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The Noble Family of Messina

This family is already listed as a noble family in “Descrittione di Malta” (1647). Moreover, an homonymous branch, probably not descended from the medieval Maltese family settled in Malta during the 19^th century, enjoying the titles of Conte (1864) and Marchese di San Stefano (1878)

Updated 13-06-2010.

THE GENEALOGY OF THE MESSINA FAMILY:

(To make corrections/ updates click http://www.maltagenealogy.com/libro%20d'Oro/correction.html

Bernardo Messina, Nobile of Castiglione Sicily 1321, with issue.
1. Milite Oliver Messina, Sequace di Federico III of Sicily 1360, married with issue.

1.1. Nobile Fra. Luca Messina, dunm.

1.2. Nobile Agostino Messina, 'Abbott', dunm.

1.3. Milite Corrardo Messina, Capitano Guardo for the King Peter III of Sicily, married with issue.

1.3.1. Milite Bertolomeo Messina, Configlio dell'Universita di Malta 1420, Giurato of Malta 1431, married with issue.

1.3.1.1. Milite Giovann-Bernardo Messina, Secretary del Regno di Sicily King John 1478, married with issue.

1.3.1.1.1. Nobile Gian-Luca Messina,  (c 1528) "Abbott", dunm.

1.3.1.1.2. Nobile Antonio Messina, Giurato of Birgu in Malta 1527, married to Donna Violante Vella, (“fondo’ la cappella del Salvatore dentra la Chiesa dell’ Annuntiata de’ Reverendi Padri Domenicani nella Citta’ Vittoriosa, ov’ egli e stato Giurato, e mori senza lasciar figluoli”), with issue.

1.3.1.1.2.1. Nobile Stefano Messina (c.1554).

Conte Matteo Messina, Barone di Gurafi e di Comichi in Sicily, married to Donna Porzia Ruffo di Bagnara, with issue.

1. Conte Bonifaco Messina, Barone di Gurafi e di Comichi in Sicily, married to Anna Maria Barbaro, with issue.
1.1. Conte Giovanni Messina, Barone di Gurafi e di Comichi in Sicily, Governor of Calabria, (Executed by orders of Napoleon Bonaparte 1800),  married to Giuseppa Casanova, with issue.
1.1.1. Count Rosario Messina, Barone di Gurafi e di Comichi in Sicily, member of the Council of Government in Malta, (1796-1875), settled in Malta 1811, Created Conte (1864) by Pope Pius IX, married 1836 Valletta to Maria de Ataliottis (d/o Nicholas de Ataliottis, Merchant from Greece in Malta and Lucia), with issue.
1.1.1.1. Dr. Giovanni Messina LL.D, Barone di Gurafi e di Comichi in Sicily, 2nd Count, (1842-1911), had a child by Carmela Bugeja, with issue
1.1.1.1.1. (Legitimate Jan 1902) Maria dei Conti Messina, (1883-1962), married 1904 Rabat Malta to Albert Edwardo Ganado, with issue

1.1.1.1.1.1. Jane Ganado, (1904-49), married Louis Warrington, with issue

1.1.1.1.1.2. Mary Rose Ganado, (1911-64), married with issue

1.1.1.1.1.3. Victoria Ganado, married Anthony Sceberras, with issue

1.1.1.1.1.4. Edward Ganado, married Maria Brandi, with issue

1.1.1.1.1.5. Dr. Godwin Ganado, LL.D (1910-64), married Mary Anne Sammut, with issue.

1.1.1.1.1.5.1. Lia Ganado.

1.1.1.2. Lucia dei Conti Messina, (1845-1912), married 1899 to Count Gaetano Tarabine Castellani, dsp.

1.1.1.3. Dr. Francesco Messina, LL.D, Barone di Gurafi e di Comichi in Sicily, 3rd Count, Created (1878) Marchese di San Stefano by Pope Pius IX, married 1906 to Lucia dei Conti Bentivoglio, dsp.

1.1.1.4. Giuseppina dei Conti Messina, (1850-1939), married 1885 to Cmdr. Edward N. Price, with issue

1.1.1.4.1. Tamara Price, married to N. Crabtree.

1.1.1.5. Concettina dei Conti Messina, (1855-1935), married 1876 to Harman Grisewood, with issue

1.1.1.5.1. Bettina Grisewood, (d.1961), married 1913 to Robert Sholto Johnstone-Douglas, with issue.

1.1.1.5.1.1. Thomas Robert Johnstone-Douglas, (1913-.

1.1.1.5.1.2. Elisabeth Johnstone-Douglas, (1916-., married (1) 1954 to William Robert Craven, 6th Earl of Craven (d.1965)., married (2) 1966 to Kenneth Harmood Banner,  with issue.

1.1.1.5.1.2.1. (First Marriage) Thomas Craven, 7th Earl of Craven, (1957-83)., dunm.

1.1.1.5.1.2.2. Simon George Craven, 8th Earl of Craven, (1961-90), married 1988 to Teresa Maria Bernadette Downes, with issue.

1.1.1.5.1.2.2.1. Benjamin Robert Craven, 9th Earl of Craven, (1989-.

1.1.1.5.1.2.3. Lady Ann Mary Elizabeth Craven, (1959-., married 1978 to Dr Lionel Tarassenko, with issue.

1.1.1.5.1.2.3.1. Luke Ivan Tarassenko, (1988-.

1.1.1.5.1.2.3.2. Simon Robert Tarassenko, (1991-.

1.1.1.5.1.2.3.3. Noami Rachel Tarassenko, (1989-.

1.1.2. Contessa Maria Teresa Messina, (1799 - 1842), married 1816 Lija to Lt. Col Ludovico Gauci-Gualtieri RMA., with issue.

Footnote#1: There is no record nor any claim whatsoever of the 1864 title of Conte Messina in the records of the 1878 Commission. This is because the date of creation of this title is not before the annexation of Malta to the British Dominions. It should be remembered that the purpose of that report (as the report reads) was to identify those titles which were granted or recognized by the sovereign authorities of Malta during the Government of the Knights of Saint John. Some may argue that this title is not one of those titles “recognised by the British Monarch”. That argument is flawed because the purpose of the 1878 Commission was not to “recognize” but to “identify” those titles which had already been granted or recognized during the Government of the Order. This is better explained by the terms of reference to the Commissioners that ?the Secretary of State for the colonies decided that the heads of the families who, before the annexation of Malta to the British Dominions, obtained tiles of nobility, should in accordance with a precedent during the administration of the late Governor, Sir Henry K. Storks, have precedence of the Chamber of Commerce, and in order to ascertain (etc)?. In this case, the title of Conte Messina is simply not one of those titles that was obtained during the Government of the Order. 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 of Chief Secretary to Government to Commissioners dated March 8, 1877 (page 52).

Footnote#2: In addition, had this family enjoyed a title during the Government in Malta of the Order, and even if no claim whatsoever was made during the 1878 Commission, they would still in the words of Governor Straubanzee be ?At all events if there are more ?Titolati? they are at liberty at any time to prove their claims, and take the precedence to which they are entitled?. . 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 of Governor to Earl of Carnarvon dated December, 29 1877 (page 3)

Footnote#3 The 1878 title of Marchese di San Stefano was granted after the conclusion of the 1878 Commission. Therefore there can be no reference to that title in the 1878 report. (See above)

Footnote#4 As Francesco Messina died without issue, the title of Marchese di San Stefano granted in 1878 became EXTINCT. The latter extinction does not affect the other title of Conte which in accordance with the relative law may be succeeded by Francesco’s collaterals in terms of that grant.

Footnote#5 The title of Barone di Gurafi e di Comichi in Sicily is noted in Enciclopedia Storico-Nobiliare Italiana vol IV  by Vittorio Spreti, page 572-573.

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, Vol 72.
3. www.maltagenealogy.com

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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

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

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