Elionfante- not even sure if that's his original name

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warnerj5000
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Elionfante- not even sure if that's his original name

Post by warnerj5000 »

I've been trying without much luck for years to find info about my great-grandfather, Eliodoro Elionfante.

I've never heard of anyone else in the world with that last name, other than my great-grandfather and his descendants, so it makes me wonder if that was not his real name, or if it was somehow corrupted during immigration (i.e. Elio Infante -> Elionfante?) Just guesswork and speculation.

If anyone has any tips for where to go from here, or possible family connections, I'd love to hear from you.

All I know is the following:
Birth 14 Apr 1882 in Farini D'Olmo, Piacenza, Emilia–Romagna, Italy
Death 28 April 1973 in Wallingford, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America

He married a Maria Guglielmetti, also from Farini D'Olmo, though I believe they married while in the US. She had previously been married to a Domenico Scagnelli- also from Farini D'Olmo, and I also believe they were married while in the US, not Italy.
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Robin B Mc
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Re: Elionfante- not even sure if that's his original name

Post by Robin B Mc »

While names did get misspelled during immigration, it did not mean one's name was legally changed because of it. So if your great grandfather changed his name, it was by his own choice, not by ignorant immigration workers.

Since you know when and where he was born, you should be able to find his birth record. There are civil records for Farini D'Olmo 1874-1929 on microfilm: https://familysearch.org/search/catalog ... %20Library

When I google the name Elionfante, I do get some results for people with that surname so while it may be uncommon, it doesn't necessarily mean it's not the original name. In any case, finding his birth record will give you the original spelling/name.
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suanj
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Re: Elionfante- not even sure if that's his original name

Post by suanj »

Hi,
the surname is very mispelled on 1920 census:


Eliodoro Elason Louti

United States Census, 1920


Name:
Eliodoro Elason Louti

Event Type:
Census

Event Year:
1920

Event Place:
Wallingford, New Haven, Connecticut, United States

Gender:
Male

Age:
37

Marital Status:
Married

Race:
White

Race (Original):
White

Can Read:
Yes

Can Write:
Yes

Relationship to Head of Household:
Head

Relationship to Head of Household (Original):
Head

Own or Rent:
Rent

Birth Year (Estimated):
1883

Birthplace:
Italy

Immigration Year:
1903

Father's Birthplace:
Italy

Mother's Birthplace:
Italy

Household Role Gender Age Birthplace
Eliodoro Elason Louti Head M 37 Italy
Mary Elason Louti Wife F 50 Italy
Minnie Elason Louti Daughter F 11 Connecticut
Toni Elason Louti Son M 9 Connecticut
Rosa Elason Louti Daughter F 7 Connecticut
Louise Schinelli Stepdaughter F 23 New York

https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCN2-6T1

and 1910 census:


Theodore Oliofonte

United States Census, 1910


Name:
Theodore Oliofonte

Event Type:
Census

Event Year:
1910

Event Place:
Wallingford, New Haven, Connecticut, United States

Gender:
Male

Age:
28

Marital Status:
Married

Race:
White

Race (Original):
White

Relationship to Head of Household:
Head

Relationship to Head of Household (Original):
Head

Birth Year (Estimated):
1882

Birthplace:
Italy

Immigration Year:
1905

Father's Birthplace:
Italy

Mother's Birthplace:
Italy

Household Role Gender Age Birthplace
Theodore Oliofonte Head M 28 Italy
Mary Oliofonte Wife F 37 Italy
Louise Skinelli Stepdaughter F 16 New York
Jennie Skinelli Stepdaughter F 13 New York
Winnie Oliofonte Daughter F 1 New York


the better way for to understand theitalian surname spelling, it could be to find the his arrival in USA.... best regards,
suanj
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Re: Elionfante- not even sure if that's his original name

Post by suanj »

the marriage record:
Guglielmetti Maria Jun 15 1907 16042 (1907) Manhattan 1452185 Eleonfante, Eledara
the right spelling is a mystery...

more details:


Eleodors Eleonfante

mentioned in the record of Eleodors Eleonfante and Maria Guglielmetti


Name:
Eleodors Eleonfante

Event Type:
Marriage

Event Date:
16 Jun 1907

Event Place:
Manhattan, New York, New York, United States

Gender:
Male

Age:
25

Marital Status:
Single

Race:
White

Birth Year (Estimated):
1882

Birthplace:
Farina, S'Olino

Father's Name:
Un

Mother's Name:
Un

Spouse's Name:
Maria Guglielmetti

Spouse's Gender:
Female

Spouse's Age:
37

Spouse's Marital Status:
Widowed

Spouse's Race:
White

Spouse's Birth Year (Estimated):
1870

Spouse's Birthplace:
un

Spouse's Father's Name:
Antonio

Spouse's Mother's Name:
Luigia Masehi

suanj
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Re: Elionfante- not even sure if that's his original name

Post by suanj »

I believe that the Elionfante surname coming from a intentional transliteration of Elefante surname, because Eliodoro was most probably a foundling... on the marriage record no parent's names... the foundlings had fantasy's surnames and many registrar given surnames very similar to normal surnames... so a intentional transliteration of a existing surname was less cruel for the baby...
best,
suanj
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warnerj5000
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Re: Elionfante- not even sure if that's his original name

Post by warnerj5000 »

Thanks for the help everyone- got a bit more info to go with now. Hopefully I can find some new info.
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