how to search for who raised a foundling?

[anzuena]

Hello -

My great grandfather was a foundling in Gambatesa, and was given the name Pomponio Mariani. We know when he was born (birth record attached), and that he married Domenica d'Alessandro (record attached as well - they were also married in the US, afterward, with his paternal surname of Anzuino).

We're trying to figure out who might have raised him for the 18 years he lived in Gambatesa. I started to think of stato d'anime, but searching the forum it seems foster families' records would not have included foundlings.

I'm new to this, does anyone have a suggestion I could pursue? Thank you for your time -

Joe

[Italysearcher]

The birth record was not attached but if it was the original registration it should give an indication of what happened. Given to the midwife to find a family. Sent to the closest Brefotrofio. etc.
PS He doesn't have a paternal surname unless he was officially 'recognized' by his father and that would be documented.

[anzuena]

Hi Ann -

Thanks for taking the time to reply. My apologies for the lack of document attachments, see below for links to those.

At the corner of the birth record is a note of acknowledgement from his father, Nicolamaria Anzuino, in February 1904. My belief is that this was to enable the son to marry Domenica D'Alessandro in the US, two months later, in April 1904.

I don't have full translations of any of these records yet, but from the birth record:
- my understanding is that the top of the right page is standard text regarding foundlings
- Consiglia Tozzi's name is mentioned on the left page; from my research she was wife to Giuseppe D'Alessandro.

I believe that Pomponio apprenticed as a carpenter as that was his stated trade when he came to the US.
I know that his father in law, Francesco Paolo D'Alessandro, was a carpenter.

Birth Record (record 65)http://dl.antenati.san.beniculturali.it ... 6.jpg.html

Marriage Publication (record 12)http://dl.antenati.san.beniculturali.it ... 2.jpg.html

Marriage Act (record 14) http://dl.antenati.san.beniculturali.it ... 9.jpg.html

[Italysearcher]

The birth was registered by the midwife who asked that the child be returned to her and she would see it was fed and cared for.
The probability is that he was returned to his mother and raised by her. Note that he is still using his 'foundling' name on his marriage in Italy in 1902.
There are posts on my blog about foundlings you might find interesting.