What if your Italian Ancestor was born in a town that is no longer part of Italy?

What if my Ancestor was born in a town that is no longer part of Italy?

Due to the many changes in the boundaries between Italy and other nations over the course of history and the ever changing laws of citizenship, the complexity requires you ask the Italian Consulate if you qualify. Please explain to the Consulate official where and when your Ancestor was born and when he or she emigrated from Italy or another country.

As an example: territories in the provinces of Gorizia, Trieste, Pola, Fiume and Zara were part of Italy from approximately the end of WWI until 1947 when they were officially transferred to Yugoslavia (now Croatia and Slovenia). The city of Trieste and a few small towns (that comprised the Free Territory of Trieste) remained part of Italy.

With the Paris Peace Treaty, all citizens of Italian nationality residing on June 10, 1940 in those territories, were given the possibility to maintain their Italian citizenship status up to a certain date. Once the deadline expired, they were to become citizens of Yugoslavia. Those who were non Italian speakers, if they wanted to become Italian citizens, had to apply for Italian citizenship (and it was not easily granted).

If your Ancestor was born in one of those territories, you need to contact the Italian Consulate of the State where you reside and ask them what they would accept as proof of his or her Italian citizenship. Birth documents issued by either Croatia or Slovenia will NOT recognize Italy as your Ancestor’s original birthplace.

If you have specific questions, you can SCHEDULE A TELEPHONE CONSULTATION for assistance.