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Hi all,
I'm looking for the record of baptism for Leonarda Farara (my 4th great grandmother) who I believe was born sometime before 1778. I found this record, but I'm not sure if this person is a male or female. Can you help me decipher this? Thanks!
Steve
Steve
This record for a Leonardo Ferrara (a male). First of all, the Latin name ends in "us," so it is for a male. Secondly, look at the difference in how his surname is spelled from the surname of the godfather (third line from the bottom- the godfather was Maestro Filippo Favara). Leonardo's surname was Ferrara and you can see that following his father's first name which was Simone. The mother in this record was Caterina Tosto and the date looks like March 3, 1771.
I think I have the correct record of baptism now for Leonarda Ferrara. I'm not quite able to make out the date of this event. Is that the 2nd day or the 22nd day? And is it September or could it be 9bris?
Erudita, I may have Leonarda's surname spelt incorrectly, but she is definitely the ancestor I am looking for. Below are a couple of marriage records that verify this. The first is the marriage record of Antonio Papa and Giovanna Zito, which shows Giovanna's parents to be Joachim Zito and Leonarda Fanara. The second is the marriage record of Joachim Zito and Leonarda Fanara which shows Leonarda's parents to be Francesco Fanara and Francesca Lommardo, the same set of parents as shown on Leonarda's record of baptism shown above.
In Calatafimi, there are several surnames (Fanara, Favara, Farrara) with close spellings. Looking at these documents in toto, I agree that the spelling of Leonarda's surname is Fanara. I'll change that in my notes.
Ever since I was a little boy, my dad would show me my great grandfather's card, and tell me that he was a count in Italy. I was always intrigued by that, but never really thought about asking my grandmother questions, or anyone else for that matter. About ten years ago, as more and more information...