are there any ancestory websites that can trace ancestory in europe? specifically italy?

Answer 1

These are two great sites. Also, if you aren't opposed, contact the mormon church. They have the largest archives available in the world for genealogy research.


http://www.ancestry.com/
http://www.familysearch.org/

Answer 2

Jeannine your question leaves open as to where you are in your research. The first thing a person should do is get as much information from living family, particular senior members. You start with yourself and work back on generation at a time.

I have a friend whose mother came from Calabria and her father came from Sicily. She has found lots of information on her immigrant ancestors at the National Archives in Washington, D. C. She said when you first go there you have a lot of red tape and rigamarole and have to get a name tag. But once you get your name tag any time you go back you just show it to them and you are in. There are volunteers there that can help.

Catholic Church records are very precise. I know in our Diocese they keep separate registers on baptisms, first communion, confirmation, marriages and deaths. These have parent information on all. Periodically the records are sent to the Chancery to be microfilmed.

Ancestry.Com seems to have the most records on line. They have all the U.S.censuses through 1930. The 1940 and later are not available yet. They have immigrant records and Passenger list records, sometimes you can find the original manifest of a whole family and a picture of the ship they came over on. HOwever, I think no one begins to have all the records on line.

Also see the link below:

http://www.regalis.com/introgen.htm

A Family History Center at a Latter Day Saints(Mormon) Church has records on people all over the world, not just Mormons.
In Salt Lake City, they have the world's largest genealogical collection. Their Family History Centers can order microfilm for you to view at a nominal fee.

I have never had them to try and convert me or send their missionaries by to ring my doorbell. I haven't heard of them doing that to anyone else.

Answer 3

and, you have (I hope) made the effort to find ALL relevant records here? If they came when you might expect them to be on immigration or passenger lists, that will very possibly provide the exact place in Italy.
rootsweb.com has mailing lists for almost every place in the world. They are not a web site but ongoing networking with others, who are focused on Italian records. You can also browse their archives for tips.

Answer 4

Start by asking all your living relatives for as much info as they have. Go to your public library; ours has both www.ancestry.com and www.heritagequest.com, as well as books, periodicals and a volunteer to help folks.
Basically, ALL websites will take you to ancestry in Europe, including Italy. I have traced mine back to Italy, Greece, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Israel and Egypt.