Antoniolli Family History

                                    By Henry Antoniolli
                                                                                          President, Rendena Services Inc.

         The name "Rendena"  comes out of my heritage.  Both my mother's and father's parents immigrated to the United States in the 1920's & 1930's, from Italy; specifically, from a region known as "Val di Rendena."  This is a lush green valley surrounded by mountains: the Adamello, Presanella and the Brenta Dolomites.

        In the midst are many towns which make up the Val di Rendena. This is the birthplace of the trade of men known as "Knife Grinders" or "Moletas."  Pioneers from this valley left families and homes behind to find better lives in different parts of the world.

In the early 1900's the Val di Rendena was not very fortunate economically.  The land was hilly and rocky.  Farming did not flourish, nor was there any major industry for the people in the early part of the century.  The Mountains acted like barriers and kept out the rest of the world.  Life there was a struggle and this was the main reason for the immigration of the "Moletas".

   My Grandparents settled in Brooklyn, New York  and established their own business, mostly grinding knives for meat cutters and cooks.

They started out with walk- behind, wheelbarrow-type hand grinders.  They would set up on the street pick up cutlery and grind them for the stores.

Later, horse drawn grinding carts were used,

and eventually motorized trucks.

Today our business is vastly changed, but we still grind knives. We now use state of the art grinding and edge honing machines. We sharpen, rent and sell fine cutlery and sporting knives in our store, The Knife Shop, located at 301 Erie Street, Honesdale, PA.
"Where the Real Knives Are!"

   Today the "Val di Rendena" is also doing fine; it is one of the top scenic areas in the world and a great tourist attraction. Many of the original "Moletas" visit often. 

In 1969, the decedents erected and dedicated a monument to honor our forefathers, the monument was erected in Pinzolo in the midst of the Val di Rendena.

I moved to Honesdale, PA in 1981, with my wife, Patricia, and daughters, Christine and Laura.  We purchased an old farm house that dates back to 1835.  I find it interesting to note that the area where we live, in the Pocono Mountains, resembles the Val di Rendena where my family originated.

My hobbies include collecting and exhibiting antique & classic automobiles.  My next project is to build a 1930's Ford Grinding Truck like my ancestors used.  If you are interested, check out the photos of my cars on this site!