Looking for Grandfather Born in Italy

by **GloriaBatrano** » 15 Sep 2002, 19:32

Please help me to find any information on my Grandfather born in Italy. All I know is that he came to America married with two sons in Italy. He then married my Grandmother in this country; she did not know he was already married in Italy. Her name before marriage was Rosa D\'Onofrio. She came through Ellis Island in 1914 at 17 years old. On all of my father\'s records, his last name was Batrano, Betrano or Betrani. When I input these three surnames in the Italian Surname Database, the search result was Bettarini. Any information on this surname would be greatly appreciated as I really want to find out what my real surname is. Thank you, Gloria

by **ptimber** » 15 Sep 2002, 20:58

There are 275 out of 321 persons suranmed Bettarini in Toscana region. Almost 200 are in the province of Florence but you have to know the town of origin in that province provided the betteraini name is ocorrect. Go to ww.paginebianche.it and insert Bettarini the first line and FI in the third line and click cerca. A list of the towns that hasve all the Betterini surnamed people living in them. Peter

by **GloriaBatrano** » 15 Sep 2002, 21:36

Thank you for the information, Peter. I will try the web site you gave me. I really appreciate it.

by **GloriaBatrano** » 15 Sep 2002, 21:55

Peter, I tried the web site you gave me to search for Bettarini in Italy, the www.paginebianche.it but could not find him there. I think his first name was Camillo. The list of people who came up did not have this name. Is the list of people with this surname still alive? My grandfather died in 1917 in America. I searched the Ellis Island site and the only person with the Bettarini surname that would match up with my grandmother was listed as Camillo. He was 14 years older than my grandmother. How could I find out if this is the right person; is there a site I could search to find that he was married with two sons in Italy?

by **ptimber** » 16 Sep 2002, 00:59

the listing I gave you is for people currently residing in the province. There is no listing without background information such as town of origin. If you can find the port of entry into the USA by going thru www.Nara.gov/genalogy and request form 81 and see if they can come yuup with an entry record for your ancestor. Peter

by **GloriaBatrano** » 16 Sep 2002, 16:01

Thank you, Peter. You are a blessing with the quick response to my questions. I will try your next lead now. Thank you very much and I really do appreciate your input. Thanks again, Gloria

by **ptimber** » 16 Sep 2002, 16:45

when you find the town simply write a letter to allthe people with the same surname in english and ask them if they are rrelated to you and send a self addressed envelope and a dollar for stapmsa. You will find family. Peter

by **GloriaBatrano** » 19 Sep 2002, 23:04

Hi Peter, I finally found out how to order the Form 81 that you told me about and it is on its way. I really appreciate your help; I do not know what I would do without you as I would never know how to complete this task which means so much to me. Also, I am wondering if you could help me with this: I know that my Grandfather worked as a Foreman on the Boston & Maine Railroad in North Adams, MA between 1900-1917. As I do not believe people had to have a social security number during that period, I cannot track him that way. Are there any ways to track somebody without social security numbers or are there records for the Boston & Maine Railroad during the early 1900\'s. If so, this certainly would be a sure way for me to find him. I look forward to your reply. Thanks, again, Gloria

by **ptimber** » 19 Sep 2002, 23:52

Goria the Boston and Maine Rairoad have a historical society. You can reach out to them at www.come.to bmrrhs and the webmaster can be reached at his e-mail address <a href="mailto:cp_n18@yahoo.com" target="_new">cp_n18@yahoo.com</a> and ask him about your grandffather. Peter

by **ptimber** » 20 Sep 2002, 00:03

The e-mail address is <a href="mailto:cp_n18@yahoo.com" target="_new">cp_n18@yahoo.com</a>. Peter

by **ptimber** » 20 Sep 2002, 00:04

sorry but between the cp and the n18 there is an underline which I cannot overcome. Lots of Luck Gloria. Peter

by **GloriaBatrano** » 20 Sep 2002, 00:51

Hi Peter, I never thought you would be back to me already but I said I would check before I go to bed for the night, and there you were. I am so excited about the information you gave me regarding the Railroad, I cannot wait to get into it but I had to thank you so much first. Peter, you have made my night. You really do not know what you have done for me. I will be back in touch with you and I also want to make a donation to this site. I really have never seen anybody come back with such great information so quickly as you. You are just fantastic. Thanks, again, Gloria

by **GloriaBatrano** » 20 Sep 2002, 02:09

Hi again, Peter: I had to let you know that I sent an E-mail right away to the Web Master about my grandfather. I am so excited; my stomach is a real mess. I sure cannot wait for some news. By the way, are you Italian and where are you from? I must try to get some sleep now, if possible. Thanks, again, Gloria. I will let you know as soon as I hear something.

by **ptimber** » 20 Sep 2002, 02:46

I am very happy for you. Peter

by **GloriaBatrano** » 21 Sep 2002, 02:59

Peter, please let me know how I can submit a donation to this site. I do not like to input a credit card; I would rather send a personal check, so please let me know the address to send this. O.K. You have been so helpful to me, I really want to send a check for this site. I will await your reply. Thanks, Gloria