Genealogy in Gibellina
Tracing your Italian roots back to Gibellina (in Trapani 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 Gibellina.
How to research your ancestry in Gibellina
Thanks to its network of local experts, Italianside has developed significant experience in genealogical research in the province of Trapani. 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 Gibellina, involving many surnames traditionally found in the town, including branches of the following families: Balsamo, Bonanno, Bonino, Capo, Di Giovanni, Ferro, Fontana, Ippolito, Manfre, Messina, Pace, Palermo, Tramonte, Verde, Zummo 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 Gibellina 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 Gibellina 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
• emigrants database
• 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 Gibellina — 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 Gibellina and in the Province of Trapani 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 Gibellina community.
Civil Records (Stato Civile) in Gibellina
In towns and villages of Sicilia and in Trapani province, civil registration offices were established in 1809. This means you can often find your ancestors’ civil records in the Town Hall archives of Gibellina from that year onwards.
(If your goal is to obtain Italian citizenship and you need official certificates from Gibellina, please follow this link.)
If you know that your ancestors lived in Gibellina during the past centuries, the City Office of Gibellina 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 Gibellina.
- 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 Gibellina.
Gibellina Emigrants Database
Looking for ancestors who left Gibellina? Explore our Gibellina Emigrants Database to discover people who emigrated from this municipality, their destinations, travel details, and other available records. The database is continuously growing thanks to historical sources and contributions from our visitors.
Browse the emigrants database from Gibellina
Population trends in Gibellina
The chart below shows the demographic trends in Gibellina 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 Gibellina
Church archives in Trapani 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 Gibellina 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 Gibellina:
S. NICOLO’ DI BARI – Via Ruggero VII, 28
S. NICOLO’ DI BARI – Via Ruggero VII, 28
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 Trapani
Address: S. Anna, 22 – Trapani
Phone: +390923 546355 552706
Days and opening hours: from mon. to fri. :from 08,00 to 18,00 sat. :from 08,00 to 13,30 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 Gibellina
Historical cadastral and land records used to identify property ownership, track real estate transfers over time, and confirm the historical presence of families within Gibellina. 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 Gibellina 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 Gibellina
From our experience, if you plan to visit Gibellina 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.
Need help finding information about your ancestors in Gibellina?
Get a private reply from our local genealogist, or post a public message in this page.
Ask our local Genealogist
Send a private message to our local genealogy expert for Gibellina. You will usually receive a personal reply by email within 24 hours.
Ask the Community
Write a public message below, other readers can view and reply. Our genealogy expert for Gibellina may not monitor this page regularly.
Looking for information on the parents of Antonia Santangelo 1862-1939. She was the wife of Domenico Bonura 1862-1946. They settled in Kansas City, Jackson Missouri.
I have a correction to make on grandparents post.
My Grandfather Giovanni Santangelo was born in 1879
My Grandmother Antonina Falco was born in Gibellina and arrived in Louisiana when she was 5 years old.
Finally found my ancestors. Grandfather Giovanni Santangelo 1876-1955. Died in Kenner Louisiana on Coleman Street
Grandmother Antonia Falco 1892-1981. Born in Laplace Louisiana
Great Grandfather Mariano Santangelo 1831-1889.
Great Grandmother Francesca Sinacori 1842-1918
Great Great Grandfather Natale Santangelo 1806-1849
Great Great Grandmother Antonia Lombardo 1808-1863
Looking for information about Pasquale Giovenco married to Vincenzia Bivona. Immigrated to U.S. via Naples, New York 1898 and ultimately settles in New Orleans.
Hello – I am looking for information on the Guarisco family from Gibellina. Salvatore Raia Guarisco was born there in 1874. Married Antonina Di Girolamo. Salvatore’s father is always listed as “Charles” Guarisco, but I don’t know what his real Italian name. No mother’s name available. Emigrated to New Orleans in 1901. Thank you to anyone who reads this!
I have family last name Guarisco, also from Gibellina. Great great grandfather was Matteo Guarisco and married to Angela Ienna (possibly Senna). Great grandfather Giuseppe Guarisco born in Gibellina and married Bartolomea Calami in Gibellinain 1904. My great grandparents named one son Charles (notsure if that was his Americanized name) and had another son Vincent who went by Charlie (go figure).
iam looking informatiom on my grandfather that born gibellina in 1897 his father was tommasso and his mother was diega pace names of his brothers or relatives in gibellina
Check my response
Antony
looking for filippo pace and caterina bivona need birth date and yr of death . when they were married and town.
they had two sons
first son ,giuseppe pace married annamarie accardo. the second son was franceso pace. i have paid a few people . to look for me. but nothing came from it . thank you for your time. catherine
You should put more with it. There were a whole lot of people named Caterina Bivona and Filippo Pace in Gibellina, so it would help if you could narrow that down. If you have a birth date for the sons, that would help immensely.
Giuseppe pace born march 9,1827 …. married anna maria accardo daughter of nunzio accardo… giuseppe pace died in roccamena.. oct 10 1885
Interesting my grandmothers maiden name was Pace Desideratta first name. Was checking this site out very coincidental.
I am seeking information about my family that came from Gibellina to the US some time around 1905 to 1908. My Grandfather was Gaspare Lipari, born approximately February 2 or 4 between 1897 and 1899, his father Vito. I would like to know as much as possible about my family before my grandfather and great grandfather. I would like to know if they migrated from the Lipari Islands if so when?
I visted Gibellina in 2011 for a few hours.
Thak you for any information you can provide.
Valen, Your Gaspare Lipari’s parents were Vito Lipari and Maria Bonura. Vito and Maria were married 13 Nov 1881 in Gibellina. Maria, who was born 5 Sep 1846, was my Great grandmother’s sister. Gaspare was married to Giovanna “Jennie” De Blasi. I have Vito’s parents as Luigi Lipari and Antonia Bonnino information on their marriage record. Maria’s parents were Gaspare Bonura and Giacoma Ferro. I hope this helps in your search
Valen, I hope the moderator allows this message to go through. Your grandfather Gaspare Lipari and my grandfather were 1st cousins. Their moms were sisters. I tried yesterday to post detailed info but for some reason did not go through. I can go back one more generation to Vito’s parents and a couple of generations on his mother’s side, Maria Bonura.
Hello, I am searching for information on my great grandmother Antonina Santangelo. According to my records that I do have, she was born in Gibellina to Domenico Santangelo and Rosa Accardo. However, I cannot find any information as to when she was born. She married my great grandfather here and was in Belle Alliance, Louisiana by 1894.
I have found names of ancestors on my father’s side of the family in Gibellina with the last name of diCurti, with later spelling of DiCorte and I have gone back to the 17th century. If you have any information on this family, such as what they did for a living or earlier places they may have lived, I would appreciate knowing about it.
Hello. I am searching for information on my husbands great grandfather. His name was Lorenzo Musso. He was born in Gibellina but I have differing birthdates. One record says June 1883 another record says 1886. His fathers name was Giovanni Musso born 1853 and his mother was Francesca Bertotti or perhaps a different spelling of that. He also had 2 brothers, Lusciano and Giuseppe. I believe there were sisters as well that did not come to America. All three brothers and their mother and father came to America at different times between 1898 and around 1911. Any information that can be found regarding birthdates, other siblings, or immigration dates would me most appreciated.
Hi, I am looking for some information on my great grandfather Sam Gilardi (could have been born Salvatore) and it seems there’s some question around the spelling of the last name as well. He was born @ August 1895 in Gibellina. Father was Joseph Gilardi (could be Guiseppe Gilardi) who was born @ July 1869 (not sure where in Italy) and mother was Victoria (Vita, Veta, Vittoria) Sanangelo (San Angelo, Santangelo, D’Angelo) who was born @ Jan 1873 in Italy (not sure where). According to some information I found from my great grandfather, they migrated to Louisiana USA @ 1898. They were for sure in Louisiana by 1900 according to the 1900 census. He also had a sister Gelorma (Giloranna) that was born @ 1897 (not sure here in Italy). This is all the information I have and I would really LOVE some help if you have any information at all for me to go on I’d appreciate it!! Thank you!
Dawn
I hope the moderator lets you see this.I have been looking up more of my family in Gibellina and I found Vita Santangelos birth cert 1873.
She was born in Gibellina.
Vitas father was called Domenico and was 29yrs old at Vitas birth.
Vitas mum was called Rosa Accardo and was 27years of age.
I hope you get this so I can send you the links.I can see by your post your very keen to trace your history and I have enjoyed finding my ancestors in Gibellina and have birth records on Salvatore,Vita and Girolama.
I suspect you will never get this message which saddens me.
His name was Salvatore Gerardi
Hello Tony, do you have any information on Anotonina Santangelo? She was also the daughter of Domenico and Rosa. I have been looking for her birth record and I can’t find when she was born.
Like you i am also trying to find information on my Great Grandfather. My Grandfather was born in Gibellina and he and family members moved to Louisiana. My Grandfathers name was Giovanni Santangelo and lived in Kenner, Louisiana and his brother Anatole(Natalie) lived in Plaquemine, Louisiana. I think my Great Grandfather was named Michele.
Oh my gosh Tony, I’m just seeing your posts. Thank you so much!! This is very helpful information!! I will dig through my files to see if I can find any information for you on Giovanni Santangelo. I grew up in Kenner, Louisiana myself. I’ll ask around our family that’s still alive to see what they might know too. I’m so excited to connect with you!
It’s an honor to see I have distant cousins as I research. I am Matteo. I am the great-grandson of Salvatore Grisafi and Antonina Santagello. Antonina was apparently Vita’s sister. I’m still looking for her birth record, but her parents were also Domenico and Rosa Accardo.
Dawn, this is Regina from Hanson City. Looking for the Falco, Palazzo, and Lombardino
iam vince accardo my grandfather was vincent accardo he was born 1898 and to the us when he was 13 i dont know his parents names if some one knows i would appreciated any help and iam searching for any relatives that live in gibelline or came to the usa with the last accardo
vince
your grandfather was born on 24 January 1897 not 1898
his parents were
father-tommasso accardo who was 37yrs old when Vincenzo born
mother-Diega Pace
he was born on Via Veusa in Gibellina at 4.15-not sure if its am or pm
I found his birth certificate
ask moderator to give you my email ill send you link
I am looking Do information about the Cascios in Gbellinna Sicily especially Francisco Cascio before 1898
Cascios in sicily are like smith as a surname in English!
My great grandmother was a Cascio from Gibellina-Vincenza Cascio
Do you know the year of Francescos birth-I may be able to help
Antony Di Girolamo
My Grandmother’s name was Antonina Cascio. She emigrated to New Orleans and married my grandfather , Antonio Gennusa, who also emigrated to New Orleans from Gibellina . They were married in Louisiana Iberville parish. Many Cascios relocated to Beaumont Texas , and Manning Texas in Angelina County. Manning Texas no longer exists , but many of my relatives are Cascios, Bonita’s and Gennusa’s.
Hi, I am searching for my family from gibellina. I had a great uncle, his name was santoro stallone.
1905 was the date. He also had a brother gaspare guiseppe stallone.looking for any family connection.
I am seeking information on my Grandfather, he was from Gibellina. He was born on February 4, 1896( The year might be give or take a year or two) I am pretty certain that is was 1896. His name was Gaspare Lipari, he came to America in the early 1900’s he ported in NYC, lived in Brooklyn and married in 1921 and had 4 children, the last of which was my father Vito (Victor) who died this year at the age of 94.
I was in Gibellina in 2011 and did not have the opportunity to do research. Any information would be appreciated.
Valentino
Valentino
I found your grandfathers birth cert and sent via moderator.let me know if it doesn’t come through. PS-Gaspares dad was Vito and mum was Maria Bonura.
Hello Antony,
It did not come through how can I get this ?
Thank you,
Valen
Hello, I am searching for the family of my great-grandfather, Stefano Tramonte. He was born in Gibellina May 8, 1878. Parents were Rosario Tramonte and Leonarda Fontana. Stefano came to Louisiana as a young man. I’m told there are very few records available in Gibellina because most were destroyed in the earthquake. Thank you!!
Hi Dawn, Am doing a little research on behalf of my niece. Her grandfather Rosario Tramonte (1918-1989) came from Sicily exactly where I do not know. He married a Rosalia Messina from Poggioreale, Trapani. I mention this as perhaps the name Rosario was passed down and there may? be a connection. Regards
My great grandparents came from Gibellina. Vito Tramonte married Marie Macaluso Tramonte. They left and went to Louisiana. I am trying to find out information for my family. Any help would be great.
1st Name: Giustiniano surname:Santoro (He went by Santoro guistiniano in U.S. New Orleans) born oct. 18, 1878 Gibellina, migrated to New Orleans from port of Palermo Oct. 28, 1889. His birth mother is :Caterina Campisi, of gibellina, father unknown. I have searched everwhere. looking for birth, baptismal records.
looking for information on great grandmother. Her name was fillipa saladino , father vito and mother catherina bartallo. Can’t seem to locate any information about them..
My husbands grandfather and Grandmother were from Gibellina. They left there for America around the turn of the century porting in Louisiana. Their names were Guiseppe Capo and Mary Palermo. All their children were born in Italy except their youngest son my husbands Father Sam Capo who was born in 1911. We the records we have found show Guiseppe’s father as Rose Capo. I would love to find out more about this family. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
as a guess rose capo would be be Rosario capo as Rose is not a Sicilian name.
If you had the year of birth of Guisseppe or Maria Palermo I may be able to find their birth certs as Ive been doing lots research into Giobellina as I descended from that town.
Antony Di Girolamo
Hi, I am looking for any information on my grandmother, Isabella Fontana, and her parents, etc. Isabella was born in Gibellina and was one of at least four siblings, Rosaria, Giuseppi and Louis. Thank you.
Seeking information about possible relatives of my paternal grandfather, Dominick Bonura who was born in Gibellina on April 12, 1871 and came to live in louisiana, u.s.a
I would like any information you can provide on Rocco Tritico. He lived in Gibellina. He came to the US in New 1889 thru the port of New Orleans. He may have arrived in New Orleans several years earlier. I believe a ship from Polermo arrived in New Orleans around 1886. He purchased land in Louisiana and returned to Gibellina, to get his wife( Antonia Capo). They left Gibellina went to Polermo a traveled back to New Orleans arriving there in 1898.
Hi Edward-
I am looking for information on my husband’s great-grandfather and the Capo name caught my eye. We have hit a brick wall trying to trace his family back before he immigrated. He was born in 1894 in Gibellina and his name was Peter Capo. He also came to New Orleans and then went to Donaldsonville to work for his future FIL, Paulo Fontana in Donaldsonville/Ascencion Parish. I wonder if your Antonia Capo is related? My husband had been told that the Capo name might have been Anglocized from a longer named when he imigrated. Thank you!
Found pietro capo born 28 feb 1893 his father was rocco and mother vita aloisio
Also found pietro capo born 21 december 1893 father was guiseppe and mother agastina bruno( i think thats her surname)
Pietro first born shiuld be named after his mum ir dad so is their a rocco,vita,guisseoe ir agastina in the line.
If so that will tell you which certificate relates to your ancestor
Hi there–Our family member his definitely the first option, Rocco Capo (Feb 1893) and Vita D’Aloisio. We think they had 4 children: Pietro, Leonardo, Antonino, & Caterina. Antonio was the only child to not immigrate to Louisiana. It appears he and his family died of some sort of widespread illness…he, his wife, and kids all died very close together. I cannot find anything beyond Rocco and Vita. We are visiting Sicily Spring 2026 and I’m hoping to find more information, but if there is nothing online, will there be more in person? I’m planning on hiring a researcher.
Ciao. I’m looking for any information on my Grandfather, Frank Bonanno, who was born in Gibellina and came to America when he was a teenager. Thank you.
My grandfather had a brother named Francesco, (later Frank). Frank married Mary Asta. They lived in Kansas City.
Looking for information on Francesco Fontana who married Vitina Ippolito in Gibellino Sicily Italy, they had a daughter Barbara Fontana before arriving in Louisana. They settled in Beaumont Texas and had two sons, Paul Frank Fontana and Anthony Joseph Fontana.
Lynda
Have you any DOB for Francesco and Vitina or date of marriage or year of marriage? I may be able to find birth and marriage cert for you.
Ive been doing ;lots of research on my family in Gibellina and can easily find stuff out with dates.
Antony Di Girolamo
Antony,
Francesco Fontana was born on Jan. 17, 1863 Vitina Ippolito Fontana was born on Jan. 1, 1873. I do not know the date of their Marriage, but they had a daughter Barbara Fontana, also born in Gibellina, Provincia di Trapani, Sicilia, Italy on July 26, 1895.
Any Information you find would be greatly appricated.
Lynda
Lynda
I found their marriage certificate they were married 21 April 1894 6.10pm.
Francesco listed as borgese- land owner and this was like middle class
Francescos father is listed-Paolo(paul)
His mother listed akso she was Barbara Fiorenna
Vita is listed as 20yrs old. Not vitina but vita. I found her birth cert its vita.
Her parents are listed as antonino ippolito and maria agosta the mother.
So you have the names of one generation back from them now.
Hello Antony – I saw that you are doing research on families in Gibellina. I am looking for my grandfather’s birth certificate. He is from there and was born January 18, 1886. His name is Antonino Perello, or Antonio Perello. He boarded a ship – the Manilla – from Palermo and landed in New Orleans. Any help or advice you could give regarding how to get a copy of his birth certificate would be greatly appreciated.
Hope
I found an angelo pirrello born 1896 on 18 january. Found birth cert.
You sure he wasnt angelo maybe they called him antonio as same birthday. No ither pirrello birn that year with antonii as name.
If this is him i think it says his father was Giuseppe pirrello and his mum was rosaria tramonte
I think it says he was born in via salerno no 26 but nit pisitive on street number.
Hope
I found an angelo pirrello born 1896 on 18 january. Found birth cert.
You sure he wasnt angelo maybe they called him antonio as same birthday. No ither pirrello birn that year with antonii as name.
If this is him i think it says his father was Giuseppe pirrello and his mum was rosaria tramonte
I think it says he was born in via salerno no 26 but nit pisitive on street number.
1886 sorry
sorry 1886 on last post not 1896-angelo pirrello
if this is him i looked up ellis island records and angelo entered ellis island then went to kenner Louisiana which is new orleans port. landed in ellis island 1907
I’am searching for a Pietro Ballotta who was born in or about 1857. He departed from Palermo in 1886 aboard the Letimbro, and arrived in New Orleans, Louisiana USA on November 4, 1886. Any information regarding Mr. Ballotta would be greatly appreciated.
I am also searching for an ancestor on the same ship. His name was Natole Tudora and arrived in Port of New Orleans on Nov. 4, 1886, aboard the Letimbro. Would be interested in any info that you may have received.