Sicilian Genealogy, History & Traditions
Genealogy, history and traditions
Research Guides
Practical help for your family research.
Town of Origin
Find the Sicilian town where your ancestors came from.
Civil Records
Understand Sicilian birth, marriage and death records.
Parish Records
Explore baptism, marriage and burial records in Sicily.
Emigration Records
Use emigration records to trace your Sicilian ancestors.
Historical Place Names
Understand historical place names found in family records.
Read Marriage Records
Learn to read names and relationships in marriage records.
Old Stories of Sicily
Stories, traditions and folklore of Sicily.
Giuseppe Sorbello • August 3
As an illness worsened, relatives decorated the house with religious objects and gathered around the dying person in prayer and support.
Giuseppe Sorbello • July 18
The body was blessed by the attending priest, then washed and dressed in the finest clothing available, sometimes with valuable personal accessories.
Giuseppe Sorbello • June 21
Coins, talismans, locks of hair, pieces of clothing, and even grave earth could play a role in traditional Sicilian funeral beliefs.
Giuseppe Sorbello • May 4
Children who died were traditionally dressed in white garments with a red ribbon at the waist, while wax candles were lit around the body.
Giuseppe Sorbello • April 10
Traditional belief held that, at death, the soul left the body and began its journey toward Heaven or Hell.









