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Genealogical Research Guide for Veneto: Napoleonic Civil Registration, Austrian Duplicates, Territorial Changes and Changes of Region

Genealogical research in Veneto stands out for a distinctive archival and historical framework, tied to the region's complex geopolitical history between the fall of the Republic of Venice (1797) and its annexation to the Kingdom of Italy (1866). Unlike the rest of Italy, in Veneto the **Italian Unitary Civil Registration** did not begin in 1866, but came into force on **September 1, 1871** (Royal Decree (R.D.) of April 28, 1871, no. 211). The intermediate period between the Napoleonic era and Unification was characterized by the joint ecclesiastical-state management of registrations under the **Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia (1815–1866)**, with the production of fundamental **Duplicates of the Parish Registers** sent annually to the Imperial Royal Provincial Delegations and now preserved in the respective State Archives. The region also went through significant redrawing of provincial and regional boundaries, including the transfer of Cortina d'Ampezzo and the Ampezzo area from Tyrol/Trentino to Belluno in 1923, the recent transfer of the municipality of Sappada to Friuli-Venezia Giulia in 2017, and a wide series of recent municipal mergers.

THE PROVINCES OF VENETO AND THEIR CHANGES

1. Province of Belluno

A mountain territory marked by profound territorial reconfigurations and by a strong historical migration flow. The State Archive of Belluno holds the Napoleonic Civil Registration, the Duplicates of the Parish Registers (1815–1871) and the Draft Lists. Belluno has absorbed important regional boundary changes both to the north (with Tyrol/Trentino) and to the east (with Friuli).

Current Municipalities of the Province of Belluno (60):

Agordo, Alano di Piave, Alleghe, Arsiè, Auronzo di Cadore, Belluno, Borca di Cadore, Borgo Valbelluna, Calalzo di Cadore, Canale d'Agordo, Cencenighe Agordino, Cesiomaggiore, Chies d'Alpago, Cibiana di Cadore, Colle Santa Lucia, Comelico Superiore, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Danta di Cadore, Domegge di Cadore, Falcade, Feltre, Fonzaso, Gosaldo, La Valle Agordina, Limana, Livinallongo del Col di Lana, Longarone, Lorenzago di Cadore, Lozzo di Cadore, Ospitale di Cadore, Pedavena, Perarolo di Cadore, Pieve di Cadore, Ponte nelle Alpi, Quero Vas, Rivamonte Agordino, Rocca Pietore, San Gregorio nelle Alpi, San Nicolò di Comelico, San Pietro di Cadore, San Tomaso Agordino, San Vito di Cadore, Santa Giustina, Santo Stefano di Cadore, Sedico, Selva di Cadore, Seren del Grappa, Sospirolo, Soverzene, Sovramonte, Taibon Agordino, Tambre, Val di Zoldo, Vallada Agordina, Valle di Cadore, Vigo di Cadore, Vodo di Cadore, Voltago Agordino, Zoppè di Cadore.

Territorial Changes, Changes of Region and Former Municipalities:

• Cortina d'Ampezzo, Livinallongo del Col di Lana and Colle Santa Lucia (Transfer from Trento/Tyrol to Belluno 1923): Until World War I they belonged to the Princely County of Tyrol (Austro-Hungarian Empire). With the Treaty of Saint-Germain they were annexed to Italy and initially placed in the province of Trento. They were added to the Province of Belluno by **Royal Decree of January 21, 1923, no. 93** (Official Gazette (O.G.) no. 22 of January 27, 1923). For research prior to 1918, one must refer to the Tyrolean/Trentino archives (Diocesan Archive of Brixen/Trento).
• Sappada (Change of Region from Veneto to Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2017): A historic Ladin- and German-speaking mountain municipality that belonged for centuries to Cadore and to the Province of Belluno. It was detached from the Veneto Region and the Province of Belluno and added to the Autonomous Region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia (Province/EDR of Udine) by **Law of December 5, 2017, no. 182** (O.G. no. 288 of December 11, 2017).
• Borgo Valbelluna (New Municipality by Merger 2019): Established on January 30, 2019 through the merger of the municipalities of *Trichiana*, *Mel* and *Lentiai* by **Regional Law of Veneto, January 24, 2019, no. 1**.
• Val di Zoldo (New Municipality by Merger 2016): Established on February 23, 2016 through the merger of the municipalities of *Forno di Zoldo* and *Zoldo Alto* by **Regional Law of Veneto, February 18, 2016, no. 5**.
• Longarone (Merger with Castellavazzo 2014): The municipality of *Castellavazzo* was incorporated into the municipality of *Longarone* by **Regional Law of Veneto, February 21, 2014, no. 9**.
• Alpago (New Municipality by Merger 2016): Established on February 23, 2016 through the merger of the municipalities of *Pieve d'Alpago*, *Farra d'Alpago* and *Puos d'Alpago* by **Regional Law of Veneto, February 18, 2016, no. 6**.
• Canale d'Agordo (Name Change from Forno di Canale 1964): Historically called *Forno di Canale*, it changed its name to *Canale d'Agordo* by **Decree of the President of the Republic (D.P.R.) of August 2, 1964, no. 688**.

2. Province of Padua

Located in the center of the Venetian plain, the province of Padua boasts a very rich archival heritage. The State Archive of Padua holds the Napoleonic Civil Registration (1806–1815), the Duplicates of the Parish Registers (1815–1871) produced by the Austrian provincial delegations, and the Italian Civil Registration from September 1871.

Current Municipalities of the Province of Padua (102):

Abano Terme, Agna, Albignasego, Anguillara Veneta, Arquà Petrarca, Arre, Arzergrande, Bagnoli di Sopra, Baone, Barbona, Battaglia Terme, Boara Pisani, Borgoricco, Borgo Veneto, Bovolenta, Brugine, Cadoneghe, Campo San Martino, Campodarsego, Campodoro, Camposampiero, Candiana, Carceri, Carmignano di Brenta, Cartura, Casale di Scodosia, Casalserugo, Castelbaldo, Cervarese Santa Croce, Cinto Euganeo, Cittadella, Codevigo, Conselve, Correzzola, Curtarolo, Este, Fontaniva, Galliera Veneta, Galzignano Terme, Gazzo, Grantorto, Granze, Legnaro, Limena, Loreggia, Lozzo Atestino, Maserà di Padova, Masi, Massanzago, Megliadino San Vitale, Merlara, Mestrino, Monselice, Montagnana, Montegrotto Terme, Noventa Padovana, Ospedaletto Euganeo, Padova, Pernumia, Piazzola sul Brenta, Piombino Dese, Piove di Sacco, Polverara, Ponso, Ponte San Nicolò, Pontelongo, Pozzonovo, Rovolon, Rubano, Saccolongo, Saletto, San Giorgio delle Pertiche, San Giorgio in Bosco, San Martino di Lupari, San Pietro Viminario, San Pietro in Gu, Sant'Angelo di Piove di Sacco, Sant'Elena, Sant'Urbano, Santa Giustina in Colle, Saonara, Selvazzano Dentro, Solesino, Stanghella, Teolo, Terrassa Padovana, Tombolo, Torreglia, Trebaseleghe, Tribano, Urbana, Veggiano, Vescovana, Vigodarzere, Vigonza, Villa Estense, Villa del Conte, Villafranca Padovana, Villanova di Camposampiero, Vo'.

Territorial Changes, Former Municipalities and References in the Official Gazette:

• Borgo Veneto (New Municipality by Merger 2018): Established on February 17, 2018 through the merger of the municipalities of *Megliadino San Fidenzio*, *Saletto* and *Santa Margherita d'Adige* by **Regional Law of Veneto, February 9, 2018, no. 7**.
• Abano Terme (Name Change from Abano Bagni 1930): Called *Abano* and later *Abano Bagni*, it took the name *Abano Terme* by **Royal Decree of March 6, 1930, no. 217**.
• Montegrotto Terme (Name Change from San Pietro Montagnon 1934): Until 1934 the municipality was called *San Pietro Montagnon*. It took its current name by **Royal Decree of October 18, 1934, no. 1827**. In genealogical research prior to 1934, records are filed under "San Pietro Montagnon".
• Cinto Euganeo (Name Change): Renamed *Cinto Euganeo* from *Cinto* by **Royal Decree of May 12, 1867, no. 3703**.

3. Province of Rovigo (Polesine)

Geographically coinciding with the Polesine, the province of Rovigo underwent a complex reshaping of its river boundaries along the Po. The State Archive of Rovigo holds the Napoleonic Civil Registration, the Duplicates of the Parish Registers (1815–1871) and the documentation of the Italian Civil Registration from September 1871.

Current Municipalities of the Province of Rovigo (50):

Adria, Ariano nel Polesine, Arquà Polesine, Badia Polesine, Bagnolo di Po, Bergantino, Bosaro, Calto, Canaro, Canda, Castelguglielmo, Castelmassa, Castelnovo Bariano, Ceneselli, Ceregnano, Corbola, Costa di Rovigo, Crespino, Ficarolo, Fiesso Umbertiano, Frassinelle Polesine, Fratta Polesine, Gaiba, Gavello, Giacciano con Baruchella, Guarda Veneta, Lendinara, Loreo, Lusia, Melara, Occhiobello, Papozze, Pettorazza Grimani, Pincara, Polesella, Pontecchio Polesine, Porto Tolle, Porto Viro, Rosolina, Rovigo, Salara, San Bellino, San Martino di Venezze, Stienta, Taglio di Po, Trecenta, Villadose, Villamarzana, Villanova del Ghebbo, Villanova Marchesana.

Territorial Changes, Former Municipalities and References in the Official Gazette:

• Porto Viro (New Municipality by Merger 1995): Established on January 1, 1995 through the merger of the municipalities of *Donada* and *Contarina* by **Regional Law of Veneto, December 15, 1994, no. 73**. (Note: Donada and Contarina had already been temporarily unified under the name of Porto Viro between 1928 and 1937 by R.D. 2737/1928, then separated again and finally merged in 1994).
• Porto Tolle (Name Change from San Nicolò del Po 1867): Called *San Nicolò del Po* in the Austrian and Bourbon/papal period, it changed its name to *Porto Tolle* by **Royal Decree of July 21, 1867, no. 3840**.
• Casoni / Rosalina (Annexations in the Delta): *Rosolina* was established as an autonomous municipality by separating from Loreo by **Royal Decree of May 12, 1879, no. 4882**.

4. Province of Treviso (Marca Trevigiana)

The State Archive of Treviso is the reference point for research in the Marca Trevigiana. It holds the records of the Napoleonic period (1806–1815), the series of Duplicates of the Parish Registers (1815–1871) and the military registration rolls of the Military District of Treviso.

Current Municipalities of the Province of Treviso (94):

Altivole, Arcade, Asolo, Borso del Grappa, Breda di Piave, Caerano di San Marco, Cappella Maggiore, Carbonera, Casale sul Sile, Casier, Castelcucco, Castelfranco Veneto, Castello di Godego, Cavaso del Tomba, Cessalto, Chiarano, Cimadolmo, Cison di Valmarino, Codognè, Colle Umberto, Conegliano, Cordignano, Cornuda, Crocetta del Montello, Farra di Soligo, Follina, Fontanelle, Fonte, Fregona, Gaiarine, Giavera del Montello, Godega di Sant'Urbano, Gorgo al Monticano, Istrana, Loria, Mansuè, Mareno di Piave, Maser, Maserada sul Piave, Meduna di Livenza, Miane, Mogliano Veneto, Monastier di Treviso, Monfumo, Montebelluna, Morgano, Moriago della Battaglia, Motta di Livenza, Nervesa della Battaglia, Oderzo, Ormelle, Orsago, Pieve del Grappa, Pieve di Soligo, Ponte di Piave, Ponzano Veneto, Portobuffolè, Possagno, Povegliano, Preganziol, Refrontolo, Resana, Revine Lago, Riese Pio X, Roncade, Salgareda, San Biagio di Callalta, San Fior, San Pietro di Feletto, San Polo di Piave, San Vendemiano, San Zenone degli Ezzelini, Santa Lucia di Piave, Sarmede, Segusino, Sernaglia della Battaglia, Silea, Spresiano, Susegana, Tarzo, Tefenga, Trevignano, Treviso, Valdobbiadene, Vazzola, Vedelago, Vittorio Veneto, Volpago del Montello, Zenson di Piave, Zero Branco.

Territorial Changes, Former Municipalities and References in the Official Gazette:

• Vittorio Veneto (Unification of Ceneda and Serravalle 1866): Established by **Royal Decree of November 22, 1866, no. 3353** through the union of the two historic neighboring municipalities of *Ceneda* and *Serravalle*. Bourbon/Austrian civil registration records up to 1866 appear separately under Ceneda or Serravalle.
• Pieve del Grappa (New Municipality by Merger 2019): Established on January 30, 2019 through the merger of the municipalities of *Crespano del Grappa* and *Paderno del Grappa* by **Regional Law of Veneto, January 24, 2019, no. 2**.
• Riese Pio X (Name Supplement): Called *Riese*, it added the epithet *Pio X* in honor of Pope Giuseppe Sarto (born in Riese) by **Royal Decree of September 18, 1952, no. 1445**.
• Moriago della Battaglia, Sernaglia della Battaglia, Nervesa della Battaglia: Addition of the suffix "della Battaglia" in the period after World War I in memory of the wartime events on the Piave (R.D. 1919–1923).

5. Metropolitan City / Province of Venice

The historic capital of the Serenissima, Venice is home to the State Archive of Venice (at the Frari), one of the most significant documentary repositories in the world. For modern-era civil registration it holds the registers of the Napoleonic period (1806–1815), the Austrian Parish Duplicates (1815–1871) and the series of the Italian Civil Registration from September 1871.

Current Municipalities of the Metropolitan City of Venice (44):

Annone Veneto, Campagna Lupia, Campolongo Maggiore, Camponogara, Caorle, Cavallino-Treporti, Cavarzere, Ceggia, Chioggia, Cinto Caomaggiore, Codevigo, Dolo, Eraclea, Fiesso d'Artico, Fossalta di Portogruaro, Fossalta di Piave, Fossò, Gruaro, Jesolo, Marcon, Martellago, Meolo, Mira, Mirano, Musile di Piave, Noale, Noventa di Piave, Pianiga, Portogruaro, Pramaggiore, Quarto d'Altino, Scorzè, Salzano, San Donà di Piave, San Michele al Tagliamento, Santa Maria di Sala, Santo Stino di Livenza, Spinea, Stra, Teglio Veneto, Torre di Mosto, Venezia, Vigonovo.

Territorial Changes, Former Municipalities and References in the Official Gazette:

• Cavallino-Treporti (Autonomy from Venice 1999): A historic frazione of the Municipality of Venice located on the coastline, established as an autonomous municipality following a referendum by **Regional Law of Veneto, March 29, 1999, no. 12**. Records prior to 1999 are kept at the Civil Registry Office of Venice.
• Eraclea (Name Change from Grisolera 1950): Historically called *Grisolera*, it changed its name to *Eraclea* by **D.P.R. of May 2, 1950, no. 396**.
• Jesolo (Name Change from Cavazuccherina 1930): Called *Cavazuccherina* since the Venetian era, it took the name *Jesolo* by **Royal Decree of August 28, 1930, no. 1402**.
• Annexation of the Municipalities of Mestre, Favaro Veneto, Chirignago, Zelarino and Pellestrina to Venice (1926): The ancient autonomous municipalities of the mainland were suppressed and incorporated into the Municipality of Venice by **Royal Decree of July 15, 1926, no. 1317**. Pre-1926 civil registration records of the individual municipalities are preserved in the Historical Archive of the Municipality of Venice.

6. Province of Verona

Located at the crossroads of Veneto, Lombardy and Trentino, the province of Verona has an archival heritage of primary importance. The State Archive of Verona holds the Napoleonic Civil Registration (1806–1815), the Lombardy-Venetia Parish Duplicates (1815–1871) and the military draft records for the various districts of the Veronese territory.

Current Municipalities of the Province of Verona (98):

Affi, Albaredo d'Adige, Angiari, Arcole, Badia Calavena, Bardolino, Belfiore, Bevilacqua, Bonavigo, Boschi Sant'Anna, Bosco Chiesanuova, Bovolone, Brentino Belluno, Brenzone sul Garda, Bussolengo, Buttapietra, Caldiero, Caprino Veronese, Casaleone, Castagnaro, Castel d'Azzano, Castelnuovo del Garda, Cavaion Veronese, Cazzano di Tramigna, Cerea, Cerro Veronese, Cologna Veneta, Colognola ai Colli, Concamarise, Costermano sul Garda, Dolcè, Erbezzo, Erbè, Ferrara di Monte Baldo, Fumane, Garda, Gazzo Veronese, Grezzana, Illasi, Isola della Scala, Isola Rizza, Lavagno, Lazise, Malcesine, Marano di Valpolicella, Mezzane di Sotto, Minerbe, Montecchia di Crosara, Monteforte d'Alpone, Mozzecane, Negrar di Valpolicella, Nogara, Nogarole Rocca, Oppeano, Palù, Pastrengo, Pescantina, Peschiera del Garda, Povegliano Veronese, Pressana, Rivoli Veronese, Ronco all'Adige, Roncà, Roverchiara, Roverè Veronese, Salizzole, San Bonifacio, San Giovanni Ilarione, San Giovanni Lupatoto, San Martino Buon Albergo, San Mauro di Saline, San Pietro di Morubio, San Pietro in Cariano, San Zeno di Montagna, Sanguinetto, Sant'Ambrogio di Valpolicella, Sant'Anna d'Alfaedo, Soave, Sommacampagna, Sona, Sorga, Terrazzo, Torri del Benaco, Tregnago, Trevenzuolo, Valeggio sul Mincio, Velo Veronese, Verona, Veronella, Vestenanova, Vigasio, Villa Bartolomea, Villafranca di Verona, Zevio, Zimella.

Territorial Changes, Former Municipalities and References in the Official Gazette:

• Negrar di Valpolicella (Name Supplement 2019): Called *Negrar*, it expanded its designation to *Negrar di Valpolicella* following **Regional Law of Veneto, September 25, 2019, no. 38**.
• Castelnuovo del Garda (Name Change 1970): Called *Castelnuovo di Verona*, it changed its name to *Castelnuovo del Garda* by **D.P.R. of May 19, 1970, no. 468**.
• Brentino Belluno (Unification 1928): Formed by the union of the two historic municipalities of *Brentino* and *Belluno Veronese* by **Royal Decree of September 13, 1928, no. 2228**.
• San Giovanni Lupatoto and Avesani (Suppressions and Annexations): Several villages and neighboring former municipalities were annexed to the municipality of Verona by the administrative reorganization decrees of the 1920s (R.D. 2712/1927).

7. Province of Vicenza

Characterized by a territory ranging from the plain to the Altopiano dei Sette Comuni, the province of Vicenza has important documentary holdings. The State Archive of Vicenza (with its detached Section in Bassano del Grappa) holds the series of the Napoleonic Civil Registration (1806–1815), the Lombardy-Venetia Parish Duplicates (1815–1871) and the draft rolls of the Military Districts of Vicenza and Bassano.

Current Municipalities of the Province of Vicenza (114):

Agugliaro, Albettone, Alonte, Altavilla Vicentina, Altissimo, Arcugnano, Arsiero, Arzignano, Asiago, Asigliano Veneto, Barbarano Mossano, Bassano del Grappa, Bolzano Vicentino, Breganze, Brendola, Bressanvido, Brogliano, Caldogno, Caltrano, Calvene, Camisano Vicentino, Campiglia dei Berici, Carrè, Cartigliano, Cassola, Castegnero, Castelgomberto, Chiampo, Chiuppano, Cogollo del Cengio, Colceresa, Cornedo Vicentino, Costabissara, Creazzo, Crespadoro, Dueville, Enego, Fara Vicentino, Foza, Gallio, Gambellara, Gambugliano, Grisignano di Zocco, Grumolo delle Abbadesse, Isola Vicentina, Laghi, Lastebasse, Longare, Lonigo, Lugo di Vicenza, Lusiana Conco, Malo, Marano Vicentino, Marostica, Monte di Malo, Montebello Vicentino, Montecchio Maggiore, Montecchio Precalcino, Montegalda, Montegaldella, Monteviale, Monticello Conte Otto, Montorso Vicentino, Mussolente, Nanto, Nogarole Vicentino, Nove, Noventa Vicentina, Orgiano, Pedemonte, Pianezze, Piovene Rocchette, Pojana Maggiore, Posina, Pove del Grappa, Roana, Romano d'Ezzelino, Rosà, Rossano Veneto, Rotzo, Salcedo, San Fidele, San Pietro Mussolino, San Vito di Leguzzano, Sandrigo, Sant'Orso, Santorso, Sarcedo, Sarego, Schiavon, Schio, Solagna, Sossano, Sovizzo, Tezze sul Brenta, Thiene, Tonezza del Cimone, Torrebelvicino, Torri di Quartesolo, Trissino, Valbrenta, Valdastico, Valli del Pasubio, Velo d'Astico, Vicenza, Villaga, Villaverla, Zanè, Zermeghedo, Zovencedo, Zugliano.

Territorial Changes, Former Municipalities and References in the Official Gazette:

• Valbrenta (New Municipality by Merger 2019): Established on January 30, 2019 through the merger of the municipalities of *Campolongo sul Brenta*, *Cismon del Grappa*, *San Nazario* and *Valstagna* by **Regional Law of Veneto, January 24, 2019, no. 3**.
• Colceresa (New Municipality by Merger 2019): Established on February 20, 2019 through the merger of the municipalities of *Mason Vicentino* and *Molvena* by **Regional Law of Veneto, February 18, 2019, no. 8**.
• Barbarano Mossano (New Municipality by Merger 2018): Established on February 20, 2018 through the merger of the municipalities of *Barbarano Vicentino* and *Mossano* by **Regional Law of Veneto, February 9, 2018, no. 5**.
• Lusiana Conco (New Municipality by Merger 2019): Established on February 20, 2019 through the merger of the municipalities of *Lusiana* and *Conco* on the Altopiano di Asiago by **Regional Law of Veneto, February 18, 2019, no. 9**.
• Sovizzo (Merger with Gambugliano 2024): The municipality of *Gambugliano* was incorporated into the municipality of *Sovizzo* by **Regional Law of Veneto, January 22, 2024, no. 2**.

Synoptic Table of Territorial Changes, Changes of Province/Region and Decrees in Veneto