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Druogno
Birthplace of our ancestor Giovanni Antonio Vitale
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Druogno |
The family founder of all Vit(t)ali`s in Amsterdam, Giovanni Antonio Vitale, was a son of Pietro Antonio Vitale and Anna Maria Beccari, born on the 9th of March 1824 in Druogno. Proof of this can be found in an extract from the church-records of the St. Silvestre parish. A document, found in the archives in The Hague, tell us that Giovanni`s parents were farm laborers. |
This beautiful picture shows a panorama view of Druogno. In the background Monte Gridone in the Swiss Canton Ticino. |
The Valle Vigezzo is often called “ the valley of the painters”. Countless painters like Borgnis, Mellerio, Ciolina, Rastenellini and Fornara have, to name a few, found inspiration in the magnificent surroundings. The municipality of Druogno includes the villages of Albogno, Gagnone-Orcesco, Sagrogno and Coimo. The number of inhabitants is 900. |
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| Throughout the ages many “Vigezzini”, driven by the poverty of a small valley that could not possibly offer a livelihood to its many children, left their homes and their loved ones to seek their fortunes. It was the custom for all to halt for a few moments at the outskirts of Druogno at the “ Capella dell`Addio” (Farewell Chapel). It was a point of sorrowful leavetaking between sons, who were leaving home, bundle on their shoulder, and their mothers who stayed behind.One member of the |
Mattei family from Albogno( the “inventor of “rappé”
or snuff) became a wealthy
tobacco manufacturer in Amsterdam , Leipzig and Frankfurt.Another success
story 
is that of Quiseppe Femmini the inventor of "Eau de cologne” who made a fortune and who’s |
business is still
going strong”.Others,
when still children, left home for France, Germany and Holland to ply the
trade of chimney sweeps. Their plight has been well
documented by Liza Tezner in the famous book “Living brooms”. Our
ancestor to had to leave home at a very young age. In 1840 we find his
name mentioned for the first time in Amsterdam. He is then registered in
the "Chimney sweep ally" house no. 355. The main occupant is
Bartolomeo Maria Barata, most likely his employer. |
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