[TI] Corso name in Termini

[Christine Comella]

Dear Tom:

Very interesting analysis. 

Going forward into the 20th century, your logic and principles seems sound. I have no idea whether the numbers are accurate, but anecdotally the proportions and 'branching out effect' seem similar to research I've looked into for the Comella surname. 

Moving the opposite direction, chances are that families with the same last name were somehow related; however, I'm not certain you can narrow your family line down to a single Corso progenitor in 1600. (How many people lived in Termini-Imerese back then, anyway?) There are too many unknown variables. For instance, what if all the Termini villagers threw a party one day and decided to assign last names? For all we know, anyone who could run a mile under five minutes, related or not, could have been given the Corso surname. Adoption, illegitimate children, etc. must also come into play.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Your message made my day!

Christine Comella