Cathy wrote:

... It says he lives in Santa Maria La Castagna in the "Rione" of Parantoro. This confuses me. Both Santa Maria La Castagna and Parantoro are sections of Montalto (Uffugo was added after the unification). What does this mean? Was Parantoro part of Santa Maria La Castagna? Or maybe I misunderstood?

Santa Maria La Castagna was a district (or hamlet) of Montalto and Parantoro was a (small) part of Santa Maria La Castagna or, maybe, a rural area depending from Santa Maria La Castagna. I think it's not so important for your research, because it was common, also in that times, to move from a place to another for several causes.

Luca

Luca wrote:

Cathy wrote: Rosaria Napolitano baptism? Not at all. Also this document was released from the priest (indeed he called himself Abbot of the Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo and Rector of the Church "della Visitazione della Beata Maria Vergine" of Vaccarizzo) in the occasion of Gabriele and Rosaria's marriage and it is about the death act of Diana Corno, wife of Raffaele Napolitano, who died on January 28th 1777 at the age of 55. She died in her house assisted by the priest of the time and then she was buried in the Church above-mentioned. In the document it's said that Rosaria is daughter of Arcangelo, so i don't know who Raffaele was... maybe Arcangelo's father. Luca

OMG!! Raffaele was Arcangelo's father...but his mother was Saveria Licciardi. This must have been a previous wife? I have never seen the name Diana in Montalto records before. Is there an Italian equivalent? Thanks so much Luca - this will really help me.

Luca wrote:

Cathy wrote: ... It says he lives in Santa Maria La Castagna in the "Rione" of Parantoro. This confuses me. Both Santa Maria La Castagna and Parantoro are sections of Montalto (Uffugo was added after the unification). What does this mean? Was Parantoro part of Santa Maria La Castagna? Or maybe I misunderstood? Santa Maria La Castagna was a district (or hamlet) of Montalto and Parantoro was a (small) part of Santa Maria La Castagna or, maybe, a rural area depending from Santa Maria La Castagna. I think it's not so important for your research, because it was common, also in that times, to move from a place to another for several causes. Luca

Of course, you are right...its not that important. Sometimes I get too curious! The 2 areas are located adjacent to each other today. Thank you again Luca.

Cathy wrote:

# 2 is Antonio Napolitano (I descend from him too). I cannot make out his age (30 - trenta something) or the contrada name...can anyone else make this out?

I think it says that Antonio was 32. And for the contrada, I read, "sudetto" or above-mentioned.

Thank you Donna!

Cathy wrote:

...# 2 is Antonio Napolitano (I descend from him too). I cannot make out his age (30 - trenta something) or the contrada name...can anyone else make this out? The age (like Donna said) was 32. Antonio was "ivi domiciliato, contrada suddetta". Ivi stands for "nello stesso luogo" (in the same place, Montalto) "contrada suddetta" stands for "the above-said hamlet" I understand everything else until I get to the bottom where the page is deteriorating. I need help with what is left of the last 2 lines. I do not understand those words. Thank you so much! Giudice di Pace abbiamo esposto.... ...nenti (maybe componenti) il Consiglio, che Rosaria are a mystery to me - I understand very little on this page. Am I missing anything important? Thank you so much. I apologize for the length of this and appreciate any help hat can be offered. Pag 2 ...di genitori vivi, ad averle perché trapassati, e desiderando ella unirsi in matrimonio con Gabriele Esposito di Santa Maria La Castagna ha perciò provocato questa assemblea per deliberare sulla convenienza di detto matrimonio. I suddetti membri unitamente a noi [Giudice di Pace] avendo considerato che Rosaria Napolitano è di età nubile ed essendo orfana si è quasi necessaria la situazione matrimoniale per conservarsi l'onore, e dall'altra parte avendo preso conto delle qualità di Gabriele Esposito abbiamo trovato che lo stesso è un giovine di ottimi costumi, il quale attende indefessamente alla fatica talmente che senza avere beni di fortuna si mantiene comodamente relativamente alla sua condizione di bracciale. Noi [=io] Presidente al consiglio ad unanimità di voti abbiamo dichiarato che l'assemblea è di sentimento di autorizzare la suddetta minore Rosaria Napolitano a contrarre matrimonio col ridetto Gabriele Esposito, ambidue del Rione della Castagna. Dicché ne abbiamo formato il presente atto che abbiamo letto agli intervenuti, i quali hanno crocesegnato per avere dichiarato di non sapere scrivere, e noi xxx xxx l'abbiamo sottoscritto. Segno di croce di Francesco Napolitano, illitterato. Segno di croce di Antonio Napolitano, illitterato. Segno di croce di Giuseppe Napolitano, illitterato. Segno di croce .... pag 3 ...di Gennaro Crivano, illitterato. Segno di croce di Vincenzo Crivano, illitterato. Segno di croce di Tommaso Crivano, illitterato. Da servire pel matrimonio di Rosaria Napolitano di Santa Maria La Castagna che intende contrarre con Gabriele Esposito di detto luogo. Rogato a Montalto xxx Agosto 1815. Volume 5° foglio 70 ecc. ecc

Ciao
Luca

Thanks so much Luca! It seems the Napolitano men were all illiterate - their sons were not so I am surprised. What does Giudice di Pace mean?
I understand there was an assembly of the family on behalf on the minor Rosaria Napolitano. There is a line that appears to be contract of marriage.
That's about all I understand here. Am I missing anything?
Thanks so much.

Giudice di Pace = Justice of the Peace (Judge)

Thanks Carole!