Sardinia, is an Italian island in the Mediterranean, second in size only to Sicily. It lies 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) from the French island of Corsica and 563 km (350 miles) to the Spanish region of Catalonia. This proximity has resulted in a unique history researchers need to be aware of when researching Sardinian ancestors.
Sardinia was under Spanish rule until the start of the 18th century, when it was conquered first by the Austrians and later by the French. People of the region spoke Spanish and Catalan, and you will find many records of the time in those languages. Italian influence was first seen when Sardinia was taken over by the House of Savoy in 1718, and the Italian language was introduced the 1760s.
Sardinia became part of Italy during the unification of 1861. It is one of five Italian autonomous regions. This gives the island a degree of autonomy in creating laws and carrying out administrative functions.
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Administrative divisions of SardiniaAdministrative divisions of Sardinia
Sardinia has four provinces:
- Nuoro
- Oristano
- Sassari
- South Sardinia
The capital city of Cagliari is considered a separate metropolitan district, administratively separate from the provinces.
Types of Family History Records available in SardiniaTypes of Family History Records available in Sardinia
Census recordsCensus records
Italian population censuses have been taken in Sardinia every ten years starting in 1871. Census records up to 1991 are held in the state archive of each province. Starting in 1911 or 1921 (depending on the comune) a copy of the records could also be found in each comune’s register’s office (anagrafe). The availability to the public differs from comune to comune.
Vital RecordsVital Records
Church RecordsChurch Records
Because of Sardinia's unique history with Spain, Catholic Church records are the best way to find vital record information before Italian unification. Parishes kept standardized records of baptisms and marriages starting in 1563 and deaths starting in 1614. Records before the mid-18th century were usually written in Latin or Spanish. Italian language records will begin in the 1760s although this will vary widely from comune to comune. You may also find records in local dialects.
The structure of the Church in Sardinia is comprised of diocese and parishes, much like the rest of Italy. A diocese is a regional office that oversees a number of parishes. In order to find specific vital records, you will need to know the name and location of the parish that holds those records. If the parish still exists today, you can contact the records office there to do a search. If the parish has been closed, contact the diocese office to determine where the records are currently stored.
The Church also ran a number of orphanages throughout Sardinia. The birth records of orphans were sometimes recorded at the parish where the birth occurred, and at other times at the parish that housed the orphanage. You will have to check both places. Orphan records were usually recorded in the second part (Parte due) of the record book.
Civil RecordsCivil Records
Civil registration records are the vital records created by the government. Civil registration was required in Sardinia starting in 1861. These were recorded by the municipal registrar (Uffiziale dello Stato Civile) and kept at the local (comune) level. These include birth, marriage, and death records. In addition, civil registration may include documents required for marriage, miscellaneous records (such as stillbirths), deaths occurring in other cities or countries, and legitimations or parental acknowledgments [ricognizioni].
Civil records can be usually be found by contacting the offices of the specific town or comune you are researching. Portale Antenati (Ancestors Portal), a project overseen by the Italian government, is currently in the process of digitizing these records, however they are not yet available to the public online.
Family Status Certificates (certificati dello stato di famiglia)Family Status Certificates (certificati dello stato di famiglia)
Family Status Certificates Records have been issued since the late 1860’s. They are arranged into family groups and give a glimpse into the life of a family unit. The records can include data on several generations of the same family. They may include such information as:
- The given name and surname of the head of the household and all individuals in that household, and the relationships to the head of household.
- The names of parents of listed persons, including the maiden name of the mother.
- The date and place of birth.
- The date and place of death.
- Profession
- Marital status.
- The residences of family members who have moved from the community and their date of departure.
These records are kept at local municipal archives. The collections usually cover most of the community, however, some municipalities may have disposed of earlier records. Access is often limited to staff only – researchers will usually have to make a request to get copies. There has been some work in the last few years to allow researchers to request copies online, however this varies by municipality.
Military RecordsMilitary Records
Since the creation of the Italian state in the 1860s, all Italian males, subject to certain exceptions, have been subject to military duty. This requirement can generate a number of records that can be useful in genealogical research.
Liste de Leva & Lista d’EstrazioneListe de Leva & Lista d’Estrazione
The liste di leva are military draft lists documenting 18-year-old males in Italy. The process had two phases:
- Phase I: Each town submitted an annual list of males born 18 years prior to the local military district. These lists included the individual’s name, parents’ names, birthplace, and residence. The military office compiled these into the lista di leva and added further details such as physical traits, marital status, and current address.
- Phase II: At age 21, eligible men were examined by a draft board (consiglio di leva). The results, including physical condition, occupation, and exemption status, were recorded in the lista d’estrazione. Exemptions could be granted for medical, legal, or social reasons (for example, being a family's only surviving son).
Service and Discharge Records (Foglio di Congedo Illimitato)Service and Discharge Records (Foglio di Congedo Illimitato)
These records describe a soldier’s time in service and legally prove his discharge from military service. They can include birth information, parents’ names, physical description, vocation, and educational information. They also give information regarding the date and place of draft, length of service, transfers, campaigns, medals, and wounds. Typically, the soldier received one copy and the other was kept in the military file.
Finding Military RecordsFinding Military Records
Italian military records that are less than 75 years old are kept by the local tribunal (court) archive for that district and are not public. After the 75-year mark they are released to the provincial archive and are made public.
Immigration and EmigrationImmigration and Emigration
The first Italian diaspora, from the 1880s through the 1920s was a time when millions of Italians left for other countries. They were fleeing harsh conditions, poverty and food insecurity. Popular destinations were Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela and Uruguay in South America; and the United States and Canada in North America.
Unfortunately, departure records from Italian ports are rare. It is much more common to find passenger manifests and immigration records in the receiving countries. These records can include such information as names and relationships, town and port of departure, occupation, and in some cases, the name and address of a person that was meeting the travelers in the new country.
Tax RecordsTax Records
Historical tax records are usually kept at the state archive for the associated town (comune). These records, called Riveli di Beni e Anime (Records of Good and Souls) are valuable genealogical sources used to identify individuals within a specific locality. These records document tax assessments on real and personal property and may include the individual's name, age, civil status, and occasionally the names of parents.
Depending on the year and region, some records list all household members, while others name only the head of household, along with a valuation of the family's assets. Records can go back as far as the 1600s in some cases.