Diana Asaro's Ancestors

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Mariano Asaro was born and baptized as Marius Dominicus on March 4, 1664, in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy, the son of Diana Mantia and her husband Gaspare Asaro. (Mouse over and click on his baptism record upper right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) Sadly, his mother died when he was just 9 years old.

On January 9^th, 16^th, and 23^rd of 1689, church banns were read for Marianum d’Asaro alias Munello to marry Caterina Imbornone. She was born on October 27, 1673, and baptized the next day as Caterina Maria Aleanora, also in the mother church parish of Sciacca, the daughter of Vincenzo Imbornone and his wife Consula, whose surname may be Gambino. (Mouse over and click on her baptism record middle right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) She is also the sister of ancestor Gaspare. On January 24, 1689, one day after the last banns were read, 24 year-old Mariano and 15 year-old Caterina were married in the Sciacca mother church. (Mouse over and click on their Latin church marriage record upper left to enlarge in a new window/tab.)

Six Sciacca mother church baptism records have been found for the children of Mariano and Catherina Asaro as follows —Antonino, given a second middle name after his paternal grandfather was born and baptized as Antoninus Antoninus Gaspare on January 16, 1690, and married Antonina Sclafani in 1715; ancestor Diana was named after her paternal grandmother; Consola, named after her maternal grandmother, was born and baptized as Cunsula Anna Vincenzia on November 13, 1695; Anna Maria Antonia was born and baptized on the evening of January 16, 1700, but died 6 months later and was buried on August 6^th; Anna Ignazia was born on November 2, 1701, and was baptized the next day; and Rosa Anna Liboria, who was born on the morning of September 25, 1705, and baptized that same day.

It is documented that both Mariano and Caterina were alive when their daughter ancestor Diana was married on January 12, 1710. It is also documented that Mariano was alive, but Caterina was deceased was deceased when their don Antonino was married on April 29, 1715. Caterina died at home at 38 years old, and was buried in the St. Dominici church cemetery on March 6, 1712. (Mouse over and click on her Latin burial record lower right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) Her mother church burial record lists her as Catarina wife of Mariani de Asaro, but her age can not be read because it is badly water damaged. Even though Mariano was left with young children, a second marriage could not be found for him. Twenty-one years later, Mariano died at home and was buried in the cemetery of the St. Francesco church outside the city on April 2, 1733. (Mouse over and click on his Latin burial record lower left to enlarge in a new window/tab.) His mother church burial record lists him as Marianius Asaro alias Munello, about 70 years old, which is close to his actual age of 69. This is only the second record found with the alias of Munello. For now, this is all that is known about Mariano and Caterina.

Gaspare Imbornone lived and raised a family in Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy, the son of Vincenzo and Consula Imbornone. Unfortunately, a Sciacca baptism record could not be found for him. He is also the brother to ancestor Caterina listed above. On some of his records he has an alias which is hard to read, but on two records it looks like Lo Nigro.

On April 18, 1691, Sciacca notary Stefano Baccimeo issued a notarial marriage contract for Gaspare Imbornuni and Onofria Mantia. (Mouse over and click on the marriage contract entry upper left to enlarge them in a new window/tab.) She was born and baptized as Joanna Honuphria Leonarda on January 5, 1661, in the Sciacca mother church parish, the daughter of Francisca Sanfilippo and her husband Gaspare Mantia. (Mouse over and click on her baptism record upper right to enlarge in a new window/tab.)

Onofria was previously married to Stephano Buscemi on April 27, 1676, at the Sciacca mother church. (Mouse over and click on Onofria's Latin church first marriage record middle left to enlarge in a new window/tab.) They had 4 children together, all baptized in the Sciacca St. Michele parish as follows —Francesco was born on the evening of July 12, 1681, and baptized as Francisius Calogerius Antonius the next day; Dima was born on the morning of October 11, 1683, and baptized as Dima Ignazius Antonius the next day; Angela Margarita was born on the evening of March 1, 1686, and baptized the next day; and another Dima was born and baptized as Dimas Gaspar on the evening of May 2, 1688. Stephano died sometime with 3 years after his last child was born and Onofria remarried.

On April 22^nd, 29^th and March 1^st of 1691, church banns were read for Gaspare Immoruni alias Lo Nrigo and the widow Onophria Manthia to marry. Five days later, on May 6, 1691, Gaspare and Onofria were married at the Sciacca St. Michele church. (Mouse over and click on their Latin church marriage record middle right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) Eight Sciacca baptism records have been found for the children of Gaspare and Onophria Imbornoni, all but an cestor Saverio were baptized in the mother church parish as follows — Vincenzo, named after his paternal grandfather, was born on March 17, 1692, and baptized as Vincentius Gabriel Fran’co the next day, but died 5 months later and was buried on August 24, 1692; Ignazio was born and baptized as Ignatius Francasicus Laurentius on March 26, 1693, and married Accusia Balistreri as his second wife in the fall of 1730; Cunsula Anna Catherina, named after her paternal grandmother, was born on December 24, 1694, and baptized the next day; Francisca Rosa Antonina Paula, named after her maternal grandmother, was born on the morning of January 16, 1696, and baptized that same day; Antonino was born and baptized as Antonius Michael Joannes on September 28, 1697, and married Anna Amodeo on April 22, 1720; another Vincenzo was born and baptized as Vincentius Paulus Fran’cus on January 17, 1700, and married Francisca Turnetta in 1724; ancestor Saverio was the only child baptized in the St. Michele parish; and lastly Giuseppe, who was born and baptized as Joseph Jonneius Dima on March 7, 1704.

It is documented that Gaspare and Onofria were both alive on June 4, 1724, when their son Vincenzo was married. But by the time their son Saverio was married on August 5, 1727, Gaspare was deceased and Onofria was still alive.Gaspare died at home shortly after his son Vincenzo was married, and was buried in the church cemetery of the Convent of St. Francesco outside the city on July 22,1724. (Mouse over and click on his burial record lower right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) His mother church burial record lists him as, Gaspar Imbornone alias lo Nigro about 60 years old, which puts his birth to about 1664, but he was probably a bit older than that. It is also documented that Onofria was alive on September 18, 1730, when her son Ignazio was married. Onofria died at home and was buried on May 25, 1733, in the same cemetery as her husband. (Mouse over and click on her burial record lower left to enlarge in a new window/tab.) Her mother church burial record lists her as, Honuphia wife of the deceased Gasparis Imbornone about 80 years old, but she was only 72 when she died. At this time, this is all that is known about them.

Gaspare Asaro was born and baptized as Gaspare Vito on December 27, 1611, in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy, the son of Nicolò Asaro and his wife Caterina’s whose surname is unknown. (Mouse over and click on his baptism record upper right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) He was just 11 years old when his parents died.

On December 25^th, 26^th and 27^th of 1644, church banns were read for Gaspare to marry Consula Cusenza. A few weeks later, on January 15, 1645, thirty-three year old Gaspare and 25 year old Consula were married in the Sciacca mother church. (Mouse over and click on their Latin church marriage record upper left to enlarge in a new window/tab.) There is a May 9, 1652, Sciacca Rivelo (tax record) for this family. (Mouse over and click on their Rivelo record lower left to enlarge in a new window/tab.) His parents are listed as the deceased Nicolo and Caterina d’Asaro, then Gaspare is listed as being 35, but he was actually 40 at the time. His wife Cunsula is listed without an age, then his two children, 6 year old Nicolao and 2 year old Dom’co, who was actually not even 1 ½ years old yet. It doesn’t look like they owned much, as no tax is due.

Four mother church baptism records have been found for the children of Gaspare and Consula di Asaro as follows—Nicolò, named after both of his grandfathers, was born on October 2, 1645, and baptized as Nicolaus Domincus Salvator Joannes the next day; Caterina, named after her paternal grandmother, was born on the evening of May 23, 1648, and baptized as Catherina Francica Anna the next day; Dominico was born on the evening of December 8, 1650, and was baptized as Antonius Accurisus Domenicus Hierronimius the next day; and Vita Anna, named after her maternal grandmother, was born and baptized on May 6, 1653, and married Calogero Montagnino, the son of ancestors Caterina Foti and Francesco Montagnino. Less than 2 years after her last child was born, 34 year-old Consula died and was buried on January 22, 1655. Just over a year later Gaspare, left with young children, decided to remarry.

Church banns were read on January 30^th, February 2^nd and 6^th of 1656 for Gaspare to marry Diana Mantia. She was born and baptized on January 4, 1632, also in the Sciacca mother church parish, the daughter of Giovanna Castronovo and her husband Vincenzo Mantia, and younger sister to ancestor Gaspare Mantia. (Mouse over and click on her baptism record middle right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) The now 44 year-old Gaspare and 24 year-old Diana were married on February 13, 1656, in the Sciacca mother church. (Mouse over and click on their Latin church marriage record middle left to enlarge in a new window/tab.)

Eight Sciacca mother church baptism records have been found for the children of Gaspare and Diana de Asaro as follows —Gaetana Caterina Joanna, given middle names after both of her grandmothers, was born and baptized on November 28, 1656; Giovanna, named after her maternal grandmother, was born and baptized as Joanna Gaetana on December 25, 1657, but died and was buried 8 months later on September 17, 1658; Petra Catherina, given a middle name after her paternal grandmother, was born on June 28, 1659, and baptized the next day; Vincenzo was born on the evening of October 31, 1661, baptized as Santo Vincentius Honofrius the next day and married Paola Teresa Inbornone, the daughter of ancestors Consula and Vincenzo Imbornone (see below); ancestor Mariano; Rosalia was born on February 7, 1667, and baptized as Rosalea Joanna the next day, but may have died young; another Rosalia was born on the evening of January 20, 1668, and was baptized as Rosalia Joanna Catherina the next day; and lastly Gaspare Dominicus, named after his deceased father, was born on March 23, 1671, was baptized the next day, but died at three years old and was buried on July 2, 1674.

As mentioned above, Gaspare died 4 months before his last child was born. He died at home and was buried in the St. Dominici convent church cemetery on November 5, 1670. (Mouse over and click on his burial record lower right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) His mother church burial record lists him as, Gaspare Asaro, 65 years-old, but he was only 58 when he died. Diana did not live much longer. Less than two years later, she died at home and was buried on June 6, 1673, in the same cemetery as her husband. (Mouse over and click on her burial record lower right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) Her mother church burial record lists her as, Diana wife of Gaspare Asaro, about 40 years old, but she was actually 41 when she died. For now, this is all that is known about them.

Gaspare Mantia was born and baptized as Nicolaus Gaspare on December 6, 1629, in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy, the son of Giovanna Castronovo and her husband Vincenzo Mantia. (Mouse over and click on his baptism record upper right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) Note that on his baptism index record, he is clearly listed as Nicolaus Gaspare, but on the register record, his first name is listed as Hei’o, which might be an abbreviation for Geronimo. Also note that Giovanna’s name is listed as Anna, not the usual Joanna. Maybe the priest had one too many congratulatory glasses of wine! Whatever his first name is, all of his other records list him as Gaspare. He is also the older brother to ancestor Diana.

On April 21^st, 22^nd and 23^rd of 1658, church banns were read for Gaspare to marry Francisca Sanfilippo, the daughter of the deceased Calogero and Margarita Sanfilippo. They married at the Sciacca mother church on April 29, 1658, almost a week after the last banns were read. (Mouse over and click on their Latin church marriage record left to enlarge in a new window/tab.) A Sciacca baptism record for Francisca could not be found with these patents. The only couple with her parents names in the Sciacca records are ancestors Margarita Bivona and Calogero Sanfilippo. If they are her parents, she may be one of their last two daughters, with unusual names and called Francisca. They were born in 1620 and 1621, which would make her at least 8 ½ years older than Gaspare. She could not have been born later, as Calogero died a month after their last child was born. On the other hand, she may be the daughter of a different couple with their names, who were from another town or it could be the priest just made a mistake with her parent’s names. These last two possibilities are logical because if Francisca was ancestor Margarita Bivona’s daughter, she would have be a bit older than 61 when her last child was born-not impossible, but not likely.

Eleven Sciacca mother church baptism records have been found for the children of Gaspare and Francisca La Mantia as follows — Vincenzo, named after his paternal grandfather was born on the morning of July 27, 1659, baptized as Vincentius Dominicus later that day, and married Anna Rizzo on July 29, 1720; ancestor Onofria was given the first name after her paternal grandmother, but called Onofria; Giovanna was born and baptized as Joanna Antonina, after her paternal grandmother, on June 1, 1663; Roccus Vincenzius was born and baptized on October 12, 1665; Anna Maria Elisabet was born and baptized on February 1, 1669; Filippo was born on January 7, 1671, baptized as Philippus Ignatius Vincenzius Roccus the next day, and married Maria Sanfilippo in 1697; another Giovanna was born and baptized as Joanna Jacobba on the evening of January 29, 1674; Angela Margarita was born and baptized on the evening of March 7, 1676; Mariano was born on the evening of February 8, 1678, and was baptized as Maranius Vitius Accursius the next day; Michele was born and baptized as Fran’cus Michael Accursius on August 11, 1679, and as Michael married Maria Raccagria in 1703; and lastly, Vita, who was born and baptized as Aloisia Vita on September 9, 1682, and married Giuseppe Rauagna on October 7, 1703.

It is documented that Gaspare was deceased and Francisca was alive on April 15, 1697, when their son Filippo was married. Unfortunately, a Sciacca burial could not be found for Gaspare in the available records. Note that Sciacca burial records are missing between his last child’s birth, where he is documented as being alive, and 1690, so he may have died in those eight years. It is also documented that Francisca was alive when her son Michele was married on October 8, 1703. Francisca died at home and was buried in the church cemetery of the convent of St. Francisci outside the city on November 9, 1708. (Mouse over and click on her burial record lower right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) Her mother church burial record lists her as, Fran’ca wife of deceased Gasparis Mantia about 70 years old, which puts her birth to about 1638. This age estimate is probably close to her actual age, as it is reasonable and plausible. Until more documents can be found, this is all that is known about them.

Vincenzo Imbornone and his wife Consula’s ancestries are at best uncertain, but they lived and raised a family in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy. The reason why their ancestries are unknown is because a Sciacca church marriage document or contract could not be found for them. There were several Vincenzo Imbornone’s being baptized in Sciacca around the time he would have been born. He may be the Vincenzius Joann who was born on September 17, 1632, and baptized the next day in the Sciacca St. Michele parish, the son of Vito and Paula Imbornone. (Mouse over and click on his possible baptism record upper right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) This is based solely on the fact that he named two daughters Paola and gave his first born son the middle name of Paolo. Some researchers say Consula’s surname was Gambino, but provide no documentation. If this is so, she could be the Consola Angela Gambino, who was born and baptized on May 19, 1638, the daughter of Caterina Dayna and her husband Gaspare Gambino. (Mouse over and click on her possible baptism record left to enlarge in a new window/tab.) This is purely based on the fact that Caterina’s second son and daughter have those names, but this is just an assumption. Without a marriage record, there is no way to know who Vincenzo and Consula's parents were.

What is certain is that there are six Sciacca mother church baptism records and a St. Michele marriage record that lists the parents as Vincenzo and Cunsula Imbornoni as follows — Giovanni was born on October 12, 1663, and was baptized as Joans Paulus the next day; Paola was born and baptized as Paula Calogera Maria on the evening of November 2, 1666, but died and was buried at 2 years old on June 6, 1669; another Paola was born very early in the morning on January 13, 1670, baptized as Paula Teresa that same day, and in 1686, married Vincenzo Asaro, the son of ancestors Diana Mantia and Gaspare Asaro listed above; ancestor Caterina, who married Vincenzo Asaro’s brother in 1689; Anna Maria Antonia was born on April 11, 1676, baptized the next day, and on July 31, 1695, married Vito Santangelo, the son of ancestors Maria diMino and Cosmos Santangelo; and another Giovanni who was born and baptized as Joannuss Calog’ero Ignazius on December 16, 1679, and married Nicolina Noto in 1697. On these above records, Consula’s given named is spelled different ways, Cunsola, Cunsule, but mostly Cunsula. The marriage record found is for ancestor Gaspare, who is listed as Gaspare Imbortuni alias Lo Arigo son of Vincenius and the deceased Cunsula Imbornuni (the alias is very hard to read). Unfortunately, a Sciacca baptism record could not be found for Gaspare under various spellings of Imbornone or the alias of Arigo. It could be that Vincenzo and Consula were lived in another town and had Gaspare there. Gaspare is the grandfather of ancestor Vincenza who married Pasquale Corrao

It is documented that Consula was deceased on October 27, 1686, when her daughter Paola was married. Unfortunately, burial records are missing between 1674 and 1690, so she died sometime in the 6+ years after her last child was born and before Paola’s marriage. It is also documented that Vincenzo was alive on February 17, 1697, when his son Giovanni was married. There is a mother church burial record for Vincenzius Imbornuim alais La Niura about 74 years old, that is probably for this ancestor. (Mouse over and click on the Latin burial record lower right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) The alias is hard to read and could be Mura, and his age listed brings his birth to about 1624, but ages on burial records are usually just an estimate. He was buried in the cemetery of the Convent of St. Augustino Church outside the city on November 25, 1698. Until a marriage document can be found for them, much about Vincenzo and Consula will remain a mystery.

Nicolò Asaro and his wife Caterina’s ancestries are unknown, but they lived and raised a family in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy. A Sciacca church marriage record or marriage contract could not be found for them. They both were probably born about 1573, possibly in another town.

What has been found are ten Sciacca mother church baptism records for the children of Cola and Cat’na d’Asaro as follows — Giovanni was baptized as Gioanni Antoni on November 9, 1601; Giovanna was baptized as Gioanna Maria on September 3, 1603; Giuseppe was baptized as Gios’e Ascario on January 10, 1607. but died and was buried 2 weeks later on the 24^th; Vita was baptized on February 22, 1609; Melchiore was baptized as Melchiore Gioseppe on November 25, 1610; ancestor Gaspare; Eumilia Aloisa was baptized on May 26, 1614, and died and was buried 5 months later on November 20^th; Giuseppa was baptized on September 13, 1615, but died and was buried just over a month later on October 20^th; Biaggio was baptized as Blasio Ant’no on February 2, 1618, and married Rosalia Rizzuto, the granddaughter of ancestors Vincenzo Rizzuto and Caterina Genoisi and Pietro Antonio and Maria/Leonora Fazio; and Nicolò and Caterina’s last child Vincenzo Baldassar was born on the evening of October 21, 1619, baptized the next day, and married Antonia Chiarello on October 9, 1639. On these records, Nicolò’s name is once listed as Nich’as and Caterina’s name is listed twice as Catherina and once as Catarina

It is documented that both Nicolò and Caterina were deceased when ancestor Gaspare was first married on January 15, 1645. There are two burial records, one for each of them, that may be for these ancestors, but their ages are really off. Nicolaus d Asaro 40 died at home in the middle of the night and was buried in the mother church cemetery on January 10, 1623. (Mouse over and click on his Latin burial record left to enlarge in a new window/tab.) Although it says he is 40, he was probably in his 50’s when he died. Three months later, there is a April 18, 1623, burial record for Catherina di Asaro 70, who died at home in the middle of the night and was also buried in the mother church cemetery. (Mouse over and click on her burial record right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) If this is for ancestor Caterina, she could not have been 70 years old when she died, as less than 4 years earlier she was giving birth. She was also probably in her 50’s when she died. It should be remembered that ages on burial records at this time were usually just estimates, based on how the person looked at death. Until more documents can be found, this is all that is known about them.

Vincenzo Mantia was baptized as Leonardo Vino on January 4, 1600, in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy, the son of Ninfa Graffeo and her husband Vito Mantia. (Mouse over and click on his Latin baptism record upper right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) He is also the brother to ancestor Calogero Mantia.

On October 27, 1625, Sciacca notary Giovanni Battista Mineo issued a notarial marriage contract for Vincenzo to marry Giovanna Castronovo. She was baptized on February 28, 1608, also in the Sciacca mother church parish, the daughter of Diana Montiliana and her husband Gaspare Castronovo. (Mouse over and click on her baptism record middle right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) A few days later, church banns were read on November 1^st, 2^nd, and 9^th. The next day, on November 10^th, twenty-five year-old Vincenzo and Seventeen year-old Giovanna were married in the Sciacca mother church. (Mouse over and click on their Latin marriage record left to enlarge in a new window/tab.) They are the parents of two ancestors.

Only four Sciacca mother church baptism records have been found for the children of Vinc’o and Joanna la Mantia as follows — Vito, named after his paternal grandfather, was born and baptized as Vitus Bastianus on December 23, 1626; ancestor Gaspare was baptized as Nicolaus Gaspare with a middle name after his maternal grandfather; ancestor Diana was named after her maternal grandmother; and Accursio, who was born and baptized as Accursius on May 19, 1634.

It is documented that both Vincenzo and Giovanna were deceased on their daughter ancestor Diana’s February 13, 1656, marriage record and again on their son Nicolaus’ 1658 marriage record. Vincenzo died and was buried in the Sciacca mother church cemetery on June 30, 1635. (Mouse over and click on his Latin burial record lower right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) His mother church burial record lists him as, Vincenzius 35 years old, son of the deceased Viti de Manthia, which was his correct age. Giovanna, now 27 years old, was left with several young children. Because a burial record for her could not be found prior to ancestor Diana’s marriage, it is assumed she remarried. For now, this is all that is known about them.

Gaspare Castronovo was baptized as Gasparo Benigno on February 8, 1577, in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy, the son of Angelo Castronovo and his wife Julia, whose surname is unknown. (Mouse over and click on his Latin baptism record upper right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) He is also the younger brother to ancestor Calogero.

On May 7, 1599, Sciacca notary Vito Rizo issued a notarial marriage contract for Gaspare to marry Diana Montiliana, but a Sciacca church marriage record could not be found for them. They probably married in the St. Michele church, but those records are not available for research before 1607. What has been found is page one of the original contract, which states Gaspare’s parents names. (Mouse over and click on the original marriage contract document upper left and the contract book entry middle right to enlarge them in a new window/tab.) Diana was the daughter of Benedetto Montiliana and his unnamed wife, but it is not known where or when she was born, as a Sciacca mother church baptism record could not be found for her. It is most likely she was baptized in one of the other Sciacca parishes, but these records are not available for research for the time she probably was born.

Seven Sciacca mother church baptism records have been found for the children of Gasparo and Diana Castronovo as follows— Giulia Francesca, named after her paternal grandmother, was baptized on November 22, 1601, and married Vito Maugeri on September 1, 1619; Accursio Vincenzo was baptized on January 10, 1605; ancestor Giovanna; Calogera was baptized on March 11, 1611; Agostino Antonino was baptized on August 28, 1614, and on January 10, 1644, married Francesca Vitrano, the daughter of ancestors Pietra Pardo and Vincenzo Vitrano; Antonina was baptized as Giovanna Ant’na on February 19, 1618, and on January 7, 1644, married Michele Leo, the son of ancestors Maria Munti and Francesco Leo; and their last child, Vincenzo, who was born and baptized as Vin’o Joseph on September 4, 1621.

It is documented that Gaspare was alive on November 10, 1625, the date his daughter ancestor Giovanna was married. It is also documented that he was deceased on the marriage records of his son Agostino and his daughter Antonia, who were both married in January of 1644. Gaspare died and was buried Church of St. Francesco cemetery on December 8, 1635. (Mouse over and click on his Latin burial record middle left to enlarge in a new window/tab.) His mother church burial record lists him as, Gaspare Castronovo age 62, but he was only 58 when he died.

Diana lived many more years and did nor remarry. There is a Sciacca Rivelo (tax record) dated May 9, 1652, where she is listed as head of her household and is living with her daughter Giulia, who was probably also widowed at this time. (Mouse over and click on her tax record lower right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) On the top of this document, it reads, Diana Castronova widow relict of the deceased Gaspare of this city Sciaccha. There’s no listed property or tax due, so it may be widows were not taxed. A little more than 3 ½ years later, there is a mother church burial record dated January 6, 1656, for her name. (Mouse over and click on their Latin church burial record lower left to enlarge in a new window/tab.) It reads Diana Crastonovo about 70 years old was buried in the church cemetery of St. Agostini. This would bring her birth to about 1586, which is plausible. Even though it doesn’t mention her husband’s name, this is most likely ancestor Diana’s burial record. For now, this is all that’s known about them.

Benedetto Montiliana was baptized as Benedetto Petro Jo: on August 2, 1553, in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy, the son of Jacobo (Giacomo in Italian) Montiliana and his unnamed wife, whose name may be Giulia. (Mouse over and click on his Latin baptism record right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) Unfortunately, not much more is known about him. A Sciacca marriage contract or church marriage record could not be found for him, nor are their any children baptized with his name listed as the father.

The only record found for his name is an inventory listing in Pellegrino Mortillaro’s book, Andrea Randazzo un notaio storico Volume Primo. It was filed by Sciacca notary Stefano Caruso on April 28, 1583. (Mouse over and click on the inventory entry lower left to enlarge in a new window/tab.) This means he died sometime before this date, probably within a month. Unfortunately, Sciacca burial records are not available before late1606. Until more records can be found, this is all that is known about him.

Giacomo and Giulia Montiliana’s ancestries are unknown, but the lived and raised a family in the mother church parish of Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy. A Sciacca marriage contract or church marriage record could not be found for them, so if Giulia is the mother to all of Giacomo’s children is uncertain.

Six Sciacca baptism records have been found for the children of master Jacopo Montaliana as follows —Maria was baptized in June of 1539, the exact date is not listed; Giovanni was baptized on October 12, 1544, but may have died young; another Giovanni was baptized as Jo: Pho Cola Pairmo on December 6, 1545; Fidorico was baptized on May 13, 1548; Andriania on March 23, 1550; and ancestor Benedetto.

It is not known when Giacomo and Giulia died, but in Pellegrino Mortillaro’s book, Andrea Randazzo un notaio storico Volume Primo, there is an entry for the inventory of the estate of Giacomo Montiliana that was filed on October 12, 1569, by Sciacca notary Stefano Caruso. (Mouse over and click on the inventory entry upper left to enlarge in a new window/tab.) Inventories are usually done soon after someone dies, so he probably died no more than a month before this date. Unfortunately, Sciacca burial records are not available for this time. Five years later, there is another entry in this same book for the Division of the estate of Giacomo and Giulia Montiliana that was filed by Sciacca notary Giovanni Vella on November 16, 1574. (Mouse over and click on the estate division entry right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) This means that his wife Giulia was also deceased by this date, but a will, inventory or burial record could not be found for her.

It should be mentioned that the Montiliana surname is connected to the Baron of Nadore, whose coat of arms is pictured left. The Mutiliana family originated in Germany and came to Italy with Otto I in 964. Years later Emperor Frederick II was forced to lead his sons Alarcone, Riccardo and Roberto to Sicily in 1239 to better their fortune. Riccardo obtained the government of Agrigento, and a second Riccardo the baron of the fief of Nadoro. It is written that they settled in Sciacca, where they enjoyed honorable positions. Slowly the surname changed to Montiliana, and the barony passed down to Stefano, who died in 1465; then Ippolito, who married Placida Amato; then their son Gio. Filippo, who married twice in Sciacca; then Geronimo who married Giulia; then their son Nicolò who married Silvestra; then their son Costantino, who married Agatuza, and died in 1583; and finally, their son Nicolò, who married Catinella Medico, who made his sister Laura his heir in 1585. Laura is listed as the Bar. del Nardore on her undated marriage contract to Matteo Leofanti. From here the barony went down to the Cannizzaro family with the approval of Laura Montiliano Cannizzaro. (This information is from various entries in both volume's of Pellegrino Mortillaro’s book, Andrea Randazzo un notaio storico.) Which family line ancestor Giacomo comes from is unknown, but it is assumed he was the descendant of a non titled Montiliana son. For now, this is all that is known about Giacomo and Giulia.