Interest in family history research continues to grow, particularly since the recent screening on SBS of the Australian version of Who Do You Think You Are?

However many tracing their family tree are often faced with the problem of how to access overseas records.

Co.As.It Leichhardt’s Italian Family Hitory Group has announced that arrangements have now been finalised which will enable those Sydneysiders with Italian ancestry to undertake research into tracing their Italian ancestors in Sydney instead of overseas.

Arrival in Sydney, ca 1955

 “After eight years of negotiations I am very pleased to say it will now be possible to order copies of records on microfilm containing the actual entries of official Italian registers, both civil and church” said Dominic Arrivilo, Chairperson of the Co.As.It Italian Family History Group.

At present 48 reels containing the registers of the Aeolian Islands (Province of Messina) are available at Casa D’Italia, Co.As.It HQ at 67 Norton Street, Leichhardt.

For further information contact Linda Nellor, Co.As.It Heritage Officer on 02 9564 0744 or Dominic Arrivolo on 02 9789 1787.