Genealogy in Villafrati
Tracing your Italian roots back to Villafrati (in Palermo 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 Villafrati.
Villafrati family history at a glance
- Region: Sicilia
- Province: Palermo
- 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 Villafrati
Thanks to its network of local experts, Italianside has developed significant experience in genealogical research in the province of Palermo. 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 Villafrati, involving many surnames traditionally found in the town, including branches of the following families: Bongiovanni, Cali, Conti, Costanza, Cuccia, Di Marco, Guarino, La Barbera, Lala, Lo Monte, Messina, Plescia, Ribaudo, Valenti, Vitale 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 Villafrati 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 Villafrati 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 Villafrati — 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 Villafrati and in the Province of Palermo 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 Villafrati community.
Civil Records (Stato Civile) in Villafrati
In towns and villages of Sicilia and in Palermo province, civil registration offices were established in 1809. This means you can often find your ancestors’ civil records in the Town Hall archives of Villafrati from that year onwards.
(If your goal is to obtain Italian citizenship and you need official certificates from Villafrati, please follow this link.)
If you know that your ancestors lived in Villafrati during the past centuries, the City Office of Villafrati 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 Villafrati.
- 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 Villafrati.
Population trends in Villafrati
The chart below shows the demographic trends in Villafrati 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 Villafrati
Church archives in Palermo 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 Villafrati 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 Villafrati:
SS. TRINITA’ – P.zza Umberto
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 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
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 Villafrati
Historical cadastral and land records used to identify property ownership, track real estate transfers over time, and confirm the historical presence of families within Villafrati. 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 Villafrati 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 Villafrati
From our experience, if you plan to visit Villafrati 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 Villafrati
If you need professional support from our local genealogist in the Villafrati area, write to villafrati@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 Villafrati
Here below you can read messages from other visitors in the Villafrati forum. If you simply want to discuss genealogy in Villafrati with other people, feel free to leave a message.
Seeking help with “Piro” family. Antonio and sister Grazia hometown Villafrati, then to Termini, before leaving on ship SS Sicilian Prince from dock in Palermo, Nov 5, 1904 and landing in New York, Nov 21. Antonio Piro birthday likely 1882 and Grazia Piro 1883. THANK YOU
I am attempting to locate information of my grandmother. Her parents were Serafino Dorsa and Isabella Desimone. I have found different spellings for both last names, but the spellings above are what I have from ancestry records. I don’t have much to go by, other than a possible link to Albania, and the fact that my great grandparents moved to Tunisia, where my grandmother was born. Immigration records state that both great grandparents were Sicilian. This is a long shot if anyone has information. Grazia
Hi Sharon,
I believe I may have some information about your grandmother’s family. Did she have a brother named Joseph? Did he have a son named Steve “Willy”? If so, he lived in San Jose. I know my dad (Dorsa) called Steve, “Uncle Willy”, but I’m trying to figure out the family connection.
Best,
Alexia
I am looking for the surname Santamauro, Santamoro, Santomoro….and any other spelling. i have a few records that indicate Villafrati as a hometown for my branch but the family seems to be elusive. any help would be greatly appreciated!
I have relatives with the same Santomauro name. Please share who your relatives are and maybe we have a common link. My grandmother was a Santomauro who married a Di Grigoli.
I am looking to find out the story of the Tavolacci famiy and if I’m related to any of them. My grandfather was born there in 1901 his name is Thomas Angelo Tavolacci. His father’s name is Anthony and his Mothers name is Philomena.He was a wet plasterer that’s how he met his wife he was doing work at an orphanage where she was a resident . Does anyone know this story
.
Looking for help in regards to my family in VillaFrati and how we could be related.How many brothers would my great grandfather have his name Anthony his wifes name Filomena
Hi Thomas. I am not related to you but was able to travel to VillaFrati in 2017 and locate my family still living there. It was a wonderful experience! If you are able to go, the best place to start would be the town hall or the cemetery. Both were very helpful. Everyone there is very nice. Not much English is spoken in VillaFrati though. Best trip I have ever taken. So special to find my family! Good luck to you!
Good Morning, my husband and I will be inSicily the week of September 5-13, and I am trying to locate my Grandmother Lala’s family in Villafrati, Palermo, Italy.She was born in 1891 and her maiden name was Varisco. My great grandmother’s maiden name was Souma?? So any info you might give me would very much be appreciated. Also, my great- grandfather Joseph Lala Sr. was born in 1862 and I think he was born in Poggioreale? Sicily, Province of Trapani. I appreciate any help on this as we are so excited about our visit.
I am looking for my maternal grandfather Salvatore Palazzolo (a). Census records show he was born in 1883 and immigrated to the US in 1906. Family members say he was from Villafrati. He married Numziata Mercanti in 1915 we believe in Sicily. If you have any info please send it. Thank You
Ahthony, I think I have a photo of Nunziata & Salvatore Palazzola, your grandparents and their family. Nunziata “Nancy” was a younger sister of my grandmother, Carmela Mercanti Dispenza.
I am looking for a person to copy some birth certificates in vicari, villafrate, roccamena and bagheria. Is there a person on company that provides this service?
I am trying to find any information on my grandfather Pietro Pollaccia born around 1887 in villafrati and married Murieta Russo of same birth year or any current family still living there.They moved to the USA in early 1915-1920 they had a son victor(my father) and a daughter eleanore.
Thank you
am trying to find my ancestors in Villa Frati. My great grandmother lived there and her name was Josephine Cali. She married my great grandfather Salvatore Cali. Josephine’s last name before getting married was Josephine Masi. Thank you!
Hi Deborah, I think I can help you. My grandmother was Leonarda (Laura) Masi (your great grandmother’s sister) and she married my grandfather Dominic Cerniglia. Both were from Villafati. Your Great grandmother’s parents were Anna Maria Parisi and Giuseppo Masi. They had 6 children – Josephina, Francesca, Leonarda, Vincenzia, Mary & Salvatore. they moved from Villafrati to Chicago in early 1900’s. I knew your grandmother, she came to visit us a few times with Francesca (aunt Francis) in California when my grandmother was visiting from chicago.. Their other sister Vincenzia (my aunt Jenny) also lived in CA. Their sister Mary passed away at a youn age- I believe liver cancer, and their brother Uncle Sal also died fairly young of heart attack. Anyway, I believe your great grandmother lived in Cefalu, Sicily after she was married-that was the home for the Cali family. Anyway, I just got back from Villafrati a week ago and did research at the church for roots on Parisi and Masi family. Lots of Cali, Masi and Parisi and Cerniglia records. you are welcome to email me for more info.
Judy, I am Joe, we are related, might have even met on a trip in the 70’s to visit your grandfather, Uncle Dom. My mom and dad, Lil and Frank lived in San Diego before my dad died of cancer in 1995. Marietta Masi married my Grandfather, Joe. My dad grew up with Donald Cerniglia and he was in my parents wedding. There is very much more here to discuss, looks like you have done a lot of research in our family tree. My wife Mary and I are going to Sicily in October of this year and plan to visit Villafrati, so would love to talk.
Deborah – this is your cousin Peggy, daughter of Joseph Cerniglia the oldest son of Laura & Dominic Cerniglia and first cousin to Judy who responded earlier to your post.
I just wanted to clean up a couple of items: I knew your great grandmother because I grew up in Chicago until 1962 when my parents moved to Calif. Your great grandmother never lived in Cefalu, that was Great Aunt Virginia, (wife of Sam Masi who Judy refers to as “Uncle Sal” but no one ever referred to him by that name). Great Aunt Virginia was born in Cefalu but emigrated to the US with her mother and siblings landing in Chicago in the early 1900’s where eventually she met and married Great Uncle Sam, a very good barber in his day. The youngest Masi sister, Mary, died of pneumonia in the early 1930’s leaving behind two children Frank and Josephine who were taken in by your Great Grandmother Josephine until little Josephine turned 13 when she and her brother Frank moved back in with their father Joseph Barbera. It’s a long rich and interesting history.
Giovanni Di Marco and Vita Dioguardi came to the US from Villafrati in 1906. I find it difficult to receive a response from parish. I had the letter written in local dialect sent money or donation to priest. No response. Our family settled in Hammond Louisiana. Any help from knowledgeable persons is appriciated
Good evening,
My grandfather also came from Villafrati in 1906. My family (both sets of grandparents) settled in both Hammond and Ponchatoula. My grandparents had a strawberry farm on Range Road. My parents attended Hammond High. There’s a very good chance my mother knows your family. Feel free to contact me.
Thank you,
Thomas
Thomas
I’m The Grandson of Giovanni &Vita Dioguardi DiMarco from Villafrati they lived in Hammond LOUISIANA and my father Pasquale moved to San Jose CA. Others from Villafrati with them were Lalas Cali Lacascio. Spelling can vary
My great-great grandparents immigrated from Villafrati and settled in Hammond for a time as well, and also worked on a strawberry farm. Very well could be the same farm. Their names were Rosario and Frances (I believe Francesca before Americanized) Cali.
Our Grandfather Salvatore Frank Reina was born in Villa Frate June 1888. Father’s name was Nicola Reina and his mother Crossifisa Mumfree. Salvatore wrote that he had 5 deceased siblings and 3 living when he immigrated to the Us aboard the Carpathia in July of 1906 at the age of 18. We seek more information regarding his father Nicola and mother Crossifisa Mumfree and what happened that 5 of his siblings died at an early age. Thank you for your time. I look forward to any information you can provide as we have no history of our ancestors in Sicily.
My husband and I will be visiting Palermo in May of this year.. I would like to try to find living relatives of Francesco and Anna Maria Zito they are my grandparents and came from villafrati Palermo ..this is a once in a lifetime trip and my lifelong dream.. I would love to meet any or all of my bloodline is there anyway you can help me get in touch with them?? My grandfather was born 23 January 1877, my grandmother who’s maiden name was Malle was born 30 August 1879. As far as I have been able to find out they were both from villafrati!!! I do not have birth certificates or marriage license (yet) so this is about all the information I have at the moment I believe my great grandfather’s name was Vincenzo Zito and my great grandmothers name was Catarina I think paperwork is very difficult to read!!
Thank you
Theresa(Terry) Zito/Pluemer
My wife and I will be visiting Villafrati in September of this year. My mother was born there on December 7, 1911. I would like to find out if she has any relatives still living there. Her maiden name was Vita DiChara, daughter of Sam or Salvatore and Rose DiChara, but I’m not sure of the spelling of her last name of DiChara. Do you have any recommendations on different aliterations of her maiden name.
Ciao Giovanni mia nonna era Vita Di Chiara figlia di Michele Di Chiara
Hello:
My grandfather and his siblings were from Villafrati. The family name is Ligammari. My great grandfather was Pietro and his wife was Caterina D’Amato. I have found many of their travel records to America but would like to learn more about their family history in Sicily. Any tips would be appreciated. Thank you.
Dave.
Mary Jo. Thanks for your reply. Will try facebook. I have some info. Dave. Will check back
My father from Villafrati said we were cousins of the Ligammare family. I thought they lived in Chicago
Yes . I know the Ligammarri family well. My grandfather and based on your information with great grandpa and greatgrandma. Same family