How can I go about finding a name change record? Or proof of a name change?

Question

Orlando Davini was born in Lucca, Italy; during hard times, he was forced to relocate to the United States, where he changed his name to Herman David.  Is there anyway I can prove this?

Comments

It's possible that he never had an "official" name change. The best way to prove it's the same person is to look at all of the records in context. If you take out the name on all of the records, does the other information make you think it's the same person?

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Did you know that Italians recycle names so that one person might be named the same as his uncle, father or grandfather, for example?  Maybe he was baptized with more than one name so he adopted sometimes one of them and other times a different one. Have you searched in Portale Antenati? Read the Lucca archive notes clicking the Explora gli archivi at the main homepage and then scrolling down to find it. Open the link and read. You might find more info available, like some parrish records.

Answer 1

When immigrants are granted their US naturalization, they are also able to change their legal name at that same time. So look for his naturalization papers.

Comments

He indicated on World War1 and 2 cards that he is not a U.S. Citizen.  I was unable to find any naturalization record.  Are there still records that exist, such as proof that he did not naturalize?

Answer 2

There may not be any legal proof of a name change. It's dependent on state law, and in the early 1900s things were pretty lax in many places. If you're trying for dual citizenship, you should ask the consulate you make your appointment with about name discrepancies. You'll just have to collect as much documentation as possible to demonstrate that one is the alter ego of the other.

Comments

Were census records also pretty lax with names as well?  I thought you would need a name change to have a different name on city records.

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U.S. Census records are very lax.  The person answering the questions could use a nick name for anyone, or an abbreviated version of their name. Don't depend on names in the Census for accuracy.

Answer 3

I found a name change of a family member who immigrated from Italy to the US in early 1900s -- in the newspaper.  It was under the legal notices...

Answer 4

Maybe this wikitreer can help you: https://www.wikitree.com/g2g/10776/davini-genealogy.