Biography

Montefeltro Family

For those of you who have viewed previous posts, I’ve decided to take a different approach.  Rather than post individual grandparents, I’m going to post the family name and some of the history.  I think that will be more meaningful, especially with my Italian readers.  I’m hoping if you have the same last name, it may prompt you explore your roots.  As it get’s to cumbersome to print all the generations, I will do 5 or 6 levels of descendants, beginning with the most prominent member  

For the Montefeltro’s I am starting with Frederico, my 15th great grandfather

Descendant chart for Frederico

Frederico da Montefeltro Duke of Urbino

Montefeltro Family, noble family of Urbino, a city in the Italian Marches, southeast of Florence, that rose to become a ruling dynasty and produced several outstanding political and military leaders from the 13th to the 16th century. Descendants of an older noble family, they took their name from the ancient town of Mons Feretri, later San Leo, where they first rose to prominence.

By 1234 the family ruled Urbino. During the remainder of the 13th and early 14th centuries the family was prominent on the Ghibelline (imperial) side in the struggle between emperor and pope. Guido da Montefeltro, mentioned in Dante’s Inferno, fought against the Guelf (papal) party in Romagna and Tuscany before submitting to Pope Boniface VIII in 1295; he died a Franciscan monk in 1298. His son Federigo sustained the Ghibelline cause in north central Italy and ruled Urbino until 1322, when he was killed in an insurrection. His son Nolfo temporarily recovered Urbino but in the end lost it to the papal party.

Nolfo’s grandson Antonio (died 1403) recovered the family power once more (1377) and even extended it to neighbouring towns, making peace with the pope, who named him vicar, a title he successfully passed on to his son Guidantonio (died 1443). The latter’s marriage to a daughter of the papal-related Colonna family cemented the new alliance, and papal support assisted the Montefeltro in resisting the Malatesta family, lords of Rimini. Guidantonio’s illegitimate son Federico (1422–82) became an outstanding military leader, captaining the papal army against the Malatesta and his own against the pope, and suppressing a revolt in Volterra as a mercenary in the pay of Lorenzo de’ Medici. He spent his war profits on monumental building, on a library, and on art. Pope Sixtus IV made him duke of Urbino in 1474. Federico’s son Guidobaldo was the last ruling Montefeltro; dispossessed by Cesare Borgia in 1502, he recovered his state, but being without heirs adopted his nephew Francesco Maria della Rovere, into whose family Urbino then passed. His court, a notable centre of culture, is commemorated in Baldassare Castiglione’s Il cortegiano (1528).

Antenati and Italian Genealogy Research Tips

Discover the transformative journey of Bill Sallurday as he uncovers his Italian roots, tracing his family lineage back to the picturesque village of San Cipriano Picentino. With a passion for genealogy, Bill’s relentless research has revealed his family’s true surname, Sabato, and connected over 8,000 individuals through a comprehensive genealogical database. His dedication not only reconnected him with his heritage but also earned him honorary citizenship from the village, highlighting the profound impact of his

Read More »

Roots and Reflections – Sicily

Reflecting on the resilience of our ancestors, this episode journeys through the vibrant narratives of Sicilian heritage and its cultural echoes in the Italian-American communities across the United States. Join us as we hear from Francesca and Manuel, whose roots connect them to Gela, Sicily, with Manuel sharing his role in preserving Italian culture as the president of the historic Italian Athletic Club in San Francisco. We also explore Jerry’s passionate involvement with the St.

Read More »

Italian Americans Hershey PA

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Lou Paioletti as we uncover the rich legacy of Italian-American heritage in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Lou takes us on a heartfelt journey, sharing his family’s migration story from Tuscany to Hershey, a town renowned for its chocolate but also a beacon of hope for countless Italian immigrants drawn by industrial opportunities. We explore how these families, including Lou’s ancestors, contributed significantly to Hershey’s industrial evolution, particularly in the stone

Read More »

Uncovering Family History In Photos

Imagine uncovering your family’s history through a single photograph. That’s the journey we embark on with Maureen Taylor, the renowned “photo detective,” as we explore the powerful intersection of history and photography. From the meticulous art of traditional photography to the instant gratification of digital captures, we uncover how these images serve as portals to the past. Through personal anecdotes and insights, I reflect on how my father’s career as a New York Daily News

Read More »

Embracing Italian Roots Vallesaccarda

Lorraine LoRusso never imagined her sister’s volunteer work would lead to an extraordinary reunion with long-lost family in Italy. Join us as Lorraine shares her heartfelt story of tracing her roots back to the charming town of Vallesaccarda. These discoveries, sparked by ship records and naturalization papers, not only rekindled family ties but also brought to life the enduring legacy of her grandfather, who bravely set sail for America in 1914. We also explore the

Read More »

Researching Faicchio Campania

Imagine discovering that your family’s story spans centuries and continents, connecting you to people and places you never knew existed. That’s precisely the journey Rich Di Palma embarked upon, and he shares his remarkable experiences tracing his Italian roots from Faicchio Campania in our latest episode. Rich recounts how his grandfather’s Italian songs ignited a lifelong passion for genealogy, leading him to uncover long-lost relatives and delve deep into family records dating back to the

Read More »
Bob

Recent Posts

Antenati and Italian Genealogy Research Tips

Discover the transformative journey of Bill Sallurday as he uncovers his Italian roots, tracing his…

14 hours ago

Roots and Reflections – Sicily

Reflecting on the resilience of our ancestors, this episode journeys through the vibrant narratives of…

4 days ago

Italian Americans Hershey PA

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Lou Paioletti as we uncover the rich legacy…

1 week ago

Uncovering Family History In Photos

Imagine uncovering your family’s history through a single photograph. That's the journey we embark on…

2 weeks ago

Embracing Italian Roots Vallesaccarda

Lorraine LoRusso never imagined her sister's volunteer work would lead to an extraordinary reunion with…

4 weeks ago

Researching Faicchio Campania

Imagine discovering that your family's story spans centuries and continents, connecting you to people and…

1 month ago