Italian "arranged" marriages

[MarcuccioV]

I have a question for those 'in the know':

I believe the marriage of my maternal grandparents (both born/raised in Valmontone, Lazio, SE of Rome) was an "arranged" affair by the two families.

My grandfather left the commune and emigrated to the US in 1910, at the age of 19. After a stint in the US Army in WWI (being deployed in France) and becoming naturalized he returned to Italy for a visit in 1920 (after the 10-year 'no return' policy had elapsed) to visit his father and surviving sisters (one sister had also emigrated to the US). He returned after the brief visit but returned to Valmontone again early in 1922 where he immediately married my grandmother, who was 19 at that time (my grandfather was 30). They then returned to the US to live permanently (settling in Detroit, where my grandfather was already an employee in the auto industry).

They had 4 children in total (my mother and uncle were fraternal twins), and two sons followed but both died before their teens (their lives did not overlap).

Considering the dates and ages, it seems highly unlikely that there was much of a courtship, if any. They also never exhibited any public showing of affection (at least not in the presence of their grandchildren).

When my grandfather passed at age 81 my grandmother seemed more-or-less indifferent, and referred to him only as a "nervous, but hard-working man". She also expressed bitterness at my mother (who took after my grandfather) and overlooked the many faults of my uncle (who took more after her).

As for the family tree, there are at least two surnames that are present in both family lines (but I assume this is not too uncommon even in fairly large communes).

I'm not sure if any of this makes much sense, but I'm curious if anyone is educated enough in these traditions to confirm or deny my suspicions. Thank you in advance.

[darkerhorse]

What's this "10-year no-return policy" you mention?

I've never heard of it.

As for the marriage, had either one been widowed?

[MarcuccioV]

What's this "10-year no-return policy" you mention?

I've never heard of it.

As for the marriage, had either one been widowed?

An emigre desiring naturalization could not return to their native country for 10 years (US law at the time). His naturalization was aided by his US military service.

Neither were widowed. I have copies of the marriage record and banns.

[PippoM]

Well, apart from disaffection, it seems evident that it was an arranged marriage...
Some turned into real "love affairs", and some just remained a "business" for both.

[darkerhorse]

That 10-year rule gives me something new to consider when trying to understand family immigration/emigration and naturalization.

Have you identified your grandparents' godparents and the witnesses at their wedding? Do you know anyone in their home village who might know the general history of arranged marriages in that place?

Their relationship doesn't seem all that uncommon to me, especially for their generation.

[MarcuccioV]

That 10-year rule gives me something new to consider when trying to understand family immigration/emigration and naturalization.

Have you identified your grandparents' godparents and the witnesses at their wedding? Do you know anyone in their home village who might know the general history of arranged marriages in that place?

Their relationship doesn't seem all that uncommon to me, especially for their generation.

As for the witnesses on the marriage act, I believe one was my GF's BIL, the other had a surname that is not found in the tree but is the surname of one of my closer (albeit yet distant) DNA matches from my maternal side...

[MarcuccioV]

Well, apart from disaffection, it seems evident that it was an arranged marriage...
Some turned into real "love affairs", and some just remained a "business" for both.

Thank you for confirming my suspicions, Pippo. Was this something relatively common for the time..? Or is this a more unusual circumstance..?

[darkerhorse]

It seems for arranged marriages in old Italy the groom was usually 10 or more years older than the bride, and they were of similar social status.

Have you searched the "Matrimoni, memorandum notificazioni ed opposizioni"?

[PippoM]

Well, apart from disaffection, it seems evident that it was an arranged marriage...
Some turned into real "love affairs", and some just remained a "business" for both.

Thank you for confirming my suspicions, Pippo. Was this something relatively common for the time..? Or is this a more unusual circumstance..?

It was not the rule, but I think that was common, and mostly for emigrants, till more recent times.
See for instance:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Girl_in_Australia

[MarcuccioV]

It seems for arranged marriages in old Italy the groom was usually 10 or more years older than the bride, and they were of similar social status.

Have you searched the "Matrimoni, memorandum notificazioni ed opposizioni"?

If you refer to the marriage banns, they were posted as was the standard procedure. There was no opposition.

As for social status, it was equal (contadini) for the families, however my grandfather had significantly improved his, going from a simple peasant tenant farmer to a skilled automotive assemblyman and US Army veteran in his 12-year US residency.

An odd detail is the marriage act still lists his social status as contadino and indicates his residence as Valmontone when clearly it was not, as he was already a naturalized US citizen in 1922...

[darkerhorse]

https://www.italiangenealogy.com/forum/ ... ni#p324994

[darkerhorse]

Your best bet is to find records pre-1871. The answer is likely there. If the paper trail is extended to 1820 or earlier, you'll match what DNA covers, wouldn't you?

[MarcuccioV]

Your best bet is to find records pre-1871. The answer is likely there. If the paper trail is extended to 1820 or earlier, you'll match what DNA covers, wouldn't you?

Yes, but so far no extension back. Antenati does indicate that records for Lazio are only partially released, but that makes up a LOT of communes, not to mention Rome itself.

It's my understanding that all parish records are now archived in Rome, but even in person only FOUR books can be viewed at any one time, which is barely enough to make a dent.

I'll just have to watch, wait & hope...

[PippoM]

It's my understanding that all parish records are now archived in Rome, but even in person only FOUR books can be viewed at any one time, which is barely enough to make a dent.

I'll just have to watch, wait & hope...

Parish records from the City of Rome are in the Archivio del Vicariato in Roma, where you can view four registers a day.
But Artena is in the diocesis of Velletri-Segni, so, you should check if the registers are still kept in the original parishes or at a Diocesan Archive in Velletri or Segni.

[MarcuccioV]

It's my understanding that all parish records are now archived in Rome, but even in person only FOUR books can be viewed at any one time, which is barely enough to make a dent.

I'll just have to watch, wait & hope...

Parish records from the City of Rome are in the Archivio del Vicariato in Roma, where you can view four registers a day.
But Artena is in the diocesis of Velletri-Segni, so, you should check if the registers are still kept in the original parishes or at a Diocesan Archive in Velletri or Segni.

I suppose I need to check with Santa Maria Maggiore in Valmontone, as that would be the parish in question...