Help Translating a Certificate

[mcamp60]

Hi,

I have aquired a family document with the following title:

"Richiesta di certificato penale a scopo di emigrazione"

Can some help me translate this title and possibly tell me it's purpose. Its from 1920.

Thanks,

Mark

[Julo]

"Request of penal certificate for emigration purposes"

Clearly a request for a police record on an individual.

[mcamp60]

Are you saying this is a "background" check typ document used by the Italian authorities for purposes of emigration? Maybe this was required to gain access to the US? assuming it didnt reveal anything bad

The criminal listing section (I guess that was its called) of the document is blank ans null. So i hope this means my relative is crime free.

[Julo]

That is correct. People with police records, leftists and other undesirables were not permitted to emigrate.
Your relative was definitely a "good fella"

[elba]

".....Are you saying this is a "background" check typ document used by the Italian authorities for purposes of emigration? Maybe this was required to gain access to the US? assuming it didnt reveal anything bad"

Well I'm not sure nowadays, but when I married in Milano over 40 years ago, the authorities wanted to see my Penal Certificate from the UK - I had to get a note from the British Consulate stating that this was not a standard certificate in Britain...

I have often wondered if they would have allowed me to marry my Italian if I did have a record!!!