MUSCARA ANCESTORS

You live as long as you are remembered. 

 DON ANDREA MUSCARA'

 

 Librizzi claims Don Andrea Muscarà as one of her ‘illustrious sons’. The Muscarà Stemma is found in the Church of Maria SS Della Catena in Librizzi.  The Muscarà mentioned inside the Stemma is Don Andrea. The Stemma is located on the wall of the main Altar, above the alcove that houses the famous Gagini statue of the Madonna.

  Don Andrea was born in 1599 and died November 11, 1666.  I am not a hundred percent sure but I am pretty confident that Andrea was the son of  il dottor Giomatteo Muscarà and Gratiosa Mamone.  True that Giomatteo’s brother il dottor Francesco and his wife Thomasa also had a son named Andrea, but Francesco and Thomasa’s Andrea was born in 1617 while Giomatteo and Gratiosa’s Andrea was born in 1599.  There still exist important Judicial Opinions written by the famous lawyer and Chief Judge don Andrea Muscarà, the earliest date that I have for these documents is 1647.  In 1647 one Andrea would be 30 and the other would be 48 years old. It seems to me that the older Andrea would be more experienced and thus more likely to be the one who was appointed to such high offices.  One of the documents that is dated 1647 is titled “Defensionem Immutatis Ecclesiasticis. (The book “Librizzi” cites this document but the date recorded is wrong, it should read 1647. All other resources that list Andrea’s Judicial Opinions say 1647).

The book “Librizzi, Documenti, uomini e fatti prima e dopo il mille” by Antonino D’Amico gives the following information about Don Andrea Muscarà:

“Esperto dell’uno e dell’altro diritto, fu uno dei più celebri avvocati e si segnalò per la sua cultura.  Meritatamente fu insignito di molte onorificenze, assessore della grande curia arcivescovile di Palermo, e parecchie volte della gran curia regia.  Una volta fu giudice del concistoro della regia coscienza e alla fine si distinse come avvocato del fisco dove si mostrò incorruttibile.  Cessò di vivere a Palermo l’11 novembre 1666.  Fu sepolto nella chiesa dei frati di S. Antonio.” (pages103-104) 

Chiesa di Sant'Antonio Abate

The following is a translation of the above paragraph:  “Expert in criminal and civil law, he was one of the most famous lawyers and distinguished himself for his knowledge.   Deservedly he was bestowed many honors, Assessor of the Bishop’s Supreme Court of Palermo, and several times of the Supreme Royal Court.  Once he was Judge of the Consistory of Regia Coscienza and toward the end of his life he distinguished himself as the Public Treasury Lawyer where he proved to be incorruptible.  He died in Palermo on November 11, 1666 and was buried in the Chiesa dei Frati di S. Antonio.”

   The location of his tomb was verified by officials of the Bishop’s Archives in Palermo who, in a letter to me, confirmed that “Don Andreas is buried in the Church San Antonio di Padova, 90134 Palermo, Corso Tukory n. 2 Palermo, Sicilia.”

 I found the same information cited in “Librizzi” in the “Bibliotheca Sicula, sive de scriptoribus Siculis qui tum vetera…”, Vol. I,  Antonino Mongitore.  The following is the section on Andrea from the Biblioteca Sicula:

Andreas Muscarà – Libritientis; Juris utriusque Doctor, unus excelebrioribus causarum Patronis, doctrina praeclarus; meritò nonnullis honoribus cohonestatus, Magnae Curiae Archiepiscopalis Panormi Assessor, pluries Magnae Regiae Curiae e femel Concistorii Sacre Reg. Conscientiae Judex: tandem Fisci Patronus effulfit (or essulsit?). Vivere deficit (?) Panormi 11 Novembris 1666. E in Ecclesia S. Antonini Fratrum Strictioris Observatiae S. Francisci Sepulturae traditus est. In lucem emifit (emisit?). This paragraph is followed by a list of briefs/judicial opinions by Andrea.  

 How was Sicily governed under the Spanish Kings?  Here is a brief explanation:  The Kingdom of Sicily was directly governed by a Viceroy who resided in Palermo at the Royal Court (Palazzo Normanno) and remained in power for three years.  He was assisted and somewhat controlled by the Parliamento. The Parliamento was divided into three branches:

a.       The Ecclesiastic, formed by Archbishops, Bishops, and Priests.

b.      The Baronial or Military, composed by Barons, Nobles, and Military Officials.

c.       The Representatives of the Demesnes.  This branch was the most powerful.

 The different branches needed the Royal approval for its legal power.  In those times Legal Justice in Sicily was in the hands of the Judges.  There were three administrative organs, Il Tribunale del Patrimonio which dealt with civil affairs; the Gran Corte which dealt with court appeals;  and the Concistoro della Sacra Coscienza del re, the Supreme Tribunal presided by the Viceroy and three Judges who served for two years at a time. 

As seen above, Don Andrea Muscarà had several important roles in the various legal and civil branches of the Kingdom of Sicily, including the Ecclesiastic branch of Parliament. Three of the specific positions in the Kingdom of Sicily that Don Andrea held were: 

1.      Assessore della Grande Curia Archivescovile di Palermo.

The Curia was the body of congregations, tribunals, and offices through which the Bishops administered their law. Don Andrea was a judge in the Bishop’s Courts.

2.      Assessore della Gran Curia Regia. Don Andrea was a judge of the Gran Curia Regia also known as the Magna Curia.  This office was the highest controlling body in financial matters and had the highest jurisdiction in the Kingdom of Sicily-Royal financial matters.  Some of the departments controlled by the Magna Curia were the general Treasury which controlled the income and expenditures of the Kingdom; Customs; la Secrezia; Commerce of grains; assisted the Viceroy in affairs that dealt with other administrative offices including the administration of the Crusades; etc. 

 3.      Giudice del Concistoro della Regia Coscienza.  This tribunal comes from the ancient institution of Judex Sacrae Regiae Consciencieae.  The King, via the Viceroy, delegated to the Concistoro the appeals of controversial judicial sentences made by the judges of the Gran Corte in civil cases.  The decisions made by the Judges of this Supreme Court of Appeals were binding. 

  Titles of books that contain Don Andrea Muscarà Judicial Opinions:   

   Defensionem Immutatis Ecclesiasticis.  Palermo, tipografo Nicola Bua e Michele Portanova 1647. 

   In folium:  Consilium in Causa Competenctia Iurisdizionis Vertente Inter Eminentis. Dom. Card. Montalto Archepiscopum, tipografo Nicola Bua e Michele Portanova 1647.

    In folium Consilium in Causa Competenctie Iurisdizionis Vertente Inter Eminentis. Dom. Card. Montalto  Archiepiscum Montis Regalis Ex Una, Illustris Inquisitores Partes Ex Altera.  Edito da Francesco Baronio 

     In Consiliis Diversorum Siculorum Super Privilegio Felicis Urbis Panormi, Quod Fiscus Non Possit Principaliter Agere Contra Cives.  Panormi apud Maringum 1656. In 4

  Allegationes apud Paululm Franciscum Berramut In Costictu Iureconsultorii par. 3 to. 2. à p. 290. plurimorimum manibus teritur

    Consultatio Iuridica Extactione Tanadarum In Donativo Per Tria Brachia Impositum, Ill. E Eccell. D. Ferdinando De Ayala Comiti, Ayale E C. Proregi. m. s. in fol.  (1).   

4.      Avvocato del Fisco.  Toward the end of his life, don Andrea was the lawyer for the Royal Patrimony.  Once again, according to several different sources, don Andrea distinguished himself for being incorruptible.

In addition to the information that I cited from the book “Librizzi”, and the “Biblioteca Sicula” by Mongitore, I have found other sources that mention Don Andrea Muscarà.  One piece of information is found in the official Annals of Patti. Currently these records are part of the Archivio Storico Messinese, managed by Società Messinese di Storia Patria. References to il dottor Andrea Muscarà are found in the Patti Annals, pages 313 and 314. The following is a quote from those pages:

“Del resto, i Pattesi non si erano ancora dato pace per il distacco della Montagna, come si può vedere dalla lettera che il 10 dicembre 1642 i giurati scrivevano a Palermo al dottor Andrea Muscarà per ringraziarlo specialmente per la consulta della Montagna e per altri affari, come aveva loro riferito il canonico don Benedetto Florio.  Egli saggiungevano che non essendo ancora spedita l’ultima consulta si ponevano sotto l’ale della sua protettione dalla quale si promettevano ogni buon successo e forse che la ragione di quella povera città dalla mano di un tanto padrone e signor loro superasse ogni potenza.  Per le spese di procuratore e altre che occorressero i giurati avevano scritto al procuratore della città Antonio Marescalco per provvedere.

Il dottor Andrea Muscarà rispondeva ai giurati di Patti, con lettera del 22 dello stesso mese, accettando con piacere la difesa dell’ultima consulta che essi dovevano spedire al vicere per il negozio della Montagna, e promettendo di attendervi con la maggiore diligenza. Più tardi fu incaricato il ...”

In essence the above paragraph refers to a letter that had been written to Andrea Muscarà and sent to him on December 10, 1642.  In the letter the Giurati (governing body) of Patti thank Andrea for the consultation on the territory of Montagna and about other legal affairs.  The Giurati added that they were placing themselves ‘under the wings of his protection’ in the hope that a favorable outcome would be attained.  They added that perhaps the rights of the town of Patti could be preserved through the intercession of the ‘powerful’ Andrea.  Il dottor Andrea Muscarà sent a reply to the Giurati on the 22^nd of the same month.  In the letter he accepted with pleasure the defense of the last Patti petition and urged them to send the written petition about the territory of Montagna to the Viceroy.  He also promised to attend to the matter with great diligence. 

It seems to me that Andrea was a re-known figure who worked closely with the Viceroy.  The Viceroy of Sicily in 1642 was Juan Alfonso Enriquez de Cabrera (1642-1644). The King of Sicily was Philip III (1621-1665). 

The historical background to the Montagna-Patti ‘dispute’ is as follows.  Patti ‘Urbis Magnanima, one of the oldest demesnes of the Kingdom of Sicily, fought frequently to keep the privileges given to Patti in 1312 by King Federico and confirmed in 1402 by King Martino. The problems began during the reign of King Philip III of Spain (Philip II of Sicily and Naples) who died in 1621 leaving the Kingdom in disarray, and were further exacerbated during the reign of King Philip IV of Spain (Philip II of Sicily and Naples) who disregarded the long standing demesne rights and sold the territories to the first bidder.  The territory of Montagna, which for centuries had been part of the city of Patti, was one of the territories affected by the Spanish greed and in 1637 decided to separate itself from Patti and form an independent ‘università’ (territory), thus began the territorial conflict between Patti and Montagna.  Andrea Muscarà was one of the influential people approached by the Giurati of Patti to plead their cause at the Royal Court in Palermo; the documented correspondence is in regard to the issues of territorial rights.

 Another source for information on don Andrea Muscarà is found in the “Biblioteca storica e letteraria di Sicilia”, Gioacchino Di Marzo, published in 1870.  Volume 5, ‘Diari della città di Palermo dal Secolo XVI al XIX , years 1653-1675. The following is the entry for the 17th of January, 1664:

“Mancava ancora in Messina il dottor D. Andrea Muscarà, giudice della Gran Corte, il quale fu mandato dal viceré in Catania a prendere possesso dello spoglio ed informazioni della morte del cardinal Astalli , vescovo di detta città , morto con sospetto di veleno. E questo pure era in quella materia contrario de' Messinesi, benché nato nella terra di Librizzi del costretto di Messina. Mancavano pure in Messina due maestri razionali palermitani, cioè D. Lancellotto Castelli marchese di Capizzi, e D. Stefano Riggio principe di Campofranco , pretore di Palermo , come ancora D. Vincenzo Galofaro, palermitano, duca di Rebottone, ch'era maestro portolano del regno , il quale ha pur voto nel consiglio. E finalmente mancava D. Diego Joppulo, presidente del real Patrimonio, il quale fu lasciato in Palermo d' ordine del viceré , per dar gusto ai Messinesi, essendo egli dichiarato da essi lor nemico. In somma si servirono i Messinesi dell' occasione del tempo, cioè ritrovandosi la partita della città di Palermo assai debole verso quella di Messina, per più gran numero di ministri messinesi, come ancora per esser tutti nella lor città , e molto più con l'aura favorevole del viceré e del suo segretario , ambidue capitalissimi nemici di Palermo.”, pages 112-114.

The entry relates that Il Signor duca di Sermoneta, Viceroy of the Kingdom of Sicily, was on this day in Messina in an effort to discuss the ‘unjust privilege’ enjoyed by the Messinesi in regard to the extraction of silk. At the time, silk was a major industry in Sicily, and Messina was the only city that had the right to process the silk cocoons. The Viceroy wanted to revoke this longstanding privilege.  The entry includes a long list of the Council members who represented both sides of the issue. The list is followed by the paragraph that mentions Andrea Muscarà.  Part of the paragraph says the following:  Still absent in Messina was il dottor don Andrea Muscarà, Judge of the Gran Corte, who had been sent by the Viceroy to Catania to take possession of the body of Cardinal Astalli, Bishop of Catania, and obtain information about his suspicious death.      The Bishop’s death was attributed to poisoning.  The entry also notes that Andrea did not agree with the Messinesi about the silk issue even though he was born in Librizzi which was in the jurisdiction of Messina.

  Cardinal Camillo Astalli-Pamphilj, 1616-1663, was nominated Archbishop of Catania during the reign of King Philip IV of Spain.  Astalli had been adopted by the Pamphilj family so that he could fill the role of Cardinal-Nephew for Pope Innocent X (The former Cardinal Gianbattista Pamphili.)  As Cardinal-Nephew, Camillo would receive titles and honors, and he would be the Pope’s confidant as well as the Pope’s Secretary of State.  (The word nepotism is derived from the practice of creating Cardinal-Nephews). Eventually Astalli fell into disgrace for disobeying Pope Innocent X, who had prohibited him to visit the Spanish ambassador in Naples. Astalli had discovered a conspiracy by the Pope and his supporters to invade the Spanish-ruled Naples. Horrified, Astalli warned the Spanish ambassador of the impending invasion.  The Cardinal was demoted and stripped of all titles and honors, eventually he was sent to Catania in Sicily. Within a few years he died and was buried in the Cathedral of Catania.  At the bidding of the Spanish King, Diego de Velazquez painted Astalli’s portrait which today is part of the art collection of the Hispanic Society of America located in New York.

Cardinal Astalli Camillo, 1616-1663

 Painting by Diego de Velazquez

The following are additional sources for information about Andrea Muscarà:

From the ‘Diari della citta di Palermo’ we learn that in 1664 Andrea Muscarà was ‘Giudice della Gran Corte’.  The ‘Diari della citta di Palermo’ also document the Messina-Palermo conflict, and the fact that Andrea Muscarà was absent from the meeting and why.

One of Andrea’s manuscripts can be found at the “Biblioteca Comunale di Palermo”. It is titled: “Consultatio juridica in causa pro exactio ne tandarum in donativo per tria brachia impositarum” – Ms. Del sec. XVII o del XVIII, in-fog.  Qq E 48, n. 5. 

“Dizionario topografico della Sicilia, tr. Ed annotato da G. DiMarzo” by Vito Maria Amico e Statella , on page 601 talks about Librizzi and Andrea Muscarà. The following is part of the information given in the ‘Dizionario’ “... Vi sorsero egregii: Andrea Muscarà giureconsulto e celeberrimo avvocato, fregiato di meriti e onori, poichè presiedette più volte giudice della M. R. C. e fu promosso nel 1666 a Patrono del fisco ove mostrossi incorrotto”, pages 600-601.  The other ‘important’ Librizzi person mentioned is Antonio Collurafi, a contemporary of Andrea.

M.R.C.  means Magna Regia Curia

This is the translation of the  paragraph: ‘In Librizzi were born the distinguished: Andrea Muscarà juris-consult and renown lawyer, decorated with many awards and honors, since several times he presided as judge of the M.R.C. and was promoted in 1666 to the position of Patrono del Fisco where he proved to be incorruptible.’  I think that Patrono del Fisco means Counsel for the Royal Revenue.

 Andrea Muscarà is included in “Consuetudini della città di Palermo”, Vito LaMantia (First honorary president of Court of Appeals).  The ‘Consuetudini della città di Palermo’ is a collection of legal documents from Medieval times. One of the volumes included in Consuetudini (Fonti del Diritto) is “Consilia diversorum Siculorum super privilegio felicis urbis Panormi quod Fiscus non possit principaliter agere contra cives (Panormi 1656)” compiled by Francesco Baronio.  This volume includes the consigli of Pietro Corsetto, Tobia Benfari, Ottavio Corsetto, Giuseppe e Lorenzo Faraci, and Andrea Muscarà. 

The Judicial Opinions by Andrea became the precedent for future Civil and Criminal legislations.  His Opinions are included in “Storia della legislazione civile e criminale di Sicilia comparata con le leggi italiane e straniere, dai tempi antichi sino al presente”, Vito La Mantia. Andrea is found inVolume Secondo,  Parte Prima, Libro Terzo of the “Storia della legislazione...”. This volume deals with Sicily under the Viceroys, 1409-1806. The Capitolo Secondo deals with ‘Leggi civili e criminali, ordine giudiziale e rito’. The section on ‘Leggi Civili’ discusses specific cases that deal with “condition of the people, contracts made by minors and women, marriages, guardianship, dowries, etc.

Of interest to me are the pages that discuss the opinions given by Francesco Baronio, lawyer and magistrate.  His opinions clarify legal ‘doubts’ from previous cases, and questions concerning minors.  An example is the case of the minors Emanuele Muscarà Longobardo, Pensabeno, Berruso, Magretti, “De Inimicitia eiusque causis, et effectibus Palermo 1655. ( CLII – p. 264 and p. 265-280)”. (Emanuele is a new Muscarà for me, and the last name Longobardo is a total surprise. More research will be done in regard to Emanuele, a contemporary of Andrea. Is he Andrea’s son? Is Longobardo Andrea’s wife? Emanuele’s mother?)

Baronio also wrote many additions to ‘i consigli’, given by various giureconsulti, in cases dealing with municipal privileges and the office of revenue.  The privileges forbade the office of revenue to directly bring legal actions against the citizens of Palermo. According to La Mantia the major disagreements between the office of revenue (fisco) and the mayor of Palermo, had been solved and clarified, through the counsels of several ‘illustrious’ judges, one of whom was Andrea Muscarà.  The consigli are compiled in ‘Consilia diversorum Siculorum super privilegio Felicis. Urbis Panormi quod Fiscus non possit principaliter agere contra cives cum addictionibus D. Francesco. Baronii.Panormi. 1656. 

The following quote is from pages 87-88: 

“Francesco Baronio avvocato e magistrato dava in luce vari estesi trattati sulle questioni concernenti la età minore , le cause e gli effetti della inimicizia, e sulle citazioai, e sulle varie parti del corpo, per cui occorrono talvolta quistioni giuridiche, civili e penali.

Previde casi innumerevoli per risolvere i dubbi legali secondo le dottrine allora più comuni, proponendo alquante sue nuove opinioni, sempre però con soverchia minuzia e prolissità *. Furono ancora da lui scritte molte addizioni Ai consigli dettati da vari giureconsulti sul privilegio municipale che vietava al fìsco di procedere di ufficio e come parte principale contro i Palermitani. Le gravi contestazioni tra il fisco e il sindaco di Palermo, surte per lo esercizio di quel privilegio erano state dilucidate con alquanti speciali consigli dagl'illustri Ottavio Corsetto e Pietro suo figlio, sopraindicati, da Tobia Benfari, da Giuseppe Paraci da Termini e dal suo figlio Lorenzo, da Andrea Muscarà, da Vespasiano Spucches **. In separato volume Nicola Morso palermitano volle pure dilucidare le quistìoni relative a quel privilegio Ippolito Maia avvocato e poi sacerdote, scrisse in età giovanile le sue consultazioni, e poscia diede in luce un volume di molle addizioni.”

* De Citatione Vol. 3, Pal. 1645 a 1654 – Addictiones Pal 1654

De Inimicitia eiusque causis, et effectibus Palermo 1655.—Effectus CUIl fino a pagina 264, seguono da pagina 265 a 280 Allegationes di Emanuele Muscarà Longombardo , Pensabeno,  Berruso , Magretti, tutte brevissime e delle quali fa menzione nel trattato. — Raemationes ad tertium librumt de citatione et ad tractatum de effectibus inimicitiae. Palermo 1656. Trovasi nello stesso volume da pagina 289 in poi.—De effectibus minoris aetatis circa contractus, ultimas voluntates et spiritualia. Pal. 1641. Il primo pei contratti é estesissimo in pag. 412 in 26 effectus, per le ultime volontà in pag. 42 in tre effetti. intorno alle cose spirituali, siegue sino a pag. 93 in dieci effetti e sieguono additiones novissimae in pag. 31. — De effectibus minoris aetatis circa judicialia. Pal.1658. — De corpore eiusque partibus et membris tractatus. Pal. 1661 I. in 18 tit., II Additiones,

**Consilia diversorum Siculorum super privilegio Fel. Urbis Panormi quod Fiscus non possit principaliter agere contra cives cum addictionibus D. Franc. Baronii. Pal. 1656

Another reference to Andrea is found on pages 89 and 90 of the same volume (Storia della Legislazione… by La Mantia). According to La Mantia, a Paolo Francesco Perramuto a ‘learned’ juris-consult and a Magistrate in Palermo, undertook a laborious comparisons of huge numbers of diverse and opposing opinions rendered by Italian judges. He then compared the opinions of the Sicilian judges with opinions rendered by judges in other nations.  In this work by Perramuto are found two allegations and the opinions given by Giuseppe Faraci and Andrea Muscarà from Librizzi. 

 Quote: ” Paolo Francesco Perramuto dotto giureconsulto da Caltagirone e magistrato in Palermo, imprese una laboriosa comparazione di infinite contrarie opinioni di commentatori e di giudicati, che riusciva comoda per la indicazione delle opposte dottrine nella citazione delle decisioni della rota romana e delle opinioni degli scrittori legali di varie nazioni, e di taluni sicoli. Trovansi in quell'opera due allegazioni e consigli del termitano Giuseppe Faraci e di Andrea Muscarà di Li brizzi”. ***

 ***La Mantia identifies the Faraci and Muscarà work in a footnote. ”Conflictus Jureconsultorum inter sese discrepantium. Palermo 1662 a1671, volume 5 in tre parti  in cui si accennano le varie opinion, senza esprimerle, additando i luoghi in cui ciascuna Declaratur, Examinatur, Impugnatur ecc.  Le allegazioni di Muscarà e Faraci sono nel v- II, p. 2, pag. 164”  

Additional references to Andrea are found in “Nomenclator literarius recentiorio theologiae Catholicae theologos exhibens”, Hugo Hurter. Vol. 2, Section VI, Theologia Practica, pags. 253-254:

“Praeter hos alii quaestiones singulares tractarunt. Ita. In Italia Andreas Muscarà  siculus juris utriusque doctor (morto 11. Nov. 1666) in lucem emisit defensionem immunitatis ecclesiasticae, Panormi 1647 in f. ----“  

 Translation into Italian: “Oltre costoro, altri hanno trattato argomenti particolari.  Cosi in Italia il siciliano Andrea Muscarà, dottore in diritto publico ed in diritto ecclesiastico, ha messo in luce la difesa dell’immunita ecclesiastica, in Palermo nel 1647...

English translation: In addition to the fore-named, others have dealt with these specific arguments (subjects). In Italy, for example, the Sicilian Andrea Muscarà, doctor in civil and ecclesiastic law, has upheld the defense of ecclesiastic immunity, Palermo 1647…

In the same book, Andrea is listed several times in Tables that name jurists who specialized in Theological matters.

  

Andrea was part of the Royal Court of the Kingdom of Sicily under the rule of Filippo IV of Spain (Filippo II of Sicilia and Napoli) 1621-1665, and of Carlo II of Spain (Carlo III of Sicilia and Carlo V of Napoli) 1665-1700.

Andrea is included in the Nobiliario Di Sicilia by Dott. A. Mango di Casalgerardo.  Along with Andrea other Muscarà people, who appertained to the same Librizzi family, are mentioned in the ‘Nobiliario’. The “Nobiliario” can be found on the following site of the internet:

http://www.regione.sicilia.it/beniculturali/bibliotecacentrale/mango/muscarà.htm

Dott. A. Mango di Casalgerardo

NOBILIARIO DI SICILIA

da Muscarà a Muzio

 

Muscarà.

“Un Andrea fu giudice della Gran Corte del Regno negli anni 1654-55-56 e 57, 1663; governatore della Tavola di Palermo nel 1711 e del Monte di Pietà della stessa città nel 1713; un Pietro fu senatore di Palermo nel 1688-89 e consigliere della nobile compagnia dei Bianchi di detta città negli anni 1686-87 e 1690-91.

Non sappiamo se sia appartenuto a questa stessa famiglia quel Giuseppe, dottore in leggi, che fu giudice capitaniale di Marsala nel 1812-13.”

The ‘Nobiliario’ confirms that Andrea was Judge of the Gran Corte del Regno.  We also are told that a different Andrea Muscarà from Librizzi was Governatore della Tavola di Palermo in 1711, and later in 1713 he was Governatore del Monte di Pietà.  Another Muscarà from Librizzi, whose first name was Pietro, was senator of Palermo in 1688-89, and consigliere of the Palermo Nobile Compagnia dei Bianchi in 1686-87 and 1690-1691.

The above institutions are interesting in themselves and I will write about them in a future essay.

 The Muscarà Stemma (Coat of Arms/Family Crest) can be found in the Church of Maria Santissima della Catena in Librizzi. The name of Don Andrea Muscarà is carved within the Stemma. The Stemma is located right above a niche where the famous and beautiful Gagini statue of the Madonna resides. On either side of the niche is the date 1664, 16 is on the left hand side and 64 on the right hand side.  The Stemma consists of a lamb with the paws and tail of a lion. In one of the paws the lamb is holding a Chalice. Above the Chalice there is an eight point star.  The letters within the Stemma are SPE F, they might stand for Speranza e Fede (Hope and Faith), or they could be part of his titles.  I think that the symbols of the lion and the lamb are based on the Bible, Revelations 5.  The Stemma has a crown with seven visible points.  In heraldry the seven visible points indicate the title of Barone.  Dario de Judicibus in his “L’Araldica Italiana” states that  “con la cimatura di dodici perle (sette visibili), collocate sul margine del cerchio o sostenute da altrettante punte” indicate the title of Barone.

 

 My research indicates that the surname Muscarà is derived from the Greek word Moschari (Muskarion/Muscarion), it means “colui che possiede vitelli”, “he who owns calves”.  The Greek word for vitello (calf) is Moskos.

The words Muscarion and Moskos are found in the ancient Greek Bible when referring to the “calf”, that was sacrificed at the altar.

The wise man must remember that while he is a descendant of the past, he is a parent of the future. 

  (Herbert Spencer)

Palazzo Normanno in Palermo

Residence of the Spanish Kings and Viceroys

 

FESTA DEI MORTI

"Si nun vennu li morti, nun camminanu li vivi"

"Vennu li morti pri camminari li vivi"

"Dddopu li morti caminanu li vivi"
Pitrè, "Proverbi siciliani" 

 

I have many memories about growing up in the 1940s in the town of Librizzi. Certainly holidays are part of these memories, the Festa dei morti is one of the more colorful and festive holidays that I remember.

The “Festa dei Morti” is celebrated on November 2, but the preparations for the Festa would begin several days before. Each year on the first of November, my brother and I were sent to the homes of relatives and friends to collect the flowers which would decorate the family tombs in the cemetery. In Sicily the traditional flower for the dead is the Chrysanthemum, a flower that I very much like. Mom would stay home to prepare the traditional Ossa dei Morti, hard teeth-breaking white cookies in the shape of skeletons and bones. Once the cookies were out of the oven, she would go shopping for the other traditional dolci for the Festa dei Morti. These sweets were made of marzipan and shaped into every imaginable fruit, colored and decorated. They were works of art and at first glance they truly looked like the real pear, peach, orange, lemon, strawberry, etc.

In Palermo these artistic creations are called Frutta Martorana. The Palermitani also prepare the ‘pupi i zuccaro’. The Pupi are made from a sweet dough, in the form of statuettes and cleverly hand colored. The Pupi may represent the classic characters from fairy tales such as Cinderella or Pinocchio, or current characters such as Pokemon!

 

For the children this was a very festive time because we knew that during the night our dead relatives would stop by the house and leave small gifts under our pillows including the Ossa dei Morti, the marzipan fruit, lots of unshelled nuts, and real fruit. We also knew that the same kind of gifts were waiting for us at the homes of relatives and friends (I guess this phase of the holiday is similar to Halloween in the USA). Everywhere that we went we could hear the musicians practicing the musical selections to be performed at the cemetery on the day of the Festa.

When the Festa dei Morti finally arrived, children, parents, grandparents, assorted relatives, the young and the old, all went to the cemetery to decorate the tombs with flowers, listen to the Priest, recite prayers for the dead, enjoy the musical offerings which were actually lively marches (not too different from the New Orleans festive funeral processions), and above all to socialize with the living. The Festa went on well into the night when everybody returned home to eat a special holiday meal.

The Festa di Morti in Sicily doesn’t represent a day of sorrow, but rather it is a happy day especially for the children.

I grew up during a very nasty war and the holidays were a welcomed excuse to forget the reality that surrounded us. My memories from those times are bittersweet but I am glad that I can look back and know that the celebration of the dead actually brought joy into our lives.

I do not recall reciting any sayings or little rhymes but I have read that children in various parts of Sicily do recite little rhymes the day of the Festa di Morti. The following is one of the popular rhymes in Sicilian, Italian, and a translation into English:

Armi santi, armi santi,

Iu sugnu unu e vùatri siti tanti:

Mentri sugnu ‘ntra stu munnu di guai

Cosi di morti mittitimìnni assai.

Anime sante, anime sante,

Io sono uno e voi siete tanti:

Mentre sono in questo mondo di guai

Cose di morti metteteneme molte.

(regali dei morti mettetemi in abbondanza)

Saintly souls, saintly souls,

I am only one but you are many:

While I live in this troubled world

Leave me lots of gifts.

MUSCARA ANCESTORS

IL MAGNIFICO DOTTOR PIETRO MUSCARA

According to the Librizzi records that I have read, the first Muscarà in Librizzi was is Il Magnifico dottor Pietro Muscarà.  I already knew about him from the book “Librizzi” by Antonino D’Amico, pages 141-142.  In this section of the book, D’Amico writes about a ceremony which took place in Librizzi on December 20, 1567. On this day the cornerstone for the Monastery of the Carmelitan Priests, was set in place. The legal contracts for the building of the Monastery and maintenance of the building were written by il magnifico Pietro Muscarà segreto of Librizzi.  During the ceremony a speech was given and the names of the important dignitaries present were read.  The church bells rang throughout the ceremony.

The list of the dignitaries from the “alta borghesia e al ceto medio della terra di Librizzi” included  “Il Magnifico Pietro Muscarà segreto di questa terra”,  and “lo spettabile Gio Matteo Muscarà”.  I have ascertained that Gio Matteo was Pietro’s son. The Monastery was built to give thanks to S. Maria del Carmine for her divine intervention in ending the plague in Librizzi.   Records show that the plague started in Librizzi in June of 1577 and ended two years later with the death of the last victim, Mastro Perseo Greco.

The Riveli of Beni e Anime (Census Records) for the years 1584 and 1594 are the earliest Librizzi records filmed by the Family History Center.  The Riveli of 1584 contain the first records of a Muscarà living in Librizzi, he is the above mentioned Pietro Muscarà.  It is possible that other Muscarà lived in Librizzi before 1584 but those records are not available to the public. Interestingly Pietro was not a Librizzese but came from nearby Sant’Angelo.  The Riveli of Sant’Angelo declare that Pietro was “secreto et jurefiscale.  Et giudice del spiritual de detta terra”.      

The same records indicate that Pietro was 46 years old and that his wife was Petronilla. 

Their children were: Gio Matteo age 16, Francischello age 9, Rocco age 5, Georgio age 1, and

 Lauriella. 

Two of their servants were Paulo Marra age 16, and Diana Granata. 

Pietro owned many houses in Librizzi, land in many areas of Librizzi, cattle and breeding compounds, received payments for the use of his lands by many people, etc. etc.  The taxes that he paid on his assets were 10% or more of everything that he possessed.   He and his family lived   in ‘quarterio de bello vidiri’, the quarterio was a complex of houses belonging to the Muscarà family.  This location is constantly mentioned in most of future Muscarà Census records.  Some of the land that Pietro owned was located in the areas of Pantano, Tri palmenti, Spinello, Lacquicella, Valluni de la vina, Fontana de la vina, …

"Il Magnifico Pietro Muscarà SEGRETO di questa terra", what was a ‘Secreto’ also spelled Segreto?

The book “Librizzi” on pages 178-179 gives a definition for the position of SEGRETO: “(ogni Uditore di Rota, giudice della Sacra Romana Rota, poteva scegliere due aiutanti di studio, se era un decano anche tre.  Ogni aiutante veniva denominato SECRETO, qualifica di un magistrate al grado iniziale e riconosciuto ufficialmente dal collegio rotale). A Librizzi nel 1587, il Magnifico Pietro Muscarà ricopriva la carica di Segreto della Nostra Terra." This definition is not sufficient to explain the title of Il Magnifico.  Information gathered from other sources gives a clearer explanation for the role of a Secreto.  

During the reign of the Spanish Kings in Sicily, the actual ruling entity in Sicily was a Spanish Viceroy. The central government was located in Palermo and consisted of several administrative bodies.  The most important administrative body was that of the Magna Regia Corte which had jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters. Another principal administrative body was the Curia Magistri rationum also known as the Tribunale del Real Patrimonio (Tribunal of the Royal Finances). This legislative body controlled all of Sicily’s financial matters, sat at all sessions of the Sacro Regio Consiglio (Superior Tribunal), and often dealt directly with the Spanish King bypassing the Viceroy.  The Secreto was the principal magistrate of the Curia Magistri rationum. He headed the central administration of all ‘beni demaniali’ and had jurisdiction in all financial matters, including financial judicial matters. He also appointed all local Vice Secreti. 

Il Magnifico Pietro Muscarà was ‘“secreto et jurefiscale.  Et giudice del spiritual de detta terra”. “Detta terra” refers to the Kingdom of Sicily.

Sant’Angelo is a town that abuts the territory of Librizzi, particularly in the area of Librizzi called Pantano.  In fact it is in Pantano where at least since 1560, the Muscarà have owned huge tracts of land.  Even today the family, including myself, own land at the Pantano.  The next phase of my research was the reading of the Sant’Angelo records, almost immediately I found il Magnifico Pietro Muscarà in the Census records of February 1560.

The Sant’Angelo document is very interesting as it discloses that Pietro Muscarà has been delegated by the King of Sicily, Carlo I of Sicilia e Napoli (Carlo II of Spain) to appoint the royal officials who would conduct the documentation for the Riveli di Beni e Anime. The document spells out exactly what the king expects and why. In fact there are two documents, one is written in the Italian of the times and the second one is written in Latin by Pietro himself.                                Pietro is to appoint the four officials who will lead the collection of the data for the Census and who will levy the amount of taxes owed to the King, and in what form the taxes will be rendered.  Some of the officials to be appointed are the Capitano and the Iuraris or Giudici.   This document makes it clear that Pietro was a high official from the Royal Court of the Kingdom of Sicily, located in Panormous (Palermo).  

Il dottor Pietro Muscarà died between the years 1587 and 1594. The Librizzi Census records of 1594 show that his wife Petronilla Moscarà (notice the o instead of u in Moscarà) is now the capo di casa, the head of the household.  The document states that she is a widow and that her maiden name is Fossi, it was unusual for those times for the wife’s surname to be actually mentioned.   She is the guardian of her minor children the Clerico Rocco, who had holy orders for minors, age 13; Georgio age 8. Her adult children are il dottore gio.Mattio age 25, and Francesco age 17.  In the house  also lived Vicenzo di Gregorio age 30, servant;  Gironimo Rocco age 60, servant; Domenico Prestiani age 18, servant; Gio.Maria di Gregorio age 18, servant; Caterinella di Gregorio, servant.  The census document is 13 pages long because Petronilla’s assets are extensive. In 1594 she and the family still lived in Quartiero de bel vedere.  This is not surprising as the Muscarà family still owns part of the ancient Muscarà compound. 

The names of the people who owned the land and houses next to the Muscarà is important because it is an indication of close family relationships, for this reason I am going to indicate some of these names as documented in Petronilla Fossi Muscarà Census records. The house in Bel Vedere abuts that of Cardonia Gugliotta. Other houses in Bel Vedere abut those of Gioseppi Prestianni, Garegolo? Di Gregorio.  Petronilla owns land, houses, breeding compounds for cattle in the area of Pantano abutting the land of the inheritors of don Andrea la Maya, and land of Pietro Gugliotta.  Land in contrada di L’acquicella abutting that of Francesco Stuppia and Eliseo Monteleone.  Land in the area of Tripalmenti, abutting the land of the inheritors of Geronimo Ruffino,  and that of the inheritors of Mazzei Sabella.  Land in Contrada di lo Vallone di lavina    abutting land of Gioseppe Calcagno.  Land and vineyard in the Contrada di Spinello, abutting the vineyard of Micele Lamana,  and the land of Lorenzo Sinagra.  Land in Contrada della Chiana or Giana abutting the land of the inheritors of Giovani Grioli.  Land in Contrada di Filici, abutting the land of don Antoli Tudisco and land of Simone Gregorio. The names mentioned are possibly related to the Muscarà through marriage.  In the same document there is a mention of Dominico Moscarà, who lives in Sant’Angelo.  Domenico is one of the many names mentioned who owe gravezze to the estate of Petronilla Fossi Muscarà.  I assume that Domenico is a family member, taking into account that Petro Muscarà is originally from Sant’Angelo.

Petronilla is found again in later Census records.  In the Census of 1616 she declares that Georgio is 30 years old and that she is his guardian.  In a separate 1616 document Petronilla declares the contents of Giorgio’s estate, the same record states that he is medically incapacitated.  The records clearly show that the Pietro Muscarà estate has been inherited by his sons: il dottor Francesco Muscarà, il dottor Gianmattio Muscarà, il dottor Rocco Muscarà, and Georgio Muscarà.  Georgio’s inheritance is vast and it is obvious that he is economically independent, but he is dependent on his mother for medical care and other needs. If Lauriella inherited part of her dad’s estate, it is not mentioned.  This is not surprising since the female members of a family usually did not receive an inheritance.  Daughters did however receive a dowry which might include land and houses. 

The following is the available information about Pietro and Petronilla’s children.

1.      Gio Matteo was born about 1567 in Librizzi, later he is known as ‘Lo Spettabile il dottor Gio Matteo Muscarà. He and his wife Gratiosa Mamone had the following children (all born in Librizzi): 

 Pietro, born circa 1597;  Andrea, born circa 1599;  Catherina, born circa 1605;  Angela; Antonia;  Silverio, born circa 1613 and died in 1622;  Agata;  Anna;  Carlo, died in 1622. 

In the Riveli di Beni e Anime of 1607 there is an interesting entry for his ‘schiava’.  Her name is Maddalena and her color is negra, black! In the thousands of Librizzi records that I read, this is the only time that I found a record mentioning that someone was black!

The name Gio Matteo is written sometimes in Latin as Ioannis Matheo Muscarà, sometimes as one word as in Gianmatteo.  I found many records in the Riveli di Beni e Anime that deal with his estates, he is included in the “Librizzi” book, and he is listed in the Librizzi baptismal records as being godfather to many of the town’s children. The death records of 1622 declare that Gio Matteo’s children, Silverio and Carlo, died that year.   

The Riveli di Bene e Anime of February 1616, indicate that Giomatteo was 50 years old  and that his wife was Gratiosa Mamone.  The full name of his wife was given as well as the names of his children. 

Also the names of his servants are given, Cono Spartà, age 30, servitor; Vincenzo Spartà, age 15, servitor; and Giovanna Muscarà, sua schiava. 

Gio Matteo lived in the quartiere di bello vedere.  In front of his house were the houses of don Rocco Muscarà and del dottor Francesco Muscarà.  He also had other houses in quartiere de bello vedere adjunct to the house of Minico Merenda; in quartere of San Leonardo abutting the houses of Cico Stopia and that of Minico lamaia.

Gio Matteo’s record is interesting because it lists houses and land in the town of Nohara, today known as Novara di Sicilia.  One of the houses is located in quartere del Castello and it abuts the house of il Dottor Silverio Mamoni.  This Silverio is more than likely Gratiosa Mamone’s father, especially since one of her children is named Silverio.  Gio Matteo also owns land in Nohara, contrada del Cunio.  Other estates are located at the Pantano in Librizzi next to his mom Petronilla Muscarà’s land.  More land is owned in contrada di Filici next to don Rocco Muscarà’s land, I assume that this Rocco is his brother, he also owns land in the area of Spinello.

There is a long list of people who owe Gio Matteo “la bulla”. (A Bull in English is a Papal decree which is sealed with the Papal Bulla (Seal).  The extension of the meaning is a decree by the Ecclesiastical authorities which determines the amount of taxes owed to the Church.  People with feudal lands and assorted other assets owed the Bulla (tithe or tax) to the local Dioceses and to the Spanish King as well.  In turn, vassals and serfs who used the land, owed the Bulla to the owner (usual barons or counts).   Some of the people who owed bulla to Gio Matteo were: Salustro Lauria, Giovantonio Merenda, Filippo Prestianni, Bartholomeo Lamanna, Luciano Spatula, Paschale Ventura, Sabbatino CULLURAFFI, Filippo Saitta, Geronimo Merenda, Armiranti Laurea, Silvestro Granata, Rocco Prestianni Gioanmaria Grioli, Giandomenico Trombetta, Giovanni Planellaro, Giancomo Grioli.  Blasi Ferraro, Paulo Sabbato , Petro d’accampo, Filippo Miloto from Nohara,  Andrea MAMONE, Nino Pizzolo, Lucio Ferraro, Petro Valenti, this last group are all from Nohara and the land is in Nohara.

Gio Matteo himself owes bulla to his mother Petronilla Muscarà, to the Convent of Santo Rocco in Librizzi, to the Church of Santa Caterina in Patti, to the Bishop of Patti, the bulla is owed on his inheritance as specified in the deed by his deceased father. 

The following is an aside on the surname Maimone.  According to my research Maimone is a Jewish surname.  During the times of Gio Matteo and Gratiosa Mamone there were in Sicily about 50 towns with large numbers of Jewish people.  Nohara or Novara was one of the towns where there was a large Jewish community, in fact, even today there is in Novara a street named Vico G. Maimone.  Historically the Jews in Sicily were treated well and contributed to all fields of the Sicilian society. When the Normans came to Sicily, the Jewish population was tolerated by the Normans and Jews enjoyed the same rights as the rest of the population.   However when the Spaniards came to Sicily things changed.  In 1492 King Ferdinand of Spain issued the Edict of Expulsion of the Jews unless they converted to Christianity. Some Jews left Sicily while most converted to Christianity.  Those who converted Latinized their names; one of the Latinized names in Novara was Maimone. The Jewish ancestors of Gratiosa Maimone converted and remained in Nohara.    

Lo Spettabile Gio Matteo Muscarà and Gratiosa Maimone were the parents of the illustrious Librizzese DON ANDREA MUSCARA.  His story will be told in a future blog entry.

2.      Rocco, born circa 1579.  The custom of the times was that in certain upper class families one of    the sons was designated for the priesthood.  Rocco was the son who by the age of 13 was already a “clerico d’ordini minori”.  In the riveli of 1594 Rocco is already listed as a clerico.  The title don written before the given name meant that the person was a priest or a religious official.

The following is some of the information found in the book “Librizzi” that contains the name Rocco Muscarà (may or may not be the same Rocco) :  Feb. 7, 1628 don Rocco Muscarà baptized Iacopo Rinaldo;  Feb. 10, 1630 archiprete Don Rocco Muscarà baptized Domenica Montileone;  April 4, 1630 Rocco baptized Carlo Muscarà, son of Benedetto and Giulia Muscarà;  …….

3.      Georgio, born circa 1583. This is the Georgio who suffered from an incapacitating disease or impairment.   In the baptism records at the Chiesa Matrice I found a Georgio Muscarà who frequently was godfather to several children.  For example, in 1599  Georgi was godfather to Giuseppe Marescalco; in 1600 a Giorgio baptized a member of the Maniaci family; in 1604 a Giorgio was godfather to Maria Lantiani?  The name Giorgio was not a common name in those times and I conclude that this Georgio is indeed the son of Pietro Muscarà and Petronilla Fossi. 

4. Francischello was born circa 1575-1577, as an adult he was known as Il dottor Francesco Muscarà.  He and his wife Thomasa had the following children:

 Andrea, born circa 1617;  Anna; Petronilla; Caterina; Antonia; Elizabetta; and Clerico don Placido, born circa 1619.

          Il Dottor Francesco Muscarà son of Pietro declared his assets in both the towns of Patti and Librizzi.  The Riveli of January 1637 indicate that he had two schiave living in his house, Margarita Muscarà and Marta Muscarà.  He also had a servant named Gironimo Mirenda, age 16.  The schiave Margarita and Marta carried the last name of the capo di casa, this is not unusual for those times. Favorite house servants often were given the owner’s last name, especially if the children’s father was the owner himself. Today in Librizzi there are two different lines of Muscarà, both lines quickly will tell you that they are not of the same lineage.  

Francesco owned a magazeno in the città di Patti located on the street San Bartolomeno.  He owned land in Patti near Don Beneditto Tinghino and Antonino Barbaro.  In Patti he also owned a vineyard which was “di migliara cinque”, five thousand hectares.  He owned more land in other sections of Patti.   Francesco also received ‘rendite’ from several people in Patti, some of his debtors were Thomasi Giuttati, Gioanni Abbati, Giloramo Caiazone, Francesco Florio.  Francesco Muscarà was assessed taxes on everything that he owned in Patti, so he was paying taxes to the city of Patti as well to Librizzi.  He also paid taxes to the convento del Carmine and to several people in Patti.  

In the Riveli of 1637 Francesco also declared his assets in the town of Librizzi. 

In addition to his personal Riveli, there are two documents one in Italian and the other in Latin declaring the renunciation by his son Don Placido Muscarà of his inheritance.  The renounced inheritance was donated to the Church.   The donated estate included land in Pantano next to the land of Ioanni Mathei Muscarà (his brother Gio Matteo).  The documents are signed by the father Francesco, by Placido himself, and several officials.  One of the officials is Andreas Muscarà.   

The just mentined Don Placido Muscarà was the son designated for the priesthood by Francesco and Thomasa. 

I do not have much information on Anna, Antonia, Petronilla, and Elizabetta.  Information about female members of a family, were usually not included in the Census records.

 5. Lauriella, the Riveli usually do not give the dates of birth for a daughter, nor are they listed as ‘capo di casa’ unless they were widowed or were the last survivors of a particular family.

(In the records of 1616 I found a Laurea Muscarà married to il dottor Gioandomenico di Thodaro from Montalbano and living in Librizzi.  It could be Lauriella but Laurea could also be the daughter of  il dottor Francesco Muscarà (This is not the Francesco who is Pietro’s son. This Francesco is probably Pietro’s brother.)  and his wife Masulla Arlotta (Wrongly spelled as La rotta in the book ‘Librizzi).  She could also be a totally different Laurea Muscarà.  The fact is that there is a son who is 20 years old. Is he from a previous Thodaro marriage?  I record the information from the 1616 Census in case at some point I can tie Laura Muscarà to the correct parents.

Il Dottor Gionadomenico di thodaro, age 40

His wife is Laurea Muscarà

Their children are:

Dottor Claudio di Thodaro, age 20

Cesare di Thodaro, age 18

Giovanni di Thodaro, age 10

Paolo di Thodaro, age 8

Margarita

Anna

Angela

Oliverio Garza, his servant, age 50

Francesco di thodaro, his schiavo, age 20

Antonina di thodaro, schiava

Giovannella di thodaro, schiava

Dominichella di thodaro, schiava

Il dottor Claudio di Thodaro, son of Gioandomenico and Laurea Muscarà became a priest.  He is the one who in 1656 brought to Librizzi the statue of S. Michele Arcangelo.  The interesting story of the statue and its odyssey to Librizzi is found in the book “ Librizzi”, pages 113 115.)

End of Part I, Part II will be  in the  next blog entry.

THOUGHTS AND FAMILY HISTORY

I am saddened about the recent events in Messina caused by the October 2, 2009 mudslides, tornado, and floods.

Unfortunately Messina has a history of incredible and devastating disasters such as the earthquake that occurred in the early morning of December 28, 1908. Within minutes the earthquake was followed by a 40 feet Tsunami. Ninety one percent of the structures in Messina were destroyed, and over 100,000 out of 150,000 residents were killed. Estimates of the disaster vary but most agree that up to 200,000 people died in Messina and Calabria (Calabria across the Strait of Messina was also devastated by the same earthquake).

Messina is only one of the many cities in Sicily that has suffered tremendous losses due to natural disasters. Historically, earthquakes, floods, and mudslides have wrecked havoc all over Sicily, including the town of Librizzi. Across the centuries, not many of the Librizzi families have escaped the fury of Mother Nature, my own ancestors often were victims of natural disasters as well.

Perhaps the worst year for my ancestors was the year 1852. The 1852 Librizzi Death Records indicate that huge numbers of people, young and old, died throughout the year, especially during the months of January, February, March, and August. I assume that many of the people who died were victims of influenza or some other contagious disease, but many of those who died at the end of January and in the next two months were victims of the mudslides that occurred in January.

In addition to the Death Records, there are other documents and letters that confirm the events of 1852. Archiprete Francesco Gregorio,the Librizzi priest at that time, wrote a letter to the Bishop of Patti in which he states that this particular year (1852) was beset with "cattivo tempo", bad weather. The mayor Giuseppe Arlotta also wrote a letter stating that the Church della Catena needed repairs due to damages caused by "cattivo tempo". Indeed on January 27, 1852 there were a series of alluvioni e frane (floods and landslides) which smothered to death many Librizzesi. My ancestors were among the many victims that year, especially relatives from the following families : Procopio, Marziano and Gregorio on my father's side; Adamo, Salemi, and Gatani on my mother's side.In fact, in the mudslides of 1852, entire families of my ancestors were wiped out within hours of each other.

I record the following names in memory of my ancestors who lost their lives in the year 1852, included are the ancestors who died as a result of the January 27 mudslide.


Cousins:

Carmelo Tinghino age 1, January 28;
Antonino Gugliotta, age 13, March 21;
Don Natale Procopio, age 34, March 29;
Michele Collorafi, age 2;
Maria Concetta Finicchiaro, age 2, August 4;
Antonia Sinatò, 9 months, August 12;
Rosalia Muscarà, 10 months;
Gaetano Merenda, age 44, September;
Antonino Ficarra, age 8, October 12;
Giuseppe Gugliotta, 10 months, November 12.

Aunts and uncles:

Teresa Salemi, 2 days, January 27(daughter of Angela Adamo and Mastro Gaetano Salemi);
Donna Maria Gregorio, age 40, March 30;
Pietro Merenda, age 88, June 8;
Eufrasina Marziano, age 10, July 2;
Anna Adamo, age 65, December 12.

Grandparents:

Donna Carmela Gregorio, age 70, January 27;
Angela Adamo (grandmother on the Luca side of the family), age 45, January 27;
Mastro Gaetano Salemi(husband of Angela Adamo) age 40, January 27;
Carmela Adamo age 44 (Grandma Angela’s sister. Aunt Carmela was also my grandmother on the Calabrese side of the family), January 27;
Teresa Gatani, age 80, August 30. 

AND

Third great grandfather Don Domenico Procopio, age 61, husband of Donna Anna Cilona and son of Don Antonino Procopio and Donna Marianna Muscarà). Don Domenico was "ritrovato morto nella contrada Prato or Ceruto? perchè soffocato da burrasche". He was found dead, suffocated by 'mudslides'. The date was December 24, 1852. I am sure that for my ancestors it wasn't a very merry Christmas that year.
An aside comment: When I was a young child mom used to point out the remains of a demolished house and then she would tell me the story of an avalanche that occurred in the early 1930s. The avalanche destroyed the house and killed its occupants, who were related to us. She then would point to a house next to it which miraculously wasn't touched at all by the avalanche! This past June I met the daughter in law of the people who died in that house, she confirmed the story of the avalanche.

During my June visit to Librizzi I was given a copy of a hydrogeological report of Librizzi and surrounding areas. The report documents a series of mudslides that occurred in Librizzi in the 1800s, specifically the one in 1852 which involved the Quartiere Forgia of Librizzi. It is precisely in Quartiere Forgia where my Adamo-Salemi ancestral family resided when their lives were snuffed out by the mudslides. Sadly a two days old ancestor also died.

May the above ancestors, and all of the Librizzesi who died in 1852, rest in peace.

Mudslides and flooding in Messina

I HAVE CLOSE FAMILY LIVING IN MESSINA

BUT

AT THIS TIME I DO NOT THINK THAT THEY LIVE IN THE AREA OF THE MUDSLIDES (I am not sure where exactly the mudslides occurred. More later...)


Page last updated at 11:51 GMT, Friday, 2 October 2009 12:51 UK



At least 13 people have died and more are missing after heavy rain triggered mudslides in the Italian city of Messina in northern Sicily.

The violent mudslides and flooding destroyed several buildings, swept away cars and blocked road and rail links.

Some of the victims were trapped when mud and debris engulfed their homes following the overnight storm.

Rescue dogs were being used in the search for survivors, Messina Mayor Giuseppe Buzzanca told Italy's Sky TV.

He added that the rescue efforts were being hampered because some areas were only reachable by foot, and urged doctors, nurses and volunteers to go to the stricken zone to help.

More than 100 people left their homes when the mudslides struck, officials said.

Some 40 people have been treated in hospital.
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Gente sui tetti, messina sud isolata, vigli del fuoco in arrivo da Catania e da Roma

Messina - E' allarme in Sicilia per il maltempo, una regione messa in ginocchio da nubifragi e trombe d'aria come quelle che hanno colpito la zona del messinese, ma anche trapani e Palermo. Sono state registrate trombe d'aria anche a Lipari nelle isole Eolie, senza causare vittime fortunatamente. I vigili del fuoco lavorano sul campo nelle zone isolate del messinese e stanno arrivando rinforzi, via elicottero, oltre che da Catania anche dalla Capitale

Nella galleria Briga dell'autostrada Messina-Catania per quasi tutta la notte ci sono stati mezzi pesanti e camionisti bloccati all'interno. Numerose anche le ruspe in azione per cercare di liberare le strade.

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October Greetings and Good Wishes

TO THE NEW MOON

In the beginning God created the heaven
and the earth, then in His exact
day he set the lights in heaven
and on the seventh day He rested.

After millions of years, man,
made in His image and likeness,
never resting, with his
secular intelligence,
without fear, in the serene sky
of an October night,
set other luminaries like
those that turned
since the creation of the world. Amen.


ALLA NUOVA LUNA

In principio Dio creò il cielo
e la terra, poi nel suo giorno
esatto mise i luminari in cielo
e al settimo giorno si riposò

Dopo miliardi di anni l'uomo,
fatto a sua immagine e somiglianza,
senza mai riposare, con la sua
intelligenza laica,
senza timore, nel cielo sereno
d'una notte d'ottobre,
mise altri luminari uguali
a quelli che giravano
dalla creazione del mondo. Amen.

Salvatore Quasimodo
Sicilian, Nobel Prize recipient

Translated by Allen Mandelbaum