Our Ancestors
Our Ancestors
Where Do We Come From ?
We come from the area in and around Borgotaro
in the valley of the Taro river in the Province of Parma. Below is a photo of
Borgotaro. The photo dates from about 1860. Note the walls and the portal to enter
the village. It stills looks a lot like the photo today except that it has grown both
inside and outside the walls and there are now small super markets and other modern shops.
As you will see in the chapter, "We are Nobility", Some of our ancestors lived in
Borgotaro as far back as the fifteenth century. In that time period the Fenaroli's
were the nobility of Porcigatone and were counselors to the lords of Borgotaro and
Parma for matters regarding Porcigatone and the surrounding area.
Our near in ancestors came from the small farming communities around Borgotaro. Farms
in the valley of the Taro and Europe in general are different than the farms we are familiar
with in America. In America, the Family Home is located convenient to the fields often in
the middle of the farm. In Europe the farming family's lived in very small communities,
5 or 6 families, with the residence of the Padrone usually near by. Borgotaro was and
still is the important center for the area and was the castle of the Lord of the area. Borgotaro
provided safety. In times of danger the farmers in the outlying areas went to the castle for
protection. Borgotaro was and is the mercantile, religious and political center for the area.
Besides containing shop's and local manufacturing, the weekly mercato took place every Monday
in the Piazza Del Mercato. Farmers brought in their crops, eggs, cheese and animals to the
mercato to barter for the goods they needed. The mercato continues today, every Monday and
is wonderful to experience. Some farmers still show up but in the main the mercato is full
of mobile vendors that sell anything from Prociutto, Cheeses to shoes and music CD's and
everything in between. The aromas are heavenly. The mercato moves from town to town on
different days of the week.
So where did our ancestors come from ? What are some of these small farming communities?
Posso, Cafarraza, La vigne, Porcigatone, Brunelli, San Martin, Traponia and others.
Move on by selecting a new section from the left side.
Buon Viaggio...........
Our ancestor's also came from the towns similar to Borgotaro in the Taro Valley. Some of these are,
the beautiful castle town of Compiano, Isola, Bedonia, Berceto, Bardi, Albareto, San Roco and
others.