo DiSalvo date of birth 3/2/1860, I would like to know if you have any birth records for him or information about his parents. My great grandmother’s name was Cologera Falcone date of birth 6/30/1873, I would like to know if you have any birth records for her or information about her parents. I would also like any birth records of my grandfather Giacchino DiSalvo date of birth 12/15/1890. Do you have a marriage license for my great grandparents Acrangelo DiSalvo and Cologera Falcone? My mother did not find out that she was from this family until she was 65 and I would like to learn more about my family history.
Looking for Sicilian relatives. My great grandpa came here to the USA from Palermo, Sicily. His name before he changed it to Banks was Banco, I believe. Antonio Banco. Antonio had a son, (my grampa Alfredo), and a grandson, (my dad Adolfo), Banks.
I will be in Sicily from September 1 until September 13 and am hoping to see where my grandfather’s family is from. My grandfather, Benedetto Bruno, was born in Sicily, we think Castrogiovanni, in 1892. He had two brothers: Luigini who was a carriboniere, and Leonardo who was a chef.
Benedetto’s mother, Maria Scandaliato was born in 1875 in Enna and died in Enna in 1924. His father, Salvatore Bruno, was born in Villarosa,Enna in 1850. Can you tell me if any of his relatives are still there.
My dad was born in Palermo,Italy.He was born in 1905,and his surname is Leotta.
In the US we spelt our name Liatto.
I appreciate any help you can give me
I Will be in Palermo Sicily July 15 through July 20 and would love to find out more about my grandfather’s family I was very close to them I love them very much please see what you can find out for me.
Respectfully,
Alfreda
Hello,
I am currently visiting Sicily (Taormina) and will be in Palermo on Wednesday, 11 maggio
My family name is Mirto and my grandfather, Antonino, came from Monreale.
He emigrated to the US in 1904.
My Grandmother’s maiden name was Anna Diana, and I believe she was also from Monreale along with her sister Josephine, and my great grandmother, Sarah LoVecchio Diana. I’m not sure exactly when they emigrated.
I would like to find any birth or baptismal records, and see the neighborhood in which they lived.
I also would like to know if I have any cousins who remained in Sicily.
Do you have any advice? Should I check cemeteries?
Thank you very much!
Joanna
My mother Gertrude Vincenza Kozel was born on August 15, 1947 in Palermo Italy to her Italian mother, Lucia Costa Kozel and American father Frank J Kozel. My grandmother Lucia lived with her mother Vicenza Costa on Via Nicolo Spedalieri Palermo Sicily Italy and I believe my mother was born at home.
My mother came to America as an infant. After many years she has lost her birth certificate and must get a replacement. It is required for her to retire. I know that I need to send it to an office in Palermo and I even have the application but can not find the correct address for the office of vital statistics in Palermo.