Epifania Maglienti's Ancestors

Click on a name to read more about the person, click on an arrow to follow that branch in the tree, or click for an Alphabetic List of all Names.

Note that the Latin months September thru December are often written in numbers, 7ber, 8ber, 9ber and 10ber, respectively.
~<^>~

Francesco Maglienti was baptized as Francesco Antonino on January 17, 1636, in the St. Michele parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy, the son of Leonardo Maglienti and his wife Vincenza, whose surname is unknown. (Mouse over and click on his Latin baptism record upper right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) Sometime prior to 1657, Francesco married Margarita Ragusa, who was a year older then him. She was born on December 23, 1634, and baptized as Maria Margarita the next day after her maternal grandmotherin the St. Michele parish of Sciacca, the daughter of Giuseppe Ragusa and his wife Epifania Sanfilippo. (Mouse over and click on her Latin baptism record upper left to enlarge in a new window or tab.) A Sciacca church marriage record could not be found for Francesco and Margarita.

Fourteen Sciacca baptism records have been found for the children of Francesco and Margarita Maglienti, all baptized in the St. Michele parish as follows — Gaetano was born on October 29, 1657, and baptized the next day as Gaietanus Leonadus Joseph, after both of his grandfathers; Giuseppe was born on January 13, 1660, and baptized the next day as Joseph Francesco Gaetano, after his maternal grandfather; Anna Maria Vincenza was born on November 27, 1661, and baptized the next day; Antonia Rosalia Caterina was born on February 22, 1664, baptized the next day, died at 2 years old and was buried on April 22, 1666; Vincenza Dominica was born on November 14, 1665, and baptized the next day; Gaspare was born on March 22, 1667, and was baptized the next day as Gaspare Joseph; Filippo, who may have died young, was born on June 16, 1668, and was baptized the next day as Philippus Calogerus Melchiore; Stefana, who may have died young, was born on October 25, 1669, and was baptized the next day as Stephana Epiphania, after her maternal grandmother; twins Filippo, as Philippus Dominicus and Michele, as Michail Joannes were born and baptized on March 24, 1671, but died within days of their births; Paolo was born on November 16, 1672, and was baptized the next day as Paulus Philippus Gabriel; ancestor Epifania; another Stefana was born and baptized as Stepha Catarina Vita on the morning of December 26, 1677; and Maria Caterina Rosalia, who was born on January 14, 1681, and baptized the next day.

It is documented that both Francesco and Margarita were alive when their daughter ancestor Epifana was married on September 2, 1691. Francesco died and was buried in the Convent of St. Maria de Milo in Sciacca on November 6, 1698. (Mouse over and click on his Latin burial record lower left to enlarge in a new window or tab.) His mother church burial record lists him as Franciscus Maglienti about 60 years old, but he was actually 62 when he died. More than 14 years later, Margarita died and was buried in the Convent of St Maria de Monte Carmelo cemetery in Sciacca on June 26, 1713. (Mouse over and click on her burial image right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) Her mother church burial record lists her as Margarita Maglenti, age about 70, but she was actually 78 years old. Because she is listed with her husband’s surname on this record, it may be assumed that the did not remarry in those 14 years.

Leonardo Maglienti was baptized as Leonardo Franc’o on January 4, 1608, in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy, the son of Accursia Sclafani and her husband Vincenzo Maglienti. (Mouse over and click on his Latin baptism record upper right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) Sometime before 1632, Leonardo married a woman named Vincenza. Unfortunately a Sciacca church marriage document or a marriage contract entry could not be found for them, so Vincenza’s surname and ancestry is unknown.

Seven Sciacca Baptism records have been found for the children of Leonardo and Vincenza Maglienti in the St Michele church records as follows — Vincenzo was born on June 9, 1632, and baptized the next day as Vincenzius Didacus, and grew up to marry Giacoma Vitale, the daughter of ancestors Vito Vitale and Paola Friscia; Calogero was born on March 29, 1634, and baptized the next day as Calogerius Gaspar; ancestor Francesco; Paola was born on May 19, 1640, and baptized the next day as Paula Blasia; Pietro was born on June 28, 1643, and baptized the next day as Petrus Paulus Dominicus; another Calogero was born on April 26, 1646, and baptized the next day as Calogerus Vitus Philippus; and Leonardo, who was born 8 months after his father died on April 1, 1647, and baptized the next day as Leonardius Francisus Antoninus, after his father.

Leonardo died and was buried in the St. Michele cemetery on August 26, 1646. (Mouse over and click on his Latin church burial record lower right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) His very brief St. Michele burial record states he was 35 years old, but he was actually 38 years old when he died. It is not known when Vincenza died. Unfortunately, at this time, nothing else is known about them.

Giuseppe Ragusa was probably born in Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy, but a baptism record could not be found for him. He was the son of Francesca Quartararo and her husband Geronimo Ragusa.

On March 25, 1629, a notarial marriage contract was filed by Sciacca notary Giuseppe Cattano for Giuseppe to marry Epifania Sanfilippo. She was baptized as an infant, as Fania Crisenza, after her paternal grandmother, on June 22, 1614, in the St. Michele parish of Sciacca, the daughter of Margarita Giaccone and her husband Calogero Sanfilippo. (Mouse over and click on her Latin baptism record upper right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) Almost a month after the marriage contract was filed, church banns were read on April 15^th, 16^th and 17^th for Giuseppe and 14 year-old Epifania to marry. Six days later, on April 23, 1629, they were married at St. Michele’s church in Sciacca. (Mouse over and click on their Latin church marriage record upper left to enlarge in a new window or tab.)

Six St. Michele baptism records have been found for the children of Joseph & Epifania Ragusa as follows — Francesca Caterina, named after her paternal grandmother, was born and baptized on March 29, 1631, but died 8 days later on April 6, 1631; Francesco Geronimo, named after his paternal grandfather, was born and baptized on July 21, 1632, sadly died at 23 months old and was buried on July 5, 1634; ancestor Margarita; Francesca Antonia was born and baptized on March 29, 1640; Maria Dominica was born on August 31, 1641, and was baptized the next day; and Geronimo Francesco, who was named after his paternal grandmother, was born on February 26, 1644, and baptized the next day.

One year and two months after their last child was born, Giuseppe died and was buried in the St. Michele cemetery on May 1, 1645. (Mouse over and click on his Latin burial record lower left to enlarge in a new window or tab.) His very brief St. Michele burial record lists him as Joseph Ragusa, 40 years old, which calculates his birth to about 1605. It should be remembered that death record ages are usually just an estimate and should not be relied on. Epifania was left with very young children, but she did not remarry, and lived another 22 and a half years. She died and was buried on November 10, 1667, in the St. Dominico the Confessor cemetery in Sciacca. (Mouse over and click on her Latin church burial record image lower right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) Her St. Michele’s burial record lists her as Epiphania wife of Joseph Ragusa about 50 years old, which is close to her actual age of 53. Unfortunately, at this time, nothing else is known about them.

Vincenzo Maglienti was the son of Agatuzia Liotta and her husband Giulio Maglienti. He married and raised a family in Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy, but a Sciacca baptism record could not be found for him.

On May 1^st, 2^nd, and 27^th, church banns were read for Vincenzo to marry Accursia Sclafani. She was baptized as Cursa Filippa on September 20, 1588, in the mother church parish of Sciacca, the daughter of Antonina Niacafasi and her husband Giuseppe Sclafani. (Mouse over and click on her Latin baptism record upper right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) Five days after the last banns were read, Sciacca notary Vincenzo Gallo recorded a notarial marriage contract on June 1, 1604, for Vincenzo to marry Accursa Sclafani. (Mouse over and click on their marriage contract entry upper left to enlarge in a new window or tab.) Nine days later, on June 10, 1604, Vincenzo married 15 year-old Accursa at the Sciacca mother church. (Mouse over and click on their Latin church marriage record image lower left to enlarge in a new window or tab.)

Ten Sciacca baptism records have been found for the children of Vin’zo and Accursia Maglienti. The first two were baptized in the mother church parish, the next three in the St. Michele parish and the last five back in the mother church parish. The ten records are as follows — Agata, named after her paternal grandmother, on December 8, 1605; ancestor Leonardo; Filippa, the first to be baptized in the St. Michele parish, on April 23, 1610, but died at 18 months old and was buried on October 27, 1611; Calogero was baptized on October 27, 1611, died at 2 months old and was buried on January 1, 1612; Caterina on October 29, 1612; Giacoma was baptized as Jacopa Paula on February 18, 1615, in the mother church parish; Giuseppi on November 27, 1616; Diana on December 3, 1618; Angelica Ignazia was born and baptized on July 31, 1620; and Francesca, who was born on December 1, 1621, baptized the next day, died at 3 years old and was buried on January 20, 1625.

It is not known when Vincenzo and Accursia died, but it is documented that he was deceased when his son Giuseppe was married on February 19, 1640, and Accursia was still alive when her daughter Diana was married on September 25, 1656. For now, this is all that is known about them.

Geronimo Ragusa’s ancestry is unknown, but he lived and raised a family in Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy. On January 6, 1586, Sciacca notary Vincenzo Gouffrida filed a notarial marriage contract for Geronimo to marry 31 year-old Francesca Quartararo. (Mouse over and click on their marriage contract entry upper left to enlarge in a new window or tab.) She was baptized as Francesca Antonella at the Sciacca mother church on April 22, 1554, the daughter of Bernardo Quartararo and his wife Vita Venezia. (Mouse over and click on her Latin baptism record upper right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) It should be noted that Francesca’s mother’s name is not on her baptism record. A Sciacca church marriage record can not be found for Geronimo and Francesca, because this year is not available for research in all the Sciacca church records but they probably married soon after the contract was filed.

Eight Sciacca baptism records have been found for the children of Geronimo and Francesca Ragusa, the first in the mother church parish and the rest in the St. Michele parish records. On these records the parents names are spelled differently and in some cases highly abbreviated. The eight children found are as follows — Michele on September 29, 1586; Caterina on March 2, 1588; Nicolo Antonino on August 19, 1590, who married Leonarda Indelicato in 1620; Antonella Sancta on November 1, 1594; Vincenzo on November 15, 1596, who married Caterina Alia in 1624; Calogera Caterina on June 18, 1600, and married three times in Sciacca; Benedetto Saluaturi on November 11, 1602; and Vita Caterina on May 23, 1604. A baptism record for ancestor Giuseppe could not be found.

It is documented that Geronimo was alive when his son Nicolo was married on April 27, 1620, and deceased when his son Vincenzo was married on January 21, 1624. Geronimo died and was buried in the St. Dominico cemetery in Sciacca on September 24, 1620. (Mouse over and click on his Latin church burial record lower left to enlarge in a new window or tab.) His St. Michele burial record lists him as Hieronimus di Ragusa. His age is written out and looks like 70, which brings his birth to about 1550, which is plausible. Almost ten years later, on August 3, 1630, Francesca died in her Sciacca home and was buried the next day in the St. Michele cemetery. (Mouse over and click on her Latin church burial record lower right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) Her St. Michele burial record lists her as Francesca Ragusa, 80 years old, but she was only 76 when she died. At this time, nothing else is known about them.

Calogero Sanfilippo was baptized on March 13, 1590, in the St. Vito parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy, the son of Gaspare Sanfilippo and his wife Epifania Giametta. (Mouse over and click on his Latin baptism record upper right to enlarge in a new window or tab.)

On September 21^st, 22^nd, and 29^th church banns were read for 23 year-old Calogero to marry 16 year-old Margarita Bivona, who was already a widow. She was baptized as an infant as Calogera Margarita on November 10, 1596, in the St. Michele parish of Sciacca, the daughter of Matteo Bivona and his wife Francesca, whose surname is unknown. (Mouse over and click on her Latin baptism record middle right to enlarge in a new window or tab.)

Thirteen year-old Margarita married her first husband, Vincenzo Giacconi, at the St Vito church in Sciacca on January 10, 1610. They had two sons, both baptized in the St. Michele parish as follows — Giovanni was baptized as Joanni on October 2, 1610; and Bernardino, who was baptized on April 4, 1612. Vincenzo died and was buried on August 18, 1613, leaving his wife with two very young children. Just over a month later on September 30, 1613, Margarita married her second husband ancestor Calogero at Sciacca’s St. Michele church. (Mouse over and click on their Latin church marriage record image upper left to enlarge in a new window or tab.)

Only five St. Michele infant baptism records have been found for the children of Calogero and Margarita Sanfilippo as follows — ancestor Epifania, baptized nine months after her parents married was the eldest daughter and was named after her paternal grandmother; Gaspare, named after his paternal grandfather was baptized as Gaspar Joseppi on September 7, 1616, and on August 9, 1637, married Antonina la Rocca, the daughter of ancestor Giacoma Sabella and her first husband Nunzio La Rocca; Melchiore on May 16, 1619; daughter Cresenza was born on the evening of May 8, 1620, and baptized the next day; and Brigetta, who was baptized as Bricita Maria on May 30, 1621.

Calogero Sanfilippo died and was buried in the St. Vito church cemetery on June 20, 1621, less than a month after his last child was born, leaving Margarita once again with several young children. (Mouse over and click on his Latin church burial record image lower right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) His St. Michele burial record lists him as Calogerus SanFilippus, 25 years old, but he was actually 31.

Over two years later church banns were read on August 6^th, 10^th and 13^th for Margarita to marry Antonino Amorusa. The now 26 year old Margarita was married for the third time on September 2, 1623, at the Sciacca St. Michele church. (Mouse over and click on their Latin church marriage record image lower left to enlarge in a new window or tab.) They had at least one child together, a daughter named Angela, who was born and baptized on November 22, 1624. It is not known when Margarita died, so for now, this is all that is known about them.

Giulio Maglienti ancestry is unknown, but he probably lived for a time in Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy. On May 30, 1582, Sciacca notary Geronimo di’Agostino recorded a notarial marriage contract between Julio Maglienti and Agatuzia Liotta. (Mouse over and click on their marriage contract entry upper right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) She was baptized as Gatuza on January 16, 1569, in the Sciacca mother church parish, the daughter of Angela Sutera and her husband Francesco Liotta. (Mouse over and click on her Latin baptism record left to enlarge in a new window or tab.) Two weeks later on June 15, 1582, Julio married 13 year old Gatuza at the Sciacca mother church. (Mouse over and click on their Latin church marriage record image lower right to enlarge in a new window or tab.)

There are no Sciacca baptism records for their children, but three Sciacca mother church marriage records have been found that document Giulio as their father. The first is ancestor Vincenzo’s marriage record. The other two are for a son Calogero and a daughter, ancestor Antonella, who both married children of ancestors Giuseppe Sclafani and Antonina Niacafasi on the same day, January 26, 1609. Calogero married Giacoma Sclafani and Antonella married ancestor Pietro Sclafani. Giulio and Agatuzia probably had several other children, but these are the ones documented so far.

It is not known when Giulio and Agatuzia died but it is documented that he was alive on January 26, 1609, and deceased by the time his granddaughter, Giacoma Paola, daughter of ancestor Vincenzo, was baptized on February 18, 1615. Unfortunately, nothing else is known about them.

Giuseppe Sclafani was baptized on December 27, 1557, as Joseph in the St. Maria Nuova parish of Monreale, Palermo, Sicilia, Italy, the son of Nicolo Sclafani and his wife Norella Milozza. It should be noted that on his baptism index record his mother’s name is listed as Eleonora, which is the modern name for Norella. (Mouse over and click on his baptism record upper right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) Monreale is located on the slope of Monte Caputo overlooking a valley of orange, olive and almond trees, and is home to a Norman/Byzantine Cathedral built by William II and dedicated to the Nativity of Virgin Mary by Pope Lucius III.

Some time prior to 1579, Giuseppe moved to, married and raised a family in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy. Monreale is about 55 miles north of Sciacca on the opposing coast. On January 8, 1579, in the Sciacca mother church, Giuseppe married Antonina Niacafisi, who is also called Antonella on several records. (Mouse over and click on their Latin church marriage record image upper left to enlarge in a new window or tab.) She was the daughter of Antonino Niacafasi and his unknown wife. Some researchers record her surname was Nicolosi. On this marriage record, she is listed as the widow of Minsione Amato. There is an unusual mother church marriage record dated June 29, 1576, for the union of Antonella, child of the deceased Antonina Niacafisi to Minsione di Amato. (Mouse over and click on Antonella's first Latin church marriage record image lower right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) The reason it’s unusual is because she is listed first, than her husband. No children from her first marriage were found in the Sciacca baptism records.

It is said that Giuseppe and Antonina had at least seven children, but not all are documented. Only five Sciacca baptism records and one marriage record have been found to document their children. Their first four children were baptized in the mother church parish and the last child in the St. Michele parish. On most of these records the father is listed as Giuseppe, but on the last, he is listed as Joseph. Their children are as follows — ancestor Pietro; Patrizia, baptized as Paciuza Cursa on September 18, 1586; ancestor Accursia; Giacoma was baptized as Jacoba on July 23, 1590; and Angela, who was baptized on January 26, 1596, in the St. Michele parish. Both Giacoma and ancestor Pietro were married to sibling children of ancestors Giulio and Agatuzia Maglienti (whose bios are just above), on January 26, 1609. The sixth documented child is Geronimo, who some researchers call Girolamo. He is listed as Geronimo son of Deceased Giuseppe and Ant’na di Sclafani on his September 25, 1611, Sciacca mother church marriage record to Angela Catalano. The other child who is not documented, but may be Giuseppe and Antonina’s child is Filippo. He is said to have been born about 1586 and is listed on his June 9, 1624, marriage record as Phum son of deceased Joseph de Sclafani, without a mother’s name, so he may not be the ancestor Giuseppe's son.

It is also said that after Antonina died, Giuseppe married Vincenza Liotta because there is a May 31, 1601, Sciacca notarial marriage contract for their names. (Mouse over and click on their marriage contract entry lower left to enlarge in a new window or tab.) But a church marriage record for them could not be found, so it is not certain that this is the same Giuseppe. If it is, he had 2 more children, Maria on May 1, 1602, and Stefano on December 26, 1604, who were both baptized at the Sciacca mother church. On these baptism records Maria’s mother’s name could be Vin’a, but Stefano’s mother is listed as Petra. So this entire marriage and children are very uncertain.

Nothing is known about Antonina’s father except that he was deceased when she married for the first time. It is also not known when Giuseppe and Antonina died, but it is documented that he was alive on January 26, 1609, when his son ancestor Pietro was married. It is also documented that they both were deceased by September 25, 1611, when their son Geronimo was married. Unfortunately, burial records for them have not been found, so this is all that is known about Giuseppe and Antonina.

Bernardo Quartararo was the son of Giacomo Quartararo, but where or when he was born is unknown. What is known is that he lived and raised a family in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy. On January 7, 1544, Sciacca notary Pietro Falco filed a notarial marriage contract for Bernardo to marry Vita Venezia, whose ancestry is unknown. (Mouse over and click on their marriage contract entry right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) A Sciacca church marriage record can not be found for Bernardo and Vita, because this year is not available for research in any of the Sciacca church records, but they probably married soon after the contract was filed.

Six mother church baptism records have been found for the children of Bernardo and Vita Quartararo as follows — Calogera on October 18, 1547; Nunzia Antonella on November 2, 1550; ancestor Francesca; Giacomo, named after his paternal grandfather, was baptized as Jacopo Philippo on September 12, 1557; Angila on September 10, 1559, and Margaritella, who was baptized as an infant on August 21, 1563.

Nothing is known about Bernardo’s father Giacomo, except that his named is listed as Jacopo on two of his grandchildren’s baptism records. It is also not known when Bernardo, Vita or Giacomo died. Unfortunately, at this time, nothing else is known about them.

Gaspare Sanfilippo’s ancestry is uncertain, but he lived and raised a family in Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy. He most likely is the Gasparo who was baptized on December 6, 1562, in the mother church parish of Sciacca, the son of Antonino Sanfilippo and his unnamed wife. (Mouse over and click on the Latin baptism record upper right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) This is a good possibility because he did name a son Antonino. But there were several Gaspare Sanfilippo’s living at the same time in Sciacca, so this is uncertain.

On January 6, 1587, Sciacca notary Benedetto Lauro filed a notarial marriage contract for r 24 year-old Gaspare to marry 14 year-old Epifania Giametta, whose surname is spelled Jametta on the entry. She is believed to be the Tufania Giametta who was baptized on January 6, 1573, in the Sciacca mother church parish, the daughter of Antonina Venezia and her husband Giovanni Giametta. (Mouse over and click on the Latin baptism record middle right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) Note that the marriage contract was filed on her 14^th birthday. A Sciacca church marriage record has not been found for Gaspare and Epifania. What has been found are two St. Vito and one St. Michele baptism records with parents listed as Gasparo and Fara or Fauna Sanfilippo, which sometimes is abbreviated as Sanpho. The baptism records found are as follows —Antonino, named after his paternal grandfather, was baptized on September 6, 1588; ancestor Calogero; and Nicolò Antonio, who was baptized on February 14, 1595, in the St. Michele parish.

It could be that Epifania died shortly after her last child was born as there is a Gasparo Sanphilippo who married Chatharina Sacchetto on June 24, 1596, at the Sciacca mother church. (Mouse over and click on their Latin church marriage record image upper left to enlarge in a new window or tab.) She was the daughter of ancestor Antonino Sacchetto and sister to ancestor Agata. This could be ancestor Gaspare, but their marriage record doesn’t mention a first wife, nor is he listed as a widower. The reason it could be ancestor Gaspare is because the dates fit, and there are no other children for Gaspare and Epifania. There are seven children of Gasparo and Caterina Sanfilippo who were baptized in the St. Michele parish of Sciacca — Maria on May 27, 1600; Margarita on August 7, 1601, who married Antonino Bruno on January 24, 1616; Angela on September 16, 1602; Vincenzo Jacobo on July 8, 1605; Agata Desideria was baptized on September 22, 1608; Natale Antonino on December 25, 1606; and Michele on October 15, 1609.There is also another possible child, Grazia, whose baptism record could not be found, but a November 22, 1612, burial record, listing her as the daughter of Gasparo S. Pho, has been found. Although this Gaspare being ancestor Gaspare is a good possibility, it should be noted that there is no documentation to support this, as Sciacca burial records are not available this early to confirm Eifania’s death.

It is not known for certain when Gaspare and Epifania died, but it is documented that he was alive on September 30, 1613, when his son ancestor Calogero was married. There is also a Gaspare Sanpho who was deceased when his son Antonino was married on April 24, 1617, and another for a September 25, 1628, marriage of a Michael who was the son of deceased Gaspare S.ppo. Both of these marriage dates fit in with the three sons of the Gaspare mentioned above. Antonino could be the son of Epifania, or he may be Caterina’s son Natale Antonino, and Michael is most likely Caterina’s son. If they are ancestor Gaspare’s sons, he died sometime between September 30, 1613, and April 24, 1617, but a Sciacca burial record, a testamento or an inventory for his name has not been found around this time.

To complicate matters more, there is a July 21, 1638, St. Michele burial record for a 76 year old Gasper Sanfilippo. (Mouse over and click on the Latin burial record lower left to enlarge in a new window or tab.) This age is just 4 ½ months off of ancestor Gaspare’s actual age at this time, so this very well may be his burial record. There are also two entries, one in each volume of Pellegrino Mortillaro’s book, Andrea Randazzo un notaio storico for his name. The first is the Testamento, a will, of Gasparella Sanfilippo which was recorded on July 9, 1638, by Sciacca notary Raffaele Bentivegna. (Mouse over and click on his will entry right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) The second is an inventory of the estate of Gaspare Sanfilippo, which was filed on September 16, 1638, by the same notary. These are probably all for the same man, but if he is ancestor Gaspare is unknown. What has been established is that ancestor Gaspere was alive on September 30, 1613. Unfortunately, at this time, without more documentation, nothing else certain is known about them.

Matteo Bivona was baptized on February 9, 1570, in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy, the son of Domenico Bivona and his wife Lauria Dayna. (Mouse over and click on his Latin baptism record upper right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) He is listed on his father’s 1584 Rivelo (tax record) as being 12 years old, but he was actually older, about 14 years old. Sometime before 1596, Matteo married a woman named Francesca, whose surname is unknown. A Sciacca church marriage or notarial marriage contract could not be found for them.

Eleven St. Michele baptism records have been found for the children of Matteo and Francesca di Bivona, which is sometimes spelled Bibona. None of the records give a birth date, but it is assumed they were baptized soon after they were born. Their children, listed here in baptism date order are — ancestor Margarita; Ottavio Giuseppi on September 23, 1598; Accursia on October 22, 1604; Calogero Dominico, whose middle name is after his paternal grandfather, on February 18, 1606; Vita on December 9, 1608; Twins Giovanni as Jo and Giovanna as Joanna were baptized on November 26, 1610, but Giovanna died at age 7 and was buried on July 9, 1618; Caterina Lauria, whose middle name is after her paternal grandmother, on November 7, 1611; Angelica Apollina on March 15, 1614; Carlo Calogero was baptized on May 3, 1617, and died 9 days later on the 12^th; and an unnamed infant who was baptized on March 25, 1620, by the midwife because of the baby’s imminent danger of death and probably died soon after birth.

Matteo’s name is mention at least three times in both volumes of Pellegrino Mortillaro’s notary record transcription books, Andrea Randazzo un notaio storico. The first is the November 5, 1612, sale of property in Cartibubo by Giovanni Leonardo Bivona, to Matteo Bivona. The second is dated March 30, 1622, the day his will was filed by Sciacca notary Giovanni Battista Mineo. The third is 2 months later, after his death, when an inventory of his property was taken on May 20, 1622, and recorded by that same notary.

Matteo died and was buried in the St. Francisci cemetery in Sciacca on April 15, 1622. (Mouse over and click on his Latin church burial record image lower right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) His St. Michele burial record lists him as Mattheus Bibona, 51 years old, but he was actually 52 years old. It is not known when and where his wife Francesca died, but there are two hard to read burial records that could be for her. One is dated July 24, 1621, and the other January 3, 1622. Neither one says she’s the wife of Matteo, but either one could be her. Unfortunately, at this time, nothing else is known about them.

Francesco Liotta’s ancestry is uncertain, but he is probably the son of Agata Marco and her husband Vito Liotta, as explained below. What is documented is that Francesco married and raised a family in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy. On February 13, 1564, Sciacca notary Geronimo Agostino recorded a notarial marriage contract between Francesco Liotta and Angela Xutera, who is most likely Angela Sutera. (Mouse over and click on their marriage contract entry right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) Her ancestry is unknown because Sciacca church marriage records do not go back this far.

Eight Sciacca mother church baptism records have been found for the children of Francsco and Angilella di Liotta, but the first three do not list the mother’s name. These eight baptisms are as follows — Angelas on May 31, 1565; Vito Vincenzo on January 18, 1567; ancestor Agatuzia; Rosa Antonina on May 4, 1574, was the first to have a mother’s name on the record; Vituza on August 21, 1576; Agustino on August 28, 1578; Leonarda as Narda on November 20, 1580; and Micheli on July 7, 1583. The information on some of these records support Francesco’s parents as Agata and Vito as follows — Francesco named his first born son Vito; ancestor Agatuzia, was probably named after her paternal grandmother; and on Rosa’s record her parents are listed as Francesco and Angilella di Liotta di Vito. But this is not definite proof of his parentage. If Vito and Agata are his parents, then he would be the older brother of ancestor Gaspare Liotta who married Elisabetta Sutera.

Unfortunately, it is not known when Francesco and Angela died, so this is all that is known about them.

Nicolo Sclafani’s ancestry is unknown, but he lived and raised a family in the St. Maria Nuova church parish of Monreale, Palermo, Sicilia, Italy. A Monreale baptism record has not been found for him, so he may have been born in another town. On some of the records, he is simply called Cola. Today Monreale is a town and comune in the Metropolitan City of Palermo, about 980 feet above sea level with a view of the fertile Conca d'Oro plain. The town dates from the Middle Ages when it began to develop around the church, now a Cathedral, which is a mixture of Arab, Byzantine and Norman artistic styles framed by traditional Romanesque architecture, all combined in a perfect blend of the best that both the Christian and Muslim worlds of the 12th century had to offer. (Mouse over photo right to enlarge in a new window or tab.)

Ancestor Nicolo is probably the Nicola di Sclofani who married Desiata, whose surname is unreadable, on June 21, 1534, at the St. Maria Nuova church in Monreale. (Mouse over and click on their marriage record upper left to enlarge in a new window or tab.) They had three children together all baptized there as follows — Contissa on November 21, 1537, more than 3 years after they married; Elisabetta on August 24, 1539; and seven years later, Leonardo on August 22, 1546. Being that these baptism dates are so spread apart, they may have had other children in another town. Although there is no documentation to confirm it, is believed Desiata died and Nicolo remarried.

In April of 1548, Nicolo married Norella Milozza, but their marriage record is very hard to read and it does not mention her given name, it just lists her as the daughter of Francesco Milozza. (Mouse over and click on their marriage record middle right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) Whoever created the marriage index, did so, many years later, and they could not read her name or the date either! A Monreale baptism record could not be found for her. We get her given name from their son, ancestor Giuseppe’s baptism record, where she is listed with the modern name of Eleanor on the index, but Norella on the original register record. Nicolo and Norella had four more children all baptized at the same church as the others as follows — Leonarda on November 11, 1548; Giroloma as Jer’ma on January 1, 1552; Lauria on November 4, 1554; and ancestor Giuseppe. It is believed that Norella died and Nicolo remarried for a third time, but once again there is no proof of this because Monreale burial records are missing after 1550 to 1560.

On April 9, 1559, Nicolo married Pasqua Bucurano (mouse over and click on their marriage record lower left to enlarge in a new window or tab) and they had five more children, all baptized in the same church mentioned above as follows—Michele on November 20, 1558, five months before his parents married, and in 1580 he married Disiata Sorrentino in Monreale; Adriana on December 2, 1560; Filippo as Pho on May 1, 1564; Antonino on August 21, 1565; and Francesca on January 4, 1568. On all of these baptism records, both parents names are clearly listed. Again there is no documentation that all three of these marriages were for ancestor Nicolo, but the Sclafani surname was not a common one in the Monreale records, and the dates all line up, so it is believed there was only one Nicolo Sclafani.

It is documented that Nicolo was deceased when his son Michele was married on June 16, 1580. Nicolo died and was buried on November 2, 1571. (Mouse over and click on the Latin burial record lower right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) His one line St. Maria Nuova burial record reads Deceased Nicola Scrofano God bless you. For now, this is all that is known about Nicolo and Norella.

Giovanni Giametta was probably the Joanello who was baptized on October 27, 1547, in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy, the son of Blasi, which in Italian is Biaggio Giametta and his unnamed wife, who may be Angela Cattano. (Mouse over and click on his Latin baptism record upper right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) There is no documentation that they are Giovanni’s parents, except that there is a marriage contract between Biaggio Giametta and Angela Cattano dated September 19, 1538, that fits with Giovanni’s birth and marriage dates.

On October 29, 1570, 23 year-old Giovanni married 12 year-old Antonina Venezia in the Sciacca mother church. (Mouse over and click on their Latin church marriage record image upper left to enlarge in a new window or tab.) She was baptized, also in the mother church parish, on July 17, 1558, the daughter of Giovanni Venezia and his wife Vita, whose surname is unknown. (Mouse over and click on her Latin baptism record middle right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) There were at least two different Giovanni Giametta’s living in Sciacca at the same time. One was married to Vita and the other was married to Contessa. This second couple, Giovanni and Contessa, are probably the parents of ancestor Caterina who married Giuseppe Pitrella, thus they too are ancestors.

In Pellegrino Mortillaro’s book, Andrea Randazzo un notaio storico Volume Primo, there is a marriage contract entry dated October 15, 1570, just 14 days prior to their church marriage, for Giovanni Giametta and Lucrezia Venezia, that is probably for this couple. (Mouse over and click on the marriage contract entry lower right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) The transcriber probably errored with her given name.

Only three Sciacca mother church baptisms have been found for the children of Joannello and Antonina Giaimetta as follows —ancestor Epifania; Sebastiano, who was baptized as Bastiano on July 7, 1575; and Laurenzo, who was baptized on August 23, 1578.

It is not known when Giovanni and Antonina died, but their are two entries in Pellegrino Mortillaro’s book mentioned above, one in each volume, that could be for Giovanni. The first is a testamento, a will entry dated November 1, 1578, filed by Sciacca notary Giovanni Vella. The second is an inventory entry filed by the same notary dated only 6 days later on November 7, 1758. (Mouse over and click on his inventory entry lower left to enlarge in a new window or tab.) Being that there are no other baptism records for their children in the Sciacca records, these dates make a strong case that these entries are for ancestor Giovanni. This means he died some time in the first week of November of 1578. It is not known if Antonina married again or where and when she died, so for now, this is all that is known about them.