Italy/Sicily census records

[MattH]

Sounds good. I don't need too much help with records from the US since that's the part that I am most familiar with. Still, the information you've provided has been terrific. I look forward to see what the archives in Palermo has to say.

[steve62]

Hi Matt,
Just got a reply from Palermo, there is no mention in their records for a SANTANGELO Felice born in Bagheria 1853 or years either side.  Nor do their records show for Palermo.  So without official documents and refs that is stuck at the moment.
I'll keep on looking for the others along with the other members postings here for Italy.
I'm going over to the UK for a month shortly so hold tight fo more info.

Steve

[MattH]

Steve,
Thanks for getting back with me on this. That's too bad that nothing was found for Felice Santangelo. What was the span of years you used? The reason why I ask is because I've seen his birth year as being 1854, 1856, etc. I'll get in touch with my contact to see what she wants to do.
I have a couple more names that I need some help with. They're all from the Bagheria area as far as I can tell. I'm only looking for parentage for these individuals as well.
Lastly, do you know of where I can find out about adoptions of children and orphanages from around 1890-1895? I have one person that I need to have records checked in the adoptions records.
Let me know if you would like this information now or if you would like it when you return to Italy. Thanks again!

[steve62]

They checked several years either side,
Adoption records, which country are you looking at?

Steve

[MattH]

Steve,
Sorry for not getting back with you until now. I'm after Italian adoption records. The person I'm looking for is Anna Martorana. Her birth surname is either Vecchia or Vecchiaia. This name was listed on her husband's birth registration as well as USA naturalization records. Apparently, she was born on 25 July 1892 in Palermo, but to whom is still unknown. She was adopted by Pietro Martorana and Maria Viscuso sometime after that. The information I have from my client is that Anna was born to an female artist and that she was immediately placed in the Institute of the Foundlings following her birth (sorry, I don't know what it is called in Italian!). Her biological mother supplied financial support for Anna's schooling at the College of San Giuseppe, a private boarding school.
(As a side note: Having done a little searching on the internet does not prove to be useful: I can't find the College of San Giuseppe nor the Institute of the Foundlings in Palermo.)
I also have some information regarding Felice Santangelo that might be helpful. Could you look up to see if there was a Felice Santangelo who was born on 13 January 1892 in Palermo? My client thinks it was the Santa Ninfa Secion, though that seems like a spelling mistake. This birth date doesn't make sense to me considering all of the US records have him listed as being born sometime in the 1850s; but I'm willing to try this date as well.
Let me know what you're able to come up with when you have the time. Thanks!

[steve62]

Hi Matt,
A question you mention "Anna" Martorana (Vecchia/Vecchiaia) b. 19/01/1892 Palermo and adopted by Pietro Martorana and wife.
In an earlier posting you mention"Maria" Vecchia/Vecchiaia) no date of birth, adopted by Pietro Martorana and wife.  Are we talking about the same person and if so which is the actual first name?
Also as you mentioned the La Russa family in the same posting, does this have any bearing on one or the other;
Natural. Recds .Chicago, Illinois (oops, forgot the year - think  1928)
Anna Vecchia or La Russa b. 1892 Italy. As I am not familiar with the  American Natural.Recds do they not include the parents of the person?
Not found yet the Instutute of Foundlings under the italian translation, nor have I found the College of San Giuseppe, which given the date will have been run by nuns.  Still searching that piece.
Problem when I write to the Palermo Archives they need a specific date or year and place of birth.  Although they will search years before and after they will not search the whole Palermo Province as that would be very time consuming.
Give me some feedback on Anna/Maria and then I can look into it.


Steve

Steve

[MattH]

Steve,
Sorry for the confusion. I, too, get a bit confused when both names are so popular. The person is Anna Vecchia/Vechiaia Martorana.
Unfortunately, these type of American records typically do not include the parent's names. I would think, however, that if they did, they would mention her adopted parents.
The only other naturalization papers I could probably look into are the declaration of intention papers, which are the first step towards gaining citizenship. I'll have to do more research on that to see if she ever filled any out.
I'll keep you updated with that should anything come up. Thanks!

[steve62]

Hi Matt,
Thanks for the message.  Have written to the Palermo Archives and also asked if they have info on adoptions around that time and any info on "Collegio di San Giuseppe" (College of San Giuseppe) that I cannot find.

Steve

[MattH]

Terrific! I look forward to seeing what they have to say. I'll keep on researching the naturalization records and maybe something will come up. Thanks again.