Hello,

I don't have much to go on, but I'm looking for information on a Fernando Franzoni who was an entertainer in the San Francisco area back in the 1930's and 1940's. I was told he use to play with a band at the Cliff House, and also toured the country.

It's a long "soap opera" story, but before my mom died, she informed me that he was the grandfather I never knew on my dad's side. Apparently he died before I was born. I have no other clues, other than he was born in Genoa, Italy, and his brother was a bishop in the Vatican.

Franzoni also briefly dated, or was briefly engaged, to a woman named Giannini (Bank of America heiress). I'm not sure if this was before or after he met my grandmother, but I'm almost positive I'm not related to the Giannini's. (I think!) : )

I'm looking for clues, because most of my family members (who would know anything about this) have passed on, and my mom didn't give me much to go on. She explained that she went to Italy when I was a child to search for Franzoni's ancestors, but the experience was too overwhelming. I guess there are a lot of Franzoni's in Italy!

So that's my story, in a very small "nutshell"! Any assistance I receive would be GREATLY appreciated!

Martha