Since these indexes are essentially manual, the search function does not have the flexibility that many of us are familiar with using FamilySearchAncestry, or FindMyPast. For instance, there is no way to specify a search that finds “similar” or “sounds like” results. Since spelling was still not fully standardized during the 1800’s, I had to find a way to overcome that limitation and find results that were similarly spelled or pronounced. The current solution is certainly not elegant, but it gets the job done. Regardless of how some names were spelled in the original record, I have standardized spellings to allow for the basic search function in your browser to be most helpful. This post lists the standardized name spellings for most common names in Canischio.

Before adding someone to your family tree, I recommend reading all the original records you can find, noting how a person’s name was spelled by his or her parents and the spelling of the person’s signature later in life. You may also be informed by current conventions for Italian names or by how names were anglicized when people immigrated. In the end, you’ll have to decide for yourself the “best” spelling for your family.

These spellings were selected relatively arbitrarily. As always, constructive feedback is much appreciated. If you find additional names that should be included or standardized, please let me know.

Adelaide
Alessandro
Alessio
Barbara
Bedino
Bosone
Branda
Compasso
Caramello
Catarina
Cattarello
Costantino
Cristina
Decolli
Filippo
Gagliardo
Giacoma (surname)
Giacometti
Giacomo (given name)
Gioanna
Gioanni
Gioannini
Giuseppe
Maddalena
Matteo
Mattia
Maurizio
Michele
Mor
Paolo
Pecchenino
Peradotto
Picco
Rosico
Stefano
Teresa
Tomaso
Virginia

2 thoughts on “Name Spelling Standards

  1. Hi. I just tried to join the FB group, and I think I might be the person you referenced in the post from June 2016 about Giovanni B. Giovannini’s birth certificate. Just today I was going through some old papers of my dad’s (John Charles Giovanini, b. 1918). I found the birth certificate we got from Bosconero, and I looked at the date and realized it didn’t add up. Then I remembered your mom mentioned your blog in an email, and I looked up your site, and that was the first thing I saw. How funny! I wish when I went to Italy with my folks in 1999 I had had more information and better language skills. Thanks for all the info. This is a great resource.

    1. Hi Mary~
      I’m delighted you have found us here! What a great turn of events. I am actually at this very moment preparing additional records to post here. I am working through early parish records beginning in the 1823. I am hoping to start posting the indexes soon. Stay turned for new sources!

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