How to correct misspellings on documents?

[bitterbatter]

As I have begun to collect the necessary documents, I have noticed two issues with spellings.

First, American officials seem to have been quite careless with spellings of Italian surnames on official documents. I have incorrect spellings of last names on birth certificates, that were later spelled correctly on death certificates. I know I need to correct the incorrect spellings, but how to go about that?

Second, Italian immigrants and their children later in life often used the Anglicized version of their Italian first names given at birth. For example, grandfather Domenico Capotorto is Domenick on his naturalization papers, and father Philip Capotorto, as his name appears on his marriage and death certificates, is Filippo on his Birth Certificate. Rosa became Rose, etc.

Do the Anglicized names have to be changed back into the Italian ones? Or is that ok as it is?

[afecad]

You will need to find a Lawyer near the County your ancestor lived in to get a court order (if the said ancestor(s) are deceased). If the ancestors are living, you will have to ask them to resolve it. Not sure what state you live in, but my family settled in Pennsylvania, so I had to contact PA Vital Records to figure out the process, then ICA gave me the Lawyer they used prior to correct birth records.

Keep in mind, our ancestors came over from Italy either knowing little to no English, when they said their name or wrote it, it would have been easy for someone to incorrectly write it down as well education levels of many were not beyond grade school.

Anglicized version of first names are not an issue, but I suggest you try to match names to the birth records from Italy. Connect the dots as clearly and concise as possible, for example my GGF's name was Raffaele, but he used Ralph in the US, not an issue. ICA did have me update my GGM's name to match her Italian Birth Record, because she used a shortened version of her name on my GF's birth certificate, but left Ralph as is.

[Italysearcher]

It is possible to get a letter from the Italian Comune that identifies the discrepancies and states they are the same person so you may not have to do the corrections on the American documents.

[afecad]

It is possible to get a letter from the Italian Comune that identifies the discrepancies and states they are the same person so you may not have to do the corrections on the American documents.

That would not work in my case as my Grandfather was born in the USA and his Italian first name was misspelled on his birth certificate. I sent numerous documents I had (his official death certificate and marriage records) along with that the Lawyer retrieved other supporting documents to prove it.

As well, my GGM's first name on the long form birth record was also a shortened version of her anglicized Italian birth name. ICA and the US based lawyer I used, suggested I get that corrected as well, all that was used was a photocopy of her Italian birth record, marriage record (USA) and death certificate (USA).

I was also told, prior, that even my Grandfather's official military records (that show his name spelled correctly and which I have) would not be accepted.

[hessgoblue]

Check with the state that issued the birth certificate about amending the birth certificate. If it is really close and you can prove it, some states will allow you to file an amendment to the birth certificate specifying the correct spelling. My American born mom's first name was spelled wrong on her birth certificate and CA let me amend it with the correct spelling using a form swearing by two people who know her that her name was spelled wrong. It was one letter off on the first name. So her BC now has an additional form on it. And my consulate took the BC and amendment just fine.

[qualdom]

The procedure can greatly vary based on the state and type of record. For example, you can amend an NYC marriage record the same day (well, when 141 worth st was open prior to COVID) for $10, but in certain Pennsylvania counties you have to file a petition in court even if the couple is still alive. And many of these counties aren't friendly towards "pro se" petitioners, so this could be quite expensive if you have to go through an attorney.

[bitterbatter]

The procedure can greatly vary based on the state and type of record. For example, you can amend an NYC marriage record the same day (well, when 141 worth st was open prior to COVID) for $10, but in certain Pennsylvania counties you have to file a petition in court even if the couple is still alive. And many of these counties aren't friendly towards "pro se" petitioners, so this could be quite expensive if you have to go through an attorney.

Thank you.

They spelled the name of my wife's father wrong on his birth certificate in New York, and his father's DOB is wrong on his naturalization, also in New York County. Is it worth it to use a lawyer do you think? Or canI do it myself? Hopefully 141 Worth opens up again soon...

[bitterbatter]

Also there is no DOB on my wife's grandfather's death certificate (Bronx) - does that have to be amended as well?

[qualdom]

Also there is no DOB on my wife's grandfather's death certificate (Bronx) - does that have to be amended as well?

Italian attorneys have told me that death certificates aren't required in court for '1948' cases. I also read that they aren't technically required at the consulates either, but the consulates like to see them in order to "complete the life of the ancestor in question".

Regarding the NYC birth certificate, I'm not sure that you can amend the NYC birth certificates of a deceased person like you can in Pennsylvania. It seems that many New Yorkers prefer to seek a declaratory judgement from the courts where the judge reviews all of the documents and issues an order that the person listed on all documents is "one and the same". I think NYC is pretty favorable to pro se filing, so maybe you want to try yourself first.

[afecad]

YMMV on this, I read prior before hiring ICA that the issues I had would be grouped in three categories, low, medium and high and I can tell you ICA had me correct everything that has fallen into the "low" category for my 1948 case.

I had no issues with dates on any document, but I have seen my other relatives death certs listed with an approx. DOB, like the year only with no month or day listed. My GGM's death certificate list her anglicized first name which I was told is okay, though they did have me update my Grandfather's birth certificate to show my GGM's Italian first name on the long form along with correct some other issues with spelling.

[bitterbatter]

Ok, I have several issues:

On my wife's GF's naturalization petition (NY State Supreme Court, NYC), his DOB and his wife's DOB are wrong. I have not seen his naturalization certificate yet, but I assume those are wrong there too.

On his death certificate (NYC) his DOB is omitted and his mother's surname is misspelled.

On my wife's father's birth certificate (Cortland, NY), the family surname is misspelled.

Can I fix these things on my own? Or do I need professional help? Her appointment at the consulate in NYC is in late January 2022.

[afecad]

Ok, I have several issues:

On my wife's GF's naturalization petition (NY State Supreme Court, NYC), his DOB and his wife's DOB are wrong. I have not seen his naturalization certificate yet, but I assume those are wrong there too.

On his death certificate (NYC) his DOB is omitted and his mother's surname is misspelled.

On my wife's father's birth certificate (Cortland, NY), the family surname is misspelled.

Can I fix these things on my own? Or do I need professional help? Her appointment at the consulate in NYC is in late January 2022.

I suggest you start with correct the birth certificate misspelled last name. I would contact NY Vital Records and ask them what the process is, it may require a court order using a Lawyer or you can try pro se to file the petition to correct yourself.

The Naturalization documents would need further investigation, I can't provide much insight on that one.

As noted, YMMV based on how stringent the Reviewer is based on discrepancies. ICA noted that it's better to go in with a correct set of documents connecting the dots to not flag or delay the process, if you are rejected during review, then it's at least 2 years till you get another chance. It's better to go in with all documentation correct to avoid this, also why I went with ICA when I realized my case was swaying to a 1948 law, all based on a pencil check of "NA" in census documents for my GGF, though no supporting documents that he Naturalized can be found.

ICA said that "NA" check done by a Census volunteer nearly 100 years ago is enough to flag a rejection...

[ferrinm]

My (deceased) mother as well as her parents' names are misspelled on my mother's birth certificate. It is her parents who were born in Italy. Has anyone tried to do this in Pennsylvania without a lawyer? I have a LOT of documentation (marriage certificates, grandparent's birth certificates, my mother's death certificate, all certified and apostilled.). Trying to avoid paying a boatload of money when I've done all the legwork. Recommendations? Thoughts?

[Renzosoriano1111]

I have acquired my relatives certificates and a letter here and there are off. "Franchina" listed as "Franchine". Has anyone put through a 1948 case without correcting every single document?

And part 2. How do you get an italian commune to recognize them as the same person, if that's the route taken?

Grazie