Italy
Sicilia
Caltanissetta
Gela is a comune in the provincia of Caltanissetta, Sicilia with a population of 70,451 as of 2025. Between 1830 and 1912, at least 24 passengers departing from Gela arrived in the United States. The comune was previously known as Terranova di Sicilia.
Contact
To request vital records from the anagrafe (records office), write to the PEC address or email below. Include the full name, approximate date, and record type in Italian.
Map
Historical Names
Terranova→Terranova di Sicilia
Changed on November 27, 1862
Terranova di Sicilia→Gela
Changed on December 31, 1927
Località
Each Italian comune is divided into località (localities), which include centri abitati (populated centers) and nuclei abitati (smaller settlements).
Centri abitati
AltitudePopulation- Gela46m69,668
- Lido Manfria8m730
- Manfria19m108
Nuclei abitati
AltitudePopulation- Roccazzelle I14m107
- Punta Secca72m83
- Femmina Morta68m79
- Roccazzelle II14m36
- Casa Circondariale Gela0m0
Population and Migration
This chart shows annual resident population, US arrivals (1830 to 1912), and international migration (2001 to present). Not all data is available for every period, so gaps are normal.
The population has grown 61% since 1951. US arrivals peaked in 1906 with 20 recorded passengers.
Total US arrivals
24
1830–1912
Peak year
1906
20 arrivals
Cittadinanza per discendenza
Could a line from Gela qualify for Italian citizenship?
Between 1830 and 1912, at least 24 passengers from Gela arrived in the United States. Arrivals peaked in 1906. If one of them is your ancestor, Italy may recognize you as a citizen under jure sanguinis (citizenship by descent).
The birthplace alone does not decide it. Each generation between that ancestor and you does: who naturalized, and when. Since the 2025 law, the number of generations matters too.
The checker goes back through your line one generation at a time. It is not legal advice, and it does not search for records.
Check your lineItalian-born ancestor
Your ancestor from Gela
Born in Gela (CL), Italy
Each generation between
Name and dates
Did this person naturalize before their child was born?
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and the documents your line would need
Not ready to start? Get an email when the citizenship rules change.
Top Emigrant Cognomi
Most common cognomi (family names) among emigrants from Gela recorded in US arrivals, 1830 to 1912.
- 1.Filippi9
- 2.Filippo6
- 3.Menchini2
- 4.Massci1
- 5.Pescaglini1
- 6.Polacci1
- 7.Cormicelli1
- 8.Tomei1
- 9.Gianecchini1
- 10.Giannini1
Notable People
People born in Gela.