Italy
Sicilia
Ragusa
Modica is a comune in the provincia of Ragusa, Sicilia with a population of 53,483 as of 2025. Between 1830 and 1912, at least 486 passengers departing from Modica arrived in the United States.
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
Località
Each Italian comune is divided into località (localities), which include centri abitati (populated centers) and nuclei abitati (smaller settlements).
Centri abitati
AltitudePopulation- Modica296m39,121
- Campanella-Gianforma441m1,737
- Marina di Modica4m1,178
- Zappulla291m262
- Saitta472m207
Nuclei abitati
AltitudePopulation- San Filippo300m368
- Pietre Nere San Zagaria391m206
- Serrauccelli I393m163
- Calamarieri315m133
- Macallè480m114
- Catanzarello497m94
- Pietre Nere391m90
- Trombatore394m88
- Pizzilli442m87
- Serrapero II395m86
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 22% since 1951. US arrivals peaked in 1906 with 229 recorded passengers.
Total US arrivals
486
1830–1912
Peak year
1906
229 arrivals
Cittadinanza per discendenza
Could a line from Modica qualify for Italian citizenship?
Between 1830 and 1912, at least 486 passengers from Modica 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 Modica
Born in Modica (RG), Italy
Each generation between
Name and dates
Did this person naturalize before their child was born?
You
A likely outcome
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 Modica recorded in US arrivals, 1830 to 1912.
- 1.Occhipinti7
- 2.Pisano6
- 3.Giunta6
- 4.Napolitano6
- 5.Di raimondo6
- 6.Cannata6
- 7.Assenza5
- 8.Modica5
- 9.Aprile5
- 10.Messina4
Notable People
People born in Modica.