Calogera Chiarello's Ancestors

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Giovanni Chiarello was born and baptized on November 27, 1831, in Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy to parents Calogera Verde and Salvatore Chiarello.  He was the first of at least eight children born to them. He married Rosa Turturici, who was born and baptized on September 9, 1834, in Sciacca. She was the youngest daughter of at least five children born to parents Antonia Di Mino and Gaetano Turturici. 

Giovanni married Rosa on July 15, 1859, in Sciacca. He was just over 27 and a half years old and she was almost 25. It is interesting to note that on both Marriage Notices, dated June 5th and 10th, after Rosa’s surname, the word libera, which translates to free, appears. Could it have something to do with the fact that both of her parents and her grandfather were deceased? No, the Facebook Italian Genealogical Records Group said, “It means she's free to marry, i.e. single. Nothing more than that.”

Giovanni and Rosa had at least four children — Salvadore born on January 11, 1861, who married in Sciacca Paola Dimino, then came to America, and died in New York on September 6, 1932; Gaetano born on February 3, 1864, and died in Sciacca at 11 years old on February 24, 1875; Accursio born on November 8, 1866, married in Sciacca Anna Chiarello, and died there at age 42 on October 16, 1909; and ancestor Calogera. Some researchers say that there was a son named Bruno who had a daughter named Anna, but no documentation has been found to confirm this. On his children’s birth records and on his death record, Giovanni’s occupation is listed as Marinaio, which means he was a sailor or fisherman.

The family legend is that Giovanni and Rosa died in a fire in Sciacca, and their children were placed in an orphanage. Giovanni’s death record dated March 4, 1871, is found in the Sciacca Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1861-1929, Vol 185, Registro Degli Atti Di Morte. This death record lists Giovanni’s parent's names and wife’s name, but there isn’t a cause of death. (Mouse over and click on image left to enlarge in a new window/tab.)

Rosa lived many more years, over 40, and died at age 78 on September 9, 1912, in the Ospedale di S. Maria della Misericordia (Hospital of St. Mary of Mercy) in Sciacca. Her death record was also found in the Sciacca Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1861-1929 collection, but in a much later volume. Her record lists her parents names and that she was a widow of Giovanni. She never remarried. It could be that she was badly hurt in the fire and could not take care of her children. There isn’t any more information on either death record, so we may never know what really happened. (Mouse over and click on image right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) Whatever happened, it is sad to think that Rosa, not only buried her husband, but also two of her children, and watched as the other two went to America.

Salvadore Chiarello was baptized in Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy on January 12, 1799, as Salvatore Gaetano Vito Chiarello one of three children born to Giuseppa Pumilia and Giovanni Chiarello. His godparents were Vito and Francesca Pumilia, a married couple, who may be related to his mother. Not much is known about his early life except that he had an older brother and a sister who survived to adulthood.

Salvadore married Calogera Verde in Sciacca on January 9, 1831. At the time of their marriage they both lived in Quartiero Madrice. (Mouse over and click on marriage record image left to enlarge in a new window/tab.) Calogera was baptized in Sciacca on October 29, 1804, as Calogera Maria Accursia Virdi, the eldest of five known children born to Vincenza Carrao and Michelangelo Verde. Her middle names are the given names of her two grandmothers. Her godparents were Antonino Montagnino and Vincenza di Mino wife of Vincenzo. (Mouse over and click on her baptism record image right to enlarge in a new window/tab.)

Salvadore and Calogera had at least eight children, all born at home in Quartiero Madrice — ancestor Giovanni; a daughter Giuseppa on January 25, 1834,  baptized the next day, and died a year and a half later on July 9, 1835; another daughter named Giuseppa was born in 1835, but died at age 4 on December 10, 1839; a daughter Accursia was born on November 18, 1838, baptized the next day, and died at 7 years old on March 5, 1846; another Giuseppa born August 24, 1841, who died almost a year later on August 10, 1842; another Giuseppa born October 18, 1843, and died at 2 years old on December 29, 1845; another Giuseppa born on May 26, 1846 who died at age 3 on December 23, 1849; and a son Accursio born on March 9, 1851, baptized the next day, married Accursia Chiarello on July 31, 1875, and died at age 63 on March 14, 1914. Naming so many daughters Giuseppa follows the Italian naming convention where the first daughter is named after the father's mother. Thus when their first daughter died, the next daughter was given that same name. Unfortunately, none of the Giuseppa's lived past toddler age. Out of their eight children only the two boys, Giovanni and Accursio, made it to adulthood.

Salvadore Chiarello died on January 11, 1874, in Sciacca. His death record is found in Volume 188, for the year 1874 of the Provincia di Girgenti, Comune di Sciacca, Registro Degli Atti di Morte. On it, his age is listed as 74 and the names of parents and wife are included. As with so many of the other ancestors from Sciacca, his occupation is listed as Marinaio. (Mouse over and click on image right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) He is listed as a widower, which means his wife Calogera died before him. Unfortunately, a death record for her can’t be found. It is a good possibility that she died in 1866, where 85 death records are missing or in 1867, where the August to December pages are missing from the Morte book.  A death record for her brother Calogero, who died on July 3, 1883, was found and can easily be mistaken for her death record.

It is sad to think that this couple buried six of their eight children.

Giovanni Chiarello’s date of birth is uncertain. He was born in Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy, probably about 1760, one of at least three known children born to parents Giuseppe Chiarello and Vincenza Bentivegna. The documentation for his ancestry comes from several places. First from Giovanni’s marriage document mentioned below, we get his parents names. From his sister Antonina’s second marriage record, dated November 14, 1824, we get his deceased grandfather’s name-Giovanni Chiarello. This tells us that our Giovanni was a first born son, as he is named after his father’s father. Lastly, Giuseppe’s nameis written in statement 5, on page 2 of Giovanni’s son, ancestor Salvadore’s 1831 wedding document, which translates to “ . . . Act of Giuseppe Chiarello death, paternal grandfather of the Bridegroom.” (Mouse over and click on the image left to enlarge in a new window/tab.) 

On October 6, 1783, single Giovanni married Giuseppa Pumilia, who was also single, in the parish of the mother church, The Basilica of Maria Santissima del Soccorso in Sciacca. (Mouse over and click on their church marriage record image right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) They had at least three children all born, married, and died in Sciacca — a son Francesco, who was a Marinaro, born about 1788, married before 1817, Accursia Curreri and died on September 27, 1838; a daughter Vincenza born about 1802, married before 1819, Vincenzo Curreri, and died on July 22, 1837, just two days after her mother died; and ancestor Salvadore. It is quite possible that Accursia Curreri and Vincenzo Curreri, were siblings.

In his son Salvadore’s marriage processetti, mentioned above, there is a document, written in Latin, which has statements for Giovanni and his father Giuseppe Chiarello’s deaths. (Mouse over and click on this death statement image lower right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) It states Johannes (Giovanni) was 38 years old when he died on July 17, 1803, in Sciacca. This makes his birth in 1765, which makes him only 18 years old when he was married, which doesn’t seem plausible. He was probably in his 40’s when he died. This statement also goes on to say that he was buried in the church of S. Franciscus, which is probably the former San Francesco d’Paola Christian church, which is now closed.

Giuseppa Pumilia was born about 1760, in Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy, the only known child born to parents Francesco Pumilia and Elisabetta Trapani. Records for her were also found under the name Giuseppa Pumilia In Chiarello - the In Chiarello indicates her married name. She died a widow at home at Quartiero Madrice, in Sciacca, “during a cholera outbreak,” on July 20, 1837. (Mouse over and click on her death record image left to enlarge in a new window/tab.) On  Giuseppa’s death record it states she was born in Sciacca and was 85 years-old, but this may not be so. As this death record contains some misinformation-her age and her parent’s names. On this record, her deceased parents names are clearly written, but are different from the names listed on her Latin marriage record, as stated above. The death record states that her parents were Vito Pumilia and Girolama Bivona, which is incorrect, as at least two pieces of supporting documentation exist to disprove this. Her marriage record is correct because she was alive giving the information to be recorded. On January 4, 1831, she wrote a consent to marry for her son Salvadore, in the form of a legal Brevetto, where she states she is the daughter of Francesco (mouse over and click on the consent Brevetto image right to enlarge in a new window/tab). Another supporting fact is that she named a son Francesco, which follows the Italian naming convention. Her age listed at death calculates her birth year to 1652. Her age listed on her son Salvadore’s 1831 wedding record is 54, which calculates her birth year to 1777. If you take into account her marriage date and birth of her first child, it’s clear neither of these dates are correct. It seems plausible she was born sometime between these two years, probably around 1760. It seems folks in those days didn’t count the years the way we do today. The death record information came from someone other than her husband, as he was deceased by then, and her daughter Vincenza, who died two days after her mother, was gravely ill when Giuseppa died.

Giuseppe Chiarello was born and baptized as Joseph Francisco on August 11, 1734, in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy, the son of Giovanni Chiarello and his wife Dorotea diMino. (Mouse over and click on his Latin baptism image upper right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) He was incorrectly llisted as 9 years old on his father’s 1747 Sciacca Rivelo (tax record), as he was almost 13 years old at the time.

On July 9^th, 16^th and 22^nd, banns were read in church for Giuseppe to marry Vincenza Bentivegna. She was baptized as Maria Vincenza on September 20, 1736, in the mother church parish of Sciacca, the daughter of Angela Modica and her husband Filippo Bentivegna. (Mouse over and click on her Latin baptism image middle right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) Giuseppe and Vincenza married at the mother church in Sciacca on August 5, 1758. (Mouse over and click on their Latin church marriage record image upper left to enlarge in a new window/tab.)

Giuseppe and Vincenza had at least three children, all born in Sciacca — ancestor Giovanni; a daughter who was baptized on June 18, 1777, as Antonina Calogera Diana, married first Pasquale Geraldo, then after he died, at the age of 50, she married Francesco Piazza on November 14, 1824, and she died ten years later on March 26, 1834, at 60 years old; and a son named Salvadore, who married Rosaria Vento, had a son who became a Capuchin priest, and died before November 17, 1824, the date of his wife’s death.

It is documented that Giuseppe was deceased and Vincenza was alive when their son ancestor Giovanni was married on October 6, 1783. In their grandson, ancestor Salvadore’s January 7, 1831, marriage processetti, mentioned above in his son Giovanni’s bio, there is a document, written in Latin, that has statements for his son Giovanni and his deaths. (See the image above in Giovanni’s bio.) It states that Joseph Chiarello (Giuseppe) was about 50 years old when he died on July 11, 1781, in Sciacca. This makes his birth year about 1731, but he was actually 46 years old when he died. This statement also goes on to say that he was buried in the convent of S. Franciscus cemetery, which was outside the city at that time. This is an exact copy of his mother church burial record. (Mouse over and click on his Latin burial image lower right to enlarge in a new window/tab.)

In Giuseppe and Vincenza’s daughter Antonina’s 1824 marriage processetti, there is a statement of death, written in Latin, for her mother Vincenza Bentivegna in Chiarello, aged 62, that states she had died on October 11, 1798, in the hospital for the incurable and was buried there. This would make her birth year about 1736. Unfortunately, it doesn’t state her parents names or where she was born. (Mouse over and click on her death statement image lower left to enlarge in a new window/tab.) A Sciacca church burial record could not be found for her. At this time, nothing else is known about Giuseppe or Vincenza.

Francesco Pumilia was born in Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy and baptized in the mother church parish there on the evening of December 13, 1734, as Francescus Lucianus Michael, the son of Maria Ciulla and her husband Vito Pumilia. (Mouse over and click on her Latin baptism image right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) He is listed as 13 years old on his father’s 1747 Sciacca Rivelo (tax record pictured below in Vito's bio).

In 1761, on March 24^th, 25^th, and 29^th, church banns were read for Francesco to marry Elisabetta Trapani. She was the daughter of Elisabetta Bonsignore and her husband Calogero Trapani. Francesco and Elisabetta were married on April 25, 1761, at the mother church in Sciacca. On this marriage document she is called Isabella, which in Sicilian is used interchangeable with the name Elisabetta. (Mouse over and click on their Latin church marriage record image left to enlarge in a new window/tab.) Their only known daughter was ancestor Giuseppa, but they also had a son named Vito who was baptized as Vitus Aloisyus on March 5, 1765, at the mother church in Sciacca.

It is not known when Francesco and Elisabetta died, but they were alive when their daughter ancestor Giuseppa was married in 1783, and they were both recorded as deceased when she died in 1837. So they died sometime in that 54 year span, probably prior to 1820. Nothing is known about Elisabetta’s parents, except that her mother Elisabetta was alive when Francesco and Elisabetta were married, but her father, Calogero was already deceased. Unfortunately, nothing more is known about them.

Giovanni Chiarello was born and baptized as Joannes Leonardus Marcus on the evening of April 24, 1689, in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy, the son of Anna Bivona and her husband Domenico Chiarello. (Mouse over and click on his Latin baptism image upper right to enlarge in a new window/tab.)

On May 17^th and 19^th of 1719, banns were read in the mother church in Sciacca for Giovanni to marry Dorotea diMino. She was born on the evening of August 2, 1702, and baptized as Diana Anna Domenica Minothe next day in the mother church parish of Sciacca, the daughter of Maria Mantia and her husband Antonino diMino. (Mouse over and click on her Latin baptism image upper right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) Thirty year-old Giovanni and 16 year-old Dorotea were married at the mother church in Sciacca on May 22^nd a few days after the last banns was read. (Mouse over and click on their Latin marriage record image left to enlarge in a new window/tab.) On this Latin marriage document he is called Joannes Chiarello alias Sciarranca and her given name Dorotea overwrites what could have been Diana.  On her parents 1714 Sciacca tax record, she is listed as Diana, so it’s possible she was called Dorotea and insisted the marriage record be made using that name, not her baptism name. 

Nine mother church baptism records have been found for the children of Joanne and Diana Chiarello, but on some of these records she is called Dorothea or Dorotea. Their children were — Anna Maria Rosa was named after both of her grandmothers, was born and baptized on December 14, 1720; Domenico was born and baptized as Domenicus Hyeronimus Mattheus, after his paternal grandfather, on the morning of September 21, 1722; Maria was born and baptized as Maria Petra Caterina on the evening of May 21, 1725; Caterina Maria was born on March 26, 1727, and baptized the next day; Antonino was born and baptized as Antonius Marianus, after his maternal grandfather, on the evening of July 2, 1728; Vincenzio was born and baptized on August 18, 1731; ancestor Giuseppe; Pasquale was born and baptized as Paschalis Ignazius Stefanius on the morning of September 1, 1737; and another Anna Maria, who was born and baptized on June 30, 1740.

Ten days after their last child was born Dorotea died and was buried on July 10, 1740. (Mouse over and click on her Latin death and buial image middle left to enlarge in a new window/tab.) Her mother church burial record lists her as Adriana wife of Joannius Chiarello alias Sciarranca, 38 years old, which is very close to her actual age of 37. It also states that she was buried in the convent of St. Francisco cemetery, outside the city. Giovanni was left with several small children including an infant.

Just over a month later on August 21^st, 24^th and 28^th, church banns were read for Giovanni to marry Margarita Trapani. They married at the mother church on September 11, 1740. Only three mother church baptism records have been found for the children of Joanne and Margarita Chiarello as follows — Calogero Salvatore was born and baptized at noon on July 20, 1744, but he probably died young; another Calogero was born and baptized as Calogerius Maria, on the evening of January 5, 1746, but died only 6 days later on January 11^th; and another Anna Maria, who was born on the evening of January 18, 1747, and baptized the next day.

There are three April 9, 1747 Sciacca Riveli, one after the other, with the surname of Chiarello that are of interest. They all may have lived in the same home, on the same property or right next door to each other. The first on page 356 is for ancestor Giovanni and his second wife Margarita. Giovanni is listed as 50 years-old, but he was actually almost 58 years old, the son of Dominic and Anna Chiarello. (Mouse over and click on their Rivelo record image middle right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) His wife Margarita is listed next followed by five children, all most likely from his first marriage — 14 year-old Antonio; 12 year-old Vincenzo; 9 year-old ancestor Guiseppe; 6 year-old Pasquale, and a daughter Diana, who may be the newly born Anna Maria, called Diana to honor his deceased first wife, as was the custom. All of these children’s ages are under estimated by about four years.

The next Rivelo begins on page 358 for a widow named Anna, who was probably a cousin. The third Rivelo begins on page 360 and is for Giovanni and Dorotea’s oldest son Domenico, who married in Sciacca, Margherita Margiotta on January 22, 1742. On Domenico’s Rivelo, he has a daughter named Diana and it states his parents are Giovanni and Diana.

In his grandson Salvadore’s 1831 marriage processetti which is written in Latin, there is a death statement that states that Giovanni died on July 6, 1775, in Sciacca and is listed as Johannes Chiarello aged about 65. (Mouse over and click on his death statement image lower left to enlarge in a new window/tab.) This age is incorrect, as he was 86 years old when he died. It goes on to say that he was buried in the church of San Francesco di Paola. (This church begun construction in 1627 and was completed in 1749, and is no longer in use.) Unfortunately, his parent’s and wife’s names are not listed. This death statement is in line with the fact he was alive when his son ancestor Giuseppe married in 1758. It is not known when Dorotea died, but it was before her son ancestor Giuseppe was married on August 5, 1758, and it is an exact duplicate of his mother church burial record.

Unfortunately, that’s all that’s known about them.

Filippo Bentivegna was the brother of ancestor Paolo and son of Ignazia Bivona and Pietro Bentivegna. Filippo was born on January 29, 1696, and baptized the next day as Philippo Antonino Vincenzio, but it was written in an abbreviated form, Phi Ant Vin, in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy. (Mouse over and click on his Latin baptism image upper right to enlarge in a new window/tab.)

On December 10^th, 17^th, and 24^th of 1722, Sciacca church banns were read for Filippo to marry 26 year-old Angela Modica. She was born at night in Sciacca on October 1, 1696, and baptized in the mother church parish there that same night as Angela Joanna, the daughter of Margarita Quartararo and her husband Giuseppe Modica. (Mouse over and click on her Latin baptism image upper right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) Twenty-seven year-old Filippo and 26 year-old Angela were married at the Sciacca mother church on January 31, 1723. (Mouse over and click on their Latin marriage record image left to enlarge in a new window/tab.)

Six Sciacca mother church baptism records have been found for the children of Philippo and Angela Bentivegna as follows — Pietro, named after his paternal grandfather was born on October 27, 1723, baptized the next day as Petrus Simon, but died on September 15, 1727, about six weeks before his 4^th birthday; Ignazia Margarita, named after both of her grandmothers, was born on December 23, 1725, and baptized the next day, but probably died before her third birthday; Giuseppe, named after his maternal grandfather, was born and baptized as Joseph Petrus, on the evening of November 10, 1726; another Ignazia Margarita was born on October 10, 1729, and baptized the next day; ancestor Vincenza; and another Pierto, who was born on December 21, 1739, and was baptized as Petrus Thomas the next day.

There is a 1747 Sciacca Rivelo (tax record) that seems to be for this family, but it lists an incorrect name of Giuseppe for Filippo’s father. Giuseppe is Angela’s father’s name, so there may have been some confusion between the two father’s names, but the mother’s name is correct. The tax record seems to be dated April 11^th and lists Angela without an age with the following children — oldest son Giuseppe is listed as being 22, but he was only 20 at this time; daughters Ignazia, ancestor Vincenza, and another daughter named Pietra, whose baptism record has not been found, are listed without ages also. This last child may have been entered incorrectly as a daughter and could be the youngest son Pietro, who would have been 7 years old at this time. There is not much on this Rivelo in taxes, so they probably didn’t own much. (Mouse over and click on their 1747 Rivelo record image lower right to enlarge in a new window or tab.)

It is not known when Angela and Filippo died, but they were alive when their daughter ancestor Vincenzo was married on August 5, 1758. Unfortunately, nothing more is known about them a this time.

Vito Pumilia was born on the morning of October 31, 1710, and baptized the next day as Vito Calogero, in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy, the son of Domenica Modica and her husband Francesco Pumilia. (Mouse over and click on his Latin baptism image upper right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) He was listed as 4 years old on his father’s 1714 Rivelo (tax record), pictured in his parents’s bio below.

On December 25^th, 26^th, and 27^th, of 1728, banns were read in church for Vito to marry Maria Ciulla. She was born in Sciacca on October 14, 1712, and baptized that same day also in the mother church parish there as Maria Rosa, the daughter of Angela Tigano and her husband Stefano Ciulla. (Mouse over and click on her Latin baptism image lower right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) Vito and Maria were married at the mother church in Sciacca on January 8, 1729. (Mouse over and click on their Latin marriage record image upper left to enlarge in a new window/tab.)

Baptism records have been found for five of their six children, all born in Sciacca and baptized at the mother church there — Calogero born on September 10, 1731, and baptized the next day as Calogerous Francescus; ancestor Francesco; Stefano Nicholus born on July 19, 1738, and baptized the next day; Baldassare Marie Francesco on February 5, 1750; and Giuseppe, born on January 15, 1753, and baptized the next day as Joseph Mavianus Antonius. They also had a daughter, Domenica, who named after her paternal grandmother, and was probably their eldest daughter. She is is documented on the following Rivelo, but a baptism record for her could not be found in the Sciacca records. They probably had more children, whose baptism records haven’t been found yet.

There is an undated 1747 Sciacca Rivelo for this family. (Mouse over and click on their 1747 Rivelo record image lower left to enlarge in a new window or tab.) On it, his mother’s name is listed correctly as Domenica, but his father is listed as Calogero, which is his father’s given baptism name (see his bio).Vito is listed as being 36, calculating his birth to the year 1711. Only Maria’s given name is listed as his wife. The children are listed in the following order — eldest son Calogero, 16 years old, making his birth year 1731, is probably named after the St Calogero, who was the healer Black Saint of the region and is much venerated by the people; then comes ancestor Francesco, 13 years old, who is named after Vito’s father; another son Stefano, named after his mother’s father, is 9 years old, with a calculated birth year of 1738; and lastly a daughter, Domenica, who is named after Vito’s mother. There isn’t much written on the document, so it would seem they didn’t own much.

It is not known when Vito and Maria died, but they were alive on April 25, 1761, when their son ancestor Francesco was married. Unfortunately, nothing else is known about Vito and Maria at this time.

Giuseppe Modica was born on October 20, 1657, and baptized the next day as Joseph Gaietanus in the St. Michele’s church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy, the son of Vito Modica and his wife Maria Friscia. (Mouse over and click on his Latin church baptism image upper right to enlarge in a new window/tab.)

On February 14, 1679, a notarial marriage contract was drawn up for Giuseppe to marry Caterina Maniscalco. Two months later on April 21, 1679 , they married at St. Michele’s church in Sciacca. (Mouse over and click on Giuseppe's first marriage Latin record image upper left to enlarge in a new window/tab.) Two St. Michele baptism records have been found for the children of Joseph and Caterina Modica as follows — Anna Maria Celidonia was born on May 6, 1681, and baptized the next day; and Anna Angela, who was born and baptized on the evening of October 24, 1684.

On February 10^th, 17^th and 24^th of 1686, church banns were read for Giuseppe to marry Margarita Quartararo. She was born and baptized on May 6, 1663, as Margarita Francisca, in the St. Vito’s church parish of Sciacca, the daughter of Vincenzo Quartararo and his wife Aloysia, whose surname is unknown. (Mouse over and click on her Latin baptism image lower right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) Twenty-eight year-old Giuseppe and 22 year-old Margarita were married at the St. Michele church in Sciacca on February 25, 1686, the day after the last banns were read. (Mouse over and click on their Latin marriage record image left to enlarge in a new window/tab.)

They had at least seven children, all born and baptized at the St. Michele church in Sciacca — a daughter who was born on December 7, 1686, and baptized the next day with an unreadable first name, but her middle names were Joanna Maria; Antonia on April 13, 1689; Anna Ignazia born on July 30, 1691, and baptized the next day; Michael Antonino on November 25, 1693; ancestor Angela; Vita Ignazia born on June 15, 1699, and baptized the next day; and Vincenzo Thomas, who was born at night on December 28, 1700.

Little is known about Margarita’s parents, Vincenzo and Aloysia. What isdocumented is that they had at least two additional children, both born and baptized in Sciacca — Filippo Gaetano was born on January 21, 1657, and baptized the next day at St. Michele’s church; and Epifania Laureniara, who was baptized as an infant on August 8, 1665, at the mother church there. They probably had several other children, but these are the ones whose baptism records have been found to date. The only other information known about Margarita’s parents is that her father was deceased when she was married, but her mother was still alive. It is not known when Giuseppe and Margarita died, but he was deceased when their daughter ancestor Angela was married on January 31, 1723, but Margherita was still alive.For now, this is all that is known about them.

Francesco Pumilia was born on June 25, 1673, and baptized that same day in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy, as Calogerus Francescus, the son of Accursia Navo and her husband Vito Pumilia. (Mouse over and click on his Latin baptism image upper left to enlarge in a new window/tab.)

In 1701 on November 6^th, 13^th and 20^th church banns were read for Francesco to marry 17 year-old Calogera Zinna. They were married at the mother church in Sciacca on November 26, 1701.(Mouse over and click on Francesco's Latin first marriage record image upper right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) Documentation hasn’t been found yet to confirm that they had any children, but they might have had a few that did not survive. His wife Calogera died at the age of 25, on March 10, 1709,and was buried at the mother church in Sciacca. Nine months later on December 27^th, 28^th, and 29^th, banns were read in church for Francesco to marry Domenica Modica. She was born on May 28, 1680, and baptized the next day as Francesca Domenica, also in the mother church parish of Sciacca, the daughter of Filippa Maniscalco and her husband Vito Modica. (Mouse over and click on her Latin baptism image left middle to enlarge in a new window/tab.) They married at the mother church in Sciacca on January 12, 1710. (Mouse over and click on Francesco and Domenica's Latin marriage record image right middle to enlarge in a new window/tab.) It is interesting that both Francesco and Domenica were known by their middle names and not their given names they were baptized with.

Domenica was also previously married. When she was 17 years-old church banns were read on July 14^th, 21^st and 22^nd of 1697 for her to marry Tommaso Planeta. They married in Sciacca on August 4, 1697. (Mouse over and click on Domenica's first marriage Latin record image lower left to enlarge in a new window/tab.) On this marriage document, her parents are listed as master Vito and Filippa Modica, alias Piscitello. Again, there is no documentation to confirm they had any children. It is not known when Tommaso died, but it was before the banns were read in church for her to marry Francesco. Domenica and Francesco’s marriage document doesn’t name their parents. It only names their deceased first spouses names.

There is a 1714 Sciacca Rivelo (tax record), which is dated July 28, 1714, for this family. (Mouse over and click on their 1714 Rivelo record image lower right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) It states his parents names, his age, listed as 40, making him born in 1674, and just his wife’s given name is recorded. Then their two children are listed — ancestor Vito, age 4, is listed first, being the eldest son named after his father and his mother’s fathers; and then a daughter named Accursia, who was named after Francesco’s mother. Being that their two eldest children were named after Francesco’s parents, seems to confirm that he didn’t have any children with his first wife. If there were children from their previous marriages, it seems reasonable that they would be listed here also. This Rivelo doesn’t have much written on it in the way of property, but it does mention an Angelo Ciulla, who may or may not be related to their son Vito’s future bride Maria Ciulla.

Baptism records for three of their children have been found. They were born in Sciacca and baptized at the mother church there as follows — ancestor Vito; daughter Accursia Philippa was born on April 30, 1713, and baptized the next day; and son Aurelius, born and baptized on August 12, 1715, after the above Rivelo was recorded. They probably had several other children.

It is not known when Francesco and Domenica died, but he was alive and she was deceased when their son Vito was married on January 8, 1729. Unfortunately, this is all that is known about them.

Stefano Ciulla was born and baptized on August 1, 1662, in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy, the son of Francesco Ciulla and his wife Maria Buscemi and younger brother to ancestor Filippo. His baptism record is very hard to read due to bleed-through, but the index is a much clearer. (Mouse over and click on his Latin baptism image upper right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) He was baptized with the Latin given names of Stephanus Iochim Joseph, in Italian, they would be Stefano Gioachino Giuseppe.

Stefano first married Maria Tramuto, at the mother church in Sciacca on November 22, 1682. She must have died within a year or more of their marriage, because two years later on November 29, 1684, at St. Vito's church, in Sciacca, he married Caterina Petrancosta. It is not known if he had any children with either of these wives. Caterina must have died as ten years later on December 29^th, 31^st of 1693 and January 3^rd of 1694, church banns were read for Stefano to take a third wife. On January 10, 1694, Stefano married Angela Tigano at the mother church in Sciacca. (Mouse over and click on their Latin marriage record image upper left to enlarge in a new window/tab.) Angela was born and baptized as Angila Dominica on the evening of January 7, 1669, also in the mother church parish of Sciacca, the daughter of Francesco Tigano and his wife Vita Luvaro. (Mouse over and click on heReal-time Previewr Latin baptism image middle right to enlarge in a new window/tab.)

Eight mother church baptism records have been found for the children of Stefano and Angela Ciulla as follows — Antonino Domenico Ignazio was born on September 30, 1695, and baptized the next day; Francesca Theresa Birgitta was born and baptized with the female version of her grandfathers given names, on October 15, 1696; Maria Francesca was born and baptized on April 27, 1698; Ignazio was born and baptized as Joseph Francesco Ignazio on the evening of September 23, 1699; Francesco was born on September 8, 1703, and baptized the next day as Francesco Paulus Marius, after both of his grandfathers; Baldassare Joachim Sylvester was born on September 8, 1703, and baptized the next day, was probably named after Stefano’s brother; ancestor Maria; and almost five years later, on the evening of April 28, 1717, Melchiore Damianus Joseph was born and baptized.

There is a July 5, 1714, Sciacca Rivelo (tax record) for this family that names Stefano’s father, but not his mother, his wife and children. (Mouse over and click on their 1714 Rivelo record image left to enlarge in a new window or tab.) On it Stefano is listed as 50 years old, which calculates his birth year to 1664, but he was a bit older than that. Angela’s given name only is listed next as his wife and then their four children as follows — 12 year-old Ignazio; 10 year-old Francesco; 8 year-old Baldassare; and lastly ancestor Maria. Not much is written on this document, so they probably didn’t own much. The children older than Ignazio were probably married and living somewhere else or they may have died young. Three April 9, 1747, Sciacca Riveli have been found for three of their sons-Ignazio, listed as 40 years old, married Ignazia and had two daughters and two sons, one named Stefano; Francesco is listed as 45 years old, married Accusia and had at least two sons, one named Stefano, and three daughters, one named Angela; and 30 year-old Melchiore who married Maria and had a son Stefano. On all of these 1747 documents, Stefano and Angels’s names are listed as their parents.

Angela died and was buried on June 22, 1743. (Mouse over and click on her Latin burial image lower right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) Her mother church dead and burial record states she was about 76 years old and the wife of the deceased Stefano Ciulla. This record seems to say she was buried in the Ceclia Martrice cemetery, which probably was at the mother church. It is not known when Stefano died, but he was alive when their daughter ancestor Maria was married in 1729, but deceased before his wife died. Unfortunately, this is all that is known about them at this time.

Vito Modica was born and baptized on September 9, 1629, in the St. Michele church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy, the son of Giuseppe Modica and his wife Angela Licatisi. (Mouse over and click on his Latin baptism church record image upper right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) He is also the brother of Giovanni Modica who married Pietra Galluzzo.

On September 17^th, 21^st and 24^th in 1651, church banns were read for Vito to marry Maria Friscia. A Sciacca baptism record could not be found for her. She was the daughter of Michele Friscia and his wife Vincenza, whose surname is unknown. Vito and Maria married at the St. Michele church in Sciacca on October 8, 1651. (Mouse over and click on their Latin marriage record image upper left to enlarge in a new window/tab.)

There is a 1652 Sciacca Rivelo (tax record) for Vito and Maria dated May 9, 1652. It lists Vito’s age as 20 and confirms his parents as Gios^e et Angela. No children are listed with them, but they were taxed for 2 items. (Mouse over and click on their 1652 Rivelo record image lower right to enlarge in a new window or tab.)

Four St. Michele baptism records have been found for the children of Vito and Angela Modica as follows — first born son, ancestor Giuseppe, was named after his paternal grandfather; daughter Paola was born on January 30, 1663, and baptized the next day as Paula Angela, with her paternal grandmother’s given name as her middle name; Antonino Stephanius was born on the evening of July 8, 1664, and baptized the next day; and Caterina Angela, who was born on the morning of May 4, 1667, and baptized the same day, also with the given name of her paternal grandmother as her middle name. They probably had several other children, but these are the ones whose baptism records have been found to date.

Not much is known about Maria’s parents, Michele and Vincenza, except that they both were alive when their daughter was married in 1651.

Vito died at 38 years old on August 21, 1668, leaving his wife with young children. (Mouse over and click on his Latin burial image lower left to enlarge in a new window/tab.) His burial record is in the St. Michele file and it states he was 40 years old and was buried in the S. Marie de Carmelo cemetery. It is not known if Maria remarried or when she died, but she was alive when her son ancestor Giuseppe was married on February 14, 1679. Unfortunately, nothing else is known about them.

Vito Pumilia was born on October 29, 1629, and baptized that same day in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy, the son of Vincenzo Pumilia and his wife Diana Giuffrida. (Mouse over and click on his Latin baptism image upper right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) In 1655 church banns were read on March 29^th, 30^th and April 4^th for Vito to marry Accursia Navo. She was also baptized in the mother church parish of Sciacca on February 20, 1634, as Accursia Filippa, the daughter of Natale Navo and his wife Filippa, whose surname is unknown. (Mouse over and click on her Latin baptism image lower right to enlarge in a new window/tab.)Vito and Accursia were married at the mother church in Sciacca on April 19, 1655. (Mouse over and click on their Latin marriage record image left to enlarge in a new window/tab.)

Vito and Accursia had at least seven children, all born in Sciacca and baptized at the mother church there as follows — Anna Francesca Nicolina on December 7, 1660; Anna Maria Catherina on September 22, 1663; Calogerus Vincenzo Joseph on October 9, 1665; Stephana Philippa on December 26, 1668; Rosalia Catherina on August 20, 1671; ancestor Francesco; and Catherina Maria Antonia born on January 1, 1676, and was baptized the next day. They probably had other children born before and after those listed here.

It is not known when Vito and Accursia died. It is documented that she was deceased when their son ancestor Francesco was first married in 1701, and Vito was still alive. On ancestor Francesco’s 1714 Riveli, his father is listed as deceased, so Vito died sometime between November 26, 1701, and July 28, 1714. Unfortunately, nothing else is known about them at this time.

Vito Modica was born on July 22, 1654, and baptized the next day as Joseph Vitus in the St. Michele church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy, the son of Geronimo Modica and his wife Rosalia Liotta. (Mouse over and click on his Latin baptism image upper right to enlarge in a new window/tab.)

In 1673 on October 15^th, 22^nd and 28^th, church banns were read for Vito to marry Filippa Maniscalco. She was born on October 28, 1654, and baptized the next day as Filippa Accursia, in the St. Michele church parish of in Sciacca, the daughter of Vincenzo Maniscalco and his wife Calogera Abruzzo. (Mouse over and click on her Latin baptism image middle right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) Vito and Filippa, both 19 years old, were married on November 19, 1673, at the St. Michele church in Sciacca. (Mouse over and click on their Latin marriage record image upper left to enlarge in a new window/tab.) The formal name for this church is St. Michael the Archangel, which is today still standing in the main square of Sciacca.

Vito and Filippa had at least eleven children born in Sciacca. Ten infant baptism records for their children were found, nine at the mother church and their first child at St. Michele’s — Giovanna Maria on November 24, 1674; Calogera Anna Antonia, born on February 29, 1676, and baptized the next day; Anna Maria Rosalia on February 17, 1678, who probably died before her 5^th birthday; ancestor Domenica; Anna Maria Epiphania was born on January 6, 1683 and baptized the next day; Ignazio Antonino Francesco on April 10, 1684; Onofrio as Honuphrius Joseph on December 19, 1689; Vincenzo Carlos Antoninous on March 5, 1692; Accusrio Onofrio Joseph born on March 28, 1693,and baptized the next day; and Calogera Pietra Caterina on November 26, 1697. They had another son named Gaspare, whose baptism record has not been found, but an April 9, 1747, Sciacca Rivelo (tax record), has been found. He is listed as the person being assessed and head of family in the 50s, which means he was the one giving the info and he was born before 1697. From the baptism records of his siblings, he was probably born in 1695. Gaspare’s tax record states his parents names with the title of master for Vito, and notes that they are both deceased. This document is four pages long and lists much property including under beni stabili (non-moveable possessions), a house, land and a courtyard. How much of this property was inherited from his father is unknown.

On two of his daughters, ancestor Domenica and Anna Maria’s, marriage documents Vito is listed with a title and an alias of Piscitello. (Mouse over and click on Anna's Latin marriage record image left to enlarge in a new window/tab. Do the same for ancestor Domenica’s marriage document in her bio above). The title master written before Vito’s name on several different documents means he was a well respected master craftsman.

It is documented that Filippa and Vito were alive when their daughter, Anna was married on January 31, 1700, and deceased by the time of  their son Gaspare’s 1747 Rivelo. Filippa died and was buried in the convent of St Francisco outside the city, on February 1, 1731. (Mouse over and click on her Latin burial image lower right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) Her mother church burial record lists her as Philippa wife of Magi Viti Modica about 86 years old, but she was actually only 76 years old when she died. Vito died and was buried in the St Dominici cemetery on December 7, 1737. (Mouse over and click on his Latin burial image lower left to enlarge in a new window/tab.) His mother church burial record lists him as Master Vitus Modica, about 83 years old, which was his correct age. At this time, nothing else is known about them.

Francesco Ciulla was born and baptized as Carlo Francesco on October 3, 1614, in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy, the son of Vincenza Faraone and her husband Pietro Ciulla. (Mouse over and click on his Latin baptism image upper right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) Francesco was the older brother of ancestor Giovanna who married Carlo Verde. On January 3, 1634, Sciacca notary Raffaele Bentivegna, recorded a contract for Francesco to marry Maria Buscemi, but her surname was spelled Buxemi. She was the only known child of Gaspare Buscemi and his unnamed wife. She was probably baptized at St. Vito’s church in Sciacca, but a baptism record for her has not been found yet. Two weeks later on January 15^th, 22^nd and 29^th church banns were read for Francesco and Maria to marry. They were married at St. Vito’s church in Sciacca about a month later on February 26, 1634. (Mouse over and click on their Latin marriage record image left to enlarge in a new window/tab.)

Nine Sciacca baptism records have been found for the children of Francesco and Maria Ciulla, the first at St. Vito’s and the rest at the mother church as follows — eldest son Pietro, named after his paternal grandfather was born on March 29, 1636, and baptized the next day as Pietro Crispinus; Gaspare, named after his maternal grandfather was born and baptized as Salvatore Gaspare on August 7, 1639; Melchiore was born and baptized as Silvester Melchiore on December 31, 1642; Baldassare was born on March 23, 1646, baptized the next day as Baldassare Geronimo, and on his own 1714 Rivelo (tax record), he is married to Anna and has a daughter Maria; Anna was born and baptized as Anna Francesca Vincenza on February 18, 1650; Vita Margarita was born on October 25, 1652, and baptized the next day; Vincenzo was born on September 3, 1655, and baptized the next day as Vincenzo Didacus Ignazius; ancestor Filippo; and lastly ancestor Stefano. They may have had other children, but these are the ones who are documented to date.

There is a May 9, 1652 Sciacca Rivelo for this family, which lists his father as deceased Pietro, and an incorrect mother’s name, which looks like an abbreviation for Francesca. (Mouse over and click on their 1652 Rivelo record image lower right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) Then his wife Maria and their five children are listed as follows — 16 year-old Pietro; 12 year-old Gaspare; 7 year-old Baldassar; 8 year-old Melchiore; and lastly Anna, whose age is not recorded. Ancestor Stefano is not on this list because he wasn’t born yet.

Not much is known about Maria’s father, Gaspare. His named spelled both ways is recorded several times in Pellegrino Mortillaro’s Sciacca notary transcriptions, but none can be confirmed as him. There is one that may be for his family, a marriage contract between a Gaspare Buscemi and Melchionella Romuglio on January 23, 1553. The date suggests it may be Gaspare’s father, as the brides name is so similar to ancestor Maria’s son Melchiore. What is known is that Maria’s father, Gaspare, was alive when she married Francesco in 1634.

It is not known when Francesco and Maria died, but they both were deceased by the time their son ancestor Stefano was married for the first time on November 22, 1682. Unfortunately, nothing else is known about them.

Francesco Tigano was baptized in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy, on September 24, 1623, the youngest son of Grazia Restivo and her husband Leonardo Tigano. (Mouse over and click on his Latin baptism image upper right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) Francesco is also the brother of ancestors Giuseppe and his sister Giovanna Tigano.

In 1653 on April 13^th, 14^th and 20^th church banns were read forFrancesco to marry Vita Luvaro. She was born on the evening of January 4, 1629, and baptized as Vita Antonina also in the mother church parish of Sciacca, the daughter of Francesca Melfa and her husband Raphael Luvaro. (Mouse over and click on her Latin baptism image upper right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) She is also the sister of ancestor Antonino Luvaro who married Cunsula Giambruno and Luciana Luvaro who married Calogero Sutera. Francesco and Vita married on April 21, 1653, at the mother church in Sciacca. (Mouse over and click on their Latin marriage record image upper left to enlarge in a new window/tab.) It should be noted that on the index of there marriage it says February, but the actual marriage register page clearly states April.

Seven mother church baptism records have been found for the children of Francesco and Vita Tigano as follows — Leonardo, named after his paternal grandfather was born and baptized as Leonardo Luciencus on January 2, 1654; Accusia was born and baptized as Accusia Joanna on December 8, 1654; Anna Gaitana was born on December 2, 1657, and baptized the next day; Rosalia Caietana was born and baptized on October 23, 1660; Anna was born and baptized as Anna Rosalea Cosma on September 27, 1663; Raphael, named after his maternal grandfather was born on March 12, 1666, and baptized the next day as Raphael Augustinus Dominacus; and lastly ancestor Angela.

It is not known for certain when Francesco and Vita died, but it is documented that he was deceased and she was alive when their daughter ancestor Angela was married on January 10, 1694. There is a mother church burial record for Francisus Tigano about 45 years old dated November 7, 1671. (Mouse over and click on his possible Latin burial image lower left to enlarge in a new window/tab.) There is no other identifying information on the record, but this is probably for ancestor Francesco, who would have been 48 years old at that time. For now, this is all that is known about them.

Vincenzo Maniscalco was baptized as Vincenzo Leonardo on March 6, 1618, in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy. (Mouse over and click on his Latin baptism image upper right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) He was the son of ancestors Pietro and Filippa Maniscalco and brother to ancestors Francesca and Pasquale Maniscalco.

In 1642 on January 6^th, 12^th and 19^th church banns were read for Vincenzo to marry Calogera Abruzzo, who was a the widow of Vito Munti. She was born about 1622, the daughter of Blasio and Beatrix Abruzzo, but a baptism record could not be found for her. Calogera married her first husband Vito, when she was about 18 years old, on April 12, 1638, at the St. Michele church in Sciacca. No baptism records have been found for their children. Vito died and Calogera, who was about 20 years old, married 23 year-old Vincenzo at St. Michele’s church in Sciacca on January 26, 1642. (Mouse over and click on their Latin marriage record image upper left to enlarge in a new window/tab.)

Eight Sciacca baptism records have been found for the children of Vincenzio and Calogera Maniscalco. The first, fourth and the sixth child were baptized in the mother church parish of Sciacca, and the fifth, seventh and eighth child in the St. Michele parish of Sciacca. They are as follows — Filippo, given the male version of his paternal grandmother was born and baptized as Phius Petrus Martinus on November 11, 1642; Francesco was born on November 6, 1644, and baptized as Francesco Leonardus, the next day; Pietro, named after his paternal grandfather, was born late on November 24, 1648, and baptized as Petrus Gasparo, the next day; Mattheus Blasius was born and baptized on September 21, 1651; ancestor Filippa; Gaetano was born on October 15, 1659, and baptized as Gaetanus Mattheus the next day; Blasio was born late on February 18, 1662, and was baptized as Blasius Francisco the next day; and Michele, who was born late on August 14, 1664, and was baptized as Michael Marius the next day. It should be noted that on their son Pietro’s baptism, both Vincenzo and his son Pietro are listed as Maniscalco alias Mollarella. That is the same alias Vincenzio’s father Pietro has listed on his burial record and on his brother Pasquale’s wife Filippa’s burial record.

It is documented that Vincenzo and Calogera were still alive when their daughter ancestor Filippa was married on November 19, 1673. Vincenzo died and was buried in the Convent of St. Domenico cemetery on January 25, 1693. (Mouse over and click on his Latin burial image lower left to enlarge in a new window/tab.) His mother church burial record lists him as Vincentius Maniscalco alias Mollarella about 80 years old, but he was actually only 74 years old. Calogera lived another eight years and did not remarry. She died and was buried in the same cemetery as her husband on April 17, 1701. (Mouse over and click on her Latin burial image lower right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) Her mother church burial record lists her as Calogera Maniscalco alias Mollarella wife of the deceased Vincentius about 80 years old. This calculates her birth to about 1622. For now, this is all that’s known about them.