I'm currently researching the Guidotti family in the UK (London, Oxford, and later Birmingham) and their ties to Italy. The head of the family: Vincenzo (Vincent) Guidotti is listed as a "figure and medallion maker", and "figure maker" on several historical records/documents (including censuses). He was born sometime around 1811 (according to UK documents), and emigrated from Italy sometime before marrying in the UK in 1833. Italy is listed always as his birthplace, but never a specific town. It is my understanding that during this period Italian plaster figure makers usually immigrated to the UK from villages in the mountains north of Lucca or generally around the Lucca area.
Does anyone have any advice on how to tackle this?
(General curiosity is appreciated as well, I can answer any further questions anyone has)
If anyone wants to just try their luck at searching for him, please be my guest, I haven't found anything thus far.
I was planning on using www.cognomix.it and www.mappadeicognomi.it as a guide for which areas to look through first but should I just look through every mountainous commune by Lucca (including those in southern Emilia-Romagna)? Honestly the records are pretty difficult to decipher so contemplating hiring someone professional if I have too much trouble.
Thanks for taking the time to read this
