Esposito family

[Rick Berni]

Hi Tessa and all,
The last grandparent that I'm trying to find info on, is my grandmother Vincenza Esposito. For years my mother thought my grandmother's last name was Napolitano but she found my grandmother's birth certificate in a bunch of papers and her last name was stated as Esposito. Why the confusion? Who knows. We believe it happened because the family left Italy from Naples to the USA, therefore the name Napolitano?
Vincenza was born in 1899 in Andria,Bari,Puglia.Her father is Nicola Esposito and it is believed he was born in1860 in Andria. Vincenza's mother is Giovinna Di Santi, born about 1873 in Andria as well. My grandmother as far as I know, had 3 siblings. Their names are Anina,Michelina and Vito all born in Andria but I do not have the dates.
This family eventually came to Toronto Canada where Vincenza married my grandfather, Nicola Lomoro. If you can find any information at all, on this family, I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks again,
Rick

[Tessa78]

Here is the birth act of Vincenza Esposito
#1989
Birth on 15 December 1899, to Nicola Esposito [son of deceased Giuseppe], age 40, laborer; and to his wife, Giovina di Santo [daughter of Vito], age 37, housewife.
http://dl.antenati.san.beniculturali.it ... ewsIndex=0

T.

[Italysearcher]

Esposito is a surname often given to foundlings in the 1800's. It was considered a name of shame as it told everyone that your parents (or ancestors at some point) were unknown. Changing his surname on arrival in America wouldn't be unusual. New country, new life, new name!

[Tessa78]

Here is the marriage act of Nicola Esposito and Giovina Di Santo on 14 June 1885 in Andria.
He was single, 24, farmer, son of deceased Giuseppe Esposito and of deceased Nunzia Campanale.
She was single, 21 daughter of Vito Di Santo and of Anna Porcelli.

http://dl.antenati.san.beniculturali.it ... ewsIndex=0

T.

[Rick Berni]

This is great Tessa and Ann. I had no idea of the Esposito name situation. I have one question to Tessa. I noticed that Giovina's mother is Anna Porcelli. My mother had a cousin, through marriage, with the last name Corcelli. Could there be a spelling or typo error with the P? Is it possible it is a C? In any event, thanks for all your help.It is greatly appreciated.
I am going to ask you something new on the Bernacchia topic, that my family has not been able to figure out.
Thanks again for all your help,
Rick

[Tessa78]

The initial letter of the surname is definitely a "P"

Looking back at the marriage... there are some other details I did not include due to time -
They provide great information on dates of birth and death!

In the list of documents provided by the couple:
1 - birth act of groom - 24 August 1860
2 - birth act of bride - 1 April 1864
3 - death act of father of groom - 5 Novemberr 1879
4 - death act of mother of groom - 5 September 1877
5 - Certificate of publication of banns of marriage on 31 May and 7 June.

T.

[Rick Berni]

Thanks again Tessa. I haven't had a chance to look at it yet but I will after I write this. Then I will call my aunt and tell her about Porcelli. It seems too much of a coincidence that we have Corcellis as relatives that are from Andria as well. Could something have been written incorrectly in the US ie: Writing a C instead of a P? Anyway,just some food for thought.
Rick

[Tessa78]

Here is the publication of marriage banns -

Definitely Porcelli
The surname Corcelli is also found in Bari.

http://dl.antenati.san.beniculturali.it ... ewsIndex=0

T.

[Rick Berni]

Yep,you're right, definitely a P. It's good to know that there are Corcellis in Bari as well though.
Thanks Tessa,
Rick

[Tessa78]

Here is the birth act of Giovina de Santo ( this is the spelling in the record)

#411 - dated 3 April 1864 (birth on 1 April - baptism on 3 April)
Father: Vito de Santo, son of deceased Giuseppe, age 40, a hoer (digger of trenches)
Mother: Anna Porcelli, daughter of Nicolo, his legitimate wife, age 40, residing with her husband.
Birth at 11 AM on the 1st of the month in the house at Strada S. Maria Vetere
Child given the name GIOVINA

http://dl.antenati.san.beniculturali.it ... ewsIndex=0

T.

[Rick Berni]

Thanks so much for this Tessa. The spelling of de Santo is interesting. Strange that it is di Santo in the marriage act and my grandmother's birth act. Any ideas why this is the case?
Rick

[Tessa78]

Spellings, like ages, vary from record to record. It is of no consequence
I guess it depends upon the way the clerk wishes to write it!

T.

[Rick Berni]

Thanks Tessa,
Rick

[Italysearcher]

When the person doing the declaration is illiterate they have no way of saying how their name is spelled. In Italian you pronounce every letter (Ciao - cee.a.o) so the clerk writes what they hear. If you speak dialect, have a cold, etc. anything can happen!

[Rick Berni]

Hi Tessa and all,
I need help! I found my great-grandfather's birth notice in Antenati on April 24 1860 which Tessa has provided in the marriage certificate. However, the surname is Napolitano instead of Esposito and his parents are the same people on the marriage notice except that Nicola and his father Giuseppe,are Napolitano,not Esposito.Giovina De Santo is the mother on both and the birth dates are identical. Napolitano is the name used in the U.S. and Canada. Tessa has also found my Grandmother's birth notice and her parents are Nicola Esposito and Giovina di Santo.
I hope I have explained the confusion well enough. Can someone please give some insight into the surname discrepancy that has occurred in Italy?
Thanks ,
Rick