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Our Histories

Meet Our Family

Atti di Battesimo Anno 1911 pagina 2

Our Pages

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• Old Homeplace
• Coming to America
• Moving to France
• Irish Ancestors
• Grandmother Feeding the Dogs

Discover Our Family

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The Four Brigands

Four soldiers stationed in Milan, after a series of misdeeds and threatened with trial, deserted and, to escape arrest, decided to take refuge far away in an isolated mountain location. From the plain they headed toward the Varese area, then into Valtravaglia, next into Val Dumentina, and finally into Val Veddasca. High mountains, villages with few houses, peace everywhere: the area seemed the ideal place for their refuge. But it was better to stay far from the villages and push on toward the head of the valley. There, the steep slope descending from the summit of Monte Polà caught their eye: rich pastures up high, dense woods below; the place was very remote and not easily reachable. After a brief consultation, they agreed: that was the spot for them. At mid-height on the slope, where the forest thinned out and the pastures began, they built their houses, one for each of them. They rose tall and sturdy, made of the beautiful shining stone of Monte Polà. The legend even gives the names of the four soldiers: Cassina, Ranzoni, Morandi, Dellea. And then it continues with the tale. Once their homes were built, after terracing the slope to create small fields, constructing several mountain huts, preparing the pastures, and buying several head of cattle, they finally felt at ease: they had enough to live on, modest though it was. The fear of being hunted down and discovered gradually faded, but with the tranquility came a new anguish: they felt alone. During the day, work kept them occupied, but in the evening, wandering through the empty houses stirred a sadness that grew deeper with time: they missed the warmth of family, and they felt the need for a female presence. But it was not easy to find four young women willing to marry unknown men who had come from far away—and who knew what kind of past they had! The torment grew so intense that it drove them to devise a way to bring women to their homes. They could think of nothing better than to kidnap four girls from one of the little villages in the valley. They chose the closest one: Biegno. They went down to the valley to buy everything needed to furnish their houses as nicely as possible and make them more dignified, along with fine clothes and jewelry for their future brides. Then, taking turns and without drawing attention, they went to Biegno and wandered around to discover where the young women they liked lived: finally, they made their choices. They waited for the time when the men of the village went up to the alpine pastures to tidy them up in preparation for bringing the livestock, and one night, stealthily, they reached the village. Making as little noise as possible, they approached the first chosen house. Opening the door silently was child's play for them, and once inside by the faint light of an oil lamp, they immobilized those present, gagged and securely tied them so they could not raise the alarm. They took the designated young woman and carried her out of the village. One of the four stayed behind to stand guard. The other three, with similar actions, abducted as many girls. Everything went according to their prearranged plan because, in legends, things often go well for the villains—at least at first… As quickly as possible, they led the young women to Monteviasco, deaf to their pleas and protests.