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The Noble family of Testaferrata, Patricians of Messina, (Branch #1, following the order established by the regrant of that title in 1792 to various lines)

- Line of the Marchese Mario Testaferrata Castelletti.

All Corrections/Additions are Welcome

Includes the the title of “Marchese (“Cassar Desain”)" (1749?) which was retroactively established in 1883 in favour of Gilberto Testaferrata Castelletti whose youngest grandson’s son married Maria Teresa Cassar Desain in 1822

Last Update: 08-03-2012

* Marchese Gilberto Testaferrata Castelletti, (1703-74), eldest son by the second marriage (Elisabetta Castelletti) of the 1st ‘Marquis of San Vincenzo Ferreri’  and 1st Marchese Testaferrata. (In 1883, Gilberto was deemed to be the “1st Marquis ‘Cassar Desain’” with date of creation to be taken as 1749- See below) married 1734 to Teodora Vella Abela
 
 

1.  Mario Testaferrata Castelletti, (1737-1813), Patrician of Messina (In 1883, deemed to be the 2^nd Marquis Cassar Desain with date of creation to be taken as the year 1749- See below),  married 1762 to Anna Viani dei Baroni della Tabria, with issue 1.1. Giuseppe Testaferrata Viani (1767-1837), (invested as 3rd Baron of Tabria: 22 October 1784 in succession to his maternal grandfather Gio Batta Viani) Appointed Lord Lieutenant of Malta (1815-1834: resigned in favour of son) as "Marquis Giuseppe Testaferrata Viani") married 1791 to Rosa Maria Galea Feriol D'Amico Inguanez, with issue.
1.1.1. Gilberto Testaferrata Viani, (born 1801), (eldest son), Lord Lieutenant of Malta (1834-1839: office abolished) as "Marquis Gilberto Testaferrata Viani" married 1826 to Aloisea Sceberras Bologna, with issue.
1.1.1.1. Giuseppe Testaferrata Viani (recognized by Royal Commission, 1878 as Baron of Tabria following succession through Anna wife of Mario Testaferrata, considered by Commission to have been 3rd Baroness), married Carmela Galea Feriol, dsp
1.1.1.2. Orade Testaferrata Viani (eldest daughter)
1.1.1.2.1. Romulado Testaferrata Viani (acknowledged by Orade as her illegitimate son. He died before Orade)
1.1.1.3. Maria Angela Testaferrata Viani, (born 24 September 1833), married Baron Pietro Paolo Testaferrata Abela Moroni, LL.D, with issue. SEE: Testaferrata Branch #4
1.1.1.4. Rosina Testaferrata Viani, dsp
1.1.1.5. Maria Teresa (died 14-8-1867) married Count Pietro Paolo Teuma Castelletti , dsp. (He later married Maria Teresa Mallia Tabone)

1.1.2. Maria Testaferrata Viani, married 1817 to the Gregorio Augusto Testaferrata (See San Vincenzo Ferreri), with issue.
1.1.3. Margherita Testaferrata Viani, married 1807 to Gaetano Giappone, with issue.
1.1.4. Vincenza Testaferrata Viani, married 1811 to Nicolo Testaferrata de Noto, with issue. SEE: Testaferrata Branch #3
1.1.5. Lettrina Testaferrata Viani, married 1819 to Sir Giuseppe Testaferrata de Noto, KCMG, with issue.
1.1.6. Mario Testaferrata Viani dsp"Barone della Tabria" 

1.2.   Lorenzo Testaferrata (1770-..),(second son of Mario Testaferrata Castelletti)  married Angela Attard, with issue
1.2.1.   Mario Filippo Testaferrata (1811-74), married to Vincenza Testaferrata dei Marchesi Cassar Desain-(See Below), with issue
1.2.1.1.  Maria Carmela Testaferrata (1861-.), married Ignazio Testaferrata Bonici  SEE: Testaferrata Branch #2
1.2.1.2.  Constantine Testaferrata , married Teresa Maria Galea., with issue. (Tunisia)
1.2.1.3.  Guglielmo Testaferrata , married Natalizia Galea., with issue. (Tunisia)
1.2.1.4.  Lorenzo Testaferrata ( 1852-..), married Marguerite Galea., with issue. (Tunisia)
1.2.1.5.  Luigi Testaferrata , married to Marianna Scicluna., with issue. (Tunisia)
1.2.2.  Emmanuele Testaferrata (1811-..), married Cecilia Galea., with issue. (Tunisia)
1.2.3.  Fr. Giuseppe Testaferrata (1821-..), dunm.
1.2.4.  Costantine Testaferrata (1824-..), married to Alexia Giappone., with issue. (Marseille France).
1.2.5.  Guglielmo Testaferrata (1822- ), married 1843 to Grazia Tagliaferro., with issue. (Marseille France)
1.2.6.   Carmelo Angelo Testaferrata (1827-..), married 1853 to Adelaide Caruana., with issue. (London UK).
1.2.7.  Anna Maria Testaferrata, (1813-..), dunm.
1.2.8.  Maria Teresa Testaferrata (1824- ), married to Orazio Sammut.
1.2.9.  Elizabetta Testaferrata, (1831- ), married to Daniele Preziosi.
1.3.  Maria Teresa Testaferrata, married Odoardo  Mallia Tabone. (See Fiddien).
1.4.  Marianna Testaferrata, married 1796 to Giuseppe Testaferrata Olivier (See Testaferrata Olivier). SEE: Testaferrata Branch #3
1.5.   Filippo Testaferrata, (1774-1821), (youngest son of Mario Testaferrata Castelletti) (In 1883, deemed to be the ‘3^rd Marquis Cassar Desain’ with date of creation to be taken as the year 1749- See below), Married 1807 to Vincenza Falanca, with issue
1.5.1.  Lorenzo Antonio Testaferrata, (born 1805, died 1851), (In 1883, deemed to be the ‘4^th Marquis Cassar Desain’ with date of creation to be taken as the year 1749- See below), Married 1822 to Maria Teresa Cassar Desain, with issue
1.5.1.1  Filippo Giacomo Cassar Desain, ( 1826-66), (In 1883, deemed to be the ‘5^th Marquis Cassar Desain’ with date of creation to be taken as the year 1749- See below)), married 1848 to Veneranda de Piro-Gourgion dei Marchesi de Piro.
1.5.1.1.1.  Richard Cassar Desain, (In 1883, deemed to be the ‘6^th Marquis Cassar Desain’ with date of creation to be taken as the year 1749) dsp- See Below.
1.5.1.1.2.  Lorenzo Antonio Cassar Desain, (1851-86), (In 1883, deemed to be the ‘7^th Marquis Cassar Desain’ with date of creation to be taken as the year 1749)  (see notes) married Firstly in 1872 to Camilla Slythe (died 1880), Daughter of Chev. Richard Slythe, KStM, with issue. Married Secondly in 1884 to Eleanor Parkinson (died 1914)
1.5.1.1.2.1. (First Marriage)  Philip George Cassar Desain, (1878-1906), "8^th” ‘Marquis’ ‘Cassar Desain’  (see notes), and dunm

1.5.1.1.2.2. Richard George Eugene Cassar Desain, (1880-1927), "9^th” “Marquis” ‘Cassar Desain’  (see notes) married 1905 to Mary Alexandra Turnbull, with issue

1.5.1.1.2.2.1. James George Cassar Desain, (1907-58), "10^th” ‘Marquis’ ‘Cassar Desain’  (see notes)married 1928 to Evelyn Cassar Torreggiani, with issue.
1.5.1.1.2.2.1.1.  Anthony Cassar De Sain, (1938-2000), "11^th” ‘Marquis’ ‘Cassar Desain’ (see notes) married 1964 to Vivian Randall, with issue

1.5.1.1.2.2.1.1.1.  Mark Cassar De Sain, (1965-, “12^th” ‘Marquis’ ‘Cassar Desain’., married 1997 to Nadine Fleri-Soler, with issue

1.5.1.1.2.2.1.1.1.1.   Max Cassar De Sain, (2002-

1.5.1.1.2.2.1.1.2.  Jason Cassar De Sain (1970-, married 1999 to Angela Borg

1.5.1.1.2.2.1.1.3.  Rachel Cassar De Sain (1967-

1.5.1.1.2.2.1.2.  Lawrence Cassar Desain Viani, (c 1940-, married Firstly (Div) to Diana Walsh, with issue, Married Secondly to Mieka...
1.5.1.1.2.2.1.2.1.(First Marriage)  Michelle Cassar Desain Viani, married.
1.5.1.1.2.2.1.3.  Michael Cassar Desain, (1950-, married Firstly Sharon Berkely, with issue. Married Secondly to Patricia Galea, (d. 2006), with issue.
1.5.1.1.2.2.1.3.1. (First Marriage)  Mercedes Cassar Desain, (
1.5.1.1.2.2.1.4.  Rosemarie Cassar Desain, (1934-2005), married 1960, Div. to Lawrence Sevitt dsp.
1.5.1.1.2.2.1.5.  Ann Cassar Desain, (c 1937-, married 1966 to Mario Said, with issue
1.5.1.1.2.2.1.5.1. Stephen Said, (1968-
1.5.1.1.2.2.1.5.2. Andrew Said, (1971-, married Francesca Bianchi,  with issue.
1.5.1.1.2.2.1.5.2.1. Benjamin Said, (1998-.
1.5.1.1.2.2.1.5.3. Francesca Said, (1969-, married Michael Salomone, with issue.
1.5.1.1.2.2.1.5.3.1. Nickolas Salomone
1.5.1.1.2.2.1.5.3.2. Mickaila Salomone
1.5.1.1.2.2.1.5.3.3. Matthew Salomone
1.5.1.1.2.2.1.6.  Veronica Cassar Desain, (1941-, married 1960 to Baron Bernard von Brockdorff, -See Foreign Titles Section.
1.5.1.1.2.2.1.7.  Christine Cassar Desain, (1942-, married 1963 to Lino Delia, with issue
1.5.1.1.2.2.1.7.1. James Delia, (1963-, married 2004 to Lubomira Jakubcova, with issue.
1.5.1.1.2.2.1.7.1.1. Klarka Delia, (2005-.

1.5.1.1.2.2.1.7.2. Alison Delia, (1966-, married David Parotti, with issue
1.5.1.1.2.2.1.7.2.1. Kristina Parotti
1.5.1.1.2.2.1.7.2.2. Andrew Parotti
1.5.1.1.2.2.1.7.3. Roberta Delia, (1969-, married Juan Borg Manduca, with issue (See Manduca)
1.5.1.1.2.2.1.8.  Natalie Cassar Desain, (1946-, married 1968 (Div) to Paul Shaw-Savill, with issue
1.5.1.1.2.2.1.8.1. Jonathan Shaw-Savill, (1970-, married Julie Rutter, with issue
1.5.1.1.2.2.1.8.1.1. Chloe Shaw-Savill
1.5.1.1.2.2.1.8.2. Daniel Shaw-Savill, (1973-., married 03-05-2005 at Cuenca in Ecuador. to Angelica Esther Flores Ayavaca.

1.5.1.1.2.2.2.  Philip Gerald Cassar Desain (1908-27), dunm.
1.5.1.1.2.2.2.3.  George Lawrence Cassar Desain (1915-82), dunm
1.5.1.1.2.2.4.  Adeline Cassar Desain (1911-, married Edwin England-Sant Fournier, with issue
1.5.1.1.2.2.4.1. Richard England Sant Fournier, married  Miriam Borg Manduca, -See Mont'Alto., with issue
1.5.1.1.2.2.4.1.1. Mark England
1.5.1.1.2.2.4.1.2. Sandrine England, married NN Darmanin
1.5.1.1.2.2.5.  Elena Cassar Desain (1913-39), dunm.
1.5.1.1.2.2.6.   Mary Cassar Desain (1916-2008), married Major. Albert Falzon Sant Manduca, with issue
1.5.1.1.2.2.6.1. Lilianina Falzon Sant Manduca, Baroness of Tabria, (1940-2000),  married 1963 to John Bugeja dei Conti di Senia, with issue.
1.5.1.1.2.2.6.1.1. Philip Bugeja Viani, De-Jure Baron of Tabria, (1964-,
1.5.1.1.2.2.6.1.2. Julian Bugeja Viani, (1967-, married Lara Strickland Bologna dei Conti della Catena
1.5.1.1.2.2.6.1.2.1. Nina Bugeja Viani, (2001-
1.5.1.1.2.2.6.1.2.2. Lucia Bugeja Viani, (2003-
1.5.1.1.2.2.6.1.3. Mary Ann Bugeja Viani, (1974-
1.5.1.1.2.2.6.2. Alfred Falzon Sant Manduca, (1943-
1.5.1.1.2.2.6.3. Alberta Falzon Sant Manduca, (1945- , married 1970 to Joseph Camilleri, with issue.
1.5.1.1.2.2.6.3.1. Christian Camilleri, (1971-
1.5.1.1.2.2.6.3.2. Rachel Camilleri, (1973-
1.5.1.1.2.2.6.3.3. Lisa Camilleri, (1983-
1.5.1.1.2.2.7.  Vanda Cassar Desain (1918-98), married 1944 Rabat Malta to Flight Lieut. John Harold Branch Bradshaw (d. 1979), with issue.

1.5.1.1.2.2.7.1.  Joanna Marion Bradshaw (1945 Nelson BC, Canada -)., married 1968 Sliema to Keith Legault, with issue.

1.5.1.1.2.2.7.1.1. Sean Legault (1969 Montreal Canada -)., married 1998 Floriana to Suzanne Montanaro-Gauci, with issue.

1.5.1.1.2.2.7.1.1.1. Lucas Legault., (2001 Sliema -).

1.5.1.1.2.2.7.1.1.2. William Legault., (2003 Sliema -).

1.5.1.1.2.2.7.1.2. Michael Legault., (1973 Montreal Canada -), married 1993 Montreal Canada to Rhea de Deene, with issue.

1.5.1.1.2.2.7.1.2.1. Amilian Legault., (1994 Montreal Canada -).

1.5.1.1.2.2.7.1.2.2. Liam Nicolas Legault., (1997 Montreal Canada -).

1.5.1.1.2.2.7.1.2.3. Ryan Legault., (2002 Montreal Canada -).

1.5.1.1.2.2.7.1.3. Carina Legault., (1976 Montreal Canada -).,  married 2004 to Kurt Henrico.

1.5.1.1.2.2.7.2. Maureen Therese Bradshaw., (1947 Sliema -), married 1968 Rabat Malta to Robert Louis Crossey, with issue.

1.5.1.1.2.2.7.2.1. Jacqueline Therese Crossey., (1968 Sliema -), married 1994 Ta l'bragg Malta to Jesmond Cremona, with issue.

1.5.1.1.2.2.7.2.1.1. Joseph John Cremona, (1999 Sliema -).

1.5.1.1.2.2.7.2.1.1. Liam John Cremona., (2003  Sliema -).

1.5.1.1.2.2.7.2.2. Neil Louis Crossey., (1971 Sliema -),  married 1998 Rabat Malta to  Charlene Doublesin, with issue.

1.5.1.1.2.2.7.2.2.1. Hannah Marie Crossey., (2003 Sliema -).

1.5.1.1.2.2.7.2.2.2. Jacob John Crossey., 2003 Sliema -).

1.5.1.1.2.2.7.3. Frederick Richard Bradshaw., (1950 Sliema -), married 1976 Sliema to Julia Kingham, with issue.

1.5.1.1.2.2.7.3.1. Marc Bradshaw, (1977 Attard - 2000), dunm.

1.5.1.1.2.2.7.4. Philip John Bradshaw., (1951 Sliema - ),  married (1) 1974 Montreal Canada to Sue Gray, married (2) to Janet Lyn Gossett, with issue.

1.5.1.1.2.2.7.4.1. (First Marriage) Matthew Bradshaw., (1979 Montreal Canada -).

1.5.1.1.2.2.7.4.2. Jonathan Bradshaw., (1982 Calgary Canada -).

1.5.1.1.2.2.7.4.3. (Second Marriage) Travis Bradshaw., ( 1988 Calgary Canada -).

1.5.1.1.2.2.7.4.4. Chanelle Bradshaw., (1980 Calgary Canada -).

1.5.1.1.2.2.7.5. Caroline Syble Bradshaw., (1952 Sliema - ), married 1975 Sliema to Joseph Falzon, with issue.

1.5.1.1.2.2.7.5.1. Stephen Falzon., (1976 Sliema -).

1.5.1.1.2.2.7.5.2. Christopher Falzon., (1978 Sliema -).

1.5.1.1.2.2.7.5.3. Philippa Falzon., (1991 Sliema -).

1.5.1.1.2.2.7.6. Mary Bradshaw., (1954 Sliema -1954), d.inf.

1.5.1.1.2.2.7.7. Anna Maria Bradshaw., (1955 Sliema -), married 1976 Rabat Malta to Godwin Philip Abela, with issue.

1.5.1.1.2.2.7.7.1. Chiara Abela., (1978 Sliema -).

1.5.1.1.2.2.7.7.2. Bettina Abela., (1980 Sliema -).

1.5.1.1.2.2.7.8. Sean Pius Bradshaw., (1957 Sliema -), married 1969 Sliema to Lisa Ganado, with issue.

1.5.1.1.2.2.7.8.1. Nicholas John Bradshaw., (1994 Sliema -).

1.5.1.1.2.2.7.8.2. Adam Bradshaw., (2001 Sliema-).

1.5.1.1.2.3. (First Marriage)  Mary Beatrice Cassar Desain (1894-..), married Alessandro dei Baroni Attard Montalto, and dsp. -See Benwarred.

1.5.1.1..3.  Giuseppe Cassar Desain, (died infancy,1853).

1.5.1.1.4.  Maria Teresa Cassar Desain., (1856-), married  Pietro Fontani.

1.5.1.2.  Vincenza Testaferrata (1823-..), married Lorenzo Testaferrata -See Above., with issue.
1.5.1.3.  Giovanna Testaferrata (1825-..), married Emmanuele Lauron, with issue.
1.5.1.3.1. Alfredo Lauron
1.5.1.3.2. Laura Lauron
1.5.1.3.3. Luisa Lauron, married Notary Emmanuele Gera P.L, with issue
1.5.1.3.3.1. Francesco Saverio Gera, married Lorenza Gaffiero (dau of Capt A. Gaffiero), with issue
1.5.1.3.3.1.1. Cmdr Lewis Gera Lauron Testaferrata, married Alica Tabone Ferrante, with issue
1.5.1.3.3.1.1.1. Joseph P.P. Gera, married Monica Bonello
1.5.1.3.3.1.1.2. Edwin Ant. Gera, married Lucienne Cassar Trigona
1.5.1.3.3.1.2. Victor Emmanuele Gera, married Mary Borg Cardona, with issue
1.5.1.3.3.1.2.1. Stephen Gera, married Mary Anne Grech
1.5.1.3.3.1.2.2. Catherine Gera, married Adrian Vella de Lucca, with issue
1.5.1.3.3.1.2.2.1. Sharon Vella de Lucca
1.5.1.3.3.1.2.3. Michael Gera, married Diane Dougherty
1.5.1.3.3.1.2.3.1. Kimberly Gera
1.5.1.3.3.1.2.4. Anne Gera, married Carl Balzon, A.A&C.D.
1.5.1.3.3.1.2.4.1. Keith Balzon
1.5.1.3.3.1.2.4.2. Celine Balzon
1.5.1.3.3.1.2.5. John Gera, married Rosanna Abela
1.5.1.3.3.1.2.5.1. Emma Gera
1.5.1.3.3.1.2.6. Norman Gera, married Doreen Camilleri
1.5.1.3.3.1.2.6.1. Dean Gera
1.5.1.3.3.1.2.6.2. Gregory Gera
1.5.1.3.3.1.2.6.3. Nicole Gera
1.5.1.3.3.2. Giovanna Gera
1.5.1.3.4. Annette Lauron
1.5.1.3.5. Elena Lauron
1.5.1.3.6. Angelica Lauron
1.5.1.4.  Laura Testaferrata (1830-..)
1.5.1.5.  Louisa Testaferrata (1833-..)
1.5.1.6.  Filomena Testaferrata (1837-..)
1.5.1.7.  Elizabeth Testaferrata (1841-..)
1.5.1.8.  Adelaide Testaferrata, married 1856 to  Francesco Saverio de Piro, 5th Marquis de Piro. -See De Piro..

1.5.2.  Anna Maria Testaferrata, (1806-).

1.5.3.  Maria Antonia Testaferrata, (1808-).

1.5.4.  Christina Testaferrata, (1810-).

1.6.  Teodora ‘Maria Teresa’  Testaferrata, (dunm 1824)-Had a child by Alexandre Moscati (1774-1826). Never married.
1.6.1. Anna Moscati, (Noted in Will as daughter of Maria Antonio 'Teodora' Testaferrata), Married 1810 to Michele Gauci, with issue. Also had a child with H.S.H, Prince Louis-Charles de Orleans, Comte de Beaujolais, (Died 1808-Buried at St John's Co-Cathedral, Valletta)
2.  Giuseppe Testaferrata Castelletti, married 1765 to Teodora Viani.
3.  Giacomo Testaferrata Castelletti (1749-1801), "Alleged"  Migrated to Imperia Russia and Created Duke Testaferrata  and to his descendants by Tsar Paul I 1799 and Knight of St George of Russia and St John of Malta, married 1799 St Petersburg Russia to Princess Marie Catherina Dolgorovsky, with issue.

4.  Elizabetta Testaferrata Castelletti, married 1770 to Isidore Viani.

5.  Eleanore Testaferrata Castelletti., dunm.

 

 

Footnote#1: In 1792, both lines of the Testaferrata family, by then subdivided into 4 distinct lines, were confirmed in the Dignity of Patrician of Messina granted to their common patrilineal ancestor Mariano Testaferrata on the 20th December 1553. (SEE: Testaferrata Branch #1  Testaferrata Branch #2 Testaferrata Branch #3Testaferrata Branch #4  ). The Royal Commission (1878) dismissed this title as a mere municipal honour. But see http://www.saidvassallo.com/SME/maltesenobility/nobility/Testaferratapatricanships.htm http://www.saidvassallo.com/SME/maltesenobility/patricansofmessinatestaferrata.htm http://www.saidvassallo.com/SME/maltesenobility/Melita/reassessingpatrician.htm and http://www.saidvassallo.com/SME/SME2/reassessmentofthemaltesenobility.html

 

Footnote#2: The designation of the title Marquis Cassar Desain is a misnomer.  To assert that the title of ‘Marquis Cassar Desain’ was ‘recognized’ in some form or another in 1749 implies that a member of the Cassar Desain family was ennobled in 1749. This was specifically ruled out by the 1878 Commissioners as follows: Lorenzo Cassar Desain, who is a descendant through a male line of Mario Testaferrata, has like his deceased father, dropped the name Testaferrata and assumed that of Cassar Desain, in order to be able to possess the aforesaid Primogenitura, which was instituted by Gio. Battista Cassar Desain in his testament received in the acts of Notary Paolo Vittorio Giammalva, on the 7th April 1781. That testament contains, among other disposition, the following clause (translated from the Italian):- ‘I further direct and expressly command that the possessor of the said Prmogenitura erected, as herein-before stated, by me, shall always bear the name Cassar Desain, without adding any other family name thereto, and that he shall, at the same time, bear the armorial ensigns of the said family Cassar Desain, under the penalty of forfeiture, upon breach of the said condition, and my will is that, in such case, the said Primogenitura shall forthwith go to and be vested in, such person as should have succeeded to it, after the death of such defaulter, and not otherwise. With reference to the foregoing extract we beg to state that the family of which the said Lorenzo Cassar Desain is bound to bear the surname and armorial ensigns is not in possession of, nor has it ever asserted any claim to, any title of nobility. (See:- Correspondence and Report of the Commission appointed to enquire into the claims and grievances of the Maltese Nobility, May 1878, presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty (C.-2033.) (See Report Paras. 122-172) . At best this title should be called ‘Marquis Testaferrata Castelletti’. In addition, and on the basis of the genealogical chart the designation of this title as ‘Marquis Cassar Desain’ is patently a nonsense as it was Gilberto Testaferrata Castelletti’s youngest grandson’s son who married a Cassar Desain. Insofar as this ‘title’ is concerned, the surname ‘Cassar Desain’ could only have been first established after 1822 (the date of marriage between Testaferrata and Cassar Desain, coupled with the aforesaid requirement of the deed dated 1781) and that the family could only have been established at least one generation after that marriage.

 

 

Footnote#3: Many published sources describe the title of ‘Marquis Cassar Desain’ as having been ‘recognized’ and/or ‘extended’ by Grand Master Pinto in 1749 to a title which had been conferred by Victor Amadeus , King of Sicily and Duke of Savoy on 13th July 1717 upon Mario Testaferrata. This is not substantiated by either the 1878 Report nor the 1883 Report. See http://www.saidvassallo.com/SME/maltesenobility/marchesetestaferrata.htm http://www.saidvassallo.com/SME/maltesenobility/Melita/MoredocumentationTestaferrata.htm http://www.saidvassallo.com/SME/SME2/MarioTestaferrata.htmlSee also http://www.saidvassallo.com/SME/maltesenobility/cassardesain.htm http://www.saidvassallo.com/SME/SME2/muddiedchampion.html http://www.saidvassallo.com/SME/SME2/Britishagenda.html

 

Footnote#4: Lorenzo Antonio Cassar Desain, had staked a claim to both the titles of ‘Marquis of San Vincenzo Ferreri’ and Marchese Testaferrata. Published sources also show that the above recommendation was tantamount to a recognition by Grand Master Pinto of the title of Marchese granted on the 13th July 1717, to Mario Testaferrata, by Victor-Amadeus, King of Sicily and Duke of Savoy and that such “recognition” brought about the title of “Marquis Testaferrata Olivier” On the other hand, .it is amply documented that when Cassar Desain and Gio Paolo Testaferrata Olivier were later sued by Emmanuele Testaferrata-Bonici-Asciack (Judgment No. 71/1887 of H.M. Court of Appeal dated 8 January 1887), the court upheld Emmanuele Testaferrata Bonnici Asciak’s claim that he was to have the exclusive right to the title granted by Vittorio Amadeo, King of Sicily and Duke of Savoy after the same Testaferrata Olivier and Cassar Desain declared espressamente di essere stato a loro da Sua Maesta` la Regina accordato il titolo che portano, e non aggiungendo alcuna pretensione su quello conceduto da Vittorio Amadeo, in sostanza ammettendo la domanda dell'  attore di essere egli solo, almeno per quanto concerne loro stessi, nel diritto di portare il titolo di Marchese conferito con quel Diploma. The import of this declaration is (a) there is no link whatsoever between the title granted in 1717 and the aforesaid “recognition” of 1749, (b) that there is no recognition by a Grand Master of the 1717 title, (c) Cassar Desain did not base his successful claim on the 1717 title.

 

Footnote#5   By eliminating of the claim to Marchese Testaferrata and being faithful to Cassar Desain’s original claims as described in the 1878 Reports, it follows therefore (unless one were to dare vaunt the claim that Queen Victoria’s act was tantamount to raising Cassar Desain to the English Peerage!!), that the only remaining basis of Cassar Desain’s claim can only be a subformation of the ‘title’ of Marquis of San Vincenzo Ferreri (which in the 1883 report is wrongly described as a Spanish title).

 

Footnote#6  Contrary to the findings of the 1878 and 1883 Reports, a Maltese Court of Appeal did not appear to have any reservations about the claim that all of Mario Testaferrata Robertis’s descendants (including those descended in a female line) are equally entitled to the titles of Marchese di San Vincenzo Ferreri and Marchese Testaferrata According to a judgment of 1887 (Judgment No. 71/1887 of H.M. Court of Appeal dated 8 January 1887), the Court of Appeal observed as follows: Che, dall’ altro canto, pero’  e’  giusto rimarcare che nella transazione seguita per atti del Notaro Vittorio Giammalvadel 10 settembre 1773 (recte 1772)tra i figli di Don Mario Testaferrata, il primo concessionario del titolo, di cui e’  questione, dopo di avere menzionato solo due titoli di Nobilta  quello cioe di San Vincenzo Ferreri, e l’ altro di Testaferrata (alledendo a quello conceduto da Vittorio Amadeo) era stato convenuto che tutti i figli con loro discendenti dovessero essere in liberta’  di portare l’ una e l’ atra concessione. That is to say, quite apart from the reservations about the deemed grant of 1745 which purportedly gave rise to the title of Marchese Testaferrata Olivier , it appears that all descendants of Mario Testaferrata (including therefore the members of the Testaferrata Castelletti family) are equally entitled to enjoy both titles of Marchese di San Vincenzo Ferreri and Marchese Testaferrata

 

Footnote#7 In accordance with the 1883 recommendation, ulterior succession (from Lorenzo Antonio Cassar Desain) is limited in favour of the ‘eldest son’. Females and cadets are therefore excluded from succeeding.

Footnote#8. The 1883 recommendation implies conversely that Lorenzo Antonio Cassar Desain was descended in a line of eldest son to eldest son starting from Gilberto. An examination of the genealogical table shows that this is not the case. By applying the 1883 recommendation to the table of descent enumeration should be as follows: Gilberto Testaferrata Castelletti (“1^st” Marquis), Mario Testaferrata Castelletti (“2^nd”), Giuseppe Testaferrata Viani (“3^rd”), Gilberto Testaferrata Viani (“4^th”), Giuseppe Testaferrata Viani (5^th). With the extinction of that first male line, the title should devolve to the surviviving male lines of Lorenzo Testaferrata Viani (in the 19^th century these lines were residing in Tunisia), and after their extinction onto the line of Filippo Testaferrata from whom Lorenzo Antonio descended.

 

 SOURCES:-

 

1. MELITENSIA BOOK CLUB, Issue 1, Abela Commendatore Fra Gian. Francesco, Della Descrittione di Malta isola nel mare siciliano con le sue antichita’, ed altre notizie. Libr Quattro Facsimile edition. Malta, 1984.
2. Adami collection
3. www.maltagenealogy.com

 

 

FOR MALTESE TITLES OF NOBILITY PLEASE SEE:-

http://www.saidvassallo.com/SME/maltesenobility/nobility/introduction-nobility.html

http://www.saidvassallo.com/SME/maltesenobility/oldfamilies1647.htm

http://www.saidvassallo.com/SME/maltesenobility.htm

http://www.maltagenealogy.com/Britishnobility/Essays/comparisonenglandmalta.htm

 

FOR MALTESE FIEFS PLEASE SEE:-

http://www.saidvassallo.com/SME/maltesenobility/renderingsimplefiefs.htm

http://www.saidvassallo.com/SME/maltesenobility/1969legislation.html

 

FOR FOREIGN TITLES IN MALTA PLEASE SEE:-

http://www.saidvassallo.com/SME/maltesenobility/Melita/DebunkingaMaltesemyth.htm

http://www.saidvassallo.com/SME/maltesenobility/Melita/reassessingpatrician.htm

 

FOR PRECEDENCE IN MALTA AMONGST HOLDERS OF FIEFS, LOCAL TITLES AND OF FOREIGN TITLES, PLEASE SEE:-

http://www.saidvassallo.com/SME/maltesenobility/precedence.htm

 

FOR MALTESE HERALDRY PLEASE SEE:-

http://www.maltagenealogy.com/COA/defaultCOA.htm

http://www.maltagenealogy.com/MSO/doublebarrellsurname.htm

 

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