Our Ancestors

The Fenaroli's of Porcigatone

What follows are the genealogical data produced by Giovanni Ernesto Fenaroli, during 30 years of research, as it applies to our branch of the family, "The Fenaroli's of Porcigatone". For information on the entire family, 1000 years of history and genealogy, go to the section, See menu on the left,"Giovanni Ernesto Fenaroli -- Genealogy & History"

During my recent, (Sep/2012), trip to Tavernola and Borgotaro, I met with Giovanni Ernesto and discussed at length the link between the Fenaroli's of Porcigatone and the ancient family, Fenaroli's of Tavernola. He told me there is definitely a link but he has not been able to find supporting documentation. He is still looking. Our current family tree, shown below, extends from Bartolameo to today and spans over 500 years. Linked back to Guglielmo, the founding father, the family tree spans over 1000 years. Bravo Giovanni Ernesto. It is interesting to note, Guglielmo is sometimes referred to as Willelmo, giving some credence to the thought that the Fenaroli's migrated from Germany/Austria with the military of the German King Otto. Giovanni's history tell us The Fenaroli's acquired their fortune by starting as hay and fodder suppliers to the military. Really, a fortune in hay you ask? Think of hay and fodder as the gasoline, diesel fuel of its time. An Army went nowhere without Hay and Fodder. Other interesting aspects of studying with Giovanni Ernesto, are the different forms of the Fenaroli name. For example, Finar, Willelmo Phenarolus. The origin of the root of the name is said to be Fieno, Hay.

The following are three family trees from Giovanni Ernesto. Using these trees I will explain what Giovanni related to me.

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This is our Family tree in all it's glory. Perhaps some of you have already noticed, Children of female Fenaroli's are not shown. Only the male line and therefore the Fenaroli name is carried forward. The old Family tree sections, (see FAMILY TREE and FAMILY JOURNAL far below), is not that way. It covers descendants of both males and females. However it covers only from Luigi my Grandfather to current day whereas Giovanni Ernesto's data goes back 1000 years.

Starting with Bartolameo, the founding father of both the Porcigatone and Borgotaro branches of the Fenaroli family, there is over 500 years of genealogy. Giovanni has researched the records of the church and community and is able to substantiate every part of the tree. However he has not found any records linking the Bartolameo of Borgo/Porcigatone to a Bartolameo of Tavernola. There is in addition to records, on the Borgo/Porcigatone side, the Fireplace Mantle, shown below. It still exists in a house in Brunelli. Brunelli is near Borgotaro and Porcigatone.

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The mantle is inscribed,

Bartolameo Finar Anno 1514

Finar is a known short version of Fenaroli.

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There is a Bartolameo on the Tavernola side that is the likely fit. The next two trees show the path from Guglielmo to this Bartolameo. The first tree can be traced from Guglielmo to Giovanni to Fedreghino to Cominzolo. The second tree can traced from Cominzolo to Bartolameo, (Green Box). It is that Bartolameo that is thought to be the Founder of the Fenaroli's of Borgotaro and Porcigatone. However, as stated before, Giovanni Ernesto has yet to find any supporting documentation or for that matter any documentation regarding Bartolameo's activities. If there is any thought at all, it is that Bartolameo was exiled from the rich and influential brach of the family to the boonies. Compared to the Fenaroli estates of Lago D'Iseo, Breccia, Bergamo, Franciacorta, etc., Borgotaro/Porcigatone are truly the Boonies. See subsection "Fenaroli tour wih Giovanni ErnestoClan Gathering and

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More than half of our visit to Italy was spent at Borgotaro. Giovanni Ernesto met us in Borgotaro and introduced us to Bernardo, a former mayor of Borgotaro and the Historian for Borgotaro. During discussions with Bernardo two significant historical items were revoked to me. I asked him what was the origin of the name Porcigatone. I had heard two origins for the name. First it was named after a Roman Centurion who was given the area as a retiring veteran of Caesar's legions and second it was named after the famed mushrooms of the area, Porcini. Sorry, not true. Bernardo showed us a copy of an ancient document, 0ver 1000 years old that referred to the area as the area of a pig farm owners by a family named Gatone, ergo Porcigatone.

The second item of interest was the altar of church of San Domenico in Borgotaro. Borgotaro has two churches, San Domenico being the newest and dates back to about 1500. Bernardo took us behind the altar of San Domenico and showed us the inscribed marble slab below which was embedded into the rear of the altar.

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. The inscription appears to be in Greek, Latin and Italian and basically says, The alter was donated by Father Joannes Aloysius Fenaroli. If anyone can offer a good translation, please send it to me. Note the Fenaroli Crest.

The following is a translation developed by myself and Giovanni Ernesto this year, 2014. We believe it is moderately accurate.

A Memorial dedicated

to the Eternal God

Who was made flesh, (born),

by The Love of the

Blessed Virgin Mary of Carmel

As told by the ancient prophets

By Religious signs.

Fenaroli Giovanni Luigo

Priest of Borgo Taro

Healed

1874.

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In this section, it is possible that you may run into a page that cannot be found. I found this section very difficult to completely debug. If that happens just keep hitting Back on your Browser till you see this page.

1. FAMILY TREE

Family tree organized starting at the top, with Luigi.

2. FAMILY JOURNAL

The Family Journal contains descriptive material to go with the the Family Tree. This section contains much interesting material and is worth a little time.

Family journal organized starting at the top.

Family journal organized alphabetically.

Move on by selecting a new section from the left side.

Bon Voyage...........