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CERINI Family History, Part A

Antonio CERINI (I)¹ (->1671)

1. Antonio Cerini (I)¹ is the earliest identified patriarch of our branch of the Cerinis of Giumaglio Ticino canton, Switzerland. He is only known through three mentions as the father of Giovanni Antonio², once as "Giovanni Antonio" and twice as "Antonio."^{[Bap 1670A,B, 1671B]} He may have had two other sons, one whose father's name was Antonio, and the other closely associated with that son:

Giovanni was identified as the son of Antonio in 1671^{[Bap 1671A]} and then five months later Giovanni Antonio was identified as the son of Antonio when named as a godfather.^{[Bap 1671B]}

Giovanni Giacomo is connected with the family by association with Giovanni, when, in 1692, Giovanni Giacomo's family was enumerated in the first parish census of Giumaglio following Giovanni's widow and sons.^{[Cen 1692]}

In all mentions, Antonio was not described as deceased, so it is assumed he lived through 1671. A 62-year-old Antonio Cerini died on January 10, 1682, at his home in Giumaglio, but it is curious that he was not mentioned in any of his sons' records between 1672 and 1682. This Antonio was buried in the cemetery of the Church of Santa Maria Assunta.^{[Dth 1682]}

Pietro CERINI (-<1671)

A. Pietro Cerini died before 1671. He is not suspected to be of any immediate relationship to our Cerini family but is addressed here as part of a closer to look to find connections. He may have held the title of "Master" (Magistro/Maestro). Pietro had at least two sons:

Cerini Coat of Arms
Courtesy of Licia Cerini, direct descendant Pietro Cerini

Pietro is only known through one parish record--that of granddaughter Marta Catterina Cerini. In that record her father Giovanni is identified as the son of "the late M~in Pietro Cerini."^{[Bap 1671]} The title may be "Master" (Magistro/Maestro), a title only observed elsewhere to have been held by his suspected grandson of the same name.

Pietro Cerini died prior to 1671.^{[Bap 1671]}

Son Giacomo Pietro is associated with Pietro and Giovanni through godparent connections between Giacomo Pietro's daughters and Giovanni's. Giacomo Pietro's daughter Giovanna was named as godmother to Giovanni's daughter Angelica.^{[Bap 1674]} Three years later, the same daughter Giovanna was listed followed by Giovanni's daughters, Marta Catterina and Angelica, during mass confirmation ceremonies at Maggia and Someo. At those ceremonies, Giacomo Pietro's daughters Giovanna and Guglielma were named as godmothers to Marta Catterina and Angelica.^{[Con 1677]}

Giovanni CERINI (Sr.) (~1619-1696)

X. Giovanni Cerini (Sr.) was born about 1618 or 1619, likely in Giumaglio, Ticino canton, Switzerland. He is not suspected to be of any immediate relationship to our Cerini family but is addressed here as part of a closer to look to find connections. Giovanni had at least three children:

Giovanni was named as a godfather in one baptism, along with his daughter-in-law Catterina (Pozzi) Cerini as godmother, to Margherita Teresa Cerini.^{[Bap 1671]}

In 1692, the family was headed by Giovanni (Sr.) and included his son, Giovanni (Jr.), his wife and two sons; and two daughters from his late son Giacomo.

Giovanni's son Giovanni (Jr.) was named as the godfather to both Giovanna Maria Cristina Pozzi^{2 [Bap 1677]} and Antonio Cerini^{2 [Bap 1682]}, both of whom wed in 1704.

Giovanni Cerini (Sr.) died on March 26, 1696, at his home in Giumaglio and was buried in the cemetery of the Church of Santa Maria Assunta. He was reported to be 70 years old^{[Dth 1696]}, but was likely around 78.

Continue on to Part II