All posts by Lynn Serafinn

CASTELFONDO in VAL di NON: History, Frazioni, Surnames, Parish Records

VIDEO PODCAST (46 minutes) by genealogist Lynn Serafinn on the early history, frazioni (hamlets) and parish records of Castelfondo in Val di Non, and an overview of its most ancient surnames.

TRENTINO GENEALOGY VIDEO PODCAST.  Originally broadcasted on Facebook Live on FRIDAY 9 APRIL 2021 (only recently edited for YouTube). 

Located on the northernmost part of Val di Non, bordering the province of Bolzano (South Tyrol) is the parish of Castelfondo. While historians tell us that popular myths about Roman origins of its people are probably wrong, the truth about Castelfondo is even more interesting, and more ancient.

In this 46-minute podcast, we will take a brief look at the history of Castelfondo and its frazioni (hamlets) — both as a comune and a parish. Then, we’ll explore the origins of some of the oldest surnames associated with this parish, and a bit about some of the noble families. Finally, I’ll share with you my notes on the parish records for Castelfondo, which are fundamental to genealogical research.

Castelfondo frazioni (hamlets) mentioned in podcast

  • Barco
  • Cologna
  • Raina
  • Melango
  • Dovena

Castelfondo surnames mentioned in podcast

  • Calovi
  • Clementi
  • Corazza
  • Dallachiesa
  • Genetti
  • Ianes / Janes
  • Lorenzetti
  • Marchetti
  • Pichenstain
  • Segna
  • Tollerini
  • Turra / Turri
  • Zuech
  • Zambotti (not indigenous to Castelfondo)

IMAGES from the PODCAST

MAP: Val di Non with Castelfondo highlighted

MAP: Val di Non with Castelfondo highlighted
Click on image to see it larger.

1573 stemma (coat-of-arms) granted to the noble Sebastiano Genetti of Castelfondo

1573 stemma (coat-of-arms) granted to the noble Sebastiano Genetti of Castelfondo
Click on image to see it larger.

I hope you enjoy this podcast on Castelfondo, and that you discover something interesting about your own family history. I welcome your comments and questions below. Alternately, feel free to send me an email via the contact form on this website. 

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Until next time!

Lynn Serafinn, genealogist at Trentino Genealogy

Warm wishes,
Lynn Serafinn
Genealogist at https://trentingenealogy.com
12 June 2025

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