A Casacalenda Mystery That Needs Solving

[sprite1949]

A Judge/Magistrate in the town of Casacalenda is the biological father of my grandfather. My great-grandmother was a servant for the judge's family at the time he got her pregnant and she was subsequently asked to leave. She gave birth to my grandfather on May 20, 1987 in Campobasso. She gave him up at La Ruota but later reclaimed him. We have one photo of the judge and we know that he sent some funds anonymously to assist my grandfather fund a trip to America to work when he was a young man. My only interest is to complete this family name/connection on our family tree and include the story in my family history book. How might I go about solving this mystery of my great-grandfather who was a judge living in Casacalenda in this time period? (We know nothing of my great-grandmother's family/relatives...we believe she was an orphan.)

I wrote to the town of Casacalenda in 2011 but was unable to get any information from them. They simply said they could not help me. I am not able to make a trip to Italy myself. Does that make this situation hopeless?

Any ideas or suggestions from the community would be very much appreciated.
Thanks.
Lucy

[Joannsalvo]

I just want to confirm the birth year, May 20, 1987 ?

[sprite1949]

Yes, that's my grandfather's birth year Joann. So his biological father (the great-grandfather whose name I am seeking) was a judge who lived with his family in Casacalenda at that time, whether he worked elsewhere though is unknown to me. My grandmother was a servant in his household in her mid-teens...she was about 17 years old when she gave birth.

The judge was quite an attractive looking man. I wanted to download his picture but ran into difficulty and it didn't upload.

[PippoM]

Lucy,
did you mean 1897 or 1887?

[sprite1949]

Oh, my goodness...I feel so foolish...the year was 1887. I can't believe I didn't notice even when Joann questioned it.

Ok...so I'm looking for a person who was working as a judge in the area of Casacalenda and lived with his family in Casacalenda in the 1880's. Apologies. for the confusion by my error.

Were occupations listed at all in records from that time period?

Thanks.
Lucy

[suanj]

ok, 1887!
I found that in Casacalenda was Nicolangelo De Simone..
"Sono promossi dalla 2° alla 1° categoria, dal 1 marzo 1888, coll'annuo
stipendio di lire 2500, I signori:
.....
De Simone Nicolangelo, pretore del mandamento di Casacalenda."
(Are promoted from 2th to 1th category, from 1 March 1888, with annual pay of £ 2500 the misters:
......
Nicolangelo De Simone, praetor of the Casacalenda's district)
http://augusto.digitpa.gov.it/gazzette/ ... 1888056_PM
between 1888 and 1891 he was the praetor of Avellino town and from 5 apr 1891 he was promoted judge of Larino's Court ( near Casacalenda)..
Casacalenda don't had a Court, but just a little local court with a praetor not a judge.. instead in 1891 he was promoted judge of Larino's Court and a pay raise
http://augusto.digitpa.gov.it/gazzette/ ... 1891085_PM
in 1913 the career raised because he became judge in Appellate Court of L'Aquila town ( Abruzzo region)
http://augusto.digitpa.gov.it/gazzette/ ... 1913077_PM

suanj

[suanj]

this is the birthact in Casacalenda of a his son on 04 Mar 1885
#92;
Nicolangelo was 34 old ( so born in 1851), the wife was Lady Silvia Paolucci, the home was in Via Fontecerro ( now: Fonte Cerro), n° 91 ( 91 oak source st, Casacalenda)
http://www.antenati.san.beniculturali.i ... 4.jpg.html

other children births:
daughter on 25 Nov 1886 Casacalenda
http://www.antenati.san.beniculturali.i ... 6.jpg.html
son on 16 Feb 1889 Casacalenda
http://www.antenati.san.beniculturali.i ... 1.jpg.html
daughter on 11 Feb 1892 Larino
http://www.antenati.san.beniculturali.i ... 2.jpg.html
daughter on 08 Mar 1896 Larino
http://www.antenati.san.beniculturali.i ... 8.jpg.html
suanj

[sprite1949]

Thank you Raffaela for all this information. It is certainly a possibility. Since I have a photo of him, how would you direct me further? Perhaps, my search is quite impossible. I appreciate your efforts to assist me. I enjoyed my visit to your website.
Best Regards,
Lucy

[suanj]

I think it is more than a chance... because is the only Casacalenda local judge in the 1887...
abt the picture..
I don't know the better way to find a picture of Nicolangelo... for a comparison.... I don't have further infos...
best regards,
suanj

[sprite1949]

Once again Raffaela, I want to thank you for the help you have offered. I think you are right that it is too difficult to connect the photo unless I was able to find his descendants. I am told that the name De Simone is very common in Italy, so I may never find the answer.
Your help is appreciated.
Best regards,
Lucy

[sprite1949]

Hello again Raffaela...I want to tell you that the name you found for the magistrate/judge, Nicolangelo De Simone, is the biological father of my grandfather Raffaele. We know that for certain now because family members (myself, my father, and 2 brothers) have had our DNA tested by the company 23andMe and we have a DNA segment that matches a person who has the De Simone surname in his family tree. We have been in touch to figure out our relationship as fourth cousins. So thanks to you the mystery has been solved. Your kindness in offering your time to help me in this matter is greatly appreciated. Thank you once again.

[CiaoBella1313]

What a great job, suanj...I'm impressed you solved the mystery. And, a DNA test really helped too.

Lucy--what a fascinating story for your family!

[suanj]

WOW
I was pretty sure! Glad that the mystery is solved!
Glad of help you!
suanj