The Foundational Manuscript: Study and Restoration
Paleographic analysis and scientific recovery of the base document of our genealogy.
This document, an original manuscript on rag paper (cotton), is the cornerstone of our family history. It represents the physical link between the ancient records of Vigevano and the Argentine branch, documenting lineages dating back to the 15th century.
1. Paleographic Study and Documentary Criticism
Beyond its materiality, this manuscript is the 'key' that connects oral tradition with the state archives of Italy. Below is the complete technical analysis of its content.
📜 View Full Transcription and Translation
I. Section A: Origin and County of Colonnella
"Albero Genealogico della Famiglia Pozzi Ardizzi primo Stipite da Antonium Pozzi Ardizzi figlio di Francesco, con il Suo figlio Abramo furono Ambasciatore dal Re di francia cioè del Duca Filippo Maria di cui Ottenne la terra Colonnella nell' abbruzzo col título di conte per Se, e Suoi discendenti Legittimi dell' uno e l'altro Sesso; Sacchetti Vigevano Illustrato pag. 76. di più Furono Ambasciatore al Re di Napoli, ed al Duca D'Angiò Principato di Provenza. Questa famiglia Sono delle più Antiche di Vigevano, e delle più Nobili Come appare alli Seguenti Versi: ardiciscue Casata Nobile exibitum et inter sopra unum nostrorum nomina patrum il Padre mca Dominicano de origine popolari di Vigevano. Generatione di Luchino Figlio di Antonio Pozzi Ardizzi."
[Boxes]: Pietro Maria figlio di Luchino per istromento Pagaroti Notaro di Vigevano 1520. 17. Agosto / Questi due Fratelli furono tuttori del chierico luciano / Giovanni Battista figlio di [ilegible] per istromento Pagaroti Notaro di Vigevano li 17 agosto 1520 / Pietro Maria Figlio di Pietro Maria per istro° di deposito rogato Angelo Sacco Notaro di [ilegible] in archivio.
"Genealogical Tree of the Pozzi Ardizzi Family, first lineage from Antonium Pozzi Ardizzi son of Francesco, together with his son Abramo they were ambassadors to the King of France, that is, of Duke Filippo Maria, from whom he obtained the land of Colonnella in Abruzzo with the title of count for himself and for his legitimate descendants of both sexes; Sacchetti Vigevano Illustrato pág. 76. Furthermore, they were ambassadors to the King of Naples, and to the Duke of Anjou, Principality of Provence. This family is one of the oldest in Vigevano, and of the noblest as appears in the following verses: ardiciscue Casata Nobile exibitum et inter sopra unum nostrorum nomina patrum the Dominican Father mca of popular origin from Vigevano. Generation of Luchino Son of Antonio Pozzi Ardizzi."
[Boxes]: Pietro Maria son of Luchino by instrument of Pagaroti Notary of Vigevano 1520, August 17 / These two brothers were tutors of the cleric Luciano / Giovanni Battista son of [...] by instrument of Pagaroti Notary of Vigevano on August 17, 1520 / Pietro Maria Son of Pietro Maria by deposit instrument signed by Angelo Sacco Notary of [...] in archive.
II. Section B: Technical Lineage (Humanistic Latin)
"— Christoforo Militare Generale Giubilato da Sua Real Maestà il Re di Spagna: Sua discendenza; Julielmus praefactus de Antium pro avus, Joannes avus, et de franciscum pater, Joanne Georgius et philippum legum Doctor, et Miles Gerardus, Isabellinam, Ambrosium, Stephanum et Jacobum ejusdem de Antium phratres. Item Antonium cum Jacobina de Villanis Genuerunt phraniscum, Ruphinum, Aloisium: Franciscum Decretorum Doctor ac Viglevani prepositum, Joannem, Luchinum, Bartolomeum, Christophorum Canonicum, paulinum, Isabellinam, Manphredum, Stephanum, Comitissam, Danielem Decretorum Doctor ac Viglevani Prepositum, Abraham Cardinale in Senogallia 1446. et Matteum."
[Branching]: Matteo pozzo Ardizzi figlio di Antonio / Catterina figlia di Matteo, ed Angela Colli nata il primo del mese di Maggio l'anno 1531 Compadre...
"— Cristoforo Retired Military General by His Royal Majesty the King of Spain: His lineage; Guglielmo prefect of Anzio great-grandfather, Giovanni grandfather, and of Francesco father, Gian Giorgio and Filippo doctor of laws, and the knight Gerardo, Isabellina, Ambrogio, Stefano and Giacomo brothers of the same Antonio. Likewise, Antonio with Giacobina de Villani begot Francesco, Rufino, Luigi: Francesco Doctor in Decrees and provost of Vigevano, Giovanni, Luchino, Bartolomeo, Cristoforo Canon, Paolino, Isabellina, Manfredo, Stefano, Contessa, Daniele Doctor in Decrees and provost of Vigevano, Abramo Cardinal in Senigallia 1446, and Matteo."
[Branching]: Matteo Pozzo Ardizzi son of Antonio / Catterina daughter of Matteo, and Angela Colli born on the first of May in the year 1531 Godfather...
Academic Analysis: Context and Symbology
This manuscript is an Archival Grade reconstruction from the 18th-19th century that compiles milestones from the 15th and 16th centuries. Its value lies in the validation of the family before the Duchy of Milan and the European courts.
Linguistic Note: The pluralization 'Pozzi'
In nobiliary Latin and historical Italian grammar, last names were pluralized (e.g. Putei) to refer to the entire 'House' or 'Lineage'. 'Pozzi Ardizzi' does not represent a different family, but the formal protocol to designate all descendants of the original Pozzo lineage in contexts of recognition of nobility.
Critical Note: The Myth of the Cardinal
The inscription 'Abraham Cardinale in Senogallia 1446' reflects a consolidated family tradition. However, modern research confirms that Abramo Ardizzi held civil and diplomatic power, but not ecclesiastical rank at the cardinalate level. This phenomenon is common in ancient genealogies seeking to endow the lineage with sacralized prestige.
Glossary of Terms and Historical Context:
2. The Support and the Restoration Process
To understand the fragility and value of the document, it is necessary to understand the history of its support and the meticulous technical process applied to save it.
History of the Paper and Visual Record of the Process
About Rag Paper: Until the mid-19th century, paper was handmade using cotton or linen rags. This raw material produced a support of excellent quality. However, the document presented pathologies typical of the passage of time and inadequate storage: acidity, tears and stains.
Visual Record of the Intervention
The document had surface dirt, deformations and was adhered to an acidic cardboard.
Removal of dust and surface dirt using powdered erasers and soft brushes.
Controlled humidification to separate the document from the secondary support (cardboard) without damaging the inks.
Immersion to remove soluble acidity and yellowish degradation products.
Drying under controlled pressure to restore planarity (remove wrinkles) to the paper.
Reinforcement of tears and weak areas using Japanese paper and neutral adhesives.
Paper graft in the missing areas (gaps) to restore visual unity.
The document stabilized, clean and ready for long-term conservation.
3. Technical Restoration Report
Work carried out by conservation specialist M. Silvio Goren (Buenos Aires).
Initial Diagnosis
Object: 1 handwritten document (Family Tree).
- Support: Cotton paper.
- Measurements: 53 cm x 43 cm.
- Condition: Severe fold marks, repairs with gummed tape (damaging), adhered to acidic cardboard.
- Pathologies: Tears, surface dirt, mold stains, highly acidic pH.
- Inks: Iron gall (unstable and corrosive to paper).
Treatment Performed:
The intervention respected the precepts of modern museological conservation: reversibility and minimal intervention.
- Mechanical cleaning (scalpel and powdered erasers) to remove dirt.
- Dismantling of the secondary support (acidic cardboard) through controlled humidification.
- Immersion washing to remove soluble acidity and degradation products.
- Consolidation of tears and reintegration of missing parts with Japanese paper and pH-neutral adhesives.
- Creation of an acid-free conservation box.
Preservation for the Future
The document was returned to its owner in December 2007, stabilized and protected in optimal conditions to ensure its permanence over time.