Vella - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Re: Vella

oas1s — 2012-04-05 05:01:25Z

Hey i noticed you posted something 6 years ago! You mentioned the named Giuseppa Dominici, I have information from that time period on a person with this name. Please e-mail me at oas1s@comcast.net if you still check this site!

Origin of Vella surname

bbkoala — 2012-03-25 20:02:02Z

THis is what I have found out in doing research on some Vella's in my family...

Vella
Origins: A Spanish surname arriving in Malta during the 14th century., Noted in the Militia List of 1419.

Reference: The Surnames of the Maltese Islands, Mario Cassar, Book Distributors Ltd, Malta 2003. page 369.

The Noble Family of Vella.
This family is listed as a noble family in “Descrittione di Malta” (1647).

Re: vella -confusion

roxyxoxo09 — 2012-02-06 01:35:15Z

Ciao,
I am a vella also. My dad says he is from the Porto Palo Sicily and my mom is from Syracusa sicily. But there is something in my gutt that is telling me that I am also spanish and I have no idea where or who I would get it from. I was reading and wanted somebody to maybe help with the roots of the last name "Vella", because even my parents tell me it is a maltese last name, but I am still quite not sure.

Steve R. Vella, 89, born ,in Luxor, a son of, Louis and Rose Barotta Vella.

KENNELLYMARKA — 2011-04-08 20:41:24Z

Steve R. Vella, 89, of Greensburg,
died Wednesday, April 6, 2011, at Excela Westmoreland Hospital, Greensburg. He was born July 22, 1921, in Luxor, a son of the late Louis and Rose Barotta Vella. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the 101st Airborne Division. Prior to his retirement, he was a meter reader for the former New York State Gas Company. He was a member of the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg. Steve was a life member of the NRA and loved trap shooting. He won many trophies for his excellent marksmanship. In addition to his parents,
he was predeceased by his wife, Myrtle Leighty Vella; four brothers, Samuel, Angelo, Joseph, and Carmen Vella; a sister Nancy DeCecco; and a nephew, Lee Allen Fetter. He is survived by a brother, James Vella and his wife, Letty, of Greensburg; two sisters, Carmella Buscaglio and her husband, Joseph, of Greensburg, and Lois Holmquist and her husband, Carl, of Santa Maria, Calif.; two sisters-in-law, Stella Vella, of Greensburg, and Irene Vella, of Latrobe; and several nieces and nephews. A liturgy service will be held at 10:30 a.m. today, Friday, at BARNHART FUNERAL HOME, 505 E. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg. Entombment with full military honors accorded by the VFW Post 33 Honor Guard will follow at Greensburg Catholic Cemetery, Hempfield Township. Barnhart Funeral Home is an exclusive Veterans and Family Memorial Care Provider.
(Pennsylvania - Pittsburgh Tribune)

Blessed Sacrament Cathedral,"

Re: origins

maltesegrl — 2011-04-02 09:06:08Z

Valletta's from Detroit Michigan..

Giovanni Valletta married rose Zammit in 1919. Giovanni was from casal qormi

Re: vella -confusion

magicalem — 2011-02-22 15:41:06Z

Hi,

WOOOHOOOO I have officially changed my name to Emma Vella... Right I found I out had a great uncle that moved up north his name was Albert (Alberto) he was married to Amy who i think died young.. they had 2 children who were named after my nan & great aunt - Maria/Mary and Francis. I also just found out that my uncle GeeGee (G G) real name was gianni... he moved up north too and married a lady (unsure of her name) but they had 2 children one son called tony & a daughter I THINK called Ann... I am really trying to find out where they have gone.. can anyone help..

All the Vellas originally grew up in North London before moving away (their parents came over here early 19th centuary and had most of their kids in the UK). My nan Mary had my Dad - Ian.. I know he met both sets of his cousins when he was a young, young boy but this was back in the 60's. Please Please can someone help..

emma-vella@hotmail.com
magicalem@hotmail.co.uk

Re: vella -confusion

jvc177 — 2011-02-15 16:09:11Z

Dear friend
My grandfather Guze ( Joseph) was born in Tripoli from a Maltese couple by the name of Vella. He got married in Malta but had business in Tripoli and my father Emmanuel, ,his brother and some of his sisters were also born there. Finally my father returned to Malta a s a boy and got married here and remained in Malta where i was born.
My grandfather had a sister Maria still living i Tripoli and some of her sons emigrated to England and Australia via Malta ( around 1953//67).
I still say that VELLA comes from the Iberian peninsula where I found it to mean 2ancient2 as others had witnessed on their travel there.

Re: vella -confusion

magicalem_1 — 2011-02-15 14:01:12Z

hi, my great uncle wes called Guiseppi vella - he had a sister called maria, francesca, dominica and brothers called herachio, alberto... is that the same one.. doubt it but u never know... his family were in north london - well some of them anyway... y dad is the son of the sister.. maria.... but they have all died out now... i would love to find out more.. but they r def from siciliy not malta..

xx

Re: vella -confusion

CarmelTheumVella — 2011-02-09 17:58:23Z

The name Vella , I am not sure where it originated, but is likely that it came from the north east of Spain, in the Catalunia district. Anything of any consequence that is very old goes by the name VELLA. FONT VELLA is a large distributor of water in bottles, and even Barcelona is quoted most of the time aS " Ciutad Vella". I have been there several times, and the locals admit that they refer to the ancient city by that name .

Vella-Farrugia

cpeters890 — 2011-01-10 04:22:58Z

Looking for siblings of George Vella 1884-1961. ( Known as George tal Marfa). Married to Carmela Vella nee Farrugia.
They had 6 children.
His parents were Gaudens Vella and Maria Vella nee Abela. They lived in Mellieha.

Re: vella -confusion

jvc177 — 2010-09-22 06:44:24Z

Hi my friend and fellow VELLA,
it is a great relief to know that some other Vella followed my clue and vindicated what I meant to say.
Keep it up. Sahha from
Joe Vella Caruana
MALTA

Re: vella -confusion

hplcworks — 2010-09-22 01:57:09Z

Hello Joe. Of all that I have found so far , you are on the mark, so to speak. In Catalunia, even the city of Barcelona is known otherwise as Ciutad Vella, and the best known bottled water is Fonte Vella, all meaning the "ancient ".
So I guess we the Vellas are the ancient ones. I will settle for that. I do know for a fact that a census taken around 1500 in Gozo, there were Vellas living there.
Sahha,

Re: vella -confusion

garthwoodrd — 2010-08-08 23:44:34Z

Hello............ref. my previous posting. My father had blue eyes and also my aunts/uncles. My mother had brown eyes, all seven in the family had brown eyes. There are many Maltese people that have blue/green/grey/hazel etc... including my wife. I have brown eyes and married to a blue/grey eyed.
Both of my children, the oldest (boy) has blue eyes, the youngest (girl) green eyes. We both have light skin.
The actual meaning of the surname Vella is "guard" .
Sometimes the surname Vella is precededby "de" indicating that it is of partonymic origin, meaning (son)of.... referring to either the mother or the father of the child. In other cases it is preceded by "lo" or "la", meaning "the". There are many varients of the surname Vella.

Re: vella -confusion

val817 — 2010-08-08 21:21:39Z

Having been to Malta a few years ago the research you have come up with matches ours. I feel that although sail in italian is vela with one l over the years spelling etc gets changed and I am sure that the families that sailed from Scicily to Malta were called 'sailors' but the spelling was wrong but then the Maltese did not speak pure italian. the thing in your posting that caught my eye was your reference to your blue eyed grandmother - my father-in-law had blue eyes and also one of his brothers- quite rare in a southern italian.

Re: vella -confusion

garthwoodrd — 2010-08-08 17:25:12Z

Hi my last name is also Vella. Born in Malta and have resided in Canada for the past 48 yrs.
Searching the origin of the Vella surname is quite frustrating. My understanding is that the surname Vella of Sicily who were in fact of Maltese origin. Giuseppe Vella, from Malta settled in Terranova, Sicilia, where his son Giovanni Vella of Malta held the title of Barons of
S. Giovanni della Spada in 1674. The Vella family of Malta held the titles of Barons of S. Giovanni. Members of the Vella family of have long been listed amongst the nobility of that Island and count among their family the Counts of San Paolino D'Aquilejo and the Marquis of Taflia. Elena Vella married Carmello Alessi in Malta in 1880 while Elizabeth Vella married Giuseppe Maria Bonavil Carabott Testaferrata and interestingly enough their daughter married Dr. Vincento Vella.
It is a European name, others say is of Germanic origin, but most have their own opinions.
The above information of the surname Vella is from the Family Name History by H.R.D. The Historical Research Center. Our family origin from what research one of my brothers in Malta got through someone doing the research dates back to the 1500s., unfortunatly there was a break in the family tree between that time. Having said that I'm planning to visit Malta in 2012 and hoping that I will do more digging on my father's family side. My grandfather Carmelo Vella died when my father still was single. My grandfather was a carpenter by trade and travelled often to Egypt to buy wood (as I hear). My blue eyed paternal grandmother was born in Egypt. It is quite sad that we try to trace our ancestors when most of our older generation have passed on. I have recently (May 2010) traced where my maternal grandfather is buried. I knew he was a Petty Officer of the British Navy and was a casualty of WWII. I visited one of the Naval Cemetary of the Commonwealth in Malta, there was his headstone, rank and his name. It was like saying to me "where have you been all these years", sorry grandpa but I do miss you and you're always in my prayers, I was 6 years old when he died the only grandfather I knew.

Re: Vella, Camilleri, Gauci, Dimech

maltacat — 2010-02-21 23:08:12Z

Please respond to my email we can chat via yahoo messenger. I need to know your parents hometown, names and your age to determine if we are related. I remember a cousin named Ann.

maltacp@yahoo.com

Please write back as soon as possible.

Carmen

Re: Vella, Camilleri, Gauci, Dimech

annh871 — 2010-02-21 21:57:21Z

Hi
I read your posting re George Vella and the Marfa Palace Hotel.I think he was my grand father

Re: vella -confusion

val817 — 2010-02-06 14:15:56Z

I think my husband's family maybe connected to you as the names Guiseppi and Vincenzo run in the family. We have been to Malta and traced our family line back to Giovanni Vella who was one of the Knights of St John in 1674. My husband is Italian but he has only found one other Vella in the north of Italy that is not related to him.

Vella - Australia

coralgimbert — 2010-02-06 05:26:03Z

Hello.
I am trying to find Charles Vella b.1893 Sydney d.1954 Bondi marr. Amelia Jago b.1894 Petersham d.1978. Charles parents were Antonio Vella b.abt 1858 Malta d.1909 Sydney and Evanelista Xiberras b.abt 1858 Malta d.1936 Redfern.

Regards
Coral

Re: Vella

fnpwjp — 2009-11-24 09:35:32Z

Hello,

Thanks for your quick reply.

First, you may reply to me at my personal email- fnp1@ct.metrocast.net

Next, Giarre is not that far south of Piedimonte Etneo and Calatabiano. If I recall correctly, I did some research in Giarre, and I have an extraneous family, Ragonese. Rosa Ragonese of Giarre, daughter of Michele, married Francesco Pafumi. I have not linked them to my family. In addition, Rosa Gambino of Giarre, daughter of Giuseppe and Venera Denaro, married in Piedimonte Etneo, Giuseppe Pafumi, a great-uncle.

Next, I do not recognize any of your family names. No, I do not know of any relations in Australia. I have written to Calatabiano for records, and I was very successful. They sent me more than I asked, and they did not charge me. Of course, I wrote in Italian (with the aid of a good dictionary). I must write again. I studied Italian in 8th and 9th grade, but that was not enough to speak it (I am 64 years old.) Fortunately, I have a neighbor who was born in Messina, and she offered to help me write when I do.

Next, I have not used any contact in Italy. I did find a man named Emilio Terrazino--I believe he has a website. However, he quoted me an exorbitant amount to research one dead-end family who married in mid 1700s. For the time being, I passed. When I write to the Italian archives for my records, I will ask to whom I must write for a church record of the 18th Century.

Thanks for your help, and please contact me for any assistance.

Frank Pafume.

Re: Vella

lynxman24 — 2009-11-23 19:34:56Z

Hi Frank....I just did a quick search for the family name Vella and came up with 779 name here in Australia...If you have any Vella that you may think they came to Australia..send me some infomation about them like names birth dates marriage and i will be happy to look then up for you here.

Mario Settetrombe

Re: Vella

lynxman24 — 2009-11-23 19:26:45Z

Hi Frank, my family name is Settetrombe. the other names are Cucuzza..Bonomo...Pennisi...Cateni...I have Russo but they came from Giarre.
Did any of your family come to Australia? We have good immigration records here...Do you write to Calatabiano to get birth death marriage records ?
Is your researcher a friend or someone you pay?

Talk soon Mario Settetrombe

Re: Vella

fnpwjp — 2009-11-23 13:48:10Z

Hello Mario,

Thank you for your reply. I wrote to Calatabiano for some information, which helped me to begin my family history research. And, I must again for my great grandfather's death record, since he died after 1930. The Family History Center, part of the Mormon Church (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints), have many centers in Australia. Please don't hesitate to contract me if you need anything else.

In the meantime, can you please tell me some other family names you have from Calatabiano. I have so many, e.g. Pafumi, Zagami, Gambaroto (Cambaroto), Vella, Intelisano, Carcurato, Saja, Dominici, Russo, Giardina, Bara, Abbadono, Cosantino. The earlier Pafumi line is found in Piedimonte Etneo, and there are many of this name in Linguaglossa.

The Calatabiano microfilms include civil registration, and earlier church records. While I am not fluent in Italian, many of the printed forms are standard, and many of the earlier written records follow an almost standard pattern. Most records, including early church records, include parents' names, and sometimes other family members. I'm not sure about 19th Century Australian records, but if they are anything like the 19th Century British records, there is very little information available. In my Lancashire, England research, I can only go back to the 1841 census. Many church records only include the names of the spouses and witnesses. Therefore, it is difficult to confirm anything. And, I have a researcher there who cannot break the brick walls.

I will look forward to hearing from you with some of your family names.

Frank Pafume

Re: Vella

mario1424 — 2009-11-22 12:08:21Z

sorry i cant help,,,but you may help me. My family came from Calatabiano...I live in Australia and would like to know how or where do you get the microfilms to find your family...

Mario

Re: Vellas

sandpebbles34 — 2009-09-04 17:04:52Z

to any and all seeking information concerning the vellas surname i do not claim to know all the answers however i believe that the true origin of the name may in fact be sicilian or italian keep in mind that people migrant and change countries too iam currentlly working on my boat so i will try and help when i can does any one have info on a constatina vellas born in greece ATHENS around 1878 give or take 10 years to a john vellas or maybe jon vellas of MALTA my aqlleged farther was one christ dimitrius christodoulou born in greece 1910 possiablly in CORINTHAS i do not use his name because he always said i was not his son no matter we can not change what is past look to the future i say GREAT HUNTING CHRIS

Re: vella -confusion

joann72751 — 2009-07-11 19:41:37Z

i too, am a Vella. Tough name to follow. My Grandfather, i believe was born in Pachino, Sicily around 1859. Based on the Ellis Island Immigration record, he arrived here in 1920 and they listed him about 59 yrs old. so we can play with a year or two. The problem is i don;t know anything at all about his familu. did he have any siblings, aunt uncles. who knows. I'try to find out move, but keep hitting dead ends. My Father, born in 1895, and served in the army during ww1. I tried to get his records from Pachino, but as yet have not succeeded. The whole family came to this countr between 1920-1922. But they left from different ports/ Better than entering the country illegally. anyway if anyone has any further info on the Vellas of Sicily please share.

Re: Joseph Vincent Vella

starburstnsa126 — 2009-06-14 06:45:57Z

what information are you looking for are you related ? joseph vincent vella was my great grand father . my sisters are tracy and kim

VELLA Sally Jean 1940-1993

t42Moore — 2008-11-01 18:32:16Z

VELLA Sally Jean 1940-1993

I photographed this gravestone in the Moore Cemetery, Arlington,Tarrant Co., Texas. Feel free to use this picture for your personal records.

This is one of the 197,487 cemetery photos free at http://teafor2.com If you know more about this person please reply here

Joseph Vincent Vella

pregius — 2008-08-29 02:17:50Z

I am looking for information on Joseph Vincent Vella I (1926-1985). All I know is he is the father of Joseph Vincent Vella II (1951-2007) and the grandfather of Joseph Vincent Vella III, Tracy Renee Vella, and Kimberly Ann Vella who are all still living and in their late 20s and early 30s. Also, he may have been married to Josephine.

Re: Here you go

LesleyAnnVella — 2008-08-04 02:45:45Z

Apparently the name Vella is Italian in origin. It is also as common as Smith and Jones (the Sydney White Pages is full of Vellas). The language has a strong Arabic influence, as well as Italian and English. People of Maltese origin also have a pre-disposition towards diabetes as well so it's well worth getting blood sugar levels checked next time you visit your doctor. I know this because my husband is Maltese born and is diabetic. Haven't heard of the leukeamia virus though.

Re: any Vellas in Sicily

magicalemma — 2007-02-04 22:52:07Z

I am unsure if ur grandfather was mine - this is because at the mo the only facts I hva eis that they came to england, no children at the time before 1901 - as in 1902 my grat aunt was born - & she was born in england - the 1st in 6 children botn over here - both parents were Sicilian - my Great Grandmother was called Jessica - but unsure of any other details until I go to the graveyard to get dates & surnames....once I hvae done that I wanna look into it further... i do believe that we possibly may b related as everyone with that surname back in them times were related so I would b greatful for any info u may have that could or may help me.. many, many thanks... my direct email is magicalem@hotmail.com - feel free to email me direct....

I do have a gret uncle who was born after 1902 & was called Albert, also gianni, dominica, maria, francesca, herracio were my nan & bro's & sis's which have now all died out with no family apart from Alberto Vella (Albert's) family - that have the surname vella - unknown where in englasnd they r today.. & I know he had children - girls I think...xxx

Emma.....

Re: any Vellas in Sicily

kvhsun — 2007-02-03 19:54:48Z

My grandfather was born in Salemi, Trapani, Sicily. I believe it is in the southeastern part of Sicily. He was born in 1891,His name was Albert and the son of Paolino Vella and Anna (Caradonna). I hope this will help let me know if this fits into your tree.

Re: vella -confusion

jvc177 — 2007-01-30 09:06:45Z

Hi
The Vella family branch you are talking about is Sicilian. Personally I have met Vella's in Messina. Syracuse and Catania in Sicily (Italy). Try to contact the local councils of those towns for help.
Meanwhile the Vella ( meaning "the ancient") I have seen in Port de Espagne ( a samll town below the Pyrennes in Spain) and naturally Andorra - de Vella ( which is the main sqaure in the state of Andorra... an independent state between Spain and France).
The Vella's are are a widely scattered family to be found in Libya, Eygpt, Tunis, Sicilyand many other parts of Italy, Marseille and some other places in France, England especially London, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa , Germany and India.
I am from the island of MALTA ( an an independent state which forms part of EUROPE ). It lies sixty miles below Sicily and c 120 miles above Libya. It has been mentioned in the "Acts of the Apostles" as the island where St.Paul was shipwrecked in about 60BC
If I can help you in any way please tell me.
PS
I can send you some photos of those places

Re: Vella Ancestry

magicalemma — 2007-01-30 00:57:50Z

Hi,

I am tracing family with the name vella too - def from sicily - is that where urs r from... i am finding it real hard to get any info - as I am unsure where this name orginated from - which region of sicily.... I have been told that this was such a popular surname in sicily that they named a village after it - amazing - still cant find out where it is though - i take it that the village no longer exists... The only facts that I have is that by great grandparents were born there but left before 1801 - where they came to england... I only have my great grandmothers name Jessica Vella - she married into that surname -I am in the process of finding out birth, marriage & death dates.... but u could help me or give me any advice/info on this & what u have found out then it would b much appreciated - & I will do the same if & when I find info out....

Re: Vella genealogy

magicalemma — 2007-01-30 00:55:32Z

Re: Vella genealogy

magicalemma — 2007-01-30 00:55:23Z

Re: VELLAS FAMILY

magicalemma — 2007-01-30 00:51:14Z

Re: any Vellas in Sicily

magicalemma — 2007-01-30 00:49:16Z

Re: origins

magicalemma — 2007-01-30 00:48:00Z

Re: any Vellas in Sicily

magicalemma — 2007-01-30 00:42:05Z

Re: e-mail to jennifer

magicalemma — 2007-01-30 00:40:44Z

Re: vella -confusion

magicalemma — 2007-01-30 00:31:13Z

Re: Vella in Crodo, Italy

magicalemma — 2007-01-30 00:26:26Z

Re: Vellas

magicalemma — 2007-01-30 00:21:00Z

Hi...

I am currentl searching for the name vella too - is this from italy or sicily - I was lead to believe that it was sicilian - but maybe not.... By great grandfather left Sicily with his wife to come to england before 1801... I need to find out birth & death info & is first name before i can go any further - but if u have any ideas or info that i could use that would b amazing - same for u if i find any info ot that feel would benefit u then I'll let u know...

vella -confusion

2006-05-31 08:01:52Z

My dear Vellas, I am also a Vella who is keen to find his roots ( up to now I have delved up to my great great grandfather Guseppe Vella fahter o Vincenso Vella born in 1850 ). We must put things straight. VELLA does nor mean "sail" in italian or any other language, neither does it mean "candle" in spanish or in any other language. You see ..."sail" in italian is VELA ( only one L) while "candle" in spanish is also VELA (also one L).
Do you know that in Andorra there is a square called Andorra di Vella ,which I have been told means "square of the ancient. ( I will visit the place next August). Meanwhile when I was in Spain ( four years ago) in a small village in the Pyrennes I have seen the name VELLA on vending machines. On asking about them, a shopkeeper told me that collouqially it meant "old or ancient" although literally it is writthen VEILLA ("old" in spanish). Is this a coincidence??
I am still reseaching about it. Any help is welcome.

Re: Vella, Camilleri, Gauci, Dimech

2006-05-24 21:52:25Z

Hi Carmen,

Thanks for your reply. I posted this message for a friend who I haven't seen in a long time - I'll print your reply and mail it to her, along with your email address, so she can get in touch with you herself - I don't know much about her family at all so I don't know about George.

All the best,
Loretta

Re: Vella, Camilleri, Gauci, Dimech

2006-05-21 02:57:49Z

Can you find out other relatives of Teresia Vella? Did she have a relative named George Vella, who operated the Marfa Palace Hotel in Malta 1930-1948.

Re: vella in australia Camilleri Floriana/ Valletta

accypete — 2006-03-06 15:48:19Z

Hi Warren
Would you or your uncle have any information on Paola Vella b 1884 Valletta married Vincenzo (born Floriana) Camilleri in Valletta in 1913?
Paola's parents were Carmelo Vella and Maria Carmela Tonna (i believe its Tonna!)
As you a probabley aware Floriana and Valletta are very close to each other
cheer in Aus
Pete

Re: Sliema, Malta

accypete — 2006-03-06 15:35:11Z

Hi Elli
and a rubbish football team (Sliema Wanders) that is !!
Up the Irish FLORIANA FOREVER

Vella

fnpwjp — 2006-02-24 12:58:11Z

Here is info of my Vella family, documented by copies of original records found on FHL microfilms.
GG grandmother Angela Vella, b. 29 Apr 1797, Calatabiano, Catania, Italy, d. 1 Jan 1865 Calatabiano, m. Calatabiano, 4 Nov 1825 Giovanni Cambaroto. She daughter of Andrea, b. 19 Nov 1760 Calatabiano, d. there, 23 Oct 1832, m. Agata Saja, date and place unknown (she is named on childrens' baptism, marriage and death records). Andrea is son of Francesco, b. about 1717 (date is based on age at death; I cannot locate his birth in Calatabiano church records early 1700s), d. 15 Nov 1767 Calatabiano, m. Giuseppa Dominici before 1753 (1st child b. 1753). Can anyone help me on this family?