Radici Guides

Guide to Genealogical Research in Liguria: Archives, Administrative Variations, and Municipalities

Liguria offers an extraordinary archival heritage for genealogical reconstruction, rooted in the ancient Republic of Genoa, the Napoleonic administration (Departments of Genoa, Montenotte, and the Apennines, with the introduction of civil status registers starting in the first decade of the 19th century), and the unified Italian Civil Status system (1865–1866). The regional administrative structure was modified during the 20th century through the creation of new provinces (Imperia, La Spezia, Savona) and numerous territorial and municipal changes.

THE PROVINCES OF LIGURIA AND THEIR VARIATIONS

1. Metropolitan City of Genoa

As the historical center of the region, the Genoese territory includes the Ligurian capital, the Gulf of Paradiso, Tigullio, Bisagno Valley, Polcevera Valley, Scrivia Valley, Trebbia Valley, and Aveto Valley.

List of Municipalities in the Metropolitan City of Genoa (67):

Arenzano, Avegno, Bargagli, Bogliasco, Borzonasca, Busalla, Camogli, Campo Ligure, Campomorone, Carasco, Casarza Ligure, Casella, Castiglione Chiavarese, Ceranesi, Chiavari, Cicagna, Cogoleto, Cogorno, Coreglia Ligure, Crocefieschi, Davagna, Fascia, Favale di Malvaro, Fontanigorda, Genova, Gorreto, Isola del Cantone, Lavagna, Leivi, Lorsica, Lumarzo, Masone, Mezzanego, Mignanego, Mocònesi, Moneglia, Montebruno, Montoggio, Ne, Neirone, Orero, Pieve Ligure, Portofino, Propata, Rapallo, Recco, Rezzoaglio, Ronco Scrivia, Rondanina, Rossiglione, Rovegno, San Colombano Certenoli, Sant'Olcese, Santa Margherita Ligure, Santo Stefano d'Aveto, Savignone, Serra Riccò, Sestri Levante, Sori, Tiglieto, Torriglia, Tribogna, Uscio, Valbrevenna, Vobbia, Zoagli.

Historical-Administrative Notes and Changes (Genoa):

• Historical territorial changes: The island of Capraia was part of the province of Genoa until 1925, when it was transferred to the province of Livorno (Royal Decree November 15, 1925, no. 2111).
• Metropolitan area: Since 2015, the Province of Genoa has been officially transformed into a Metropolitan City.

2. Province of Imperia

Located in the far western part of Liguria, the province borders France and encompasses the Riviera dei Fiori and the inland valleys of Arroscia, Argentina, and Nervia.

List of Municipalities in the Province of Imperia (67):

Airole, Apricale, Aquila d'Arroscia, Armo, Aurigo, Badalucco, Bajardo, Bordighera, Borghetto d'Arroscia, Borgomaro, Camporosso, Caravonica, Castellaro, Castel Vittorio, Ceriana, Cervo, Cesio, Chiusanico, Chiusavecchia, Cipressa, Civezza, Diano Arentino, Diano Castello, Diano Marina, Diano San Pietro, Dolceacqua, Dolcedo, Imperia, Isolabona, Lucinasco, Mendatica, Molini di Triora, Montalto Carpasio, Montegrosso Pian Latte, Olivetta San Michele, Ospedaletti, Perinaldo, Pigna, Pieve di Teco, Pompeiana, Pornassio, Prelà, Ranzo, Rezzo, Riva Ligure, Rocchetta Nervina, San Bartolomeo al Mare, San Biagio della Cima, Sanremo, Santo Stefano al Mare, Seborga, Soldano, Taggia, Terzorio, Triora, Vallecrosia, Vasia, Ventimiglia, Vessalico, Villa Faraldi.

Historical-Administrative Notes and Changes (Imperia):

• Establishment: The province was established by Royal Decree January 2, 1923, no. 91, combining the districts of Oneglia and Sanremo. The capital municipality, Imperia, was created in 1923 from the merger of Oneglia and Porto Maurizio (Royal Decree October 21, 1923, no. 2359).
• Recent mergers: Montalto Carpasio was established in 2018 from the merger of Montalto Ligure and Carpasio.

3. Province of La Spezia

Located in the far eastern part of Liguria, it encompasses the Gulf of Poets, Cinque Terre, Vara Valley, and Magra Valley.

List of Municipalities in the Province of La Spezia (32):

Ameglia, Arcola, Beverino, Bolano, Bonassola, Borghetto di Vara, Brugnato, Calice al Cornoviglio, Carro, Carrodano, Castelnuovo Magra, Deiva Marina, Follo, Framura, La Spezia, Lerici, Levanto, Maissana, Monterosso al Mare, Pignone, Portovenere, Riccò del Golfo di Spezia, Riomaggiore, Rocchetta di Vara, Santo Stefano di Magra, Sarzana, Sesta Godano, Varese Ligure, Vernazza, Vezzano Ligure, Zignago.

Historical-Administrative Notes and Changes (La Spezia):

• Establishment: Established by Royal Decree September 2, 1923, no. 1913 (operational from 1924), separating the territory from the Levante district of the province of Genoa. For genealogical research prior to 1924, reference collections are housed in the State Archive of Genoa.

4. Province of Savona

The province of Savona extends along the Riviera di Ponente (Riviera delle Palme) and the mountainous hinterland, including the Bormida Valley and the plain of Albenga.

List of Municipalities in the Province of Savona (69):

Alassio, Albenga, Albisola Superiore, Albissola Marina, Altare, Andora, Arnasco, Balestrino, Bardineto, Bergeggi, Boissano, Borghetto Santo Spirito, Bormida, Cairo Montenotte, Calice Ligure, Calizzano, Carcare, Cengio, Ceriale, Cisano sul Neva, Cosseria, Dego, Erli, Finale Ligure, Garlenda, Giustenice, Giusvalla, Laigueglia, Loano, Magliolo, Mallare, Massimino, Millesimo, Mioglia, Murialdo, Nasino, Noli, Onzo, Orco Feglino, Ortovero, Osiglia, Pallare, Piana Crixia, Pietra Ligure, Plodio, Pontinvrea, Quiliano, Rialto, Roccavignale, Sassello, Savona, Spotorno, Stella, Stellanello, Testico, Toirano, Tovo San Giacomo, Urbe, Vado Ligure, Varazze, Vendone, Vezzi Portio, Villanova d'Albenga, Zuccarello.

Historical-Administrative Notes and Changes (Savona):

• Establishment: Established by Royal Decree January 2, 1927, no. 1, carving the territory out of the province of Genoa. For records and documents prior to 1927, reference must be made to the State Archive of Genoa.

Summary Table of Administrative and Regulatory Changes in Liguria