Foundlings

    Although I hope to write more on this topic later, the family researcher should know that in Polizzi Generosa and throughout Sicily and Italy, foundlings, that is abandoned babies, were more common than one would imagine.  These children were taken to a designated place, often a "wheel" in the wall of a convent or other institution and anonymously abandoned. On the birth registrations of these children the parents were listed as "genitori d'ignoti", parents unknown. These babies were given their surnames by the foundling institution.  Some examples are:

• Trovato = foundling
• Esposito =  exposed, or from this place
• Proietti = cast out
• D'Angelis =  from the angels

One of my great great grandfathers was a foundling and was given the surname Gianfisco, meaning "God's beloved treasure."

                                                   Street scene from Polizzi, date unknown.