Name spelling error

[oreoyum]

Hi, I have a question regarding a spelling discrepancy on my italian born ancestor's surname. He emigrated to Brazil and his brazilian documents has his surname spelt differently than what he was born with. The surnames are pronounced the same both in Portuguese and Italian, but they are not spelt the same. As time passed, his descendants ended up using his brazilian spelt surname. When presenting documents, will we need to change the surnames back to the original italian spelling to show we are indeed related? Additionally, my dad is American so my parents decided to only give me one middle name, since most Americans only use one. As a result, I don't have my italian ancestor's surname. My name is First Name, Brazilian Middle Name, and American Last Name. Will I be required to add my Italian surname as a second middle name as well? That is how my mom's name is (First Name, Italian Middle Name, Brazilian Middle Name, American Last Name.) My cousin went through the process already and acquired his citizenship through applying in Italy. He said that he had to change the spelling of his italian surname. Does this sound right? And will it be required for me in order to prove I am my italian ancestor's descendant?

[s38tommaso]

Name discrepancies are common, and come in all sizes and flavors. Things change over time.

The most important aspect of this process is gathering enough official documentation, i.e. a paper trail, to show as strong evidence that you are, in fact, a descendant of your eligible ancestor.

It does not sound at all right that your cousin "had to" change the spelling of any portion of his name. I don't have any shred of any semblance of my eligible ancestor's surname in any of my names.

I would ask your cousin for a list of the documents that he gathered and presented, and start there.

[qualdom]

I think long ago there were some consulates who tried to "force" JS applicants to revert to the original Italian spelling. There were also stories of comuni putting the applicant's father's surname as her/his surname on the transcribed birth certificate even if the applicant didn't use that surname. I think that issue has been settled for quite some time and your current legal name will be the name recognised by Italian authorities. For example, I do not use my father's surname and I had no problems during the entire process. The only issue is if the name discrepancy puts your lineage in doubt.

[hannana]

I think long ago there were some consulates who tried to "force" JS applicants to revert to the original Italian spelling. There were also stories of comuni putting the applicant's father's surname as her/his surname on the transcribed birth certificate even if the applicant didn't use that surname. I think that issue has been settled for quite some time and your current legal name will be the name recognised by Italian authorities. For example, I do not use my father's surname and I had no problems during the entire process. The only issue is if the name discrepancy puts your lineage in doubt.

I do not agree with this solution. It is coercive and not consensual