Can Daniels be an Italian name?

[mrstrod]

I know that my family is 100% Italian but I didn't think that the name Daniels was.

My grandfather's surname was Ronzo and my grandmother's was Daniels. I have been able to find some information about the Ronzo side but none for the Daniels side. Is it possible it was changed when they entered the U.S.?

[vj]

Is it possible it was changed when they entered the U.S.?

Hello!
Probably not at Ellis Island (or another port), but afterward.
Folks 'Americanized' their names for various reasons.
Here's a pretty neat article:
http://www.genealogy.com/88_donna.html
Valarie

[PeterTimber]

There are 7 cities, towns or villages in Sicily, Campania, Lazio, Sardinia, Lombardia and Veneto regions with persons who are surnamed Daniels.'

The surname does not appear in the italian surname dictionary,however, it is imported from abroad into Italy and as yet has not been italianized, as it were. The sunrname dates back to 1699 in Italy as Daniel as well as Daniels. Go to www.familysearch.org under ancestor search.

If you go to www.paginebianche.it and put in Daniels inthe first line and at separate times put in Sicily, Sardinia, Campania..etc etc etc and click CERCA for a full reading of the persons surnamed Daniels.

=Peter=

[vj]

I have been able to find some information about the Ronzo side but none for the Daniels side ...

Some possible clues
Based on the information on your family page on ancestry. com, this may be your 'Daniels' family in 1930 & 1920
Perhaps you can locate some vital records in Nassau County?
Valarie

possible 1930 census

Home in April 1930:
43 West End Avenue, owns $4000
Inwood, Hempstead, Nassau, New York

head Joseph Danieri 33, abt 1897 IT
- married age 19, abt 1916
- immig 1910, Al
- gardener, private home
wife Josephine Danieri 33, abt 1897 IT
- immig 1910
daughter Lena Danieri 15, abt 1915 NY
daughter Carmella Danieri 12, abt 1918 NY
daughter Diamonda Danieri 11, abt 1919 NY
daughter Lucy Danieri 8, abt 1922 NY
son Amelio Danieri 7, abt 1923 NY
daughter Louisa Danieri 5, abt 1925 NY
son Carman Danieri 3 6/12, abt 1926 NY
son Frank Danieri 5/12, abt 1929 NY
---

edit: added

possible 1920 census

Home in 1920:
Lawrence, Hempstead, Nassau, New York

head Joseph Doneela 28, abt 1892 IT
wife Josephine Doneela 24, abt 1896 IT
daughter Lena Doneela 5
daughter Carmella Doneela 4
daughter Damond Doneela 1 2/12
---

If you haven’t used these, they may help you locate New York City area records:

NYC area records by the Italian Genealogical Group
http://www.italiangen.org/

edit: added
example - possible marriage record:

Nassau County
Groom's Name, Bride's Name, Volume Number Page Number Certificate Number, Marriage Date
Daniele Giuseppe, Annicella Gustina, 1 825 4128, 6 Aug 1914

Dr Steve Morse One Step Search Pages for New York
NY Naturalization
NYC Birth Records 1891-1902 (requires ancestry. com subscription)
NYC Groom Index 1864-1936
NYC Bride Index ????-1937
NYC Death Records 1891-1948

Ordering NYC Vital Records
New York City Archives

[PeterTimber]

I suppose one might be tempted to say the Daniels name has been italianized when one considers DANIELI as a variation of Daniels. This Italian version is listed in the Italian surname dictionary with Daniele being the biblical variant.

The surname Daniel or Daniels, however, is not listed as a variant, derivative, alteration or abbreviation of Danieli. The closest is Dani

=Peter=

[mrstrod]

Wow, You guys are amazing! I only just started my family tree project so would never have figured this stuff out!

VJ - you are exactly correct, that is them! Thank you so much for finging it - I never would have thought of Dannieri!

[PeterTimber]

when was it changed to Daniels and how did it happen. It wouyld be interesting to know if you can trace the changeover to Daniels don't you think? =Peter=

[mrstrod]

Peter, yes it would be interesting! My only problem is going to be finding someone from that side of the family! My grandmother and most of her siblings have passed - i think 2 or 3 are still alive.

My guess is it was not my great grandparents that changed it - I assume this because they had been here for at least 10 years when the 1930 census was taken - and they were still using Danieri then. (I know this because my grandmother LUCY was born here and she was 10 then - even though the census says 8 - odd).

I think it must have been the kids that decided to change the name. I'm going to try to get in touch with my cousins and see if they know anything.

On another topic - is there a way to trace my great grandparents in Italy? Both of them were born there and I believe married there too, though I wouldn't know exactly where - I think Sicily.

[PeterTimber]

When you ask about the name change also ask about their townof origin in Italy and send a form letter asking for their respective birth records and whatever other documents you wish from that townof origin.

Go to http://www.angelfire.com/ok3/pearlsofwi ... tters.html
There is no charge just make each document a separate request. =Peter=

[vj]

age is close to 1910 census, destination Inwood - Nassau County

possible 1912 manifest
page 2

15 Jan 1912, SS Duca d'Aosta, Naples to NY
line 14

Giuseppe Daniele 19 (abt 1892)
- single
- last residence Pago
- in Pago mother Michelina Amato (??)
- destination Inwood L.I. (Long Island)
- not in US before
- joining brother-in-law Raffaele Ricupito
- born in Pago

note: there are several Pago's:
Pago - Rovagnano, comune of Capitignano, province L'Aquila, region Abruzzo
Pago del Vallo di Lauro, comune of Pago del Vallo di Lauro, province Avellino, region Campania
Pago Veiano, comune of Pago Veiano, province Benevento, region Campania
Pago San Benedetto, comune of Montenero Sabino, province Rieti, region Lazio
---

From the 1912 manifest, brother-in-law & sister(?) 2 census pages from Daniele family in 1920

1920 census

Home in 1920:
Wanser Ave near Clinton Street
Lawrence, Hempstead, Nassau, New York

head Ralph Recupito 48, abt 1872 IT
- immig 1901, Na 1915
- flagman, L.I.R.R.
wife Angelino Recupito 47, abt 1873 IT
- immig 1901, Na
daughter Anna Recupito 12, abt 1908 NY
son Joseph Recupito 11, abt 1909 NY

[mfso]

My grandfather's surname is also Ronzo. He came to US from Cesa (I believe) and was born in 1881. Do you have a Giovanni Ronzo in your family tree?