Research Guide to Italian Genealogical Resources at the Connecticut State Library

The following sources may be helpful in planning search strategies. Due to time constraints, the library staff cannot search these materials on behalf of patrons. They may be utilized at the Connecticut State Library but may not be borrowed or sent on interlibrary loan.

Published Resources
Cole, Trafford R. Italian Genealogical Records. Salt Lake City, Ancestry Incorporated, 1995 [CSL call number HistRef CS 753 .C64 1995].

Colletta, John Philip. Finding Italian Roots. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1993 [CSL call number HistRef CS 753 .C65 1993].

Cordasco, Francesco. The Italian-American Experience: An Annotated and Classified Bibliographical Guide. New York: B. Franklin, 1974 [CSL call number Z 1361 .I8 C658].

Glazier, Ira A. and P. William Filby. Italians to America: Lists of Passengers Arriving at US Ports, 1880-1899. Wilmington, Del.: Scholarly Resources, 1992- [CSL call number E 184 .I8 I844 1992].

LoGatto, Anthony F., comp. The Italians in America, 1492-1972: a Chronology & Fact Book. Dobbs Ferry, NY.: Oceana Publications, 1972 [CSL call number E 184 .I8 L7].

Moquin, Wayne, comp. A Documentary History of the Italian Americans. New York: Praeger, 1974 [CSL call number E 184 .I8 M66].

Nelson, Lynn. A Genealogist's Guide to Discovering Your Italian Ancestors. Cincinnati: Betterway Books, 1997 [CSL call number CS 753 .445 1997].

Preece, Floren Stocks. Handy Guide to Italian Genealogical Records. Logan, Utah: Everton Publishers, c. 1978 [CSL call number CS 753 .P73].

Stella, Antonio. Some Aspects of Italian Immigration to the United States: Statistical Data and General Considerations Based Chiefly Upon the United States Censuses and Other Official Publications. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1924 [CSL call number JV 6774 .S8].

Tomanio, Anthony J. The Italian-American Community in Bridgeport. (Univ. of Bridgeport Student Monograph No. 5, 1953) [CSL call number F 104 .B79 I8 1953].

Genealogical Resources
The History and Genealogy Unit of the Connecticut State Library holds a number of genealogical indexes to births, marriages, deaths, and burials; microfilmed federal census records for Connecticut; and microfilmed early land records for all of Connecticut's 169 towns.

The town or county of birth is usually not included in census and naturalization records; in most cases the entry will simply read "Italy". Information sheets on naturalization records, census records, and ships passenger lists are also available.

Archival Resources
The items listed below are subject to the Rules and Procedures for Researchers Using Archival Records and Secured Collections Materials. See in particular the following Record Groups:

RG 10, Records of the Education Department. Includes some attendance reports and some passports and birth certificates of work permit applicants, 1870-1930.

RG 33:8, Ethnic Groups Survey.

• RG 33:8:25 includes edited copies of papers on ethnic groups, 1936-38.
• RG 33:8:29 includes edited copies of papers on ethnic organizations, together with lists, working papers, and related materials.
• RG 33:8:37, Bridgeport Office File, 1936-40, includes reports of interviews with members of ethnic groups.
• RG 33:8:38, Hartford Office File, 1936-40, includes newspaper clippings concerning Hartford ethnic groups, mounted in scrapbooks.
• RG 33:8:39, New Britain Office File, 1936-40 includes edited copy, drafts, interview reports and working papers arranged by ethnic group.

Computer Resources
The beginning genealogist may save some time in finding records by consulting the Ancestral File and the International Genealogical Index (IGI). These CD-ROM products include information on individuals from throughout the world.

The Ancestral File is a collection of thousands of names and pedigrees submitted to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City.

The International Genealogical Index is an index of names extracted from church and civil records. It includes over 200 million names from records around the world, with concentrations in North America, Mexico, Great Britain, and Europe. Names are placed in the IGI by researchers or through name extraction programs. If your ancestor is in the IGI, you may be able to find the date and place of his or her birth, marriage, and/or death.

The Ancestral File and the IGI are also available at LDS Family History Centers, other large genealogical libraries, and through the Family Search website.

Other Institutions with Relevant Collections
Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies Library
18 S. Seventh St.
Philadelphia, PA 19106-2314
(215) 925-8090
Fax (215) 925-8195

Center for Migration Studies
209 Flagg Place
Staten Island, NY 10304

Italian American Heritage Center, Inc.
The Catholic University of America
PO Box 136
Washington, DC 20064

Italian-American Historical Society of Greater New Haven
c/o The Ethnic Heritage Center at Southern Connecticut State University
117 Wintergreen Building
501 Crescent St.
New Haven, CT 06515

Italian Cultural Institute
686 Park Ave. NW
New York, NY 10021

Italian Genealogical Society of America
P.O. Box 8571
Cranston, RI 02920-8571

New Haven Free Public Library
133 Elm St.
New Haven, CT 06510

POINT: Pursuing Our Italian Names Together
Box 2977
Palos Verdes, CA 90274

Prepared by the History and Genealogy Unit, Connecticut State Library, 11-96.