Rosa Montalbano's Ancestors

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Rosa Montalbano was born and baptized in the St. Vito church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy on July 18, 1697, the daughter of Caterina Quartararo and her husband Vito Montalbano. (Mouse over and click on her baptism record right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) She married two ancestors, had two daughters who are also ancestors, and is in two different generations of this tree. She married her first husband, Calogero Santangelo, on January 13, 1715, at the St. Vito Church in Sciacca and they had at least three children, the youngest being ancestor Fara (see Calogero Santangelo’s bio for more about them). After Calogero died she married Felice Riportella on January 18, 1734, at the mother church in Sciacca and they had at least four children, the youngest being ancestor Caterina (see Felice Riportella’s bio for more on them). Both of Fara and Caterina’s descendants go down the Sabella line. It is interesting to note that Rosa’s great-great grandson Calogero Sabella from her marriage to Calogero Santangelo married her great-granddaughter, Catarina Saladino, from her marriage to Felice.

Rosa was alive when Fara, her daughter from her first marriage, was married in 1741, but deceased by the time her daughter ancestor Caterina was married in 1766, so Rosa died sometime between October 8, 1741, and November 2, 1766. There are two mother church burial records for the name Rosa Riportella that fit into this time span, but none give a spouse, parents or any other identifying information. As to the ages listed on these records, one is 7 years off and the other is 23 years off. Either one may or may not be her. Unfortunately, at this time, nothing else is known about her.

Vito Montalbano was the son of Francesco Montalbano and his wife Filippa (surname unknown). It is not known where he was born, but he lived in Caltabellotta, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy. Today, Caltabellotta is about 12.5 miles and only a half hour drive from Sciacca, which is also in the province of Agrigento. On February 8, 1682, in Caltabellotta, anotarial marriage contract and dowry deed were created for Vito to marry a woman named Francesca Cottone. (Mouse over and click on their Latin church marriage image right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) They were married two months later in the parish church in Caltabellotta on April 19, 1682. It is not known if they had any children before Francesca died.

Ten years later in March of 1692, church banns were read for the widow Vito to marry 20 year-old Caterina Quartararo. They married at St. Vito’s church in Sciacca on April 14, 1692. (Mouse over and click on their Latin church marriage record left to enlarge in a new window or tab.)

Caterina was born on April 30, 1671, and baptized the next day as Catharina Jacoba, in the St. Vito church parish in Sciacca, the daughter of Rosalia Bentivegna and her husband Carlo Quartararo. (Mouse over and click on her baptism record left to enlarge in a new window or tab.) Caterina's middle name in Italian is Giacoma or Giacomina .

Vito and Caterina had at least nine children together, all born in Sciacca and baptized at the St. Vito church as follows — Francesco, as Francescus Jonnus, named after his paternal grandfather, on June 23, 1694, which suggests he didn’t have a son with his first wife; ancestor Rosa; Leonardo Calogero was born and baptized on the evening of March 4, 1699; Giovanna was born on the morning of June 24, 1700, and baptized as Joanna Philippa later that day; Filippa, named after her paternal grandmother, was born on September 16, 1701, and baptized as Philippa Anna the next day; Maria Accursia was born and baptized on February 1, 1705; Calogera Leonarda was born on the morning of March 27, 1708, baptized 3 days later, but died on May 24^th, less than 2 months old; Calogera Anna was born on August 1, 1709, and baptized the next day; and another Francesco as Francescus Albertus, who was born and baptized on the morning of January 11, 1711, but died at six months old on August 9, 1711.

Vito died and was buried in the cemetery of the Convent of St. Maria di Monte Carmelo on January 26, 1712, leaving his wife Caterina with several young children. (Mouse over and click on his Latin church burial record left to enlarge in a new window or tab.) Five months later on May 16^th, 17^th and 22^nd, church banns were read for Caterina to marry Pietro di Giovanna of Sambuca. They married less than a month later on June 14, 1712, at the St. Vito church in Sciacca. (Mouse over and click on their Latin church marriage record right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) Confirmation of this marriage is documented on Vito and Caterina’s daughter ancestor Rosa’s 1715 marriage document, which states that Caterina was Pietro’s wife. Baptism records can not be found for any children of Caterina and Pietro in all three Sciacca church records. What is really interesting is that on Caterina and Pietro’s marriage document, it states her mother Rosalia’s surname as Indelicato, the same surname given to Caterina on ancestor Rosa’s marriage document to Felice Riportella. This could be just a coincidence or maybe the surname Indelicato is somewhere in this family.

Nothing is really known about Vito’s parents, except that his father Francesco was deceased when Vito was first married in 1682, but his mother Filippa was alive. It is not known when Caterina died, but she was alive when her daughter ancestor Rosa was married on January 18, 1734. Unfortunately, that is all we know about them.

Carlo Quartararo was baptized on October 9, 1614, in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy, the son of Nunzia Mandracchia and her husband Giovanni Anthony Quartararo. (Mouse over and click on his baptism record upper right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) He was named after his mother’s father with the Latin name of Jacobus Carolus, which in Italian is Giacomo Carlo, but all his records call him Carlo.

On September 8^th, 11^th and 18^th church banns were read for Carolus to marry Rosalia Bentivegna. She was baptized in the St. Michele church parish in Sciacca on June 24, 1629, as Philippa Rosalea, the daughter of Calogero Bentivegna and his wife Catherine Piramo. (Mouse over and click on her baptism record lower right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) Carlo and Rosalia were married on September 25, 1650, at the St. Michele church in Sciacca. (Mouse over and click on their Latin church marriage record right to enlarge in a new window or tab.)

Ten Sciacca infant baptism records have been found for the children of Carlo and Rosalia Quartararo. All were baptized at the St. Vito church, except for the first two listed here as follows — Nunzia Calogera Anna, named after her paternal grandmother, was born on September 18, 1651, baptized the next day at the mother church, and married Antonio Indelicato in 1674; Antonia Caterina, given the female version of her paternal grandfather’s middle name, was born and baptized at St. Michele’s church on January 14, 1654; Philippa Margarita was born on September 27, 1656, and baptized the next day, but probably died before her second birthday; Filippa Cecilia Catherina on December 22, 1658, who died on January 20, 1659, less than a month old; Philippa Catherina on September 17, 1662; Giacomo Onofrio was born on May 30, 1664, baptized the next day as Jacobus Honuphrius, and married Franciscia Saladino on October 3, 1694; Gaspare Honuphrius was born and baptized on January 6, 1666; Onofrio was born and baptized as Honuphrius Joseph on January 7, 1668; ancestor Caterina was named after her maternal grandmother; and Bartolo who was born and baptized as Bartholomeus Joseph Vincenius on June 3, 1674.

It is documented that Carlo was deceased and Rosalia was alive on October 22, 1674, when their daughter Nunzia was married. It should be noted that Carlo Quartararo’s name is mentioned in the second volume of Pellegrino Mortillaro’s transcription of Sciacca notary records, Andrea Randazzo un notaio storico in an entry for a recording of a testimento, which is a will statement, dated Marrch 27, 1677. This is after their daughter Nunzia’s wedding date, so this probably isn’t ancestor Carlo’s will, but it may be Rosalia’s. Unfortunately, Sciacca burial records for both of them could be found, but between 1675 and 1690, burial records are not available for research. What is known for certain is that Carlo and Rosalia were both listed as deceased on their daughter ancestor Caterina’s April 14, 1692, marriage record and also on their son Giacomo’s 1694 marriage record. Until more records can be found, this is all that is known about them.

Giovanni Anthony Quartararo was baptized on January 13, 1591, in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy, the son of Francesco Quartararo and his wife Angela Bruno. (Mouse over and click on his baptism record upper right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) On all of his records he is listed as Giovanni Antonio, with the Giovanni abbreviated.

In November of 1609 on the 8^th, 11^th and 15^th, church banns were read for Giovanni Antonio to marry Nunzia Mandracchia. She was baptized on August 15, 1581, in the St. Michele parish of Sciacca, the daughter of Giacomo Mandracchia and his wife Antonina Agostino. (Mouse over and click on her baptism record middle right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) Eighteen year-old Jo: Antonio married 28 year-old Nunzia Mandrachia on November 28, 1609, at the St. Michele church in Sciacca. (Mouse over and click on their Latin church marriage record upper left to enlarge in a new window or tab.) There is a possibility that this Nunzia was not the ancestor, but died young and her parents had another daughter named Nunzia in the 5 year gap of missing baptism records. This would explain the 10 year age difference between Nunzia and her husband. Unfortunately, baptism and burial records do not exist to confirm this.

Seven mother church baptism records have been found for the children of Jo: Antonio and Nunzia Quartararo as follows — Francesco, named after his paternal grandfather was baptized on April 26, 1611; Angela, named after her paternal grandmother was baptized on March 11, 1613, and married Andrea Scoma in 1637; ancestor Carlo; Antonia, named after her maternal grandmother, was baptized on September 8, 1616, and married Christoforo Consiglio in 1644; Maria was born and baptized on February 16, 1619; Giacomo, named after his maternal grandfather, was born and baptized as Jacobus Petrus on June 30, 1623; and Stefano who was born and baptized as Stephanus Calogerus, on December 26, 1626, and in 1655 married Maria Fazio, the granddaughter of ancestors Pietro Antonio and Leonora Fazio.

It is documented that Giovanni Antonio was deceased and Nunzia was alive when their daughter Angela was married on October 25, 1637. Jo: Antonius died at home on December 28, 1631, and was buried in the St. Francesco church cemetery next day. (Mouse over and click on his Latin church burial record lower left to enlarge in a new window or tab.) His mother church burial record states he was 40 years old, which was his correct age. It is also documented that Nunzia was still alive when her son Stefano was married on January 10, 1655. Nunzia died in her home and was buried in mother church cemetery on March 21, 1663. (Mouse over and click on her Latin church burial record lower right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) Her mother church burial record lists her as Nuntia wife of Joanius Antonius Quartararo about 65 years old. Based on her baptism record listed above, she would have been 81 when she died. This supports the idea that she probably was a second daughter named Nunzia. At this time, this is all we know about them.

Calogero Bentivegna was baptized on November 2, 1598, as Calogero Antonino in the St. Michele church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy, the son of Geronimo Bentivegna and his wife Vita Castruccio. (Mouse over and click on his baptism record upper right to enlarge in a new window or tab.)

In 1623 on May 13^th, 21^st and 25^th church banns were read for Calogero to marry Caterina Piramo. She was also baptized in the St. Michele’s parish, but a few years after Calogero on January 5, 1602. (Mouse over and click on her baptism record lower right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) Caterina was the daughter of Giacomo Piramo and his wife Angela Venezia.On June 4, 1623, Sciacca notary, Bartolomeo Raja filed a notarial marriage contract for 24 year-old Calogero and 21 year-old Caterina. They were married that same day at the St Michele church in Sciacca. (Mouse over and click on their Latin church marriage record left to enlarge in a new window or tab.)

Seven baptism records have been found for the children of Calogero and Caterina Bentivegna, all born in Sciacca and baptized at St Michele’s church as follows — Rosalia on June 19, 1626, who apparently died before her first birthday; another Rosalia on April 19, 1627, who died two days later on the 21^st; ancestor Rosalia; Angela Vita, who was named after both of her grandmothers was born and baptized on March 26, 1632, and married Benedetto Quartuccio on April 27, 1653; Michael Jesonimo was born on January 25, 1634, and baptized the next day with the middle name of his paternal grandfather’s given name; Nicolò was born and baptized as Nicholas Michael on December 5, 1634; and Calogero Vincenzo who was baptized on March 19, 1636.

It is not known when Calogero and Caterina died, but they both were deceased when their daughter ancestor Rosalia was married on September 25, 1650. Unfortunately, at this time, this is all we know about them.

Francesco Quartararo and his wife Angela Bruno’s ancestries are unknown, but they lived and raised a family in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy. There is a mother church baptism record dated August 6, 1548, for Francesco Agostino, son of Pietro, but there is no proof that this is the ancestor. This Francesco, son of Pietro married Joannella Vita, daughter of Antonio Licata and had one child. He could be ancestor Francesco, but it seems likely he is not. There is another marriage record dated February 20, 1576, Francesco Quartararo who married Francesca daughter of Antonino Licata, who couldn’t possible be the ancestor and probably is the Francesco, son of Pietro.

What is documented is that ancestors Francesco and Angela were married on February 1, 1576, at the mother church in Sciacca. (Mouse over and click on their Latin church marriage record right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) Their marriage record is very brief and does not name Francesco’s father. It does mention Angela’s father as deceased, but his given name is so abbreviated that it is unreadable, but may say Geo or Peo. The same day that Francesco and Angela were married, a Marco Bruno was also married and it is listed right above their record. This probably is Angela’s brother. It should be noted that neither of these marriage records are listed in the mother church marriage index.

Eight baptism records have been found for the children of Francesco and Angela Quartararo, all born and baptized at the mother church in Sciacca as follows — Gracia Lisa was baptized on November 19, 1576; Lisa Pitruza on July 4, 1578; Gatuza on February 6, 1581; Nozellala on December 31, 1583; Caterina on April 27, 1585; Maria on February 2, 1588; ancestor Giovanni Antonio; and Agata Margarita on August 28, 1594. They may have had other children, but these are the ones found to date.

It is not known when Francesco and Angela died, but they both were still alive when their son ancestor Giovanni Antonio was married on September 28, 1609. There are several entries for his name in both volumes of Pellegrino Mortillaro’s book Andrea Randazzo un notaio storico, that may be for ancestor Francesco. The first is for a will filed on August 3, 1623, which is supported by a mother church burial record dated August 31, 1623, for a Francesco who was 60ish when he died, which would put his birth to about 1563, too young to be married in 1576. Another is for a will that was filed on March 20, 1637, followed by an inventory of his property taken on April 29, 1637. This means this Francesco died between March 20^th and April 29^th of 1637, but a Sciacca church burial record could not be found within these dates. None of these records gives details that could confirm one of them is for ancestor Francesco, so his death will remain a mystery. Unfortunately, at this time, nothing else is known about Francesco and Angela or her father.

Giacomo Mandracchia was baptized as Jacopo sometime in the beginning of November of 1541, in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy, the son of Bernardino Mandracchia and his unnamed wife. (Mouse over and click on his Latin church baptism index image upper right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) Full mother church baptism register records that give the actual date do not exist until 1543, so there is only this brief index record for him, which is the second listed in November. Nothing is known about Giacomo’s father Bernardino. There are no other Sciacca baptism records with a father listed as Bernardino Mandracchia within a ten year time period. What has been found is an inventory entry in in Pellegrino Mortillaro’s book, Andrea Randazzo un notaio storico Volume Primo, for a Bernardino Mandrachia, dated February 5, 1562, that could be for him.

On April 23, 1576, 34 year-old Jaco married Antonella Agostino in the Sciacca mother church. (Mouse over and click on their brief Latin church marriage record upper left to enlarge in a new window or tab.) She was the daughter of Vincenzo Augustino, but a Sciacca baptism record has not been found for her. On that same day, Sciacca notary Geronimo Agostino filed a notarial marriage contract for Giacomo Mandrachia and Aantonella Agostino. (Mouse over and click on their marriage contract entry middle right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) It is not known if this notary was related to Antonella. The only thing known about Antonella’s farther Vincenzo, is that he was deceased when she married.

Eight Sciacca baptism records have been found for the children of Jaco and Antonella Mandrachia. On all eight records her name is listed as Antonella, but his name is listed differently including Jacobo, Jacopi and Master Jaco. The first five children were baptized in the mother church parish and the last three in the St. Michele parish. Note also, that there is a five year gap where no children were baptized for them, between their move from one parish to the other. They may have had children in that gap, but St. Michele baptism records don’t begin until 1586. The baptism records found are as follows — Cornelia Vita was baptized on February 19, 1577; Margarita on April 2, 1578, who may have died young; Norella on March 27, 1580; ancestor Nunzia; Francesco Vincenzo on August 28, 1583, the last to be baptized in the mother church parish, married Lucretia Agresta in 1623; Margaritella on August 17, 1588, the first found in the St. Michele parish records, married Antonino Bono in 1612; Calogera on September 29, 1591, married Vincenzo Tauro in 1617; and Maria on April 1, 1595, who married Vito Tauri in 1622. There is also another son, Antonino whose baptism record has not been found, but a marriage record has. Antonino Mandracchia, son of master Giacomo and deceased Antonella Mandracchia, married Maria Cantuni on August 25, 1608, in the Sciacca St. Michele church. He was probably born in the five year gap listed above.

Antonino’s above mentioned marriage record documents that Giacomo was still alive, but Antonella was deceased before August of 1608. The fact that this is the only marriage record of their children’s marriages that mentions a mother on it, supports that she died before this date. Unfortunately, a burial record for her has not been found, but burial records begin in 1606. It is also documented that Giacomo was still alive when his daughter ancestor Nunzia was married in 1609, so these two entries in volume 2 of Pellegrino Mortillaro’s book, Andrea Randazzo un notaio storico, may be for him. They are for wills (Testamentos) being filed for Giacomo Mandrachia, the first is dated February 22, 1600, and it was filed by Sciacca notary Bartolomeo Raja. The second was filed by Sciacca notary Vito Rizo on February 28, 1605. Either one or both may be ancestor Giacomo.

It is also documented that Giacomo was alive when his daughter Maria was married on September 4, 1622, but deceased by the time his son Francesco was married on November 13, 1623. Giacomo died and was buried in the St Dominico church cemetery on September 30, 1622. (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 Jacobus Mandraccia, in his seventies, but he was actually 80 when he died. For now, this is all that is known about them.

Geronimo Bentivegna  was baptized as Geronimo Vincenzo on August 30, 1567, in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy, the son of Cosimo Bentivegna and his unnamed wife, who was probably named Jacopa. (Mouse over and click on his baptism record upper right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) On the index listing, his given name is spelled Jeronimo, but on the register it is abbreviated as Gero.

On January 1, 1591, Sciacca notary Giovanni Giacomo Sutera filed a notarial marriage contract for 23 year-old Geronimo and 15 year-old Vita Castruccio. (Mouse over and click on their marriage contract entry upper left to enlarge in a new window or tab.) She was baptized on December 25, 1575, in the mother church parish of Sciacca, the daughter of Antonino Castruccio and his wife Margarita Baxi. (Mouse over and click on her baptism record middle right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) A church marriage record could not be found for them.

Ten baptism records have been found for the children of Geronimo and Vita Bentivegna. It should be noted that his name is listed several different ways on each record, Gilormo, Gero, Germo and Geronimo. The children were all born in Sciacca and baptized in the St. Michele church parish there as follows — Angela on May 19, 1592; daughter Giacoma, named after her paternal grandmother, was baptized as Jacoba Blasia on October 15, 1593; Margarita, named after her maternal grandmother, on May 2, 1596, who probably died young; ancestor Calogero; Margarita Caterina on March 17, 1601, who married Giuseppe Virdiramo on January 27, 1619; Paula Maria on April 2, 1603; Caterina Blasia on April 22, 1608; Raffaeli Vito on March 7, 1609, who married Maria, the widow of Vito Tauro; Gabriel Ciprianoon September 14, 1611; and Antonia who was baptized on December 1, 1613, but died 8 days later.

There is an entry in Pellegrino Mortillaro’s book, Andrea Randazzo un notaio storico Volume Primo, that records the Division of the inheritance of Geronimo, and Vita Bentivegna on November 7, 1627, by Sciacca notary Antonino Amico. So both Geronimo and Vita were deceased by this date, but a burial record for her has not been found. It is also documented that Geronimo was deceased when his daughter Margarita was married in 1619. Geronimo Bentivegna’s Testamento, his will, was filed on September 5, 1616, by Sciacca notary Antonio Buscemi. Five days later on September 10, 1616, he was buried. His one line St. Michele burial record is hard to read, but it looks like he was simply listed as Hieronymo, son of the deceased Cosmios. (Mouse over and click on his Latin church burial record lower left to enlarge in a new window or tab.) Because a cemetery is not listed it is assumed he was buried in the St. Michele cemetery. Having young children, Vita may have remarried soon after her husband’s death. Unfortunately, nothing else is known about them. 

Giacomo Piramo was baptized as Jacobo Antonino on July 25, 1564, in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy, the son of Leonarda Scoma and her husband Lorenzo Piramo. (Mouse over and click on his baptism record upper right to enlarge in a new window or tab.)

On January 27, 1591, a notarial marriage contract was filed by Sciacca notary Bartolomeo Raja for 26 year-old Giacomo to marry Angela Venezia, who was about 14 or 15 years old. (Mouse over and click on their marriage contract entry upper left to enlarge in a new window or tab.) They probably married soon after this contract was filed, but a church marriage record could not be found for them. St Michele and St. Vito’s marriage records are not available for this time period and they are not in the mother church records. Because a church marriage record could not be found for them, it is uncertain who Angela’s parents were. But she was most likely baptized in the Sciacca mother church parish, as there are two baptism records that could be for her in these records. The first is dated in February of 1575 for an Angelella, who was the daughter of Antonino and Margarita Venezia. The second is dated November 21, 1576, for Angila, the daughter of Francesco and Caterina Venezia. Because Giacomo and Angela named three daughters Caterina, is is most likely the later baptism is for her. (Mouse over and click on the baptism record middle right to enlarge in a new window or tab.)

Eleven baptism records have been found for the children of Jacobi and Angela Piramo. All eleven children were born in Sciacca and baptized in the St. Michele’s church parish there as follows — Caterina Grazia on December 7, 1591, who probably died before her sixth birthday; Leonarda on February 6, 1594; Vita Leonarda on June 15, 1595; another Caterina was baptized as Caterina Maria on November 8, 1597, but she probably died young; Matteo Laurenzio was baptized on February 24, 1599; ancestor Caterina; Maria on January 16, 1604; Laurenzo Joseph on July 1, 1609; Anna on March 29, 1612; Antonia Crescenza on June 12, 1617; and Francesco, who was born on December 21, 1621, and baptized as Francesco Joannes the next day.

Less than a year after their last child was born, Giacomo wrote his will and it was filed on September 7, 1622, with the same Sciacca notary as mentioned above. Giacomo died just eleven days later on September 18, 1622. His burial record was found in the St. Michele records, but it states he was buried in the Matrice burial grounds, which is the mother church cemetery. (Mouse over and click on his Latin church burial record lower left to enlarge in a new window or tab.) An inventory of his property was taken on October 7, 1622, again, by the same notary. Angela lived another 37 years and did not remarry. She died at home and was buried in the mother church cemetery on May 20, 1660. (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, Angela lo Piramo about 90, but she was only 83 when she died. Unfortunately, nothing else is known about them.

Cosimo Bentivegna was baptized as Cosimo Damianus on September 30, 1544, in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy, the son of Geronimo Bentivegna, who is called Girolamo on the record and his unnamed wife. (Mouse over and click on his baptism record right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) He is also the younger brother of ancestors Filippo and Giuliano.

Cosimo married sometime in the mid 1500’s and they had at least three children baptized in the mother church parish of Sciacca. A Sciacca church marriage or contract record could not be found for his name. On the last child’s baptism record, a mother’s name is listed as Jacopa, but it is not known if she was the mother to the first two children. The baptism records found are as follows — ancestor Geronimo was named after his paternal grandfather; Accursio, who was baptized as Curso Leonardo on September 15, 1570; and Calogero Antonello on January 15, 1574, whose parents are listed as Cosimo and Jacopa La Bentivegna. No other baptism records for Cosimo’s name or this couple were found in the three Sciacca church records available for research. There is a St. Vito marriage record for Antonino son of Cosimo and Jac’a Bentivegna, who married Margarita Candolino on March 5, 1612. This could be another son, or it might be their last son who has a middle name of Antonello.

Unfortunately, it is not known when Cosimo or Jacopa died, but in Pellegrino Mortillaro’s book, Andrea Randazzo un notaio storico Volume Primo, there is a property inventory entry for Cosma Bentivegna dated February 3, 1576, that is probably for this ancestor. (Mouse over and click on his property inventory entry left to enlarge it in a new window or tab.) He probably died shortly before this date. Unfortunately, burial records are not available for research this far back, so nothing else is known about them.

Antonino Castruccio’s ancestry is unknown, but he married and raised a family in Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy. On April 26, 1574, Antonino married Margarita Baxi at the Sciacca mother church. (Mouse over and click on their brief Latin church marriage record right to enlarge in a new window or tab.) She was the daughter of Filippo Baxi and his unknown wife. A Sciacca baptism record could not be found for Antonino or Margarita.

Seven Sciacca baptism records have been found for the children of Antonino and Margarita Crastuccio, the first five in the mother church parish records and the last two in the St. Michele parish records as follows — ancestor Vita; Antonella Catinella on November 9, 1578; Antonella Cursa on November 20, 1580; Nunzia on December 25, 1582; Desiata Sabella on October 1, 1584; Francesca Marsoa on February 24, 1588; and Francesca Simona, who was baptized on October 28, 1590.

Unfortunately, nothing is known about Margarita’s father Filippo. It is also not known when Antonino or Margarita died, so for now, this is all that is known about them.

Lorenzo Piramo’s ancestry is unknown, but he lived and raised a family in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy. On December 24, 1554, Sciacca notary Pietro Falco filed a notarial marriage contract for Lorenzo to marry Leonarda Scoma. (Mouse over and click on their marriage contract entry left to enlarge in a new window or tab.) She may have been the daughter of Marco Scoma who was baptized as Narda Paula in January of 1539, at the Sciacca mother church. (Mouse over and click on the baptism index record left to enlarge in a new window or tab.) The only documentation to support this is on the baptism records of three of her children, where the mother’s name is listed, she is called Narda or Nardulla. If this is her she was 15 when she married. But there is no solid proof that this is her.

Six Sciacca mother church baptism records have been found for Laurenzo and Narda Piramo, but the first three only list the father’s name as follows — Preciusa Margarita was baptized four years after the marriage on December 4, 1558; Angelica on December 7, 1561; ancestor Giacomo; Leonarda Caterina on August 23, 1572; Beninnuta on August 13, 1580; and Calogero Filippo who was baptized as Calogero Pho on August 11, 1583.

It is not known when Lorenzo and Leonarda died, but there is an entry in Pellegrino Mortillaro’s book, Andrea Randazzo un notaio storico Volume Primo, for an inventory taken for Marco Scoma on November 9, 1555. For now, this is all that is known about them.

Francesco Venezia and his wife Caterina’s ancestries are unknown, but they lived and raised a family in Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy. It is not known where or when they married, but seven Sciacca baptism records have been found for the children of Francesco and Caterina Venezia. The first five were baptized in the mother church parish and the last two in the St. Michele parish as follows — Antonino was baptized on January 10, 1574; ancestor Angela; Margarita on July 24, 1579; Marusza on September 4, 1581; Calogero on November 9, 1582; Antonino Calogero, the first found in the St. Michele records, was baptized on February 4, 1587; and Vincenzo on May 13, 1589.

There are several mentions of Francesco’s name in both volumes of Pellegrino Mortillaro’s book, Andrea Randazzo un notaio storico, but there is no indication that they are for this ancestor. Two that could be for him, are in reference to inventories being taken that are dated December 30, 1628, and July 12, 1635. There is also a will being filed on June 21, 1635. Unfortunately, burial records a few months prior to these dates can not be found for his name, but St. Michele’s burial records are missing for 1635. Until more information can be found, this is all that is known about them.

Geronimo Bentivegna’s ancestry is unknown, but he lived and raised a family in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy. On most of the records found for him he is called Geronimo, but on one he is called Girolamo, which is the Italian translation for Geronimo. It is not known who or where he married, as a Sciacca marriage or contract record could not be found for him, but they are the parents of three male ancestors.

Only five mother church baptism records have been found for his children as follows — ancestor Filippo was baptized as Pho in May of 1536; Margarita was baptized at the end of September of 1538, but may gave died young; ancestor Giuliano sometime in early October of 1541; ancestor Cosimo; and another Margarita baptized as Margarita Joanna, on February 11, 1553.

It is documented that Geronimo was deceased before October 29, 1571, the date ancestor Giuliano received his inheritance from his father’s estate. (Mouse over and click on his estate division entry left to enlarge it in a new window or tab.) Geronimo recorded his will on April 5, 1559, with Sciacca notary Ferdinado Juffrida Jr. More than 3 months later on July 24, 1559, that same notary recorded an inventory of Gerionimo’s property. (Mouse over and click on his property inventory entry right to enlarge it in a new window or tab.) So Geronimo died sometime within that 111 day period. Unfortunately, at this time, nothing else is known about him.