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Author Topic: Deciphering my Italian Grandfathers surname signed on a photograph  (Read 905 times)

Offline Seza72

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Deciphering my Italian Grandfathers surname signed on a photograph
« on: Monday 17 April 17 21:47 BST (UK) »
Hi there,
I have attached a photo of my Italian grandfather, I am trying to decipher his surname, we know that his first name is Mimmo short for Domenico.

Is it possible to please help?
Thanks
Seza

Offline Girl Guide

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Re: Deciphering Grandfathers surname signed on a photograph
« Reply #1 on: Monday 17 April 17 22:40 BST (UK) »
Is he the paternal or maternal grandfather?

If paternal he should have the same surname as your father.

If maternal then his surname should be the same as your mother's maiden name.

Do you not know the surnames of your parents?
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Offline Seza72

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Re: Deciphering Grandfathers surname signed on a photograph
« Reply #2 on: Monday 17 April 17 23:06 BST (UK) »
If only it was that simple or I wouldn't be asking the question!!

Unfortunately my grandfather is a mystery person that my mother didn't know was her real father until she was 8yrs old.  My grandmother had moved from Italy to England after the war and my mothers real father was in Italy.  So it ended there with us only having signed photographs of him.  My grandma took her secret to the grave.

Offline matthewj64

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Re: Deciphering Grandfathers surname signed on a photograph
« Reply #3 on: Monday 17 April 17 23:06 BST (UK) »
To help with the lettering, the first words would be "Con affetto ..."

The first letter after "Mimmo" could be an "L" ?

Offline Seza72

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Re: Deciphering Grandfathers surname signed on a photograph
« Reply #4 on: Tuesday 18 April 17 00:19 BST (UK) »
Thanks Matthew, we also believe it says con affetto:

con affetto
Indimenticable
Mimmo .......

I've looked at the Italian ancestry births for names beginning with L as I also thought it could be L.  It looks like there are two names so possibly a middle name and last both beginning with L. The end I don't believe is a 'y' I think it may be a signature end so either an 'e' or an 'i'. 

Mimmo is a very common name in Italy so its a hard task.  I've sent it to a writing specialist here in New Zealand to see if the signature can be identified :)

Offline Rosinish

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Re: Deciphering Grandfathers surname signed on a photograph
« Reply #5 on: Tuesday 18 April 17 00:20 BST (UK) »
Quote from: matthewj64 on Monday 17 April 17 23:06 BST (UK)
To help with the lettering, the first words would be "Con affetto ..."

The first letter after "Mimmo" could be an "L" ?

Agree with matthew, possibly something like Linerjuny?

It may be worth trying a 'google' search of Italian surnames to see if there's anything similar?

Just a thought?

Lovely looking chap I must say  ;D

Annie

Added. Sorry, crossed posts.
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Offline sami

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Re: Deciphering Grandfathers surname signed on a photograph
« Reply #6 on: Tuesday 18 April 17 00:53 BST (UK) »
Quote from: Seza72 on Tuesday 18 April 17 00:19 BST (UK)
....I've looked at the Italian ancestry births for names beginning with L as I also thought it could be L.  It looks like there are two names so possibly a middle name and last both beginning with L. The end I don't believe is a 'y' I think it may be a signature end so either an 'e' or an 'i'. 

Certainly difficult to decipher, but I see it as a single last name beginning with an 'L' with an 'f' in the middle. Not much help.

He certainly is a handsome fellow :)

sami
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Offline bitzar

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Re: Deciphering Grandfathers surname signed on a photograph
« Reply #7 on: Tuesday 18 April 17 01:26 BST (UK) »
LOREFICE..... as a surname but it doesn't quite work with his signature!

Was this just a pic or was he an actor, etc do you know?!

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Offline Seza72

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Re: Deciphering Grandfathers surname signed on a photograph
« Reply #8 on: Tuesday 18 April 17 01:30 BST (UK) »
Lorefice,, it does look like that..

My dad has a photo of him on stage, I have asked him to send this to me.  Yes Mimmo was an actor / opera singer but I cant find any history of a Mimmo / Domenico in the 1940's other than the very famous Domenico and its definately not him.
S
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