"Libro d'Oro di Melita"

"Title of Barone della Tabria granted to the Most Illustrious and Noble Isidoro Viani (1728)"

All Corrections/Additions are Welcome

Claudio Viani, of Nizzardo, Italy, married Clara.. with issue

1. Petro Viani, married 1571 to Margherita Barbara, with issue.
1.1. Vincenzo Viani-See Below.
2. Giovanna Viani, married Boniface Armosa di Marsiglia.

Vincenzo Viani, married Paolina.., with issue

1. Claudio Viani-See Below.
2. Marietta Viani, married 1610 to Giacomo Galea, (son of Niccolo and Giannella), with issue.
2.1. Angelica Galea, married 1647 to Bartolomeo Tanti, with issue
2.2. Dr. Filippo Galea JUD, married Flaminea Vassallo, with issue.
2.2.1. Marcellina Galea, married 1690 to Ludovico Gatto, with issue. (See Benwarred).
3. Angelica Viani, married 1610 to Matteolo Borg (son of Bendio and Marietta).

* Claudio Viani, married Imperia Ciantar, with issue

1. Amadeo Viani-See Below.
2. Gio Batta Viani, married 1630 to Maruzza Agius.
3. Caterina Viani, married 1627 to Matteolo Savona.

* Amadeo Viani, married 1639 to Anna Gandolfo, with issue

1. Vincenzo Viani-See Below.
2. Maruzza Viani, married 1660 to Eugenio Carletto, (See Maltese families for ancestors) with issue.
2.1. Anna Carletto, married 1683 to Gabriele Tabone, with issue.
2.1.1. Angelo Tabone, married 1721 to Grazia Buhagiar, with issue.
2.1.1.1. Pauline Tabone, married 1744 to Salvatore Debono, with issue.
2.1.1.1.1. Gratzia Debono, married 1782 to Principe Giovanni Maria Said Xiriha di Cristoforo, (Executed by the French in 1799), with issue.
2.1.1.1.2. Liberta Debono, married Giuseppe Fenech., with issue.
2.2. Rosa Carletto, married 1694 to Tomaso Bonet, with issue
2.2.1. Caterina Bonet, married 1715 to Tomaso Serra, with issue.
2.2.1.1. Teresa Serra, married 1733 to Benjamin Caruana, with issue.
2.2.1.1.1. Polixenia Caruana, married 1761 to M'Angelo Churcop.
2.2.1.1.2. Saveria Caruana, married Lorenzo Grech.
2.2.1.1.3. Anna Caruana, married Franco Pace, with issue.
2.2.1.1.3.1. Benedetto Pace.
2.2.1.1.4. Domenica Caruana, married Giovanni Azzopardi.
2.2.1.1.5. Giuseppe Caruana, married Maria Mallia.
2.2.1.2. Margherita Serra, married 1742 to Salvo Mifsud.
2.2.1.3. Maria Serra, married 1747 to Andrea Tehi.
2.2.1.4. Evangelista Serra, married 1750 to Franco Muscat. Married 1766 to Michel Caruana.
2.2.1.5. M'Angelo Serra, married 1755 to Maria Caruana., with issue.

2.2.1.5.1. Giuseppe Serra., married 1799 to Anna Said.
2.3. Marino Carlett, married 1707 to Grazia Spiteri, with issue.
2.3.1. Tihee Carlett, married 1731 to Barbara Calleja.
2.3.2. Tomaso Carlett, married 1732 to Caterina Grech, with issue.
2.3.2.1. Giovanna Carlett, married 1763 to Salvatore Bondin.
3. Veronica Viani, married 1653 to Jean Ollivier de Puget, with issue. 

* Vincenzo Viani, married 1663 to Maddalena Pensa, with issue

1. Isidore Viani, 1st Baron-See Below.
2. Anna Viani, married 1691 to Dr Massimiliano Olivier de Puget, with issue.
3. Angelica Viani, married 1695 to Andrea Grech. (son of Carlo and Grazia Ravier)

4. Franco Viani., married to Anna N, with issue.

4.1. Gio Maria Viani., married (1) Teresa N.., married (2) 1738 to Teresa Cilia.

* Isidore Viani, 1st Baron of Tabria, (Cr:1726) , Most Illustrious and Noble (1730) Married 1702 to Teodora Attard Gauci, with issue.


1. Gio Batta Viani, 2nd Baron-See Below.
2. Carlo Viani, married 1735 to Francesca dei Conti Wizzini, with issue.

2.1. Isidore Viani, married 1770 to Elizabetta Testaferrata, with issue.

2.1.1. Stefano Viani, married 1825 to Antonia Sceberras., with issue.

2.1.1.1. Elizabetta Viani, married 1850 to Giorgio Mallia Tabone.

2.1.2. Carlo Viani, married 1792 Palermo Sicily to Donna Maria Caterina Tomasi dei Principe di Lampedusa., with issue.

2.1.2.1. Isidore Viani Tomasi, (1794-1864 New York City, USA), Migrated to USA 1815 from London. (Married with issue in USA)

2.1.2.2. Vincenzo Viani Tomasi, (1796-1851 New York City USA), Migrated to USA 1815. (Married with issue).

2.1.2.3. Tomaso Viani Tomasi, (1802-69 Palermo, Sicily), married with issue.

2.1.2.4. Patrizio Viani Tomasi, (1805-74 Palermo Sicily)., married with issue.

2.1.2.5. Elizabetta Viani Tomasi, (1800-91 Valletta Malta), married (1) 1820 to Giuseppe dei Conti Preziosi., married (2) 1824 to Cav.Antoine Locano.

2.2. Teodora Viani, married 1765 to Guiseppe Testaferrata.

3. Barbara Viani.

4. Anna Luisa Viani.

5. Marianna Viani, married Daniel Sherman, (1721-99), Representative in the Assembly of the USA., with issue.

5.1. Daniel Sherman (1756-1809).

5.2. Taylor Sherman, (1758-1815), Judge of Norwalk Conn, USA., married to Elizabeth Stoddard., with issue.

5.2.1. Charles R. Sherman, (1788-1829), Judge of the Supreme Court, Ohio USA, married to Mary Hoyt., with issue.

5.2.2. Daniel Sherman, (1790-1864).

5.2.3. Elizabeth Sherman, (1791-1851), married to Judge Parker of Mansfield., with issue.

5.3. Hannah Sherman, (1745-).

5.4. Sarah Sherman, (1749-98), dunm.

5.5. Emma Sherman, (1753-).

 

Footnote#1: The title of Barone della Tabria was granted by Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena, by patent, on the 11th December 1728, to the nobleman Isidoro Viani, and to one of his male or female descendents, with power to each holder of the title to name his successor: The 1878 Commissioners described the terms of the patent of creation as being precisely as in the preceding title Barone di San Marciano (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.) Moreover, it is to be added that from a reading of the first paragraphs of the 1878 Commissioners Report (Paras. 24-34), the Commissioners implicitly stated that the first six titles (of which Culeja was one) were broadly similar in reading [even though they have some (significant) differences between them]: The extracts shown by the 1878 Commissioners read as follows:

 

(Barone di Gomerino :-) -1710 GM Perellos) Praefeatos Paulum et Beatricem et post eosdem, omni futuro tempore et in perpetuum, unum ex omnibus et singulis eorumdem successoribus de suis corporibus legitime et naturaliter descendentibus, semper Baronis Gomerini titulo decoarus et insignimus, et barones creamus et constituimus......Tribuentes iisdem Paulo et Beatrice omnibusque ac singulis aliis qui omni futuro tempore ac in perpetuum titulo ac prerogativa Baronis Gomerini fruentur, facoltatem nominandi et eligendi unum ex dictis eorum descendentibus sive marem sive foeminanam, ad ipsorumet libitum et beneplacitum, pro hujusmodi titulo Baronis Gomerini consequendo et adipiscendo, dictaque nominatione et electione minime facta, ex tunc censeatur per eosdem eorumque singulos barones, nominatus et electus ipsorum Primogenitus, nisi eri ad Sacros Ordines promotus et in Religione professus et in defectu marium foemina primogenita

 

(Barone di Budack:-) - 1716 GM Perellos) Tibi Joanni Pio De Piro et post tui obituum uni ex filiis vel filiabus legitimis et naturabilibus, ex te et Nobili Anna Gourgion tua conjuge procreatis vel procreandis quem vel quam omni futuro tempore et in perpetuum. Tu et quilibet seu quaelibet ex tuis successoribus in dicta Baronia constitutus seu respective constituta, malueritis eligendum vel eligendam, tribuimus, concedimus et donamus hujusmodique titulo insignimus ac Baronem dicto Feudi de Budacco constituimus et ita nominari posse et debere....Hoc etiam addito, quod in casu tui vel tuorum in infinitum decessus, absque ulla nominatione vel electione dictui tituli seu Baroniae, ex nunc censeatur nominatus et electus Primogenitus, nisi erit ad sacros Ordines promotus et in Religione professus, et in defectu marium foemina primogenita....

 

(Barone di San Marciano- 1726 GM Vilhena) Tibi Nobili Didaco Antonio Galea Feriol et post tui obitum, uni ex filiis vel filiabus legitimis et naturalibus ex te legitime procreatis vel procreandis, quem vel quam omni futuro tempore et in perpetuum. Tu et quilibet ex tuis legitimis successoribus in dicta Baronia constitutus seu respective constituta, malueritis eligendum vel eligendam. Et in casu tui vel tuorum in infinitum decessus, absque ulla nominatione vel electione successoris in dicto titulo, ex nunc censeatur nominatus et electus primogenitus nisi erit ad sacros ordines promotus, aut in religione professus, et in defectu marium, foemina primogenita...

 

(Barone della Tabria - 1728 GM Vilhena) Tibi Nobili Isidoro Viani et post tui obitum uni ex filiis vel filiabus legitimis et naturalibus ex te legitime procreatis vel procreandis, quem vel quam omni futuro constitutus seu respective constituta, malueritis eligendum vel eligendam. Et in casu tui vel tuorum in infinitu decessus absque ulla nominatione vel elctione successoris in dicto titulo, ex nunc censeatur nominatus et electus primogenitus, nisi erit ad sacros ordines promotus et in religione professus, et in defectu marium, foemina primogenita..."

 

Footnote#2: Specifically, the 1878 Commissioners observed that Vianis diploma was the fourth of the first six titles considered by them in order of antiquity, namely Gomerino (Testaferrata et Cassia - 1710), Budack (De Piro- 1716), San Marciano (Galea Feriolo - 1726), Tabria (Viani - 1728), Culeja (Bonnici) - 1737 and Benuarrat (Gatto- 1737) . 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.)

Footnote#3: It should be remarked also that Isidoro Viani was one of five of the said recipients of six titles to have been granted the right to Illustrissimo e Nobile. The persons who at different times received this dignity were: (1) Milite Barone Marc' Antonio Inguanez (See Djar il-Bniet) and his wife Baronessa Inguanez (See Gomerino) (30 April 1725); (2) Barone di Cicciano Fabritio Testaferrata (See: Castel Cicciano) and his mother the Baronessa di Gomerino Beatrice Cassia Testaferrata  (See Gomerino), (11 May 1725), (3) Marchese di San Vincenzo Ferreri Mario Testaferrata (See: San Vincenzo Ferreri) (9 July 1725), (4) Carlo Falson (See Falson), and Eleanora Testaferrata (See: Capo di Ferro) (13 June 1726), (5) Barone di San Marciano Diego Galea Feriolo (See: San Marciano), (2 September 1726), (6) Barone Gio Pio De Piro (See De Piro) (19 March 1727), (7) Canon Giuseppe di Costanzo (See Paganica), and Donna Rosa (See De Noto),widow of Gio Battista di Costanzo (24 May 1729), (8) Barone Isidoro Viani (See: Tabria), (27 June 1730), (9) D. Vincenzo Platamone (See Platamone),and Antonio Bonnici (??), (10) Baldassare Bonnici (13 January 1732), (11) Calcerano Mompalao (See: Mompalao)), Giuseppe and Caterina Cuschieri (See: Frigenuini) (6 March 1732), (12) Barone Saverio Gatt (See: Benwarrad) (23 August 1737), (13) Signor Ludovico Bianchi (See: Bianchi) (25 October 1741), (14) Dr. Ugolino Bonnici (5 September 1794), (15) Dr. Saverio Crispo (See: Crispo) (??). (See http://www.maltagenealogy.com/SME/mostillustriousandnoble.html )-

Footnote#4: The 1878 Commissioners remarked in regard to the title of Barone della Tabria that in that grant ‘it is provided that in default of male issue the title is inheritable by female descendents. Consequently, although the then claimant Dr. Giuseppe Testaferrata Viani only descended from the grantee through a female line, he was nonetheless entitled to enjoy the present barony.

Footnote#5: In regard to the ‘first six’ titles, primary emphasis is placed on the holder’s faculty to ‘nominate’ and in default, a mechanism whereby the relative title is succeeded by the person determinable as per the following formulae thus: (Barone di Gomerino :-) facoltatem nominandi et eligendi unum ex dictis eorum descendentibus sive marem sive foeminanam, ad ipsorumet libitum et beneplacitum, pro hujusmodi titulo Baronis Gomerini consequendo et adipiscendo, dictaque nominatione et electione minime facta, ex tunc censeatur per eosdem eorumque singulos barones, nominatus et electus ipsorum Primogenitus, nisi eri ad Sacros Ordines promotus et in Religione professus et in defectu marium foemina primogenita; (Barone di Budack:-) Hoc etiam addito, quod in casu tui vel tuorum in infinitum decessus, absque ulla nominatione vel electione dictui tituli seu Baroniae, ex nunc censeatur nominatus et electus Primogenitus, nisi erit ad sacros Ordines promotus et in Religione professus, et in defectu marium foemina primogenita....; (Barone di San Marciano:-) Et in casu tui vel tuorum in infinitum decessus, absque ulla nominatione vel electione successoris in dicto titulo, ex nunc censeatur nominatus et electus primogenitus nisi erit ad sacros ordines promotus, aut in religione professus, et in defectu marium, foemina primogenita... (Barone della Tabria: -) Et in casu tui vel tuorum in infinitu decessus absque ulla nominatione vel elctione successoris in dicto titulo, ex nunc censeatur nominatus et electus primogenitus, nisi erit ad sacros ordines promotus et in religione professus, et in defectu marium, foemina primogenita..." (For Culeja , see Tabria and for Benwarrad see San Marciano).

 

Footnote#6: It should be remembered that to succeed in primogenitures, one must consider, in the first place, the line, in the second place, the degree, in the third place, the sex, and in the fourth place the age. The question which has been debated many times is whether ‘line’ is to be calculated from the original grantee or from the last ‘possessor’. It appears that in terms of Sicilian Law, ulterior succession was calculated from the last possessor. However, it should be recalled that all of these six grants did not emanate from a Sicilian Monarch but from an independent and Sovereign ruler of Malta. In fact the 1878 Commissioners emphasized that Grand Masters were not bound to refer to the cognizance and decision of feudal suits (para. 135): The Commissioners considered this aspect with particular attention and concluded that even when Emperor Charles V, as King of Sicily, ceded the Maltese islands on the 24 March 1530 to the Knights, there was no condition reserved in the King’s favour that provided that the privileges granted by him should be recognized and enforced in the territory he had granted to the Grand Masters and the Order of St. John: Moreover the Commissioners also observed that any possible doubt was done away with by Philip II’s ulterior grant of 27 June 1559. The implication that one should computate descent from the original grantee instead of the Sicilian rule may have enormous implications but it seems that this was in fact the preferred interpretation by the Privy Council of the House of Lords in the classic Strickland/Apap case the outcome of which decided not just a mere title but an entire patrimony. According to the decision of  the 10th February 1883 of the Privy Council of the House of Lords in the Strickland/Apap case (Ref: 8 A.C.106), any ‘nomination’ may not operate to displace the order of vocation or preference expressly prescribed by the previous parts of the deed nor may one interpret the remainder against  the principles of primogeniture that line is to be preferred to degree and age. In default of actual nomination, the primogenitus is to be deemed nominated:  censeatur nominatus. The natural meaning of that expression is that this imported or supposed nomination is to be of the same nature as the real nomination might have been. The limit of line must be taken to apply to devolution in the absence of nomination. See also http://www.maltagenealogy.com/SME/catena.html Thus in determining who is to succeed in the default of a nomination, one has to assess the descent from the original grantee unless the instrument specifically provides otherwise (or is amended). In this way, one is precluded from determining succession from the last ‘possessor’ as otherwise it would make a nonsense of the original grant made out in favour of the grantees. The Sicilian argument that one should compute from the last possessor was delivered a final blow by the same Privy Council (Ref: No. 150 1923) in its decision of the 20th January 1926 (Cassar Desain/Testaferrata Moroni Viani) when it dismissed that claim saying It is a satisfaction to the Board to feel that they are justified by authority in doing so, for that conclusion seems to them to be alone consonant with principle and right. The consequences of the view adopted by both Courts in Malta are indeed devastating. Their decision means that any failure by a beneficiary from whatever interested motive to claim primogenial property that property is at the mercy of any person whether within or without the vocations who succeeds in obtaining possession of it. He may hold it as against all comers ‘ even those next in the vocation ‘ freed and discharged from all primogenial obligations precise and serious as in this case they are. A more complete frustration of founders’ intentions as set forth in such an instrument of foundation as that here in question can hardly be conceived.’ That the 1878 Commissioners would have been in agreement with the principle of computing from the grantee is clearly implied in their remarks about Angiolino Attard (Benwarrad) being the ‘first-born descendent in the primogenial line from the grantee’, as well as their remarks that Pietro Paolo Galea  (San Marciano) had a ‘descent from Barone Diego Antonio Galea Ferriol, and the regular transmission of the title through the first born male descendents, successively down to his person’ (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. 19, 30, 34). In addition, all of the six grants (with the exception of Gomerino) are addressed in the first person singular, which again implies the need to interpret the grants and apply the remainder from the original head. In a judgment delivered on the  4 October 1894 regarding one of these titles (Tabria ) the Maltese Civil court went to great lengths to outline the importance of the preciseness of the language used in regard to the grantee and the restrictiveness of the words employed, e.g. Tibi Nobili Isidoro Viani et post tui obitum ex te descendentes ,  Tu et quilibet ex tuis legitimis successoribus and tui vel tuorum in infinitum decessus.

Footnote#7: It appears that the accepted form of exercising the faculty to “nominate” a successor is by means of a will or a public deed. However during the Government of the Order, the Sovereign’s assent was required in order for such nomination to take effect. It will be recalled that elsewhere in the 1878 Report, the Commissioners stated: It is hardly necessary to remark that such cession would be legally void, it being a settled point of feudal law that titles of nobility cannot be alienated and conveyed to other persons by deed of transaction between private parties, and without the sovereign’s sanction. See http://www.maltagenealogy.com/SME/sangiorgio.html  In the context of nominations effected during the Government of the Grandmasters, we have seen that in the case of the title of Barone di Castel Cicciano, Royal assent was required for the 1695 transaction in favour of Fabritio Testaferrata and was in fact given in 1695, that in the case of Barone di Gomerino, Royal assent was required for the 1734 transaction in favour of Ercole Martino Testaferrata and was in fact given in 1737, that in the case of Barone della Tabria, Royal assent was required for the 1784 renunciation in favour of Giuseppe Testaferrata Viani and was in fact given in 1784. Similarly in the case of Conte di Mont' Alto, Royal assent was required for succession of the first count’s nominated successor and was in fact achieved in 1724.  Moreover, according to the British Secretary of State writing to the Governor of Malta in 1878, it appears he himself excluded the possibility of a title being succeeded to outside a regular succession: - in fact he wrote: As each of these titles are either personal to the holder or a particular fief, or descends in the order of primogeniture so as to be tenable only by the eldest male descendant, it will be apparent that the holders of these titles are the persons who alone can be recognized as the heads of their respective families, so as to come within the terms of my predecessor’s Despatch above referred to. (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.) (page 60). By analogy, the disherision by Mario Testaferrata de Robertis of his eldest son made in Palermo on the 16th April 1758 was not regarded as having any effect on the title of Marchese di San Vincenzo Ferreri (but appears to have different effects on the title of Marchese Testaferrata. In this regard, one cannot ignore William Loftie’s barbed comment: One of the claimants asserted that the eldest branch of the family was disinherited by the original grantee, and one might have supposed the Commission quite capable of deciding how far such an act of disinheritance would be valid in the case of an hereditary title. See: -William John Loftie’s “A ride in Egypt, from Sioot to Luxor” (1879) Chapter I.  

On the other hand, however, it appears that ever since after the Government of the Order of St, John, the aforesaid practice of ‘nominating’ has become accepted by a will even though no assent is received from the Sovereign. Indeed, we see how in the case of Barone di Gomerino, that in 1827 the barone Pietro Paolo Testaferrata Abela ‘nominated’ by a will his younger son, in the case of Barone della Tabria, the marchese Giuseppe Testaferrata Viani ‘nominated’ his younger nephew by means of a will made in 1892, in the case of Barone di San Marciano, the barone Calcedonio Galea Feriolo also willed in 1908 a ‘nomination’ in favour of his daughter in lieu of his son. Moreover, the Maltese Courts appear to have had no difficulty in (then) accepting  the principle of a ‘nomination’ without ratification from the Sovereign (In particular see judgments of 1882 (Gomerino), 1885 (Budack,) and 1894 (Tabria,)

In addition it should be remarked that if a will is invalid (or simply not made), then the succession is regulated by the terms of the grant: thus in the case of Barone di Budack, a series of testamentary nominations made between 1874 and 1875 by the Baronessa Francesca Depiro in favour of a junior relative were declared invalid by reason of her incapacity of mind throughout that period and the title was deemed to have been succeeded by a more senior descendant of the grantee. The use of a mere testamentary disposition, that is to say without seeking the Sovereign’s ratification, appears to be founded on the Budack judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal dated 7 January 1885 which said: l’obbligo di chiedere l’investitura e di fare omaggio non era nella Bolla del Gran Maestro imposto sotto pena di decadenza del titolo e sotto il Governo successivo, l’obbligo medesimo ando’ completamente in disuso rispetto a tutti i titoli di nobilta’ conceduti dai Gran Maestri.

Finally, it should be noted that during the period 1883-1975, the British Colonial Administration adopted a practice of issuing ‘warrants of recognition’: These warrants cannot be regarded as supplementing the terms of the original grants. In this regard, it is worth recalling the words of the British Secretary of State: With reference to the question which the Commissioners have very properly raised in their original report, viz. whether acts of presumed recognition under the British Government, such as the issue of a passport from the Foreign Office to a gentleman, in which he is styled baron, or count, or marquis, or the mention of a similar title in a Despatch from a Secretary of State, or in a Government notice or other official document emanating from the Governor of the Colony, may be taken to have revived or perpetuated a title which has become extinct, or was otherwise without legal support, I feel able to give no other answer than that all such acts are altogether valueless for that purpose, and cannot be taken to have conferred, revived, perpetuated or confirmed any dignity which did not already rest upon an independent legal basis. It is only necessary to point out to you that no public officer, not even a Secretary of State, has the power of conferring titles of honour, for which the personal sanction of Her Majesty is each case is necessary; and even assuming such acts to have been done by British officials with full knowledge that the titles were non-existent, their want of power would prevent these acts of supposed recognition from having the slightest effect. (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 Letter dated 30 April 1878 from the Secretary of State for the Colonies Hicks-Beach to Governor van Straubanzee (Report page 59-60)).

* Gio Battista Viani, 2nd Baron of Tabria, Married 1733 to Maria Teresa Bonici, with issue.

1. Francesca Viani, declined the succession in 1784 in favour of her nephew with the Grand Masters consent., dunm. SEE BELOW
2. Anna Viani, married 1762 to Mario Testaferrata Castelletti,  with issue

2.1. Marchese Giuseppe Testaferrata Viani, 3rd Baron-See Below.
2.2. Marchese Filippo Testaferrata, 3rd Marquis 'Testaferrata', married 1807 to Vincenza Falanca, with issue. (See Cassar Desain.for all descendants)

2.3. Filippo Testaferrata, Married 1807 to Vincenza Falanca, with issue

2.3.1. Lorenzo Antonio Testaferrata (born 1805), (died 1851), Married 1822 to Maria Teresa Cassar Desain, with issue

2.3.1.1. Filippo Giacomo Cassar Desain, (1826-66), married 1848 to Veneranda de Piro-Gourgion

2.3.1.1.1. Richard Cassar Desain,

2.3.1.1.2. Lorenzo Antonio Cassar Desain, married firstly in 1872 to Camilla Slythe (died 1880) with issue, married Secondly in 1884 to Eleanor Parkinson (died 1914) married 1905 to Mary Alexandra Turnbull, with issue

2.3.1.1.2.1. James George Cassar Desain, with issue (See Cassar Desain. for all descendants)

2.3.1.1.2.2. Philip Gerald Cassar Desain (1908-27), dunm.

2.3.1.1.2.3. George Lawrence Cassar Desain (1915-82), dunm

2.3.1.1.2.4. Adeline Cassar Desain (1911-, married Edwin England-Sant Fournier, with issue

2.3.1.1.2.5. Elena Cassar Desain (1913-39), dunm.

2.3.1.1.2.6.  Mary Cassar Desain (1916-2007), married Major. Albert Falzon Sant Manduca, with issue

2.3.1.1.2.6.1. Alfred Falzon Sant Manduca, (1943-

2.3.1.1.2.6.2. Lilianina Falzon Sant Manduca, (1940-2000), "Baroness of Tabria" (See footnotes below). Married 1963 to John Bugeja, with issue.

2.3.1.1.2.6.2.1. Philip Bugeja Viani, , "Baron of Tabria" (See footnotes below)..(1964-, married Margaret Gatt

2.3.1.1.2.6.2..2. Julian Bugeja Viani, (1967-, married Lara Strickland Bologna dei Conti della Catena

2.3.1.1.2.6.2.2.1. Nina Bugeja Viani, (2001-

2.3.1.1.2.6.2.2.2. Lucia Bugeja Viani, (2003-

2.3.1.1.2.6.2.3. Mary Ann Bugeja Viani, (1974-

2.3.1.1.2.6.3. Alberta Falzon Sant Manduca, (1945- , married 1970 to Joseph Camilleri, with issue.

2.3.1.1.2.6.1. Christian Camilleri, (1971-

2.3.1.1.2.6.2. Rachel Camilleri, (1973-

2.3.1.1.2.6.3. Lisa Camilleri, (1983-

2.3.1.1.2.7. Donna  Vanda Cassar Desain (1918-, married J. Bradshaw, with issue

 

Footnote#1: Gio Battista Viani was invested in the title by Grand Master Raimondo Despuig on the 18 January 1740.

Footnote#2: Gio Battista died in 1784 leaving two daughters. The eldest, Francesca who was unmarried suffered a profonda malinconia after her father died and was put in the care of a curator. However she soon recovered and personally petitioned the Grand Master within the peremptory term of un anno ed un giorno a supplicare l’Investitura that her nephew the Marchese Giuseppe Testaferrata Viani be invested in her stead. Francesca’s petition was upheld on the 14 October 1784 and Giuseppe was duly invested by the Grand Master on the 22 October 1784 as the third holder. National Library of Malta Collections  Archives of the Order, Volume 589, f.323r; 1194, ff.170r, 333r-338r

* Giuseppe Testaferrata Viani, (1762-1837), 3rd Baron of Tabria, Married 1791 to Rosa Maria Galea Feriol D'Amico Inguanez dei Baroni di San Marciano, with issue.


1. Gilberto Testaferrata Viani, 4th Baron-See Below.
2. Maria Testaferrata Viani, married 1817 to the 4th Marquis of San Vincenzo Ferreri and Testaferrata, with issue.
3. Margherita Testaferrata Viani, married 1807 to Gaetano Giappone, with issue.
4. Vincenza Testaferrata Viani, married 1811 to Nicolo Testaferrata de Noto, with issue.
5. Lettrina Testaferrata Viani, married 1819 to Sir Giuseppe Testaferrata de Noto, KCMG, with issue.
6. Mario Testaferrata Viani "Barone della Tabria"  See below

Footnote#1: Marquis Giuseppe Testaferrata Viani (senior) was the third and last person to have been formally invested in the 1728 title of Baron Viani of Tabria.

Footnote#2: It appears that the Marchese Giuseppe (senior) “donated” the title of Tabria to his younger son Mario by virtue of a deed in the acts of Notary Lorenzo Antonio Azzopardi of the 16^th June 1834. Published sources do not make any reference to this transaction:-this is probably because of the principle that private transactions regarding titles of nobility are null and void. It will be recalled that elsewhere in the 1878 Report, the Commissioners stated: It is hardly necessary to remark that such cession would be legally void, it being a settled point of feudal law that titles of nobility cannot be alienated and conveyed to other persons by deed of transaction between private parties, and without the sovereign’s sanction. See also http://www.maltagenealogy.com/SME/sangiorgio.html

* Marchese Gilberto Testaferrata Viani, (born 1801), 4th Baron of Tabria, Married 1826 to Aloisea Sceberras Bologna dei Conti della Catena, with issue.

1. Marchese Giuseppe Testaferrata Viani, 5th Baron-See Below.
2. Marchesa Orade Testaferrata Viani, (Primogenial descendant of Isidoro Viani as at 1892),
3. Donna Maria Angela Testaferrata Viani, (1830-67), married Barone Pietro Paolo Testaferrata Abela Moroni, LL.D, with issue.
3.1. Salvatore Testaferrata Moroni Viani, Baron Testaferrata (See Gomerino), (1866-1911), married 1886 to Caroline Barbaro dei Marchesi di San Giorgio, with issue.
3.1.1. Pietro Paolo Testaferrata Moroni Viani, Baron Testaferrata (See Gomerino), (1886-1954), married 1922 to Carmela Cremona, with issue.
3.1.1.1. Salvatore Testaferrata Moroni Viani, Baron Testaferrata (See Gomerino), (Primogenial descendant of Isidoro Viani), (1930-, married 1962 to Monika Ammerman, with issue.
3.1.1.1.1. Christopher Testaferrata Moroni Viani, (1964- , married 1991 to Daniela Vinci, with issue
3.1.1.1.1.1. Stephen Henry Testaferrata Moroni Viani, (1994-
3.1.1.1.1.2. Petra Testaferrata Moroni Viani, (1992-.
3.1.1.1.2. Carmen Petra Testaferrata Moroni Viani, (1963-66), d.inf
3.1.1.1.3. Martin Testaferrata Moroni Viani, LL.D, (1969-., married 2004 to Stephanie Apap Bologna Sceberras d'Amico Inguanez (See Djar il-Bniet)., with issue.

2.1.1.1.3.1.  Nicholas Henry Testaferrata Moroni Viani., (2005-.

2.1.1.1.3.2. Martina Josefa Testaferrata Moroni Viani, (2007-.

2.1.1.1.3.3. Sophia Maria Pilar Testaferrata Moroni Viani, (2007-.

3.1.1.2. Mario Testaferrata Moroni Viani, (1932-2007), married 1957 to Jane Borg Hampton, with issue.
3.1.1.2.1. Peter Paul Testaferrata Moroni Viani, (1960-, married 1985 to Theresia Vincenti Kind, with issue
3.1.1.2.1.1. Sarah Testaferrata Moroni Viani, (1986-
3.1.1.2.1.2. Mark Testaferrata Moroni Viani, (1988-
3.1.1.2.1.3. Peter Testaferrata Moroni Viani, (1994-
3.1.1.2.2. Paul Stephen Testaferrata Moroni Viani, (1965-, married 1990 to Clara Galea, with issue
3.1.1.2.2.1. Luke Testaferrata Moroni Viani, (1994-
3.1.1.2.3. Caroline Testaferrata Moroni Viani, (1958-, married Gerald Zammit, (His late Brother married to Maria Galea-Testaferrata)., with issue.
3.1.1.2.3.1. Matthew Zammit
3.1.1.2.3.2. Amanda Jane Zammit
3.1.1.3. Maria Testaferrata Moroni Viani, (1923-99), married 1948 to Lino Testaferrata Bonici (See Qlejjgha), with issue.

3.1.1.3.1. Agnese Testaferrata Bonici Ghaxaq, married 1973 to Alfred Gera de Petri, B.Pharm, with issue
3.1.1.3.1.1. Daniele Gera de Petri Testaferrata Bonici Ghaxaq, KM, (1974-., married 2003 to Dr Enyd Pisani BA., LLD.
3.1.1.3.1.2. Dr Andrea Gera de Petri Testaferrata Bonici, LL.D, (1975-, married 2003 to Kate De Cesare., with issue.
3.1.1.3.1.2.1. Georgia Gera de Petri, (2004-.

3.1.1.3.1.2.2. Sophia Gera de Petri, (2006-.
3.1.1.3.1.3. Giulia Gera de Petri Testaferrata Bonici, (1982-,  married 2007 to Dr Mark Attard Montalto (See San Paolino)

3.1.1.3.2  Caren Testaferrata Bonici., (1952-,  married 1978 to Dr Josef John Preziosi MRCS (See Preziosi)

3.1.1.3.2 1. Marie Christine Preziosi, (1980-,
3.1.1.3.2 2. Fabrizia Preziosi, (1983-

3.1.1.3.3. Anna Maria Testaferrata Bonici., (1961-., married 1984 to John Spiteri-Debono., with issue.

3.1.1.3.3.1. Michela Consiglia Spiteri-Debono., (1985-.

3.1.1.3.3.2 Jean-Paul Spiteri Debono

3.1.1.4. Beatrice Testaferrata Moroni Viani, (1927-2007), dunm.
3.1.2. Maria Testaferrata Moroni Viani,(1899-1954), married 1921 to Victor Denaro, (Also see Maltese Families) with issue
3.1.2.1. Marcelle Denaro (1922-), married 21-11-1943 to Joseph Bonici Mallia
3.1.2.1.1. Louisetta Bonici Mallia (1946-), married 24-4-1965 to Chev. John Mary dei Conti Sant Manduca, (see Count Sant for descent)
3.1.2.1.2. Dr John Bonici Mallia MD., (1945-.
3.1.2.1.3. Paul Bonici Mallia (d. 2000), married Margaret Curmi, with issue
3.1.2.1.3.1. Simon Bonici Mallia, (1985-.
3.1.2.1.3.2. Michael Bonici Mallia, (1988-.
3.1.2.1.4. Victoria Bonici Mallia, married Louis Camilleri, with issue

3.1.2.1.4.1. Louisa Camilleri, (1981-.

3.1.2.1.4.2. Juliana Camilleri, (1985-.
3.1.2.1.5. Anna Bonici Mallia, married Maurice Meli Bugeja (See Cassar-Torreggiani, Maltese Families for descent)
3.1.2.1.6. Charmaine Bonici Mallia, married David Attard, with issue

3.1.2.1.6.1. Christopher Attard, (1983-.

3.1.2.1.6.2. Adrian Attard, (1985-.

3.1.2.1.6.3. Felicity Attard, (1989-.
3.1.2.2. Dr Donald Denaro MD, married May Camilleri
3.1.2.2.1. Victor Denaro, (1956-, married 1983 to Elizabeth Mary Pace, with issue.

3.1.2.2.1.1. Alex Denaro, (1984-.

3.1.2.2.1.2. Marie Claire Denaro, (1986-.
3.1.2.2.2. Helena Denaro, (1962-.
3.1.2.2.3. Christianne Denaro, (1958-., married 1980 to Ian Wirth Trigona, with issue

3.1.2.2.3.1. John Wirth, (1984-.

3.1.2.2.3.2. Elaine Wirth, (1987-.

3.1.2.2.3.3. Bernadine Wirth, (1992-.
3.1.3. Beatrice Testaferrata Moroni Viani, married Salvatore Cremona., with issue.
3.1.3.1. Dr John Cremona, married with issue.
3.1.3.1.1. Alfred Cremona.
3.1.3.1.2. Robert Cremona.
3.1.3.1.3. Susan Cremona, married to Dr. Klaus Vella Bardon
3.1.3.2. Col. Dr Anthony Cremona, married to Rosemary Bonello, with issue.
3.1.3.2.1. Jennifer Cremona, married to Peter Zammit.
3.1.3.2.2. David Cremona. - Real Estate Web site Press Here., married to Joanna Gatt, with issue.

3.1.3.2.2.1. Hannah Cremona.

3.1.3.2.2.2. Samuel Cremona.
3.1.3.2.3. Kathleen Cremona, married to Wolf  vom Schloss

3.1.3.2.4. Peter Cremona, married to Eva NN, with issue.

3.1.3.2.4.1. Antonio Cremona.

3.1.3.2.4.2. Daniella Cremona.
3.1.3.3. Mary Cremona, married to Cesare Benvenuti.

3.1.4.Suor Inez Testaferrata Moroni Viani (nun), dunm.

3.1.5.Elvira Testaferrrata Moroni Viani married Meme Scicluna, with issue:

3.1.5.1 Anne Scicluna married nn Baal

3.1.5.2 May married Joseph W Micallef

3.1.5.2.1 Richard Micallef

3.1.5.2.2 Elizabeth Micallef

3.1.5.2.3 Patrick Micallef

3.1.5.2.4 Danielle Micallef married Robert Sant

3.1.5..3. Tony Scicluna married nn Dingli

3.1.5.4. Joseph Scicluna married

3.1.5.5. Lilian Scicluna married Alfred Sant Fournier

3.1.6 Laura Testaferrata Moroni Viani married George Bryon

3.1.6.1. Inez Bryon married Frank Calleja

3.1.6.2. Mary Bryon married Giovanni Paolini

3.1.6.3 Edith Bryon married Thomas Zerafa

3.1.6.4. Eileen Bryon married Alfred Fsadni

3.1.6.4.1 Ivan Fsadni

3.2. Laura Testaferrata Moroni Viani, (1864-...)
3.3. Giuseppe Testaferrata Moroni Viani, (1870-)
3.4. Riccardo Testaferrata Moroni Viani, (1868-)
3.5.