Bruno Cristarella's Ancestors

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Filippo Cristarella was born on February 10, 1815 in Molochio, Reggio di Calabria, Calabria, Italy, the youngest child of record to parents Antonia Raco and Bruno Cristarella. His mother died when he was five years old and it appears that his father did not remarry. Filippo was 37 when he married Agapina Maria Giuseppa Verni on August 26, 1852 at the Santa Maria de Merula Church in Molochio. She was almost 15 years younger than him. They lived on the Piazza and had at least nine children together, one son and eight daughters, four of whom died prior to the age of two. On all of their children’s birth records, he is called Don and his wife Donna. His profession is lister as proprietario, which translates to landowner and Gantiloimo which translates to Gentleman on several documents. From this we can conclude that he was a well respected, wealthy land owner. 

Filippo Cristarella lived a full life and died at 70 years old on April 7, 1885, in his home at 4 Strada Fossiain in Molochio.  (Mouse over image.) 

Agapina Maria Giuseppa Verni was born in Molochio on December 13, 1829, to parents Costanza Alessio and Domenico Verni. Her nickname was Peppina and on some records she is recorded as such. When she was 23, she married the much older Filippo Cristarella on August 26, 1852 at the Santa Maria de Merula Church, and they had at least nine children born in Molochio – Maria Antonia Costanza was born on August 1, 1853, and died only 13 days later on August 14^th; Maria Eugenia on June 12, 1854; ancestor Bruno; Gastana on December 16, 1857; Costanza Isabella was born on October 21, 1859, and died just prior to her third birthday on September 24, 1862; Maria Carmela, born on May 2, 1863, and died two days later on May 4^th; Petronilla Carmela, born on June 29, 1864, and died a maiden at age 42 on February 3, 1907; Maria Concetta was born on January 17, 1867, and died at 18 months old on August 1, 1868; and another Costanza was born on October 26, 1868, but died only six months later on May 3, 1869.

Agapina Maria Giuseppa Verni survived her husband for another eleven years and died his widow on March 27, 1896, in her home at 4 Strada Fossia in Molochio, at the age of 66.  (Mouse over and click on image leftt to enlarge in a new window/tab.)

Bruno Cristarella was born about 1756 in Molochio to parents Olivia Florimo and Francisco Cristarella. At about 37 years-old he married the much younger Antonia Raco, in about 1793. They had at least six children together, all born n Molochio. It is almost certain that they had other children, but records are not found for them. They lived in the quartiere la Speziena vecchia, which translates to the old district Spezia, of Molochio.

In 1810, Bruno is listed on many birth and death records as a witness. His occupation was listed as Speciale di medicina which translates to special medicine. This seems to indicate that he worked for the government in a medical capacity. In 1812, Bruno was a witness for a wedding and was listed with the same occupation.

Bruno lived another 14 years after his wife’s death and did not remarry. He died at the age of 88, on July 8, 1844, in Molochio. His occupation listed on his death certificate was Farmacista, which translates to chemist or pharmacist.  (Mouse over and click on image right to enlarge in a new window/tab.)

Antonia Raco was born about 1773 in Molochio to parents Angela Greco and Savario Raco. When she was about 20 years-old, Antonia married the much older Bruno Cristarella. The Molochio birth and death records show that they had at least six children together, all born in Molochio– Francisco, born about 1794, married Letteria Rosa Raco, had at least 8 children, and died on August 18, 1860; Domenico, born about 1796 became a Farmacista like his father, died on January 27, 1856, probably unmarried as a wife is not listed on his death record; Giuseppe Stefano, called only Stefano on other records, was born on February 7, 1806, married Savaria Mazza on January 22, 1837, in Oppido, and had at leat four children; Lorenzo Giuseppe Antonio was born on February 23, 1809; Maria Rosa’s birth date is unknown, but she died on July 12, 1814, and is listed without an age, as a landowner; and ancestor Filippo.

Antonia Raco died at home on July 12, 1820, in Molochio, leaving her husband with young children. She is listed as being a 47 year-old landowner when she died. (Mouse over and click on image leftt to enlarge in a new window/tab.)

Domenico Antonio Verni was about 1791, in Molochio to parents Saveria Furina and Saviaro Verni. Domenico married Costanza Alessio probably about 1808 (records are not available for this time period) and they had at least twelve children together, all born in Molochio. On his eldest daughter Isabella’s birth record in 1810, it states the family lived in the quartiere La Piazza section of Molochio and his occupation is listed as Proprietario which translates to landowner.

Domenico Antonio Verni died at age 65 on January 26, 1856, in Molochio. His profession was listed as gautiluoma, which translates to gentleman. (Mouse over & click on image right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) Nothing is known about his parents, as only their names are listed on his death record. Unfortunately, that is all we know about him.

Costanza Alessio was born about 1793 in Molochio to parents Francesca Longo and Vincenzo Alessio. She married Domenico Antonio Verni, sometime before the birth of their first child, possibly in 1808. They had at least twelve children together, all born in Molochio – Isabella Francesca Saveria on November 12, 1810, married Domenico Raco on February 4, 1834, then died at 87 years old on June 10, 1898; Vincenzo Savarino Giovanne on August 10, 1813, married Concetta Pagsagliao, and died at 82 years old on October 17, 1895, listed with the given name of Saverio; Maria Teresa Natalia on December 25, 1815, and died before she was 2 1/2 years-old on May 23, 1818, who married, and died at 89 years old on December 20, 1907; Girolama Petrenilla Caterina on June 26, 1818; Francisca Maria Teresa on November 9, 1820; Vincenzo Gaetano Givonne was born on May 8, 1823, and died before his fourth birthday on February 19, 1827, and was listed as Gaetano on the death record; Vincenzo Giovanne Carmelo on December 29, 1825, and died 15 days later on January 13, 1826, also listed as Gaetano; Saveria Maria Teresa was born on May 14, 1827, and died just under 14 months later on July 8, 1828; ancestor Agapina; Maria Carmela born on July 19, 1832, and died at age 25 on March 2, 1858; Giuseppe Giovanni Vincenzo on January 29, 1835, married Maria Rosina Vincenza Verni on August 1, 1865; and Giovanne Filippo Vito Antonio born on June 25, 1838. It is interesting to note that although they gave their three eldest sons the first name of Vincenzo, probably to honor Costanza’s father, on their death records their names are recorded with a version of their middle names. Apparently, they were referred to in daily life by these names.

Costanza Alessio lived another 26 years after her husband’s death and never remarried. She died as the widow of Dm Antonio Verni on April 1, 1882 in Molochio, at the age of 89. (Mouse over and click on image left to enlarge in a new window/tab.)

Francisco Cristarella was born about 1710/11 to parents Isabella Mastico and Gennaro (translated from the Latin Januaris) Cristarella. Francisco married Olivia Florimo and their only known child was ancestor Bruno. The information we have on Francisco and Olivia comes from their son, Bruno’s death record and their grandson, Filippo’s marriage documents. These documents are hand written and difficult to read. On Bruno’s death record, his mother’s name given name is written as Livia. Page 5 of the wedding document, seems to be written in a combination of Latin and Italian and looks like it recounts information from Francisco’s death record. With translation help from The Italian Genealogy FaceBook Group, it appears Francisco died on February 19, 1766, and was the husband or possibly the widower of Olivia. So it seems that ancestor Bruno was a young child when his father died. It also says he died suddenly and didn't receive the sacraments, but his body was buried in the Santa Maria di Merola churchyard anyway. Because records are not available for Molochio prior to 1809, this information can not be researched further. (Mouse over and click on item 5 of Filippo and Agapina's marriage processetti image right to enlarge in a new window/tab)

Savario Raco and Angela Greco’s ancestries are unknown. On the Sources for Genealogical Research in the Province of Reggio Calabria website information was found (Thanks David) on the marriage of Savario and Angela. On a spreadsheet called Reggio par. S.M. de Loreto matrimoni 1747-1819, their names are listed as being married there on October 14, 1770. No parents or witnesses are listed, but it does state that the groom was from Molochio. The Parish of Santa Maria di Loreto is a church in Reggio Calabria. So apparently, Angela was from the city of Reggio Calabria.

Most of what we know of Savario and Angela comes from their children and grandchildren’s records. Before ancestor Antonia was born, they had Lorenzo about 1771. Lorenzo married Maria Francesca Mittiga, he was a landowner and died at his home at 49 years-old on October 17, 1820 in Molochio. In one of Lorenzo’s known five children, Giuseppe Raco’s 1856 marriage processetti, there is an item that tells us about Savario’s death. He died in one of the five earthquakes that hit Calabria in 1783. (Mouse over print on right for more info.) Wikipedia tells us that “The earthquakes occurred over a period of nearly two months, all with estimated magnitudes of 5.9 or greater. Estimates of the total number of deaths lie in the range 32,000 to 50,000.” The earthquakes began on February 5^th with an estimated magnitude of 7.0, and epicenter near Oppido Mamertina, which is 2.82 as the crow flies miles southwest of Molochio. This was the most intense quake, which caused large landslides and major destruction in Molochio and even well-constructed buildings were almost completely destroyed. This is probably the earthquake that causedSavario’s death. Less intense earthquakes occurred the next two days, the first about 22 miles southwest of Molochio and the second 22.46 miles to the northeast. The last two occurred in March much further northeast of Molochio, the last, on the 28^th is also estimated at a 7.0 magnitude and almost as intense as the first. The government was so overwhelmed trying to keep track of the deaths, that no death records were kept. So 26 years later, on April 22, 1809, a decree was passed to allow testimony from personal knowledge of the deaths to stand as record. We do not know for sure exactly when Savario Raco died, but 73 years after the earthquakes, folks testified that he died during these earthquakes, sometime between February 5^th and March 28^th of 1783. (Mouse over and click on his death record image left to enlarge in a new window/tab.)

Unfortunately, nothing else is known about Savario and Angela.

Savario Verni was born about 1745 in Molochio to a father named what looks like Antonino Verni and an unnamed mother. All the information we know about him comes from his death record, which is difficult to read, but was reprinted clearly in the 1865 marriage documents for Savario’s son Giuseppe. Savario was a landowner who married Saveria Furina, and they had at least one child, ancestor Domenico Antonio, who was probably named after both of their parents.

Savario died on January 15, 1821, at the age of 76, in his home in Molochio, while he was still married, which means his wife outlived him. Nothing more is known about him or his father. (Mouse over image left.) 

Saveria Furina was born in Oppido, Reggio Calabria, Italy in about 1754 to Domenico Furina and an unnamed mother. Her death record states she was born in Oppido, which is today called Oppido Mamertina. In the Italian Archives, Oppido is listed as a comune in the Napoleonico records, while the Restaurazione records list both Oppido and Oppido Mamertina. The later Italiano records list only Oppido Mamertina as a comune. So it seems the name change came during the restoration period in Italy. It is not known when Saveria married Savario Verni, and when they moved to Molochio, but it was before their son, ancestor Domenico Antonio was born there in about 1791. If they were living in Oppido on February 5, 1783, they would have experienced an earthquake which completely destroyed the town killing 1,198 people. Most likely, Saveria had relatives killed in this earthquake. Oppido Mamertina lies a bit south and west of Molochio, but they are separated by mountains. Today it takes about a half-hour drive around the mountains from Oppido Mamertina to Molochio.

Saveria Furina died in Molochio on February 23, 1826, at the age of 72. She was listed as a Possidente, which translates to Landowner, and as the widow of Savario Verni. (Mouse over and click on image right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) Unfortunately, nothing else is known about her or her father.

Vincenzo Alessio’s ancestry is uncertain, as he probably was born about 1748. Vincenzo married Francesca Longo prior to 1793 and they had at least three children. What we know of him comes from his children and grandchildren’s records. On his daughter ancestor Costanza’s death record only his name is recorded. In the Molochio index of  death records, there is a Giovanni Alessio, who died on April 7, 1874, and had these same parents. This is simply a one line entry in the index file for death records, which only list date of death, parent names and the register number. Unfortunately, the register where Giovanni’s detailed death record is recorded is not available for research. However, a statement on Giovanni’s marriage record tells us that Vincenzo died on what looks like May 22, 1805, in Molochio. Unfortunately, Vincenzo’s age at death is not listed, so his birth year is unknown. Unfortunately the more detailed multipage processetti wedding document for Giovanni’s marriage has not been found, as there is a gap of several years missing from the file. But Vincenzo’s grandson Domenico Alessio’s marriage processetti includes a death record for Vincenzo, which seems to say he was 57 years-old when he died. This would make him born about 1748. Unfortunately, no other information is included on it. (Mouse over and click on the marriage processetti death record image left to enlarge in a new window/tab.)

Francesca Longo was born between 1765 and 1768, in Molochio, Reggio di Calabria, Calabria, Italy to parents Gennaro Longo and Isabella Macri. Francesca married Vincenzo Alessi, probably in the late 1700’s. They had at least three children — ancestor Costanza may have been the first; a son a son named Giovanni, was born in Molochio about 1795, married Maria Teresa Verni there on June 1, 1819, listed as the eldest son of Vincenzo Alessio, and died there April 7, 1874; and another son Vitantonio, whose birth date is unknown, married Maria Cosentino, and died in Molochio on December 3, 1814. Francesca’s husband died in 1805, leaving her with at least three young children to raise on her own.

On her son Giovanni’s 1819 marriage document, Francesca was listed as being 54 years old, which means she was born about 1765 and was living with her son in Molochio, but the document doesn’t name the son. Being that Giovanni is the onlyliving son with these parents that was found in the available records, she was probably living with him.

Francesca never remarried and died in Molochio on January 5, 1850, 45 years her husband’s death, as the widow of Vincenzo Alessio. (Mouse over and click on image right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) She was recorded as being 82 years-old, which makes her birth year 1768. This conflicts with her age at the time of Giovanni’s wedding, but only by three years. Her son Giovanni and her son-in-law, ancestor Domenico Antonio Verni, both signed as witnesses to her death.

Gennaro Longo and Isabella Macri’s ancestries are unknown. What we do know of them comes from their children’s death records and their grandson Savario Longo’s marriage processetti. Gennaro and Isabella had at least three children, all born and died in Molochio — Francesco Paolo was born about 1756, became a priest and died at home at age 68 on October 29, 1824; ancestor Francesca; and son Leoluca, who was born about 1773, married and had children with Eleanor Parpagliolo, and died at home at age 54 on August 19, 1827. Leoluca had a son named Savario whose 1832 marriage processetti contained a Latin death record for his grandfather, listed as Januarius Longo. Thanks to the Facebook Italian Genealogy Records group for the translation, we know he died on September 5, 1795, in Molochio and his wife Isabella Macri, had previously deceased him. Unfortunately, there is no mention of his parents. Because the searchable records for Molochio begin in 1809, nothing else is known about them. (Mouse over and click on the marriage processetti death record image left to enlarge in a new window/tab.)