Italian Grandmother - Manfredi (Manfreida)

[Woody32]

I Have finally decided to try and search for relatives of my Italian Grandmother..

I am now at  a brickwall with all my other relations and want to attempt my Grandmother's side, I have deliberately not touched her side because the thought of trying to trace Italian ancestors left me feeling inadequate after the trouble with "English" relations.

Her name was Margarhita Manfredi (Manfreida) born C1900 somewhere in Italy,

Her History that i know...

1928...had a daughter called Cissie Manfreda father unknown..presumed put up for adoption (eventually realised she had brothers in the 1990's, contacted my dad through the Salvation army in the  1990's)

1932 had my father John  (Jack) Wood with my Grandfather Thomas Herbert Wood

also Edward and Peter.

I have a copy of a letter saying she had to report to a police station if she wanted to use a car or bycycle (1944) because of her alien status.

1960 she actually married my grandad (was still married to his 1st wife..(still dont know if he actually got divorced)

1992 sadly died.

I would i actually go about trying to find her origins?
i have done the usual UK incoming passenger lists etc but cannot find anything !!

all hints and help will be gratefully accepted.

[nameless]

There is an Anglo-Italian fhs online.  Sorry I don't know the exact link.

[jorose]

You won't find her in the incoming passenger lists - they didn't keep records of people arriving from Europe.

Do you have her marriage certificate from 1960?

freebmd.rootsweb.com shows two Manfreda children - Cissie and an Alec A. a year later.
The address she is living at when Cissie is born might be of some help.  She probably did have relatives here when she originally moved to the UK - a brother or uncle or cousin etc. Or friends of the family at the very least.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=243#19
 - I wonder if there would be anything for her in the HO 396 set of records or similar? It seems she was registered as an alien during WWII, from the letter you have.

[Woody32]

Hi Jorose,
I should of said -- Maggie Manfreda's father on the marriage certificate is "JOHN" Manfreda in the anglisised way. he was a Farmer (deceased).


I have seen the Alec A Manfreda but dismissed it because of it being south Manchester but on reflection may just order it to eliminate it.


Ive looked at the National archives but didnt see anything relevant, gonna check again though.

Thanks for your input.


Woody.

[tenby tart]

Hi Woody

I have been trying to find out about my Italian greatgranfather now for 6 years without much luck.

My kids got me to join facebook which got me thinking I would randomley pick a few members with the same surname asking if they had him in there family tree.

Its amazing the answers I got back suggesting where he might be from and where to write to for information.

Although I sent the messages in English some were replied in Italian.

Had a quick look on facebook and there are lots on there with the surname Manfreda in Italy.

Good luck with your search

Lynne

[Woody32]

Thanks Lynne,

I never thought of that its a good idea .

[Woody32]

Some news about the other birth - Alec Albert Manfreda

Just received the birth certificate..

20th December 1929, 20 Nell Lane Withington, Alec Albert,  Mothers name- MARGARET MANFREDA
Housekeeper 78 Cecil Street Moss Side,  No fathers name

That gives me a lttle more to search for.



Nell Lane is Withington Hospitals address.

[jorose]

Manchester Archives and Local Studies appears to have admission/discharge records for Withington Hospital/Chorton Union Workhouse Infirmary although how much trouble they'll give you about accessing records for 1929 I don't know.

http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk
 - mentions around this time a Adolph Kalisky aka Adolph Kay, formerly residing at 78 Cecil Street Manchester (among other addresses) - bankrupty case.

Do you know where she resided when Cissie was born?

[Woody32]

Hi Jorose,

Broughton Street in Cheetham Hill.