Assist finding birth record - name changed w/adoption

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Blondy28
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Assist finding birth record - name changed w/adoption

Post by Blondy28 »

My grandfather was born on October 19, 1907 in Borgetto. He was adopted, but not at birth, and we don't know his birth name. His name after adoption was Vito Petruso. My son has sent a letter to Social Security to see if his parents (birth or adoptive) were named on his paperwork when he arrived in America. Any other recommendations on how to track this down?
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Re: Assist finding birth record - name changed w/adoption

Post by Italysearcher »

Adoption wasn't legal in those years. If Petruso is the surname of his foster father and they brought him to America then search for a ship manifest. It should show the 'real' name of your Grandfather.
There are several towns with Borghetto as the first part. Google 'Comune di Borghetto' and try to figure out which one you need to contact.
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Re: Assist finding birth record - name changed w/adoption

Post by Italysearcher »

I just searched Ellis Island and although Vito Petruso comes up the manifest page is mismatched.
This was his original birth name assigned by the clerk at registration.
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Blondy28
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Re: Assist finding birth record - name changed w/adoption

Post by Blondy28 »

Italysearcher wrote: 04 May 2024, 14:01 Adoption wasn't legal in those years. If Petruso is the surname of his foster father and they brought him to America then search for a ship manifest. It should show the 'real' name of your Grandfather.
There are several towns with Borghetto as the first part. Google 'Comune di Borghetto' and try to figure out which one you need to contact.

My aunt is in town...haven't seen her in about 20 years. She was second oldest (my dad is youngest), so she had more information. Although my grandmother came in through Ellis Island, my grandfather stowed away on a ship to Canada and entered the country illegally. Immigration kept threatening to deport him, but they ultimately said that they would let him stay if he joined the military. He went through boot camp, but they decided he could support the war better here, because he did shoe repair, so he was discharged. He had to move to Canada for 2 years and re-enter legally. He became a citizen in 1965. I don't think anyone from his family was on the ship with him.
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Re: Assist finding birth record - name changed w/adoption

Post by Italysearcher »

Entry to the USA from Canada can also be found on Ellis Island and on Family Search.
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Re: Assist finding birth record - name changed w/adoption

Post by EMTLP »

The search engine allows you to search Ellis Island with a variety of options that might prove helpful.
https://stevemorse.org/ellis2/ellisgold.html
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Re: Assist finding birth record - name changed w/adoption

Post by EMTLP »

This link has the correct image mentioned above. But the arrival date is 1906 and you say your grandfather was born 1907.

This person's name is vito Petruso b. 1886 arrived 9 May 1906 residence Borgetto. Ship Italia. Going to brother Benedetto Petruso c/o Genchil Gottilla? 338 E63St. NY

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... ction=view

https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-co ... cessSource

Bendetto Petruso in 1905 NY census at address above. See right hand page. Line 49 and 50. Living with a Francesco Petruso.
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Re: Assist finding birth record - name changed w/adoption

Post by EMTLP »

This link has the correct image mentioned above. But the arrival date is 1906 and you say your grandfather was born 1907.

This person's name is vito Petruso b. 1886 arrived 9 May 1906 residence Borgetto. Ship Italia. Going to brother Benedetto Petruso c/o Genchil Gottilla? 338 E63St. NY

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... ction=view

https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-co ... cessSource

Bendetto Petruso in 1905 NY census at address above. See right hand page. Line 49 and 50. Living with a Francesco Petruso.
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Re: Assist finding birth record - name changed w/adoption

Post by EMTLP »

This link https://antenati.cultura.gov.it/ark:/12 ... BJ?lang=en will get you in the time period for when your grandfather is born. It is the only records online that came up for a place called Borgetto.
Maybe someone who reads Italian can tell you the names of males born on Oct 19th 1907. Sometimes there are notes on the side etc that might give more information that might indicate the child might be put up for adoption. Reading Italian isn't something I can do. Good Luck
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