Ponsana?

[ppl1962]

Hi,

I am trying to locate a place in Italy based on an entry in the 1851 census for England.
The entry is for a Thomas SMITH, who was living in Honiton, Devon. The entry appears to show his birthplace as a Ponsana, Italy.

I cannot find such a place, I suspect that either the pronunciation was incorrect at the time or the enumerator spelt it the best way he could. So Ponsana could be Ponsama or Pontana?? Any suggestions welcomed.

(The subsequent census entries for 61, 71, 81 etc only show his birthplace as being Italy with no place or town).

Thanks in advance,
Paul

[Tessa78]

Hi Paul

There is a village/hamlet called PONSANO in the comune/town of Volterra, in the Province of Pisa.
Could this be the town?

Ponsano, comune of Volterra - province: Pisa - region: Tuscany

You can also look for other possibilities at this site:
http://www.italyworldclub.com/italian_f ... -pontb.htm

Link to information on the Comune of Ponsano
http://italia.indettaglio.it/eng/toscan ... nsano.html

T.

[ppl1962]

Hi Tessa
Thanks for the suggestion.
If it helps I am attaching an image for the 1851 census that someone kindly sent me.
I'm not sure if you can make it out.


Regards
Paul

[PippoM]

There are also 4 Communes named Ponzano:

Ponzano Monferrato, province of Alessandria, region Piemonte;
Ponzano di Fermo, province of Fermo, region Marche;
Ponzano Romano, province of Roma, region Lazio;
Ponzano Veneto, province of Treviso, region Veneto;

Of course Smith is not an Italian surname.
It could have been translated into English; equivalent surnames in Italian might be Fabbri or Ferrari.

[suanj]

for to be sure abt the right name town, it could be helpful to know the Thomas Smith italian name...
regards,
suanj

[ppl1962]

Hi Suanj

The only references I've got for him are under the name Thomas SMITH. He may be in the 1841 census but I have not found him.
He appears for the first time in the mid 1840s in Taunton, and then in 1851 he has two sons - Antonio and Corley - both born in England.

His father's name may be John or alternatively Matthew SMITH, occupation Farmer.

He is however consistent in all his UK census entries in claiming to have been born in Italy.

Regards,
Paul

[Tessa78]

Looks like it definitely ends in "a"

T.

[ppl1962]

Thank you to those who have so kindly provided me with sugestions.
At least I have some options to explore.

(I'm not sure of my next steps in terms of trying to contact the relevant towns or communes, however I assume there will be enough advise/guidance elsewhere within this website for me to figure that out).

Thanks again,
Paul