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Introduction
The Riveli di Beni e Anime (Reveals of Goods and Souls) are historical documents of extraordinary importance for those conducting genealogical research in Sicily. Over the centuries, these tax censuses have recorded not only the composition of families, but also the value of their movable and immovable assets, offering a valuable window into local social life from the 16th to the 18th centuries. In this article, we will explore the institutional origins of these records, their structure, their use in genealogy, and an ambitious indexing project initiated years ago by this Center to facilitate their consultation.
From the Magna Curia dei Maestri Razionali (later the Court of the Royal Patrimony) to the Deputation of the Kingdom
The Magna Curia dei Maestri Razionali was the supreme body of financial control and administration in Sicily. Specifically, its officials were responsible for examining the accounts of the various administrations, state revenues, duties, and taxes of the Kingdom.
In 1569, a significant reform was implemented that transformed the institution of the Maestri Razionali into a more formalized magistrate: the Tribunale del Real Patrimonio (Court of the Royal Patrimony).
The Deputation of the Kingdom was a political-administrative body composed of 12 members, elected for four-year terms, representing the three “arms” of the Sicilian Parliament: military (barons), ecclesiastical, and state property (state-owned cities).
Its main task was to oversee the privileges and prerogatives of the Kingdom, and above all to distribute the tax burden among the cities and lands of the Kingdom based on parliamentary resolutions and census data (the Riveli).
In 1682, many census-related functions formally passed from the jurisdiction of the Court of Royal Patrimony to the Deputation of the Kingdom.
In this context, the Deputation became the custodian of census practices, imposing and controlling the Riveli in the various municipalities.
The numerous Riveli registers of almost all the island’s municipalities are kept in the State Archives of Palermo: the Riveli drawn up in the years 1548, 1569, 1584, 1593, 1607, 1616, 1623, 1636, 1651, 1682, 1714, and 1747-1756 are preserved.
The structure of the “Reveals of Goods and Souls”
To understand how to correctly read a Rivelo, it’s helpful to analyze its typical structure, which in many cases is fairly consistent (although with local variations).
Here are the main elements found in Rivelos:
Preamble / Declaration of the Head of the Family
Each family unit is introduced with a declaration: the name of the head of the family (head of the house), often indicating the father or mother. It also indicates the municipality, the date the Rivelo was issued, and often the name of the official in charge of drafting or supervising it.
“Souls” section
All members of the household are listed, in relation to the head (e.g., wife, children, servants, cohabiting relatives), often with the estimated age of males.
Women may be listed without age or with less detail.
“Properties” Section
Then we move on to the detailed inventory of the household’s assets:
- Real estate: houses, lands
- Goods: animals (except farmyard animals such as chickens), tools, food supplies, credits
Next come the “encumbrances” (rents to be paid, debts to third parties, miscellaneous charges).
The deed concludes with a summary of the value of the assets owned (net of encumbrances) and the date of filing the Rivelo.
Some deeds may also contain attachments (typically copies of notary records or wills) or subsequent amendments to the original declaration.
The usefulness of the Riveli in Sicilian genealogical research
The Riveli supplement the data found in parish registers (baptisms, marriages, deaths), especially when these are incomplete or missing. But what makes the Riveli an invaluable source of research is, above all, the possibility they offer of understanding the social and economic status of every single family, from the humblest to the wealthiest.
Do you want to search your farmily’s Riveli?
Like all ancient documents, Riveli can present serious reading and interpretation challenges for those unfamiliar with archival research. If you’d prefer to rely on a professional and know your ancestors’ Sicilian municipality of origin, we can identify the preserved Riveli relating to that municipality and conduct the research at the State Archives.
We’ll provide you with a digital copy of each document found, along with a summary of the most important information.
The 1747-1756 Riveli indexing project
The Riveli from 1747-1756 are the most complete and best preserved. They are available for almost all Sicilian municipalities. The project, which began several years ago, involves indexing all Riveli by surname for all Sicilian municipalities, with regular online updates of newly indexed municipalities.
The goal is twofold: to make heads of families searchable by surname and to create a database on the geographical distribution of surnames.
The project is progressing gradually. Below is a list (which will be progressively updated) of the Riveli already indexed or in the process of being indexed:
Province of Agrigento:
Bivona, Calamonaci, Caltabellotta, Camastra, Cammarata, Campobello di Licata, Canicattì, Casteltermini, Castrofilippo, Cattolica Eraclea, Comitini, Favara, Grotte, Joppolo Giancaxio, Lucca Sicula, Menfi, Montallegro, Montaperto, Montevago, Naro, Racalmuto, Raffadali, Ribera, Sambuca di Sicilia, San Biagio Platani, San Giovanni Gemini, Santa Margherita, Sant’Angelo Muxaro, Sant’Anna, Sant’Elisabetta, Santo Stefano Quisquina, Sciacca, Siculiana, Villafranca Sicula
Province of Caltanissetta:
Acquaviva Platani, Bompensiere, Butera, Campofranco, Delia, Gela, Montedoro, Mussomeli, Niscemi, Resuttano, Riesi, San Cataldo, Sommatino, Sutera
Province of Catania:
Acireale, Aci Bonaccorsi, Aci Castello, Adrano, Belpasso, Biancavilla, Bronte, Camporotondo Etneo, Castiglione di Sicilia, Castrorao, Gravina di Catania, Linguaglossa, Mascali, Mascalucia, Misterbianco, Motta Sant’Anastasia, Nicolosi, Pedara, Piedimonte Etneo, San Giovanni Galermo, San Giovanni la Punta, Sant’Agata li Battiati, Trecastagni
Province of Enna:
Aidone, Assoro, Barrafranca, Calascibetta, Carcaci, Catenanuova, Centuripe, Enna, Regalbuto, Sperlinga, Villadoro, Villarosa
Province of Messina:
Alcara li Fusi, Bafia, Basicò, Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, Bauso, Calatabiano, Calvaruso, Capizzi, Caronia, Casalvecchio Siculo, Castell’Umberto, Castelmola, Castelnuovo, Castroreale, Cesarò, Fiumedinisi, Floresta, Forza d’Agrò, Francavilla, Frazzanò, Gaggi, Gallodoro, Gioiosa Marea, Graniti, Guidomandri, Iannello di Brolo, Itala, Librizzi, Limina, Locadi, Maletto, Malvagna, Mandanici, Martini, Maurojanni, Mazzarrà Sant’Andrea, Merì, Milazzo, Mistretta, Mojo, Monforte San Giorgio, Mongiuffi Melia, Montagnareale, Montalbano Elicona, Motta Camastra, Novara di Sicilia, Oliveri, Pagliara, Patti, Piraino, Pozzo di Gotto, Raccuia, Roccafiorita, Roccalumera, Roccavaldina, Roccella Valdemone, Rometta, San Fratello, San Gregorio, San Martino, San Pier Niceto, San Piero Patti, Santo Stefano di Camastra, Savoca, Scaletta Zanclea, Sinagra, Sorrentini, Spadafora, Taormina, Tripi, Ucria, Venetico
Province of Palermo:
Alia, Alimena, Aliminusa, Altavilla Milicia, Baucina, Bisacquino, Bolognetta, Borgetto, Caccamo, Campofelice di Roccella, Capaci, Carini, Casteldaccia, Cefalà Diana, Cerda, Chiusa Sclafani, Ciminna, Cinisi, Collesano, Contessa Entellina, Corleone, Ficarazzi, Giardinello, Giuliana, Godrano, Gratteri, Isnello, Lascari, Marineo, Mezzoiuso, Misilmeri, Monreale, Montelepre, Montemaggiore Belsito, Palazzo Adriano, Petralia Soprana (include Blufi e Bompietro), Polizzi Generosa, Prizzi, Roccapalumba, San Carlo, Termini Imerese, Terrasini, Torretta, Trappeto, Valguarnera Ragalì, Ventimiglia di Sicilia
Province of Ragusa:
Acate, Chiaramonte Gulfi, Giarratana, Monterosso Almo, Santa Croce Camerina, Scicli, Vittoria
Province of Siracusa:
Buccheri, Buscemi
Province of Trapani:
Calatafimi, Campobello di Mazara, Castellammare del Golfo, Castelvetrano, Erice, Gibellina, Mazara del Vallo, Partanna, Poggioreale, Salaparuta, Vita, Xitta
FAQ – The Riveli di Beni e Anime in Sicilian Genealogy
1. What are the Riveli di Beni e Anime?
The Riveli di Beni e Anime (Reveals of Goods and Souls) are tax censuses compiled in Sicily between the 16th and 18th centuries. Each head of a family declared the members of their household (the “souls”) and their assets (the “goods”). Today, they represent a valuable source for those researching their family origins.
2. What were the Riveli di Beni e Anime for?
Originally, they were used to calculate the taxes owed by each family or community. Today, however, they are used to study the economic and social history of various Sicilian municipalities, as well as to reconstruct family trees.
3. Where are the Riveli di Beni e Anime kept?
The Riveli are kept in the State Archive of Palermo.
4. Why are the Riveli useful in Sicilian genealogical research?
Because they often contain information not found in parish registers, they also help fill any documentary gaps and reveal the family’s social status.
5. How can I search the Riveli related to my ancestors?
You can go to the State Archive in person or contact an expert genealogist.
6. Are the Riveli available online?
No, they aren’t but this Center has an ongoing project for the indexing of all the Riveli from 1747-1756.
7. How much can a genealogical research based on the Riveli cost?
The cost depends on the number of volumes to be consulted and the complexity of the case. We offer a free initial consultation to assess the feasibility of the search and propose a personalized search plan, with clear timelines and costs.
8. What will I get at the end of the research?
In addition to digital copies of the original documents, you will receive a summary of each individual document found, plus a family tree chart.
