Re: Origin of the Palermo Family Name
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In reply to:
Origin of the Family
8/01/00
The Palermo family I am researching immigrated to the US about 1882-85 from Sicily.The 1900 census reflects all members of the family had the last name "di Palermo."The "di" was changed to "D" for several members in subsequent census (1910 and 1920), and completely not used thereafter.The wife's maiden name was recorded in church records as Catania, which is the name of a city in Sicily.
Family legend says the family did not have a last name in Sicily, and took Palermo when they came to the US.Supposedly, certain social classes in Sicily did not have last names back in the 1800's.I do not know the truth of this statement which has passed through the family.
If they did not have a last name in Sicily, I surmise that they took "di Palermo" as a last name since it translates (based on the little French and Spanish I know) as "of Palermo."As the family became more proficient in English, they dropped the "di" from their individual names.In addition, the wife may have took the name of the city in Sicily she was from, Catania, as a maiden name.
FMHicks
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Re: Origin of the Palermo Family Name
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Re: PALERMO'S FROM VILLA ROSA CIRCA 1890
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Re: PALERMO'S FROM VILLA ROSA CIRCA 1890
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PALERMO'S FROM VILLA ROSA CIRCA 1890