01
Ascendancy Research
Tracing one individual or several, generation by generation, back as far as the records go.
Genealogy research and services in Italy
Discover Your Italian Family History
I research Italian ancestors and descendants in original civil and church records — the families, the towns and the historical sources behind your name — collected and presented with professionalism and integrity.
Who I am
A professional genealogist based in Italy
I am Iuri Silvestri, a genealogist with a classical education in History, Latin, Ancient Greek and Philosophy. I work on original civil and church records and, where the records allow, have traced families back to the sixteenth century.
- Professional genealogist since 2004
- Studied History at Ca’ Foscari University, Venice
- Reads Italian and Latin records
- Member of the International Association of Professional Genealogists
Services
What I can research for you
From a single record to a complete family line, each project starts with what you already know and a clear goal.
02
Descendancy Research
Tracing all the descendants of a given ancestor or generation, forward through time.
03
Original Records
Copies of original birth (baptism), marriage and death records from civil and church registers.
04
Translation
Translation of documents and letters from Italian and Latin.
05
Finding Living Relatives
Help identifying relatives who are living in Italy today.
06
Assistance with Travel to Italy
Help planning, organising and carrying out a trip to your family's places — and, if you wish, to your relatives.
07
Presentation of Results
An engaging presentation of your family's history — in person or via video call — for a unique family reunion.
08
Surname Analysis
The etymology of your surname, its frequency and the area where it is most widespread.
09
Historical Research
A historical overview of your family's town, province and region in Italy.
Where I research
Throughout Italy — and just beyond its borders
I carry out research throughout Italy, working directly with original civil and church records. Research is also possible outside Italy, particularly in Slovenia, Croatia and the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland.
Areas of research
- All of Italy
- Slovenia
- Croatia
- Italian-speaking Switzerland
The research journey
How a research project unfolds
A simple, transparent procedure — agreed before any work begins.
Tell me what you know
Send me the details you have about your Italian ancestors — names, places, dates, or a family tree chart.
Define the goal
Describe what you hope to discover. A clear aim shapes the plan and the estimate.
Plan and estimate
I reply with my opinion and an estimate. For on-site research we sign an agreement.
Research begins
After your acceptance and a deposit, the work starts within the agreed budget.
Regular updates
I keep you posted constantly on how the research is progressing.
Documented results
Once complete, and after the balance, you receive the documented findings.
Original sources
The records themselves, not just the names
Civil registers, parish books, marriage records, notarial acts: the history of a family lives in the original documents. I locate them, photograph or copy them, and can translate them from Italian and Latin so that every finding is supported by its source.
01 Civil registers 
02 Seventeenth-century register 
03 Fourteenth-century parchment
From clients
What people say about working with me
His diligence can only be surpassed by his kindness and tenacity. He was a pleasure to work with. If your family tree takes you to Italy, Mr. Silvestri is the man to go with.
Without a doubt Iuri Silvestri has by far been the most competent, professional and communicative of any of them. You will find Mr. Silvestri to be open and very willing to speak with you concerning all aspects of the research.
Not only did he trace our family back to the mid 1600's; but he also sent us documented proof of births, deaths, and marriages. Iuri photographed the village that my grandfather was from and it made us feel like we were actually there.
About Iuri
History is my training. Families are my work.
Genealogy for me is historical research applied to a family. Each project means reading original records, visiting the towns where a family lived and, when it helps, meeting the relatives who are still there.
Meet Iuri
How much does it cost?
The estimate is given after a preliminary discussion between us. Each detail, and above all the definition of your goals, can change the cost considerably — which is why I do not publish fixed packages. I work on an hourly fee plus expenses; for some research projects a “no results – no fee” option is possible. See how pricing works.
Why do I have to provide details about my ancestors?
Only with as much as possible of your current knowledge of your own genealogy can I set the best estimate and procedure — and go directly to the right place of research, instead of spending your budget rediscovering what you already know.
Will the documents help me obtain Italian citizenship?
I can certainly help in obtaining the right documents. The application procedure itself, however, I leave to you: my work is the research and provision of records, not the citizenship application.
Do you research throughout Italy?
Yes, I do.
Ready to begin?
Tell me about your family.
Send me what you already know about your Italian ancestors — names, towns, approximate dates — and describe what you hope to discover. I will reply with my opinion and an estimate for your project.
