How do you know how old he was when he arrived? He probably chose a small town to pick from because he was also from that town. In some cases when they used false ID it was to abandon a wife in Italy or because they had committed some crime that US authorities would uncover. Interestingly, he also ...

First is it possible the birth year might be off?
Do you have Giovanni Bonanno parents names?
Heres the second Giovanni Bonanno birth act
INDEX#17
1887 Feb 3rd in the town of Salaparuta birth of Giovanni Bonanno son of Vincenco Bonanno and his wife Calogera Benenati

CLICK ON PG TO MAGNIFY BOTTOM ...

adelfio wrote: 27 Sep 2017, 01:53 That's the marriage of Antonino Bonanno do you have Giovanni marriage What year did he marry?

Marty

He married in the US in 1908. I have the certificate from Louisiana. Do you think a photo of that would be helpful?

I don't agree that he was born and baptized elsewhere at least not as the offspring of these parents because the three helpful city officials and the geneaologist who he met with in person would have been able to give some suggestions as to where to look but apparently they were also at a loss ...

The book in the town may have been destroyed but the 2nd copy at the State Archives still exists and his birth is not registered there. SO...he was born elsewhere. You didn't find his baptism either, so...he was born and baptized elsewhere.
The lista di leva should be checked for the entire area ...

Did he arrive in America with his parents or did he arrive alone? If arrived with parents it would be unlikely he could have used false identity. If he arrived alone as an adult he could have assumed the identity of the child with the same name that died at an early age. If so, it would be a good ...

adelfio wrote: 26 Sep 2017, 15:17 Can you post or a pg link to the parents marriage record and his so I can see?

Marty

I'm not sure if these are in the right order but here you go:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-i3zV ... sp=sharing

adelfio wrote: 23 Sep 2017, 02:07 How did you get Giovanni's birth date what records do you have to show that info

Marty

His alien registration card listed his birthdate and birthplace.

His application for citizenship (which never was completed) also listed the same birthdate and birthplace.

adelfio wrote: 23 Sep 2017, 14:32 Couple questions
Do you have his parents marriage act?
How about siblings?
Have you gone through the registry page by page for 1881?

Marty

I do have his parent's Marriage certificate yes.

I don't know about any siblings.

I did go through the registry page by page for 1881 in the town itself.

Recreate a birth certificate that was destroyed? How do you know it was destroyed? Did you see it before it was destroyed?


This is very true that I did not see it before it was destroyed. However, all of the documentation my Great Grandfather filled out had the same birthdate and place listed ...

So let me understand. Giovanni born in 1882 died in infancy but he was given the same name as a brother born a year earlier in 1881? That doesn't make a lot of sense. Usually a child who is born is given the name of one who was deceased earlier.
The Lista di Leva is not on-line.
Gli atti della ...

Italysearcher wrote: 22 Sep 2017, 18:18 Born in 1881 or 1882 he should appear in a Lista di Leva in the Archivio di Stato and there may even be a Foglio matricolare.

He is not there. I've checked.

Unfortunately they never registered with the state, only the church, so that second option is not available. I have personally gone to the town of Salaparuta to find this document. The book with my Great Grandfather's birth record was 100% destroyed. I would definitely have to re-create this ...

Are you looking for Giovanni Bonanno birth act I checked 1881 not there but here is 1882
INDEX#44
1882 May 11th in the town of Salaparuta birth of Giovanni Bonanno son of Vincenco Bonanno and his wife Calogera Benenati

CLICK ON PG TO MAGNIFY BOTTOM LEFT SIDE
http://www.antenati.san.beniculturali ...

Have you checked these records (births in Salaparuta in 1881)?

http://www.antenati.san.beniculturali.it/v/Archivio+di+Stato+di+Trapani/Stato+civile+italiano/Salaparuta/Nati/1881/

Link to the index
http://www.antenati.san.beniculturali.it/v/Archivio+di+Stato+di+Trapani/Stato+civile+italiano ...