Pin down your elusive immigrant ancestor’s place of origin using some well-known – and lesser-known –
record sets, ideas, and techniques.

Immigrant ancestors can give us quite the challenge when trying to find their exact place of origin. The endless “Ireland” notations or “Italy” listed as place of birth can drive genealogists, both beginner and expert alike, mad. This presentation delves into various and diverse records that are found stateside so as to narrow down that search, as well as ideas for when the paper trail continually runs cold. The main suspects will be discussed, as will numerous lesser-known and lesser-used records. A (non-exhaustive) sample of some of the record sets covered:
• Ship manifests
• Naturalization records
• Vital records
• World War I/World War II draft registration cards
• Church records
• County histories
• Probate files
• Ethnic record sets

Rich Venezia is a New Jersey native who now calls Philadelphia home. He founded Rich Roots Genealogy in 2013. He was a member of the research team of Genealogy Roadshow (PBS) for two seasons, and also consulted on Follow Your Past (Travel Channel). He is an expert in the research of 20th-century immigrant ancestors, especially underutilized record sources and federal records. He also specializes in Italian and Irish research. Additionally, he assists clients with dual citizenship applications for Ireland and Italy, and is a proud Italian dual citizen. He holds a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University. He lectures nationwide, and spoke about “How to Grow Empathy From Uncovering Your Roots” at TEDx Pittsburgh 2017.