The father of my grandfather (Alejandro Gravier) was born in France and he emigrates to Cuba in the 1800's. He settled at Pinar del Río and he was Comandant in the War of The Independence of Cuba in 1895. I have a photo from the newspaper from that date. I am looking for families or friends that knows about that. I appreciate any information about that. Thanks. Gravier.

Daniel, I am serching for my Fornell roots. Oral hystory has it my maternal g-g-grandfather, Caridad Acosta came to Puerto Rico via Cuba (Circa 1860's). He married Estefania Fornell whose family was from Catalunya, (Cataluna) Spain. Could there be a relation to your Fornells?

I would appreciate any info. you may have. Thank you.

Dear Mrs. Mildred Berrios,
Thank you very much for contact me. I was born in 1962 in La Habana. I am also searching for my family roots but I only know that all my family's father (Fornell) came from France and they were stablished in Pinar del Río many years ago. I don't know about any Fornell in Cuba. Anyway, this evening I will ask to my mother about that, becouse we also, have only an oral history. Pinar del Río is the western side of Cuba. I will contact you again. Thank you for your attention and your time. Sincerely yours, Daniel.

Dear Mrs. Mildred Berrios,
Thank you very much for contact me. I was born in 1962 in La Habana. I am also searching for my family roots but I only know that all my family's father (Fornell) came from France and they were stablished in Pinar del Río many years ago. I don't know about any Fornell in Cuba. Anyway, this evening I will ask to my mother about that, becouse we also, have only an oral history. Pinar del Río is the western side of Cuba. I will contact you again. Thank you for your attention and your time. Sincerely yours, Daniel.

Dear Mrs. Mildre Berrios,

As I promissed you, I was talking with my mother (73 years old) yesterday night, about the Fornell’s family. My father, Andrés Fornell was born at Pinar del Río in 1931and he died in 1994. My grandfather, Silvio Fornell was born at Pinar del Río in 1903 and he died in 1965. The father of Silvio Fornell was named Andrés Fornell like my father and it’s not clear for my mother where did he come from?; Spain or directly from France?, becouse the Cuban History said that the first french immigrants were stablished at Pinar del Río long time ago, indeed they founded the city of Pinar del Río. At the begining, they stablished around one river (in spanish means río) and around the river there were a lot of pines (in spanish means pinos), so they named the city Pinar del Río, and is recognized as the principal place for french immigration. But on the other hand, it was an strong immigation from Spain. The immigration received in Oriente is from Jamaica and Haití that entered for the south. Indeed I only know the Fornell of my family since I was born (41 years old) in spite of all my research. Sincerely yours, Daniel Fornell.

Dear Mrs. Mildred Berrios,

Following my last message, I was talking a lot with my mother about Fornell’s, and she said that my father had an uncle named Caridad Fornell. Caridad had 4 brothers: Domingo, Pedro, Juanita y Silvio (my grandfather). It is a curiosity the name Caridad asociated to Fornell, isn’t it?. Caridad had an hotel and jewellery at Pinar del Río. All them were from Pinar del Río. On the other hand, in the book: “Franceses en el Suroriente de Cuba” (“French people in the Southeastern of Cuba”), published in 1997; appear a relation of 2000 french surnames that immigrated to Cuba by Oriente including someone throught Cataluña between 1750 and 1878 and Fornell doesn’t appear mentioned. Among the most similar to Fornell are: Fournier, Foucher and Fortier. Sincerely yours. Daniel Fornell.

Thank you very much for the information provided. My grandfather, Benigno Fornell, was born in 1876 in San Sebastian, Puerto Rico. He was 20 years older than my grandmother Amanda Flores-his wife. His father's name was Cruz Acosta. He was born in Cuba. His mother, Estebania Fornell was born in Catalunya (Cataluna). Together they had three children: Benigno, Caridad and Juana. I have talked to my mother as well, but she tells me she never met her grandmother as she went back to Spain. It does not surprise me that the names are very similar to your family. If it is okay with you, I would like to keep in touch. If I find any thing new I will gladly notify you. Who knows? We may have a connection here.

Dear Mildred,
Thank you very much for your reply, I also appreciate very much your attention. This evenig I will meet to my mother again with the news features and I will reply you. Who knows?. With kind regardas,
Daniel

Dear Mildred,
I am so sorry but I could not see my mother yesterday night becouse I finished my work very late. I called her by phone and I explained her the new references, but today I need to travel to another province for some days with work pourpouses, so I need to wait to come back to contact you again. Receive my best wishes for you and your family and I will contact you as soon as possible,
Sincerely yours,
Daniel

We too have been looking- albeit casually- for ancestors or information on the connection of how / when the apelledo Bellechasse came to Cuba-- before immigrating to US.

My Great Grandfather was also an officer in the war.