Rocco Grazia

"Mamma Del Vecchio takes a pen and inkwell and writes a heartfelt plea for help on a light blue paper. > Esteemed director of the Martinitt orphanage. I, the undersigned Rocco Grazia, widow Del-Vecchio, am applying so that I may be granted the favor of having my youngest child Del-Vecchio Leonardo quickly admitted, as I have to go to work and having no one else to entrust him to, the little one would end up on the street, and before any misfortune happens to him I would prefer his admission also for a more proper education. I hope that this esteemed directorate will take into consideration my request and be able to help me soon. I offer my most humble apologies and thanks in advance with respects and duties. Rocco Grazia The rules for accessing the orphanage are military-like, precise. One must have reached the age of six and not have exceeded ten, and be an orphan of both parents or "at least of the father," reads the regulations from 1933. The application must be submitted to the "charitable office" with all the required documentation, including the "certificate of indigence." An official document must be presented. Leonardo's was authenticated by the mayor on May 13, 1942."

"Certificate number 14638 states that "Del Vecchio Leonardo, son of Leonardo and Rocco Grazia born in Milan, is from a poor family.""