Proper way to look this up for my situation

[Toothmover]

I am looking for the proper websites so that I may begin a genealogical search for my ancestors. Or if there is someone here that can help, that would be even better!

My father was born in Palermo, Sicily in 1936 (I have a copy of his handwritten BC) and my grandfather (1905-1992) was born in Favara, Sicily. My GGF Giuseppe (1860-?) may have been born in Sicily or may have come from Corsica to Favara, Sicily as a child.

My grandfather told my father when he was younger that he believes that, above my GGF, they were descended from either Corsica or France, possibly in the Normandy area. This could possibly explain why my Sicilian family all have blonde hair and blue or green eyes... not your typical Sicilian! My GF had a brother whose kids (my dad's cousins) all went back to France and some to Belgium.

What websites should I be looking at to begin this quest? Is Ancestry.com good enough for this? And if it is, I assume that I should be using the more expensive International Version instead of the US version, correct?

Or should I be using Italian or French genealogical sites? And if so, do you have recommendations? Also, are there any chance that these websites have a English interface because my Italian is probably A2-B1 and my French is not even A-0.

My aunt in Sicily had written out a tree for me about 7 years ago where she dates my GGGF Antonio being born approx 1830 and his father, my GGGGF, Giuseppe born approx 1800. Being that they were in France or Corsica at the time, I wonder if these were Italianized versions of French names (Antoine and Joseph) which they eventually became known by. But then again Corsica was under Genoan and Italian control until 1769.

Also, how far back in time is it realistic to anticipate going back to establish a family tree?

[Italysearcher]

All research should begin with a KNOWN fact or ancestor and move steadily backwards through the records. Italian records are interlocking but you need a starting point which would be the incoming ship manifest and/or natrualization record.
www.familysearch.org is a good place to start. Start with ancestry if your search begins in America.
There are tips on my website and translations of Italian documents. Italian civil records were based on Napoleon's French ones so follow the same basic format and wording.

[Toothmover]

All research should begin with a KNOWN fact or ancestor and move steadily backwards through the records.

The last known ancestor for whom I have pretty solid info on is my grandfather, born in Favara in 1905 and died in Palermo 1992. I have my GGF's name (and wife's name), and approximate year (1860) and my grandfather (stating to my father) that his father was was born in Favara (but that before that they could have come from Corsica or Normandy. However, I have a cousin who lives in Sciacca who said my GGF came to Favara as a boy.

[Italysearcher]

Then you should start here https://www.familysearch.org/search/cat ... A"Italy%2C Agrigento%2C Favara"&subjectsOpen=359327-50