Forgive the gap in posting, but I have been feverishly working on wrapping up the transcription of both Teggiano and Morigerati/Sicili. All records have been indexed, all connections to previously indexed communes have been reconciled, and now I am in the unenviable phase of data standardization and correction.
This phase involves sorting out variations in spelling — looking for historical cut-off points for changes or standardizing on freely used variants. For example, between 1879 and approximately 1890, all names dropped the “d’”, “di”, “lo” and “la” from names: d’Elia becomes Elia and so on. But in 1890 they reverted back and there are many instances of addenda in the later birth records correcting them back. I have made the choice to standardize all on the original spelling.
Another aspect of this work is to provide a touchpoint for estimated birth records when there is no information available. While marriages certainly can involve minors, I standardize my estimates on the age being a minimum of 18 years before the birth of the oldest child. This is certainly arbitrary but it serves two purposes: 1) to allow the ancestor to be viewed publicly (because the software has a safety mechanism to disallow the viewing of alive people, and those lacking a birth date are considered alive) and 2) to facilitate the de-duping of individuals.
As it stands Teggiano has approximately 34,900 people in it and Morigerati/Sicili has 6,100.
Once these are set I will merge the communes of Sassano, Monte San Giacomo, Teggiano, Morigerati and Ispani into a single tree.
Next on the block will be Padula.
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