Finding Missing Records Using Family Search

Luisa Sorrentino with her brothers and first 3 children

Family Search ( or familysearch.org ) is a free service provided by the Church of Latter Day Saints. Although free it does require you to register. I have been on a long time, so I am not sure, but they may try to up sell some products.

I have used this site many many times, the last time I used it I found that while they have many records that you can view online at home, just as you can on the Antenati, they also have records that are NOT on the Antenati that you can view by going to one to the LDS research center. They have them all over the world and I’ll show the steps below on how to find people using family search and how to find a research center

Catch our podcast on the topic Familysearch.

Family Search Log In

When you first access the site you will see a screen similar to this one. I get logged in automatically so your screen may appear a little different. It only takes a minute to register and you will be on your way.

Family Search Records

Costanza Saluzzo is my paternal grandmother’s grandmother. I searched the Antenati for her and found some records, but not all her records show. So how did I figure that out? Here is my initial search on the Family Search site. The first screen is my search and the second screen is the results returned.

As you can see, there were 1065 records returned. That’s an awful lot to parse through, however, since I knew her husband was Luigi Caracciolo and that she was born in 1790 I refined the search. The refined search returned only 18 records.

Only one of these records, the very first one, did I find on the Antenati site. I would also point out that even if you want to look on the Antenati, Family search is a good first step. When you click on the record icon on the far right you get the results below. Which is helpful in and of itself, but can also help narrow down your Antenati search.

Clicking on the tree icon will open a pop up window that shows any information connected with the record. In this case you can see that there are 14 sources. You can view these sources and correct information on the record.

Family Research Centers are available globally. I suggest you call like I did before you go.

One final bit of information is that you can create your tree and it will populate ancestors automatically if it finds matches. We will get more into this in our next post.

Podcast

Growing Up Italian: Food, Family, and Tradition

In this conversation, chef, author, and filmmaker Margie Raimondo shares her journey from a successful career in high tech to embracing her Italian roots through cooking. After a life-changing experience during 9/11, Margie reevaluated her life and moved to Arkansas, where she discovered a vibrant Italian community. She reflects on her childhood in an immigrant neighborhood, the importance of family traditions, and her culinary journey that took her to Italy, where she learned the art

February 22, 2025 No Comments

Podcast

The Northern Italian Experience in America

In this conversation, Bob Sorrentino interviews Ernesto Milani, who shares his family’s migration story from Italy to the United States, particularly focusing on the early Italian immigrants in America. They discuss the correspondence between family members across the ocean, the establishment of Italian settlements in the Southern United States, and the significant role of mutual aid societies in supporting Italian immigrants. Ernesto also shares the poignant story of Rosa, an Italian immigrant who became a

February 9, 2025 No Comments

Podcast

Sicilian Citizenship Adventure

In this conversation, Bob Sorrentino interviews Kristen Hertzog about her journey of relocating from the United States to Italy, exploring her family heritage, the challenges of obtaining dual citizenship, and the cultural differences she has encountered. Kristen shares her experiences of living in a small Italian village, the bureaucratic hurdles she faced, and the importance of language in building relationships. They also discuss the romanticized view of Italian life versus the reality, and how both

February 6, 2025 No Comments

Podcast

Italian Genealogy Extreme Records

In this engaging conversation, Bob Sorrentino and Daniel Niemiec delve into the intricate world of genealogy, exploring Daniel’s extensive research into his family history, which includes over 90,000 ancestors. They discuss migration patterns, the significance of family connections, and the emotional weight of discovering both extraordinary and tragic family stories. Daniel shares insights from his research, including the challenges of tracing lineage, the impact of historical events on family dynamics, and the fascinating tales of

January 31, 2025 No Comments

Podcast

Genealogy Tips – Katy Bodenhorn

In this conversation, Bob Sorrentino interviews Katy Bodenhorn, a professional genealogist, discussing her journey into genealogy, the importance of historical societies, and tips for aspiring genealogists. They explore the challenges and rewards of genealogy research, the significance of family stories, and the evolving landscape of genealogy with technology and DNA testing. Katy shares insights on her business, the services she offers, and the fascinating stories that emerge from genealogical research. Find Katy on Facebook Takeaways

January 23, 2025 No Comments

Podcast

Researching Porticello Sicily

In this engaging conversation, Bob Sorrentino and Carlo Treviso delve into the rich history and culture of Sicily, exploring Carlo’s personal journey of discovering his Sicilian roots and the inspiration behind his novel, Siciliana. They discuss the process of writing historical fiction, the significance of female protagonists, and the importance of preserving Italian culture and traditions in America. Takeaways • Carlo’s journey to Sicily sparked his interest in writing. • Sicilian culture was not fully

January 17, 2025 No Comments