In researching Catholic records from the Borgetto commune of Palermo, I encountered many instances where 'a Spirito Sancto' was given instead of a surname/cognome. These persons also were under the care of (sub cura) others who were not their biological parents. What does the usage of this term indicate--an orphan, adopted child or ???
Any help to clarify this is appreciated.
a Spirito Sancto as surname
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Re: a Spirito Sancto as surname
In some towns in early years a surname was not given to a foundling. This may have been the priest's way of sayig that the child survived 'by the grace of God'.
Ann Tatangelo
http://angelresearch.net
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http://angelresearch.net
Dual citizenship assistance, and document acquisition, on-site genealogical research in Lazio, Molise, Latina and Cosenza. Land record searches and succession.
Re: a Spirito Sancto as surname
Thare were various euphemisms to mean the condition of a child with no known or legitimate parents. For instance, my grandfather was a foundling, and he was to be, in our dialect, a "figlio della Madonna" ("child of Our Lady")
Giuseppe "Pippo" Moccaldi
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Certificate requests and genealogical researches in Italy.
Translation of your (old) documents and letters.
Legal assistance in Italy for your Italian citizenship.