If you search your ancestors in Sciacca, 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 Sciacca
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 Sciacca town hall archives as of that date.
(If your goal is to get your Italian Citizenship and you need official certificates from Sciacca, please follow this link)
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So, if your ancestors lived in Sciacca during the past centuries, then you should start your family research from the City Office of Sciacca 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 Sciacca too!
Next picture shows the demographic trends in Sciacca 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 Sciacca. As more your surname is common, as more it could be difficult to find the right branch of your ancestors family in Sciacca 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 Sciacca
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 Sciacca on your behalf.
In case you want to visit churches, these are the addresses of parishes active today in Sciacca:
B.M.V. DEL CARMELO – P.zza Carmine
B.M.V. DEL PERPETUO SOCCORSO – Corso Vittorio Emanuele, 48/B
B.M.V. DI FATIMA – Via Cappuccini
B.M.V. DI LORETO – R.ne Perriera
S. CALOGERO – Via della Basilica
S. CATERINA – Via S.Caterina, 14
S. FRANCESCO DI PAOLA – Via G.Licata
S. MARIA MADDALENA – Via Vittorio Emanuele
S. MICHELE ARCANGELO – P.zza S.Michele, 46
S. PIETRO APOSTOLO – P.zza Consiglio
S. MICHELE ARCANGELO – P.zza S.Michele, 46
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 Sciacca area , write to sciacca@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 Sciacca forum:
if you only want to discuss with other people interested in genealogy in Sciacca feel free to leave a message below.
I am looking for the history of my mother’s family from Sciacca. I have been having problems trying to find match-ups on line, and I maybe one of the last person that remembers my living Sicilian ancestors. The main names are pretty much the usual family names – Bono, Interrante, Giudice, Catanzaro….
Hello,
I am looking for information in church records (baptisms, christenings, marriages,) on the parents of my great-great grandfather Mario Buono born 16 Jan 1882 (or thereabouts) in Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicily. He immigrated to New York around 1900, but I cannot find the names of his parents in any records in the US.
I know it is very specific to ask for church records, but I am completing a course and this particular report I have to write requires church record documentation.
I appreciate any help that anyone can provide.
Thank you,
Aungelic
Am trying to find info on my great grandfather Rocco Carmine Melito (1827?) wife Francesca Falbo. Their parents Rocco Leonardo Melito and Rosa Mino?
From Sciacca I believe. I would love to know as much as I could about my family if you can help please
Looking for information on g.g. Grandfather
Giuseppe Volterra married Rosa Bantivenga
My great grandfather
born in 1876 sciacca Stefano Volterra (Boston)
One of the founding fathers of the fishermen’s Feast.Madonna Del Soccorso
My Family [ Mantegna ] is from Sciacca. My father Salvatore and his twin brother Gaetano was born in Sciacca in 1895. I 1902 my Grandmother and my father and his twin brother arrived in New York.
Please advise me of any additional information regarding my Family name Mantegna.
Thank you,
Salvatore
I am interested in finding information about my Italian family who lived in Sciacca.
the only details I have for my ancestors from Sciacca that I have been able to trace are:
Alfonso Baldassano
Gender: Male
Age: 28
Birth Date: 1833
Birth Place: Sciacca
Marriage Date: 25 mag 1861 (25 May 1861)
Marriage Place: Sciacca, Agrigento, Italy
Father: Nicolo
Mother: Caterina Dimino
Spouse: Girolama Catauro
FHL Film Number: 1603639
Could you please let me know if you may be able to help locate information for my ancestors?
I’m looking for records of birth, marriate, residence, etc.
any newspaper stories that may mention them, so I can get a better story of who they were and how they lived in Sciacca.
Thank you so much for your potential assistance.
I am looking for information on my maternal grandmother, named Francesca Marino who was born around 1888 and immigrated to New York at 18 around 1906. She had aunts in New York. Any information on the Marino family and their roots appreciated.
I am looking for a Ignazio Arena death Abt 1813 (Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy?), Married to a Maria Grisafi (1755-1835), I’d like to find his birth place and date of birth.
Also Father and Mother of the same. I suspect Ignazio Arena may have come from Spain and changed his last name from Arana to Arena. I may be wrong but the scenario sort of fits. Thank you for your help. The American Singer Neil Fountaine
Neil, I have Ignazio Arena and Maria Grisafi as part of my family tree. I do not have Ignazio’s parents but Maria was born about 1755 to Gaspare Grisafi and Filippa Marino. Ignazio and Maria had 5 sons that I was able to find. Gaspare b. 1785, Giorlamo b. 1789, Aurelio b. 1790, Giuseppe b 1791 and Saverio b. 1795
Hope this helps
I’m looking for information on any sciacca’s that still live in sciacca
The surnames I’m researching from Sciacca are Chiarello, Pumilia, Maniscalco, Licata, Fazio, Attardo/attardi, Fiorini, Santangelo, Bondi
Hey there – there are Licata’s on my family tree. My last name is Giarratano.
My Grandfather was William Giarratano or Guarantano on my mother side he married my grandmother Mary Corrari cousins with (Jonny Dundee)Gus Corrari, my husbands family are Licata’s
I am looking for the address in Sciacca to write for a marriage record. Thank you
I was told that my grandmother’s last name was Oliveri, originally from Sciacca. Her first name was Louise, married Vincenzo Fauci and settled in Revere, MA. I believe she would have been born in Sciacca in 1880, or around that year. I’m wondering if we are related.
I am looking for any information on the Oliveri Family from Sciacca, Sicily. My Great grandfather was Guiseppi Oliveri and was married to Accursia Dulcimascolo. They had 6 children, 4 of whom immigrated to the US and 2 who stayed in Sciacca. Any information would be greated appreciated.
I am searching for myself, and would like any information on my ancestors from Sicily, Italy. The last name is Gallo. Is there any of my family still in Sicily, Italy? I’m thinking about relocating to Sicily, Italy. Grazie. I am learning the italian language, so I speak very little italian..
There are many Gallo’s in Norristown, PA who are from Sciacca, Sicily. Have you gotten any additional information from that town?
Tony
I have Gallo’s in my family tree on Ancestry. My paternal family is originally from Sciacca. There surname was Bono. I know a few settled in Norristow, PA. I’m interested in info about who settled in Norristown.
I am looking for information on the Puleo or Guarino families of Sciacca.
Great grandfather-
Franco Indelicato born September 10 1874
Unsure of where in Sicily he is from or when he came to America .
Married in 1926
Great grandmother –
Antonette Indelicato born 1886 Italy ( do not know maiden name ).
Had son Michael Indelicato born 1927
Records for Franco Indelicato as a laborer in California and a WW1 draft card 1917-1918
Looking for information on Salvatore Francesco Milici
B:11 November 1880 • Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy
Known in the US as Francesco (or Frank) he was 23 years old when he came to America on the Prinz Oscar arriving Ellis Island, New York City on October 31, 1903. Traveling with his two younger sisters, Vincenza and Anna, they stayed with an Uncle names Dr. Cologero Puccio.
Any information on their parents or his actual birth record. He was studying at the University of Naples – anyone know how to gather records from that?
Thank you in advance for any information.
My Grandfather Vito Russo Borne 1887 in Sciacca and left for the US on or about his 18th birthday. His opened bank accounts for his children with the Bank of Sicily in 1926. Of course the accounts are not worth anything and all of the emmediate children have paast away. About 50 years ago relatives that still live in the area of Sciacca, had sent papers aasking for my father and his brothers and sisters to sign over land that was owned by my grandfather. The sciacca family in which I would like to find, is still unknown to any of us in the us, They do own the land and as far as we know, are working the land. I was in Sciacca for a weekend and was unable find aany information becasue all of the stae offices where closed. So I ask for your help. I did meet a farmer named Paulo Russo when I was there. Whether or not he’s a direct relative is unknown.
I am searching for any information on mt 2x great-grandparents Alfonso Gallo Born Oct 7 1876 and Marta Cirafici (several spellings) born Nov 26 1886. Both born in Sciacca. Marta is said to have donated a stained glass window in a church in sciacca and there is a name plate. The were married Dec 3 1903 and had a baby boy, Alfonso Gallo jr on April 21 1905. the family myth is that they fled the local Mafiosi. Marta may have also had a brother that was a doctor in Sciacca.
Thank You,
-Melissa
Melissa,
My grandmother was Caterina Gallo from Sciacca born 1879-1948, she had her first child in 1899 and 5 more. Her husband was Leonardo Ciaccio 1870-1957 and they immigrated in 1912 to Ellis Island and lived in the North End of Boston. I know Gallo and Ciaccio are very common names in Sciacca, but if anything sounds familiar, feel free to reach out.
Diane Ciaccio
I’m looking for some information on my great-great-grandmother and great-great-grandfather: Paul (Paolo) Ferrara and Josephine (seen also as Giuseppa) Marino (sometimes spelled Murino). He was born in Sciacca in 1867-1868, she was born 1860-1871. They married in 1888-1890, and their first born son, Nicolas was also born in Sicily. He immigrated to New Orleans, LA in 1895, and Josephine and her son came in 1898. I’d really love to learn more about both of them, but especially her family.
Thank you!
Paul piazza Sr. 7/29/1880
Died 4/17/1949
Married to Antonina Bonfanti Piazza
12/13/1885 died 9/4/1937
Think born and married in Sciacca, province of Agrigento
My grandparents grew up in Sciacca. I would like to know the sir names of my great grandmothers. My grandmother was Maria Giarratano. My grandfather was Joseph Bono (maybe it was Guiseppe). Thank you so much for your help.
I am interested in having someone search local records in Sciacca for me, especially church, census, and state of the family record. I’m having difficulty finding many records for my great grandfather Alfonso Chiappisi (b abt 1846, probably Sciacca, d Mar 1923 Sciacca), his birth family, siblings and children. I suspect he had a common-law marriage before his 1884 marriage to Rosaria Noto. Children born before marriage: Maria b abt 1873-1880; Calogero b abt 1876; Onofria b abt 1879; Catarina b abt 1880.
My Great Grandfather Gustav Intogna and Great Grandmother Carmela Genarro were from Sciacca. They immigrated through Ellis Island to Chicago. Gustav was a shoemaker. I will be in Sicily from July 25th to July 28th. I am hoping to track my family down. Any help and advice would be much appreciated.
My great grandfather was Joseph Santangelo and my great grandmother’s maiden name was Manicalco. They came to US is the 1930 s
I am trying to find my grandfather, Alberto Fazio, who married a Cacace. He was born in 1888. He had many brothers who left Sicily to the US. They never left Sciacca.
My husband is looking for any information on his great grandfather and grandmother from Sciacca. Their names were Guiseppe (Joseph) and Marie Sabella. Marie’s maiden name was Marie Fauci Basile. Joseph was born April 20, 1870 and Marie was born June 16, 1880. We think they lived on Via Castello. They immigrated to US, NY in 1899 and 1900. We are traveling to Sciacca this September 19th and 20th, 2015 and staying at Hotel Locanda Del Castello. What church should we go to to find their marriage certificate? We are planning to go to City Hall, is that a good idea or should we go somewhere else to find any documents? We only speak English too. Thank you,
My great grandfather’s name was Giuseppe Sabella and his wife’s name may have been Marie. They immigrated to America about the same time you specified. They had two daughters named Anna (my grandmother) and Laura. They also adopted a son named Charlie. They lived on Broome Street in Little Italy, N.Y.,N.Y. I know that my Great Grandmother went back to visit Sciacca and then died there. Her grave still exists in the local cemetery, with her preserved picture on it. My Grandmother married Franchesco Lomonico and they had 4 children: my father Frank, Joseph, Marie and Rosemary. My father Frank is 93, healthy and still alive as of 9/2018.
While in Sciacca two years ago, I saw a memorial to residents of Sciacca who were lost at sea. The name Guiseppe Sabella was on that memorial. I have a picture if you are interested, my name is Frank Sabella, my grandfather was born and raised in Sciacca.
I am looking for information about my grandfather, Vincenzo Ignacio Indelicato born in Sciacca, Sicily, born in the early 1900’s, between 1900 – 1923
I am interested in finding any information about my great grandmother, Maria Maniscalco, who was born in Sciacca in 1872 and, I believe, had several brothers, including one named Albert. She emigrated from Sciacca in 1896. I’m particularly interested in finding out the names of her parents.
Would anyone have information on Vincenza Cosentino, 1861-1941? He married Provvidenza Quattrocchi, 1876-1921. I read where the name originated from Sciacca, Sicily.
My grandfather, Salvatore Cosentino, 1896-1969, he lived in Termini Immerse before arriving in Ellis Island, New York, USA.
I am interested in having someone search the church records from Sciacca for me. Please let me know if there is anyone who specializes in this research.
I only speak English.
Thank you.