Donato came to Lierna with his wife about 1735, as his children were all born in Lierna, according to church records. We have no information about where Donato was born, but we know his father's name was Pietro. There is evidence that the Morelli family lived in Mugiasco, a suburb on the east side of Lierna. At the time of his death, Donato was living in the home of Gaspare Pensa from Varenna.