ITALIAN CIVIL RECORDS

‘An estimated 18 million Italians emigrated between 1865 and 1985’

Percy Shelley praised Italy as “thou paradise of exiles”. But migration runs in both directions. In the past 150 years or so many native Italians have left the peninsula. Italy has only been a unified country since 1861, and the post-unification period marked the beginning of mass emigration, with later waves occurring during the build-up and aftermath of both of the world wars.

Of the estimated 18 million Italians who emigrated between 1861 and 1985 in one of the biggest migrations in history, a relatively small percentage settled in the UK. Many who came here were musicians, artists or craftsmen, or were lured by specific job opportunities.

Fortunately, you can research your ancestry for many of Italy’s 107 provinces