From the Peterborough Examiner, February 22nd, 1889. “An Italian Lover” is an early reference to the Minicola family in Peterborough. My great-great grandfather, Filippo (Philip) Minicola, (misspelled Mainecola) apparently had trouble collecting rent from one of his tenants at the family homestead at 67 Elm St. The article goes on to say
“There was about thirty swarthy sons of Italy in attendance
… at the Police Court this morning to hear the case and there was considerable difficulty was found in finding an interpreter for the plaintiff, who could not speak good English.”
The article goes on to explain that a letter arrived for the tenant containing five dollars for train fare to Niagara Falls. Mr. Minicola “made Matthew pay the five dollars down on his board bill and held his clothes for the balance”. It continues “Mandia (the tenant) did not think this was right and laid a charge of theft against his fellow countryman, but the magistrate told him that the law gave (Mr. Minicola) a perfect right to hold the garments until the account was settled and he dismissed the case, apparently much to the satisfaction of the Italians in the court room.”
I think the origins of the family are the same.
Congratulations for the great work of reconstruction.
I just wanted to congratulate those who have done all this work to reconstruct the family tree.
And of course the name was originally Menecola.
Greetings from Italy Donato Dario Menecola
Bon journo, I too am a part of the Menecola now Minicola clan. Mary was my Grandmother and Uncle Joe was my first funeral in 1966 I believe. Not may of us left I’m afraid.