Illegitimate child - what's going on in this birth record?

JB5150 · Explorer Joined: Sep 13, 2007 Posts: 78 Location: Florida

Hi Everyone,

I just found this birth record for an illegitimate child of my great-great-grandfather, but I'm not sure I understand what it says in the notes section. Was she adopted into the family or what exactly happened here? Can someone help with a translation? Thanks in advance for any help with this one!

martyadelfio · Mem Joined: Apr 01, 2011 Posts: 31

To me it looks the June 1875 father Giorgio Scarso age 30 profession farmer presented the baby at the birth female baby name Concetta Scarso no mother listed but side note says Giorgio Scarso and Rosa Franco got married Feb 1876 after the baby was born I dont see the word adottara on the record. I cant make out a couple of the words were the mothers name should be.

Marty

JB5150 · Explorer Joined: Sep 13, 2007 Posts: 78 Location: Florida

Hmm.....that's interesting. Especially since I have found two records of children born prior to this with no mention of them being illegitimate. In both of those cases, the mother's name is listed on the birth record and she is listed as "moglie." Could they have lied about that? If they lied about it, then why would they have reported this child as illegitimate?

Italysearcher

There was a time (I think around 1871-1875) when the State declared that it would not recognize marriage that took place in the church only. So its possible that the first two children were accepted as legitimate and this one, born after the declaration, was not. Once they registered their marriage civilly, the child was officially recognized as the daughter of Giorgio and Rosa. If you get their marriage certificate it will also be mentioned on that document. Note that they did not marry until 1886, probably when Concetta went to school and needed a birth certificate and they realized she was considered illegitimate.

JB5150 · Explorer Joined: Sep 13, 2007 Posts: 78 Location: Florida

Hi Ann,
Thanks for sharing this information! I had no idea about that, but it would certainly make sense as to why the other children weren't declared illegitimate on their birth records.