Holtz Research Services

Italian Americans have a unique and rich heritage.  Now several generations past their immigrating ancestors, more and more Italian Americans are desiring to know more about their ancestors' lives and the families they left behind.

As a researcher in Italian genealogy I've found great satisfaction in reuniting Italian descendents with the heritage and culture of their ancestors.  Italians and their descendents have played an integral part in all aspects of life here in the United States.

A typical research project usually starts by researching in certain United States records

[census, immigration, naturalization, etc.] to provide a reasonable starting point within the Italian records.  If you don't know where in Italy your ancestors came from, this research in the U.S. records will often point us in the right direction.

With each report you are provided with source-cited copies of any documents found, a detailed analysis, an abstraction of the document into English as well as a CD containing digital images of the documents.

The majority of my work is performed using the records microfilmed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). For a large portion of Italy, especially in the southern portion and in Sicily, the original civil vital records for the years 1820-1910 have been microfilmed and are available for researching.  Additionally, a small amount of ecclesiastical  and military records are becoming available by microfilm.  

If records for your town of origin are not available by microfilm, research may still be able to be conducted through postal or email

inquiries or on-site during one of my planned annual research trips to Italy. 

Please provide a detailed summary of your previous research and what your research goals are.  For example, are you just looking to find who your great-grandparents were or would you like to trace your family back as far as records will allow?  Would you like a specific record acquired for use towards your Italian dual citizenship?  You can provide this summary using my online form, by email or postal mail.  I will then evaluate  the project and prepare a research plan and estimate for you.   Once a research plan is agreed upon and the research agreement and retainer received, your research can begin!  I look forward to hearing from you!