Many different Italian dialects were spoken in Italy a few hundred years ago.  Some survive and are still spoken today.  The "dialect" of Tuscany has evolved, with some changes, into the national language of Italy. In researching your Italian Family Tree you may find records written in the local dialect of your ancestors. Most dialects of Italy have been recorded and archived in various types of Italian Dictionaries. This is a partial list only, if you find your ancestors "Italian Dialect" Dictionary Online, send me the link and I will add it to the Dialects of Italy links below in hopes that it will aid you and other researchers to better understand your Italian Ancestor's Archives. At the end you will find links for Italian for Beginners and Italian Proverbs, which you can use to teach yourself.