Translation of Death Record - Maria Grazia Antista

[ItalianbellaSA]

Good afternoon everyone:

I am still pursuing the Antista genealogy in Geraci Siculo and Polizzi Generosa. I came across this death record for a Maria Grazia (?) Antista for the year 1861 in Geraci Siculo. I could use a little assistance with the translation. Here is what I have been able to decipher:

http://www.antenati.san.beniculturali.i ... ewsIndex=0

Date: Oct. 5, 1861

Reported the death: Giuseppe _____________?, age 46; profession - shepherd

Name of the dead: Maria Grazia Antista, age 1

Father: ?? Could it be Cusmano Antista ? (who is on my tree - born 1842 in Geraci Siculo)

Mother: Unknown ?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Sue Antista
ItalianbellaSA

[mjclayton1]

Hi, Sue-

I'm by no means an expert on translating such matters, but when stuff (text) like this isn't clear I find that it's often best to look at the various yearly Indices (at the end of the record year). Usually, you'll get a better sense as to what the surname possibilities are from a review of that.

So... having done exactly that here (for 1860 and 1861), I think the names of the parties that appeared are: Giuseppe Matta and Giacomo Valenzia (age 40). Also, I think both parents were unknown.

Good luck on moving forward.

Mark

[mmogno]

Date: Oct. 5, 1861
Reported the death: Giuseppe Matta, age 46, profession - shepherd and Giacomo Valenza, age 40, profession - shepherd
Name of the dead: Cosimana Fanfalla, age 1
Father: Unknown
Mother: Unknown

"....nel giorno d'ieri cinque del mese di Ottobre anno corrente alle ore una di notte è morta nella sua propria casa Cosimana Fanfalla projetta nutrita da Maria Grazia Antista di anni uno nata in Geraci di professione -- domiciliata ivi figlia di genitori ignoti...."

See also #105
http://www.antenati.san.beniculturali.i ... ewsIndex=0

[mjclayton1]

Interesting, mmogno. So... are you saying this record indicates the death of 1-year old Cosimana, who was "nourished" (nutrita) by Maria Grazia Antista? In other words, Maria Grazia was raising her, i.e., in the absence of Cosimana's known parents? What would possess this to happen? Cosimana's parents dying? Abandoning her (anonymously)? Them possibly leaving for the States, etc., and not wanting to travel with an infant (and perhaps intending to return and/or send for the child down the road?

I guess anything is possible, but with a young child I've always wondered "why" no one knows the parents names. Logically, this leads me to believe that, likely, the child was abandoned, but I'm not well-versed enough in this sort of thing to feel too confident about making such a strong conclusion.

[mmogno]

The baby girl was certainly abandoned by her mother ("projetta") and was registered as a daughter of unknown parents at the Civil Status Office ("figlia di genitori ignoti"). Possibly, the municipality of Geraci gave the child in custody of a wetnurse for a small salary ("nutrita da"), Maria Grazia Antista.

[mjclayton1]

mmogno- Thanks for the added color here. Is always appreciated.

Mark

[ItalianbellaSA]

Thank you all so much for your help! So this record was for the death of Cosimana and was being nourished by Maria Grazia Antista. I appreciate the help.