meaning of "esposse" on birth record lists

Having problems with the Italian language? Do you need help to translate or understand an old family document? There is always someone who can help you!
Post Reply
User avatar
conseri
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 3
Joined: 25 Sep 2004, 00:00
Contact:

meaning of "esposse" on birth record lists

Post by conseri »

I received photocopies of lists of infants born in a town in Abruzzo in the mid 1800's. They were annotated in 1 of 3 ways: alive, dead (mort), or "esposse." My Italian dictionary says it means "exposed" in English, but what does the term really mean?
Thanks!
Ed
User avatar
mfjp
Master
Master
Posts: 2210
Joined: 13 Aug 2004, 00:00
Contact:

Re: meaning of "esposse" on birth record lists

Post by mfjp »

adoption?

To take to one's self with a view to maintain; to make one's own; to take up the cause of; to adopt; to embrace.
User avatar
Melanie532
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 3
Joined: 15 Jan 2004, 00:00

Re: meaning of "esposse" on birth record lists

Post by Melanie532 »

I read somewhere that this meant an illegitimate child. A literal translation for shame exposed.

Melanie
User avatar
ptimber
Master
Master
Posts: 5198
Joined: 01 Jan 1970, 01:00
Location: ny

Re: meaning of "esposse" on birth record lists

Post by ptimber »

It means abandoned. Peter
User avatar
Auburn0508
Rookie
Rookie
Posts: 28
Joined: 20 Dec 2004, 00:00
Location: Australia
Contact:

Re: meaning of "esposse" on birth record lists

Post by Auburn0508 »

I found this article yesterday on the Home section of this site (ItalianGenealogy.com) and found it to be rather interesting. Perhaps it would clear up your question - particularly the first paragraph of "Historical Cases":

Tracing Italian Lineages of Adoptees and Ancestors Born Outside Marriage
Posted on Thursday, 18 July 2002 (11:00:17) EDT
User avatar
ptimber
Master
Master
Posts: 5198
Joined: 01 Jan 1970, 01:00
Location: ny

Re: meaning of "esposse" on birth record lists

Post by ptimber »

There is nothing to clear up except for the use of the word abandoned in either Latin ESPOSITO (Esposse) or other italian words meaning the same thing. Peter
Post Reply