My grandmother, Maria Rosa Prudente, born in Gioiosa Ionica, was adopted by the Simeri family. She later married Vincenzo Agostino. That is how I found her maiden name (on the Marriage Cert.) I was told that adoptees did not take on the name of the adopting family, so at Ellis Island, she is listed as Prudente. Are there any records available that would shed any light on who her real parents were? Or, are they sealed? I was also told that adoptees were often given new names, referring to various virtues. Would Prudente translate into Prudence? Thanks for any insights.

Welcome to the Forum!

You may request Maria Rosa's birth act to

Ufficio di Stato Civile
Comune di Gioiosa Ionica
Via Garibaldi 14
89042 Gioiosa Ionica RC
Italy

unless she was a foundling her parents' names should be in the document.

Check the following sites for sample letters in Italian:

www.circolocalabrese.o...s/letters/ and www.angelfire.com/ok3/...tters.html

It is certainly worth a try. Grazie for the address and the links!