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68. john Fletcher - 2012-04-01 13:49:31 |
Great site Candida
I wondered if you had any specific info on Francis Augustus Pizzala, barometer maker of Leather Lane, Charles St,etc.
My family married into his and I have learnt a lot about their tree; there were actually 3 generations of F.A.Pizzala.
Many thanks
John Fletcher
(From Candida: I didn’t have any references for John except the ones listed on my "London Italians - Barometer Makers" page. But the F.A. Pizzala name is one of the top names in English barometer makers, and one of the longest-lived! Congratulations!) |
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66. Ronchetti - 2012-03-14 08:42:27 |
Hi Candida - just stumbled across your site - what an amazing compilation - my hat’s off to you! I am particularly interested in your info on early Ronchetti barometer makers in 1700s London - I am descended from Thomas Ronchetti who is listed at one point in his life in various sources as a barometer maker in Exeter, Devon. He appears to have been a colourful character and may simply have been cashing in on the success of others with the name, and I would like to try to discover the truth of that and trace the family back to their true Italian roots. He is first documented in a baptism record in Bristol in 1780 and I had assumed that to be the most likely point of entry for the family when arriving from Italy. His parents are given as Thomas & Elizabeth on the baptism record - and I am now wondering if they could perhaps have been part of the London Ronchetti family, barometer makers of the period mentioned in your section on London barometer makers. If you could point me to any sources of further information or research on the London family I’d be much obliged. Do you have any first hand knowledge of looking for migration records from/in Italy?
I do hope you’ll have the time and inclination to respond.
Best regards - Joy |
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65. Adam John Clarke - 2011-12-29 16:46:57 |
Just a quick thank you for your website, I have always been more than a keen fan, adoring Italy perhaps just as much. I wondered if you could help.
I have just completed and self published my own first novel, The Heat of the Mezzogiorno (available on Amazon’s Kindle). I would really appreciate some feedback from yourself (or anybody else who reads your site for that matter). I would be extremely appreciative if you would be kind enough to give up a short amount of your spare time. It is just over 50,000 words and of course I can provide a free copy on request.
The synopsis reads;
’Lit by the baking sun of Southern Italy and surrounded by a bleak landscape of charred cinders, on the rooftop of an unremarkable roof terrace, consumed by a fetish of gastronomic wonders, ‘The Heat of the Mezzogiorno’ is a fiercely political debut novel.
Discover the story of two aged friends who come together one last time to embark on a marathon of piggish gluttony, intoxicated drinking and hearty debate. Friends in a former life, both have soared to dangerous heights in their chosen elite but they brandish their teeth from opposing ends of the political spectrum. This final meeting is the last chance. While the peasants inhabiting the local town of Poggiardo go about the banality of their daily lives, an epic trial that could ultimately change the course of history is in motion.’
I look forward to hearing from you and hope you can assist.
Regards
Adam John Clarke |
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64. Nick Wickens - 2011-12-02 00:38:10 |
Hi There
Found your pages on Martinelli Barometers early today - Very nice. Last year I helped my mother purchase a Martinelli Barometer made in about 1852 at 54 Snowfields Borough London (I believe this is now the Ronald McDonald House servicing Guys hospital ). Reason for purchase is that I am descended from the maker of that Barometer William Rivers Martinelli ;)
Louis Martinelli (1761 - 1845)
is your 4th great grandfather
William Rivers Martinelli (1812 - 1891)
Son of Louis
Louis Martinelli (1843 - 1914)
Son of William Rivers
Blanche Agnes Martinelli (1884 - 1971)
Daughter of Louis
Cyril Henry Saunders (1912 - 1991)
Son of Blanche Agnes
Valerie Mary Saunders (1940 - )
Daughter of Cyril Henry
Nicholas Wickens
You are the son of Valerie Mary - (not you?)
Perhaps we are related at some point ?
Nice Work
Nick |
 63. John Henry Architect - 2011-10-03 20:16:33 |
Hello,
Thank you for this very nice site.
Maybe you can help source some full size murals from Italian or even French Renaissance villas.
I have heard that photographs of classical interior elements and allegorical murals, grotesques, etc. are available.
We just came back from Tuscany, Venice, Rome and Como area. I have a client interested in creating a Palladian villa. The research indicates that Palladio’s original designs did not include the massive wall stuccos and treatments typically added much later and that the villas were generally sparse without even moldings or paneling anywhere. We went to Foscari and all was painted on the walls. In the Rotonda the stucco work was added later, etc.
Do you know of a company who can supply full size photo transfers in order to attain the effect of real murals?
Stuccadores are very expensive indeed now as they were then!
Thank you for any information regarding above,
John Henry AIA, Florida
(CM - I recommend the website Murals Your Way: www.muralsyourway.com/) |
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62. Alberto Annunziata - 2011-08-31 03:34:59 |
Candida; I love your website and I love all things
ITALIAN! What struck me as absolutely astonishing was your "homage" to Ronald Colman and his telling words as to the drawbacks of fame. I have been a fan of Colman since I was 8 years old (I am now 58) and yes, he did die relatively young (at age 67--young for these days). I could not agree with you more that his was the finest English-speaking voice
and his looks were most expressive, soulful, thoughtful and distinguished! (Handsome doesn’t quite catch it all).
You probably know that he got his big break in films in ITALY
back in the early 1920s, under the direction of the great American director Henry King. Can you imagine how well he must have spoken ITALIAN???
Con molto affetto,
Alberto Annunziata
PS; see my somewhat bedraggled photo in front of Colman’s birthplace in Richmond, Surrey on "The Mave’s" pages on the internet when you Google Search "Ronald Colman". |
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61. Belinda - 2011-08-27 03:08:23 |
It is good to read about Elizabeth Von Arnim on one of your pages. The photo you have of Elizabeth as an older woman is actually of her cousin, Katherine Mansfield
(From Candida: Thank you! I’ve labeled it correctly, now. And I’ve added a lovely image of Elizabeth. Her books are still entertaining after all these years. She had such a human touch. Thanks, again! CM) |
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60. deb finucci - 2011-06-17 22:03:11 |
| I love your webpage and I am fascinated by the postcard books. I teach AP European History at an inner city school in Massachusetts and was browsing. My family comes from Ponta Diablo near Lucca but I have never been. I will be on the lookout for a postcard book from that area. Deb |
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59. Dianne - 2010-11-22 00:30:47 |
Dear Candida
I found your website when "googling" Martinelli in my family history research. I’ve been trying to find some Italian background to my ancestor who arrived in England around the late 18th century. I’m still looking but wanted to let you know that I think your website is one of the best I have come across, both visually and in content. I think I could read for months and still have more to absorb. You have done an amazing job!
Thank you so much
Dianne |
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