Mayors of Campobasso Italy

[JohnArmellino]

Hi Squigy

My FHC finally reopened after 11 weeks. Hallelujah! I checked the birth records for 1889 and did not find a record for either Elisa Grimaldi and/or Elisa Clemani. However, I did find a birth record for a Rosa Clemini. She was a proietta. She was found outside the ruota dei proietti on 20 MAR 1889. She was a few days old and was dressed in diapers. She was not left with a token or other sign of identification in case the parent(s) wished to reclaim her. She was given into the care of Giovanna Clari (as wetnurse), wife of Michelangelo Leccese. Source: FHL Film 1733191, NATI 1889, Parte II, No. 28, 20 MAR 1889.

The only birth record in 1889 under Grimaldi was Maria Anna Carmela Grimaldi, daughter of Antonio and Francesca Frangipani, born 04 AUG 1889. Source: FHL Film 1733191, NATI 1889, Parte I, Numero 330, 06 AUG 1889.

Although these two records probably raise more questions than they answer, the Clemini record merits consideration. The surname Clemini was assigned by the State and, therefore, was somewhat unique. Sometimes the State used an assigned name more than once, but this was unusual except in the case of certain generic assigned names as Esposito and Fortunata. Clemini doesn't seen to fit this pattern. Of course, the given name is different. Has the name Rosa ever come up with respect to Elisa?

[Squigy]

I don't know, that could be her. Although, it seems to me my family wasn't sure of the surname, but they knew her first name was Elisa. Maybe she actually was Grimandi/Grimani. Plus, Elisa was put in the D'Andrea's care, not Giovanna Clari's.

[JohnArmellino]

Plus, Elisa was put in the D'Andrea's care, not Giovanna Clari's.

Sometimes a foundling did not remain with his or her wet nurse and her family. I suppose there might have been a number of reasons for this. A woman might not have been physically able to wet nurse the child, the wet nurse might have been a "professional" wet nurse who never intended to keep the child, the wet nurse might have fallen ill or died, etc. I'll check the CB records again for several years in either direction to see if I can find anything else.

[Squigy]

John,

Upon hearing that you were not able to find records, I sent a letter (email rather) to Campobasso, asking for birth records for Elisa Clemanni born between 1884-1894, and received a reply that read like this:

With this we are sorry to inform you that, on inspection in our records, nothing was heard about the person named above.

I think I need an exact surname before I can proceed searching for records. I'm going to call Lawrence County PA and request marriage records for her. I hope they have her birth name on them