From Barb Mullen, Australia
Over the last year and a half I have produced monthly newsletters on the Mattei family in Australia, spanning the years 1850 to 1950 primarily. The newsletters, Mattei Matters, covered the lives and families of the original Alessandro and Catherine Mattei nee Mulcahy and their 12 children. Continue reading
by Barb Mullen, Australia
In 1922, Peter, Elsie and Kenneth moved to Creswick to run the British Hotel. It was at this grand hotel some hundreds of miles from where most of the family were living, that fractures in the relationship between Peter and Elsie were visible. Continue reading
by Barb Mullen, Australia
When Peter Mattei was about 5 years old, the family fortunes changed for the better. What was to become the family home, ‘Rovanna’ was a house on many acres of land where the family had fruit trees such as apple, pear, plum, peach and cherry trees. The chestnut so important as a food source in Cevio, especially in times of hunger, was also grown here and two trees stand today on the property in Green Hills, near Blackwood. Continue reading
By Barb Mullen, Australia
The story of the Mattei family of Australia continues. Alessandro Mattei migrated to Victoria, Australia in 1855. This is the story of his fourth son. Continue reading
by Barb Mullen, Australia
A story is told of Vene that when he had to stay in Melbourne for a short while, he didn’t want to stay with family in Clifton Hill, a suburb of Melbourne, because it was near the slums of Collingwood. That was Vene, a man persuaded of his self worth. Another story tells of him stopping a tram in between stops, because as he explained, he had an important meeting to attend in the city. Continue reading
by Barb Mullen, Australia
Meanwhile, back in VictoriaVene Monighetti was a confident, genial and charming man to many, the ideal type to run a hotel. He had a sharp business mind and had spent a good deal of time learning the tricks of the trade from his mother. He was without question, Kit’s favourite, a man on whom she could draw strength. Continue reading
by Barb Mullen, Australia
The Monighetti family story continues and here we explore aspects of the adult lives of Kit and Carlo Monighetti’s children. Every parent wants their children to have a life that is an improvement on theirs. Continue reading
By Barb Mullen, Australia
It was in December of 1910, not long after becoming a widow, that Kit was operating what was called a ‘two gallon license business’ at the Dudley Store (we would call it a sly grog shop, an unlicensed place where you could buy alcohol). Dudley is a small township close by Wonthaggi. Kit was called to the Police Court in February 1911, to account for her breach of the licensing laws. The court took sympathy on Kit and returned the liquor to her. Continue reading
By Barb Mullen, Australia
Kit’s father would have been proud of his daughter. She had married a Swiss Italian ‘with prospects’ and the wider family were all working together to ensure each other’s prosperity. When he died in 1905, he would have felt he had done his best. Continue reading
By Barb Mullen, Australia
Kit was probably born on 4 September in 1875, at the Band of Hope Mill. Neither her birth certificate or registration of baptism have yet been found and many documents have contradictory information in this regard. Continue reading
The Monighetti’s were the wealthy ones in the Mattei family. How was it that this family succeeded financially while others in the family struggled? There is much to be said for the personal qualities and ambitions that go towards creating an approach to life conducive to creating wealth. There is more to be said for the opportunities available to some, that are not available to others. Continue reading
The end of the line, part one.
by Barb Mullen, Australia
Of the twelve children in first generation of Mattei’s born in Australia to Alessandro Mattei and Catherine (nee Mulcahy), four have no living family known of. Continue reading
By Barb Mullen, Australia
Alessandro and Catherine who were probably married early Nov 1865, didn’t have too long together before Catherine became pregnant. Their first born Alex was conceived sometime in the winter in 1866. Continue reading
From Barb Mullen, Australia
Catherine Mulcahy, wife to Alessandro Mattei, was an extraordinary woman. Continue reading
From Tony Quinn, United States
Here is a write up on photos of this family from the Santa Cruz county library. Continue reading
From Barb Mullen, Australia
Giuseppe and Domenica MATTEI(4) had Pietro(3) (1782) and Antonio(3) (1786) – named after his grandfather. They were grandfathers to Alessandro MATTEI(1). Continue reading
from Barb Mullen, Australia
Descendants of Alessandro Mattei and his wife Catherine Mulcahy understand very well why Mattei’s matter! It’s self evident.
Di Barbara Mullen, Australia
Ho iniziato a riunire le informazioni a mia disposizione sulla famiglia Mattei di Cevio, per preparare una storia per i discendenti di Alessandro Mattei, emigrato in Australia nel 1855. Continue reading
From Barbara Mullen, Australia
I have begun to draw together my data on the Mattei family of Cevio, to prepare a story for the descendants of Alessandro Mattei who migrated to Aust in 1855.
