Naming conventions for children born out of wedlock

[calabresi]

I'm doing a relative's family history and came across a person whose parentage is listed as "padre incognito". A little more research showed that the mother was not married at the time of the child's birth.

The child was given a different surname than that of the mother, and I'm wondering if there was any custom around assigning that surname?

Ex. Mother's surname was "Votaro", child's surname was "Luttovenera", which roughly translates to "Holy mourning"... does that have something to do with it?

(Also, completely unrelated but I'm curious... the mother *may* have known who the father was, but I'm guessing for family reasons that he wasn't listed on the birth record?)

Thanks for your help!

[AngelaGrace56]

Hi

Are you able to post the record that you are referring to so that we can look at it.

Angela

[calabresi]

Hi

Are you able to post the record that you are referring to so that we can look at it.

Angela

Yes. Orti (Reggio Calabria) Nati 1823, Record #13

http://dl.antenati.san.beniculturali.it ... ewsIndex=0

[AngelaGrace56]

That was quick. Thank you.

I'm not sure what to make of it. In all the "padre ignoto" births that I personally have seen, the baby is normally given the mother's surname. This is the first one that I personally have seen that has been given a "unique" surname, which is what you would find in the birth record of an abandoned child. The normal procedure for an abandoned child would be for the official in the town to give the baby a Given name and a unique surname, at registration of birth. Normally the surname given would be one that would not be found in the town or close by. Some of the names were really bizzare, and some were names that were classic "foundling" names like Esposito (Exposed), Innocenti (innocent) etc. You can search about Italian foundling names here on the forum and also online.

What do you know about Giuseppe. Was he raised by his mother? Was she young. What I am reading is that "he (Giuseppe) was was born yesterday evening, 13 February 1823, 1 at night, in Maria Votano's own home, (who was?) without knowledge of the father, because she was without a husband.

It sounds to me like she didn't actually know who the father was, (assaulted?), or maybe this was how, "padre ignoto" births were worded in this particular town and time frame?

Angela

[AngelaGrace56]

Just continuing on from my previous post.

Here's the 1823 birth index: http://dl.antenati.san.beniculturali.it ... ewsIndex=0

I'm now not sure what the word is after "non ...........? il Padre"

Angela

[calabresi]

Just continuing on from my previous post.

Here's the 1823 birth index: http://dl.antenati.san.beniculturali.it ... ewsIndex=0

I'm now not sure what the word is after "non ...........? il Padre"

Angela

My first impression when I read it was that it was some conjugated form of "conoscere" -- it would make the most sense in my opinion and the handwriting almost matches it.

[AngelaGrace56]

Just continuing on from my previous post.

Here's the 1823 birth index: http://dl.antenati.san.beniculturali.it ... ewsIndex=0

I'm now not sure what the word is after "non ...........? il Padre"

Angela

My first impression when I read it was that it was some conjugated form of "conoscere" -- it would make the most sense in my opinion and the handwriting almost matches it.

Absolutely! That was initially my thinking too, until I saw the index. To me it doesn't look the same as the record, but maybe it is. Do you speak Calabrese? It may be dialectal - and yes probably does just mean what I initially thought? I'll take another look later.

Angela

[PippoM]

The index says "non conoscendosi il padre"="not being known his father".
Also, notice that the record says "Luttuvera", while baptism column and index, "Luttuvenera".
I agree that it might have some meaning, or similar sound to some (ancient) dialect word.

[calabresi]

Thanks, Pippo

Every following record has said Luttovenera, so that’s the spelling I’m going with. Appreciate it!

[AngelaGrace56]

The index says "non conoscendosi il padre"="not being known his father".
Also, notice that the record says "Luttuvera", while baptism column and index, "Luttuvenera".
I agree that it might have some meaning, or similar sound to some (ancient) dialect word.

Have you seen this before Pippo - ie where a child, whose mother's name is recorded on the Birth Act, is given a different surname?

Angela

[PippoM]

Yes, I think I've found some of such cases, though the "new" surname was often "Esposito".

[AngelaGrace56]

Yes, I think I've found some of such cases, though the "new" surname was often "Esposito".

That's interesting. Thank you for getting back to me, Pippo. I hope you and your family are all keeping well. It's been a long few weeks.

Angela

[calabresi]

Thank you both Angela and Pippo. Stay well

[PippoM]

Thank you, Angela. We are fine, but still locked, I can't say "in", but sure "here".
And how are you?

[AngelaGrace56]

Thank you both Angela and Pippo. Stay well

Happy to help. You stay well too

Angela