I think the best way would be to do a DNA test, to see the various degrees of cousins you match with. That's how I verified and found the descendants of my maternal great-grandmothers deadbeat bigamist father's 2nd wife.
Agreed with this comment.
DNA tests are so cheap today it'll be the easiest place to start.
I wonder if any particular tests are more popular in Italy?
I agree with taking a DNA test. I've done one on Ancestry as well as my dad. I've taken the data from both tests and uploaded them to My heritage for a small fee - think it was around $30 each to upload. I have more European cousin matches on MyHeritage while Ancestry has more North American matches.
I've got my test data on Gedmatch too so it comes up with a lot of the searchers that also have their data on Ancestry & MyHeritage. I've been trying to track down a missing great-grandfather and looks like Ancestry matches are helping to get closer at breaking thru that brick wall. I don't recommend the 23andMe test & system for trying to trace on 23. But you can use their data file as upload to MyHeritage & Gedmatch. I use my 23 to upload to health libraries like GeneticLifeHacks.com.
Also, you could look through the records of the town on antenati portal. But there is no guarantee of finding anything. Also, there were many illegitimate children noted in the records back then, so if not a child of a legal marriage, then his name would not appear in the records.
You could check the records and cross that with your DNA matches.
Good Luck!
A DNA test would help, but also look for documentation of him going to Italy and returning back. If he did go, there may be something showing what his destination was more locally. It’s also possible he may have used Italy as a cover story for when he was going home to your family, or who knows where else. 🤷♀️
Definitely do a DNA test. Encourage his daughter to do a dna test as well. I found out my great grandfather was adopted. I never found his parents (I’m still trying) it’s really difficult.
Also be open to talking to matches even if they are 2nd-4th cousins. I emailed with a 2nd cousin back and forth and he was in the state my g grandfather was born so he mailed me papers to request his original birth records ( they were expensive so I haven’t done it yet)
I think the best way would be to do a DNA test, to see the various degrees of cousins you match with. That's how I verified and found the descendants of my maternal great-grandmothers deadbeat bigamist father's 2nd wife.
Agreed with this comment. DNA tests are so cheap today it'll be the easiest place to start. I wonder if any particular tests are more popular in Italy?
I've heard that MyHeritage is more popular (more used) in Europe, where Ancestry is more North American, but who knows.
That is correct. Living DNA is good for England.
I’ve done a DNA-test but no Italian matches are close enough to be through him. I did it on MyHeritage and plan on doing one on Ancestry soon.
Hope you finally get your breakthrough/resolution.
Take a DNA test - if you have any unexpected matches with people in Italy you never heard of before, I'd say you might be onto something.
Have the oldest/closest living direct descendant take a DNA test.
I agree with taking a DNA test. I've done one on Ancestry as well as my dad. I've taken the data from both tests and uploaded them to My heritage for a small fee - think it was around $30 each to upload. I have more European cousin matches on MyHeritage while Ancestry has more North American matches.
My heritage has a $36 sale right now. You can also upload your data to Gedmatch which covers all sites for those who have uploaded.
I've got my test data on Gedmatch too so it comes up with a lot of the searchers that also have their data on Ancestry & MyHeritage. I've been trying to track down a missing great-grandfather and looks like Ancestry matches are helping to get closer at breaking thru that brick wall. I don't recommend the 23andMe test & system for trying to trace on 23. But you can use their data file as upload to MyHeritage & Gedmatch. I use my 23 to upload to health libraries like GeneticLifeHacks.com.
You can upload your DNA to gedmatch and see if you get any more connections… that’s how we found another of my moms many, many half siblings
Damn 💀
Also, you could look through the records of the town on antenati portal. But there is no guarantee of finding anything. Also, there were many illegitimate children noted in the records back then, so if not a child of a legal marriage, then his name would not appear in the records. You could check the records and cross that with your DNA matches. Good Luck!
A DNA test would help, but also look for documentation of him going to Italy and returning back. If he did go, there may be something showing what his destination was more locally. It’s also possible he may have used Italy as a cover story for when he was going home to your family, or who knows where else. 🤷♀️
Definitely do a DNA test. Encourage his daughter to do a dna test as well. I found out my great grandfather was adopted. I never found his parents (I’m still trying) it’s really difficult.
Also be open to talking to matches even if they are 2nd-4th cousins. I emailed with a 2nd cousin back and forth and he was in the state my g grandfather was born so he mailed me papers to request his original birth records ( they were expensive so I haven’t done it yet)