Pietro Caracappa's Ancestors

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Geronimo Caracappa was the son of Antonino Caracappa and his wife Pietra, whose surname is unknown. It is not known when and where he was born, but he married and raised a family in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy. A Sciacca baptism record for him could not be found. The only documentation found about Antonino and Pietra is that he was alive, but she was deceased when their son Geronimo was married in 1650.

On January 25^th, 26^th and 27^th of 1650 church banns were read for Hierronimus to marry Rosalia Santangelo. She was the daughter of Giulia Quartararo and her husband Francesco Santangelo, but a Sciacca baptism record for her could not be found. Four days after the last banns were read, Geronimo and Rosalia were married on January 31, 1650, in the Sciacca mother church. (Mouse over and click on their Latin church marriage record left to enlarge in a new window or tab.)

Seven Sciacca baptism records have been found for the children of Hieronimo and Rosalia Caracappa. On three of these he is called master, meaning he was well respected in his craft. Their first child was baptized in the St. Michele parish and the others in the mother church parish. The records found are as follows — Antonina, given the female version of her paternal grandfather’s name was born and baptized as Antonina Dominica Jacoba on July 9, 1650; ancestor Pietro was given the male version of his paternal grandmother’s name; Francesco, named after his maternal grandfather was born on the evening of February 21, 1654, and baptized as Francisus Carolus Joseph the next day; Julia, named after her maternal grandmother was born on the evening of March 8, 1657, baptized as Ant’na Julia Vin’a the next day, and as Julia married Dominici Fiorentino in 1678; Michele was born and baptized as Michael Francisus Gaetanus on December 20, 1659; Ferdinarda Angella Vita was born and baptized on June 15, 1663; and Giuseppe, who was born and baptized as Joseph Vincentius on December 2, 1665.

It is documented that both Geronimo and Rosalia were alive when their son ancestor Pietro was married on January 17, 1672. Six months later Rosalia died and was buried in the church of the St Dominico Convent cemetery on July 18, 1672. (Mouse over and click on her Latin burial record right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) Her mother church burial record lists her as Rosalia wife of Hieronimi Caracappa, about 46 years old, which puts her birth to about 1626. It is also documented that Geronimo was still alive on February 22, 1678, the date his daughter Julia was married. Unfortunately, a burial record for Geronimo has not been found, but burial records are missing after 1674 up until 1690, so he probably died sometime after 1678. For now, this is all that is known about them.

Francesco Santangelo was most likely the Pellegrino Francesco Calogero who was baptized on October 5, 1588, in the St. Vito parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy, the son of Antonella Girgentano and her husband Geronimo Santangelo. (Mouse over and click on his Latin baptism record upper right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) The reason for the uncertainty is that his parents are not listed on his marriage documents. For that reason it is also not certain that the next two following marriages are for the same Francesco. The only fact that links them is that they are both listed as master.

On May 22^nd, 23^rd and 24^th of 1611, church banns were read for master Francisco Santangelo and Sebastiana Ognibene to marry. Twenty-two year old Francisco and 35 year-old Sebastiana were married on June 5, 1611, in the St. Vito church. (Mouse over and click on their Latin church marriage record upper left to enlarge in a new window or tab.) Six months later on December 30, 1611, Sciacca notary Vincenzo Gallo filed a marriage contract for them. A few months after that on March 13, 1612, their son Jacopo was baptized in the St. Vito parish, but he died 15 months later and was buried on July 4, 1613. Sebastiana apparently died soon after, but a Sciacca burial record for her cannot be found.

On November 8^th, 11^th and 15^th of 1615, church banns were read for master Francesco Santangelo to marry Giulia Quartararo. She was baptized as Giulia Constantina in the Sciacca mother church parish on December 1, 1588, the daughter of Antonella La Rocca and her husband Baldassar Quartararo. The now 27 year-old Francesco and the almost 27 year-old Giulia were married at the St. Vito church on November 16, 1615, a day after the last banns were read. (Mouse over and click on their Latin church marriage record middle left to enlarge in a new window or tab.) Four years later on November 3, 1619, a few weeks after their first child was born, Sciacca notary Andrea Gaudio filed a marriage contract for Francesco Santangelo and Giulia Quartararo. (Mouse over and click on their marriage contract entry middle lower right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) This was probably a dowry restitution contract, which is usually made at the birth of a first child. What is interesting is that there is another undated contract for them that was filed in the 1620-21 papers of Sciacca notary Antonino Buscemi. Because Buscemi was working as a notary in 1615, this may be their original marriage contract that was removed from the 1615 files to be referenced to create the restitution contract and then it was misfiled into the 1620-21 papers.

Only two Sciacca baptism records have been found for the children of Fran’co and Giuila Santangelo as follows —Giuseppe was baptized as Joseph on September 16, 1619, in the St. Michele parish and married Rosalia Bivona on November 4, 1642; and Vito Antonino, who was baptized in the St. Vito parish on June 15, 1621. A baptism record for ancestor Rosalia has not been found.

It is documented that both Francesco and Giulia were alive when their son Giuseppe was married, but deceased on January 31, 1650, the date their daughter ancestor Rosalia was married. There is a St. Michele burial record for Francisius Santangelo about 40 years old, who died and was buried in the St. Michele cemetery on February 26, 1647. (Mouse over and click on his possible Latin burial record lower left to enlarge in a new window or tab.) This record may be for this ancestor, but his age is way off, as ancestor Francesco would have been 58 at this time. Even though burial record ages usually are just an estimate, the 18 year difference seems like a lot. A burial record for Giulia has not been found, so for now, this is all that is known about them.

Geronimo Santangelo was baptized as Gilormo on January 7, 1546, in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy, the son of Margarita Decemana and her husband Andrea Santangelo. (Mouse over and click on his Latin baptism record upper right to enlarge in a new window or tab.)

On February 4, 1576, Gilormo married Antonella Girgentano at the Sciacca mother church. (Mouse over and click on their brief Latin church marriage record left to enlarge in a new window or tab.) She was baptized on September 17, 1560, also in the Sciacca mother church parish, the daughter of Sessa Dayna and her husband Pellegrino Girgentano. (Mouse over and click on her baptism record lower right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) Antonella is also the older sister of ancestor Andriana.

Fourteen Sciacca baptism records have been found for the children of Geronimo and Antonella Santangelo. The first seven were baptized in the mother church parish and the last seven in the St. Vito parish. The records found are as follows — Matteo Erasmo was baptized on February 11, 1577; Andria, named after his paternal grandfather, was baptized on August 23, 1578; Margarita, named after her paternal grandmother, was baptized as Margarita Aloysia on February 5, 1580; Giuliano was baptized as Juliano Ant’no on January 8, 1582; Calogera was baptized as Calogiara Virginia on October 11, 1583, and in 1606, married Cataudo, the son of ancestors Bartolo and Antonella Quartararo; Antonina Maria was baptized on March 16, 1585; Vito Giuliano on June 15, 1586; ancestor Francesco was the first to be baptized in the St. Vito parish; Mario Julian was baptized on April 11, 1592; Maria on October 2, 1594; Crispina on October 25, 1596; Diabella on April 26, 1598; Antonino was baptized as Ant’no on December 10, 1600; and Nunzia, who was baptized on December 23, 1602.

It is documented that Geronimo was deceased on August 13, 1606, the date his daughter Calogera was married. It can also be interpreted that Antonella was also deceased on this date, but it is not clear. There is an inventory entry in Pellegrino Mortillaro’s book, Andrea Randazzo un notaio storico Volume Primo, for Geronimo Santangelo that was filed on December 6, 1604, by Sciacca notary Antonio Buscemi that is probably for ancestor Geronimo. This means he died sometime shortly before this date. Unfortunately, Sciacca burial record don’t go back this far, so for now, this is all that is known about them.

Baldassare Quartararo was probably the Nardo Baldasso who was baptized on April 27, 1555, in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy, the son of Bartolo Quartararo and his unnamed wife. (Mouse over and click on his Latin baptism record right to enlarge in a new window or tab.)

Some time about 1586, Baldassare married Antonella Rocca, as on April 14, 1586, Sciacca notary Benedetto Lauro filed a marriage contract between Baldassare Quartararo and Antonina Rocca. (Mouse over and click on their marriage contract entry upper left to enlarge in a new window or tab.) She is probably the Antonella who was baptized on December 8, 1566, in the Sciacca mother church, the daughter of Antonino son of Calogero La Rocca. (Mouse over and click on her baptism record lower right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) The reason for the uncertainty is because a church marriage record could not be found for them, so their parents names are undocumented. They may have married in another Sciacca church whose records don’t go back this far.

Five Sciacca baptism records have been found for the children of Baldassar and Antonella Quartararo, the first two and last one were baptized in the mother church parish and the other two in the St. Vito parish. It should be noted that on some records he is listed as Bartolo and on their last child, her name is incorrectly listed as Bernardino. The five records found are as follows — Gioanna was baptized on September 30, 1587; ancestor Giulia; Francisco Bradamonte was baptized on July 28, 1592; Bartolomeo Francisco, named after his paternal grandfather, was baptized on June 22, 1595; and Lauria, who mother is listed incorrectly, was baptized on February 7, 1596. There is also a burial record for Antonino son of Baldassa Quartararo who was buried on January 24, 1609, but a Sciacca baptism record could not be found for him.

Because there is another marriage for a Baldassare Quartararo that occurs just a few years after Antonella’s last child was born, it is believed that she died and her husband married again. Unfortunately, burial records begin in late 1606, so there is no way to confirm this theory. On September 5, 1598, Sciacca notary Vincenzo Gresta filed a marriage contract for Baldassare Quartararo and Virginea Fagoruso.(Mouse over and click on their marriage contract entry upper middle left to enlarge in a new window or tab.) Five days later on the 10^th they married at the St. Vito church. (Mouse over and click on their Latin church marriage record lower left to enlarge in a new window or tab.) The church record is hard to read and it is torn, but it doesn’t seem to say that Baldassare was a widower, so it is uncertain id this is for ancestor Baldassare. They had at least six children all baptized in the St. Vito church as follows — Maria was baptized on August 25, 1599, but died at 9 years old and was buried on January 19, 1609; Ursula Dorothea was baptized on October 21, 1600; Calogera Angelica on December 24, 1606; Margarita Antonina on July 20, 1609; Giuseppe was baptized as Joseppi on February 14, 1612; and Vincenza, who was baptized on October 12, 1613.

It is documented that Baldassare was alive on November 16, 1615, when his daughter ancestor Giulia was married. In Pellegrino Mortillaro’s book, Andrea Randazzo un notaio storico Volume Secondo, there is a Testamento, will entry for Baldassare Quartararo that Sciacca notary Andrea Gaudi filed on November 3, 1619. More than a month later he was buried on December 18, 1626, in the church of St. Maria Annuaziatoe cemetery. (Mouse over and click on his Latin burial record lower right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) His St. Vito burial record lists him as, Baldassar Quartararo 75 years old, but he was only 71 when he died. Until more records can be found, this is all that is known about them.

Andrea Santangelo and his wife Margarita Decemana’s ancestries are unknown as a church marriage record has not been found for them, but they lived and raised a family in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy.

On August 6, 1531, Sciacca notary Nicolò Canina filed a contract for them to marry. (Mouse over and click on their marriage contract entry left to enlarge in a new window or tab.) They may have lived in another town or another Sciacca parish after the marriage, as more than fourteen years passed before a Sciacca baptism record for their children was found. The only Sciacca baptism records available for research for this 14 year period is in the mother church. The St Vito and St. Michele parish records begin in the second half of the 1580’s.

Five mother church baptism records have been found for the children of Andria Santangelo, but none list a mother’s name. The records are as follows — ancestor Geronimo in 1546; Grazia was baptized on March 14, 1554; Giovanni was baptized as Joannius on June 9, 1555; Caterina on July 29, 1556; and Benvenuta, who was baptized on February 5, 1558

In Pellegrino Mortillaro’s book, Andrea Randazzo un notaio storico Volume Primo, there is another marriage contract for his name. It is dated September 13, 1556, for the marriage to Antonina Dayna. Unfortunately, church marriage records don’t go back this far, so it is impossible to confirm it is for this ancestor. But it could be that Margarita died after the birth of Caterina and Andrea married Antonia. This would mean Benvenuta was the daughter of Andrea’s second wife Antonina. Even though the timing fits, this is all speculation, as nothing else suggests the two Andrea’s were the same man.

It is not known when Andrea and Margarita died, so until more documentation can be found, this is all that is known about them.

Bartolo Quartararo’s ancestry is unknown, but he lived and raised a family in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy. There is a good possibility that he is the same Bartolo who married Antonella Geremia. This could be his first marriage, but this is only supported by the dates of his children’s baptisms. There is no other evidence that they are the same person. As discussed in the other Bartolo’s bio, there were two of this name born within 8 years of each other. He could be the Jo: Bartolo son of Baldassare, who was baptized in September of 1530, as he did name sons Baldassare and Jo:, which is an abbreviation for Giovanni. (Mouse over and click on the baptism index record right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) Unfortunately, register records do not exist for this time, so no more information can be gleaned.

Sometime in or prior to 1552, Bartolo married and had at least three sons all baptized in the Sciacca mother church parish as follows — Joannello, which probably translates to Giovanni was baptized on May 19, 1553; ancestor Baldassare; and Laurenzo, who was baptized as Laurenzo Jo: Vito on August 12, 1557.

In Pellegrino Mortillaro’s book, Andrea Randazzo un notaio storico Volume Secondo, there is a Testamento, a will entry for his name. It was filed by Sciacca notary Benededetto Baccimeo on September 18, 1575. This could be for this ancestor, and if it is, he probably died shortly after this date. Unfortunately burial records are not available for this time period, so nothing else is known about him.

Antonino Rocca lived, at least for a time, in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy the son of Calogero Rocca, but a Sciacca baptism record could not be found for him. Their names come from Antonino’s daughter, ancestor Antonella’s baptism record. Unfortunately, hers was the only record that lists this father and grandfather. There are many baptism records for children of Antonino La Rocca, some listed as master, some listed with different wives, and some listed with different fathers, so it is impossible to know which Antonino he was. There are also many mother church baptism records for the children of Calogero La Rocca, but not one with a given or middle name of Antonino.

There are a few mentions of both Antonino and Calogero Rocca names in both volumes of Pellegrino Mortillaro’s book, Andrea Randazzo un notaio storico. For Calogero, there is an undated marriage contract to Imperia La Giganti filed by Sciacca notary Martino Russo. For Antonino there is a 1572 marriage contract to Laurea Forzato; a September 9, 1575, will entry filed by Sciacca notary Stefano Caruso; and a November 2, 1575, inventory entry filed by notary Geronimo d’Agostino. It is impossible to know if these are for the ancestors or even if they are for the same person, so until more records are found, their lives will remain a mystery.