Determining Correct Surname

[nkokolis]

I have been researching information on my great grandfather Angelo Argenas, born 11 Feb 1888 in Naples, Italy. There has been discussion that his surname may have been modified once in the U.S. I have obtained his social security application from 1937 and he listed his surname as Areanese. Unfortunately both surnames have not come up in any searches I've done on this site as well as others. Does anyone have any idea what would be a surname that may have been modified from Areanese and/or Argenas? Thx!

[Italysearcher]

The ship manifest should give you his real surname as these manifests were made up from documents issued by the town for travel. Unfortunately due to the elaborate Italian script many names were badly indexed. If the people on this site can't find the manifest then I suggest you contact lostquays@ymail.com. Ship manifests are her specialty.

[PippoM]

I see he live in Pittsburgh.
In 1920 there was one Angelo Arganese living there. Is this the same family?

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... cc=1488411

[PippoM]

If that's him, this might be his ship manifest:

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903 ... cc=1368704

stating he was from Melizzano, province of Benevento.

[nkokolis]

Yes, thank you I believe that is him. I came across the 1920 census, a birth record of his first child, marriage record and a railroad employee records and the name that came up most was ARGANESE and one instance of ARCANESE. I've searched Italian birth records under both names in Naples but have been unsuccessful. Any recommendations on websites to search birth records? thx!

[PippoM]

Here

http://www.antenati.san.beniculturali.i ... +italiano/

you have records for the province of Benevento.
I could not find Angelo's birth in Melizzano.
You might want to try nearby communes, such as Frasso Telesino or Bucciano

[nkokolis]

Thank you Pippo! I have been going through page by page with no luck. I will try those other communes.