Translation of Birth of Giuseppe Flavio

[Tanner]

http://dl.antenati.san.beniculturali.it ... ewsIndex=0

Here is the birth act of a Giuseppe Flavio, a foundling. I think he might have been taken in by a couple called Vitantonio DeVito and Maria Lucrezia Rizzi and was renamed Generoso DeVito. I could read the main birth act and translated it to the best of my ability. The part on side was illegible to me, though it appeared to say “Lucrezia Rizzi” so it seemed promising. I’m hoping someone can translate that notation on the side. I found a marriage record for a Generoso DeVito marrying a Margherita Lobasso, a distant relative of mine, in NYC in 1914. The parents listed for Generoso were Vitantonio and Lucrezia, but there is no birth record for Generoso in the comune of Grumo or the nearby town of Toritto. I’m hoping this Birth act might confirm or deny that the foundling Giuseppe Flavio became Generoso DeVito. Any help is appreciated!

[erudita74]

Here's the link to their Sept 11, 1897 marriage in Torritto referenced in the margin of Giuseppe Flavio's birth record. It legitimized two of their sons born from their natural union, including Giuseppe Flavio and another son, born on Nov 12, 1887, named Generoso Percoco

http://dl.antenati.san.beniculturali.it ... ewsIndex=0

Here's a link to Generoso's birth record in Torritto

http://dl.antenati.san.beniculturali.it ... ewsIndex=0

So the marriage record you found is possibly Gennaro (Percoco) DeVito's record, but it wouldn't be Giuseppe (Flavio) DeVito's record.

[Tanner]

Erudita,

Thank you so much for this! So my understanding is Generoso’s parents were unwed and therefore they didn’t want to be named on his birth record and he was given a different surname. When they wed, he was legitimized and he took his father’s name. This is very interesting, thanks again so much.

[erudita74]

The 1865 Italian civil code states that, when a natural child is recognized by both parents, it then assumes the name of the family of the father. So both of these sons would now have the DeVito surname as a result of the parents' marriage which recognized them as their natural children and thus legitimized them.

Also, after Giuseppe Flavio was presented at the town hall by the midwife, and he was given the made-up name, Giuseppe Flavio, he was then consigned to a balia, or wetnurse as, during this time period, breastfeeding was the norm. The wetnurse, in whose custody he was placed, was named Stella Scarola, the wife of Vito Amatulli. She may have actually received a stipend from her town for serving in this capacity. as many poor women who were lactating-either recently had given birth to their own child, or had an infant who had recently died, served in this capacity to supplement their family income.

In the case of Gennaro, however, he was consigned to a balia/wetnurse by the name of Lucrezia Rizzi. Assuming that this is the same Lucrezia Rizzi who later married Vitoantonio DeVito, and recognized Gennaro as her natural and legitimate son, she served as a wetnurse for her own abandoned natural child. She was unwed, more than likely very poor, and this gave her a means to make money to sustain her natural son without admitting that she was, in fact, his natural mother.

Erudita

[Tanner]

Wow, this is incredible insight. Thank you for proving the additional information and historical background, this really put Generoso’s story into context.

Tanner

[erudita74]

You're very welcome, Tanner
Erudita