11-26-95 Huguenots GFS Chuck: Beth, we were just talking about you, and you are here. GFA Beth: I want to warn you I might be in and out. We are having power surges that are enough to shut our modems off tonight. GFS Chuck: Trek, after a few years Huguenot descendants were everywhere. Beth, you now have the floor. I was just chatting until you arrived. GFA Beth: Welcome everyone to the monthly Huguenot chat. Tonight Chuck is going to give a brief chat on Huguenots, then we'll open up for Q & A. Davi4d: Hi. Have some but I'd have to look 'em up real quick. GFA Beth: David, what part of North America did they settle in? Davi4d: NE Specifically, CT via. England. GFA Beth: We will be following protocol tonight. Please type only a ? for a question and a ! for a comment, and you will be added to the queue. Please don't type anything else until you have been called on for your turn. When it's your turn, you can use multiple lines, connected with "..." Please type "GA" (go ahead) when you are finished. Does everyone understand Protocol? GReik, Go ahead. GReik: Is there a way to record this session or will it be in the library GFA Beth: GReik, you can record it using your File menu, selecting Logs, then choosing Chat Log, or you can download it from the libraries in a few days. Chuck, if you are ready, go ahead. :) GFS Chuck: Let me introduce myself and give you some background for this talk on French Huguenots. I am one of the hosts on the Genealogy Forum. I am not a genealogist, but would call myself more of a family historian. For the last few years, I have been researching the history of the BOBO family in America since about 25 Oct. 1700 -- sometimes spelled BEAUBEAU, BAUBAU and in early Normandy ad duBEAUX. Many of you know that you have a Huguenot background, others think that you may have some Huguenot blood, and the great majority probably haven't even thought about it and really do not know what French Huguenots are. Another of the forum leaders GFA BETH did an excellent talk in which she discussed the early Huguenots and I also gave another one. I am a good farmer, I believe in minimum tillage, and I will not plow those fields again. I'll refer you to the AOL Genealogy Library and suggest that you download the HUGUENOT material and read it for background. I'll give one quick and simple definition. The French Huguenots were the early Protestants of France who generally followed the religious teachings of John Calvin. They were sometimes referred to as Reformed Protestants, though that term also is used for the followers of Martin Luther. It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of French Huguenots fled the persecution of the Roman Catholics in France to countries in which they found safe haven -- Holland, Flanders, the German city states, Switzerland, Denmark, England, Ireland, South Africa and elsewhere. Some stayed for a generation or two and were assimilated into the society of these countries They became church, government and business leaders in many countries, and in England they quickly became Englishmen before they and many of their descendants came to the American Colonies. It is estimated that some 10,000 Huguenots came to the British colonies, which is really a great number when one considers the small population of these newly settled areas. Some estimate that about 20 percent of the early colonists before the Revolution were of Huguenot ancestry or were Huguenots themselves. FEW HUGUENOTS CAME DIRECTLY FROM FRANCE TO THE AMERICAN COLONIES! Some came to New France (Canada) early on but were expelled when the Roman Catholic Jesuits gained religious control there. These were not all poor, penniless refugees. They were a cross section of French society. Nobility, doctors, lawyers, merchant chiefs, the Protestant clergy were France's leaders on the run. Some escaped with fortunes. Others were lucky to arrive at their destinations after many months with the clothes on their backs. It estimated that more than one million were slain trying to escape or became slaves in the galleys of the King of France. GFS Chuck: Those who escaped with at least some of their wealth quickly established themselves in their new homes and most assisted their kinsmen who had escaped penniless. In the countries to which they fled, they became men and women of influence and many quickly became a part of their new society as merchant, banking, industrial and religious leaders Just for starters, Paul Revere had a Huguenot background as did George Washington, whose maternal great grandfather was a Huguenot. The illustrious Jay family of New York was of Huguenot extraction. The Perot family came first to Bermuda and then to New York..Ross Perot is a descendant of this family. Francis Marion, the old Swamp Fox in the Carolinas in the Revolutionary War had Huguenot ancestors, and there were many more. The Huguenot influences were many. They became community leaders and served in the colonial administrations and legislatures. They were among the framers of the Declaration of Independence and of the U.S. Constitution. With a few exceptions, these men melded quickly into the colonial society. They were not always thought of as French Huguenots, with few exceptions like the early Huguenot colonies in MA, NY, CT, RI, and Manakingtown in VA. Even those who held on to their Huguenot identity quickly became "Americans." Special genealogical societies have been established in many areas to help preserve the Huguenot identity. They have succeeded almost too well. Some of these societies have almost become so exclusive that it takes an act of Congress to qualify for membership. The New York society, as an example, recognizes descendants from about 275 French surnames for membership, and they you must have proof of your descent. It is interesting to note that some of the Huguenots who settled Manakintown, VA, are not recognized by the New York society, while others are. It is relatively easy to recognize some French names like ALLAIRE, BAUDOUIN, BERNON, CHAMPLAIN and more. Many others have been anglicized. But, let's take a look at some of the names of the descendants: ALLEN, ANDERSON, ATTERBURY, BARRETT, BLACKWELL, BOOKSTAVER, BOYD, CLARKSON, CLINCH, COOPER, CUTTING, DYER, GRIFFIN, HARTLEY, HEYWARD, HEFFERNSTEIN, HUNTINGTON, JOHNSON, KENDALL, KINGLAND, KRESS, LAWTON, LINCOLN, MITCHELL, MORRIS, MURRAY, NEWCOMB, OGDEN, PUTNAM, RUSSELL, SCHIFFERLIN, SIMONS, SPENSER, THOMAS, TOWNSEND, VAN BUREN, VANDERBURGH, WAREDELL, WINTHROP, WOOLSEY AND YOUNG to name a few. These are not typically French names. Oh, I forgot to mention the old standby surnames BROWN, JONES, SMITH, ROOSEVELT, MAUPIN, FORT, EMBRY, VIA...Maupin is supposed to be a line to capet and HUIDEKOPER., Where does one find evidence of Huguenot heritage. When you get your family tree back to the second, first and immigrant generations in this country, take a close look at the intermarriage for clues of Huguenots -- French surnames and Protestant religions. Many of the materials in the archives of the original colonies contain Huguenot records, particularly in NY, NJ, CT, RI, VA, SC, MA. The records of the early churches may offer additional information. And the records of the Protestant Societies in England, Holland, Germany, Switzerland and France still have much unresearched material. I can attest to the fact that searching for Huguenot ancestors can become an obsession On that note, I will say I will pleased to answer general questions on the Huguenots. Go ahead with the Queue. Beth, GA. GFA Beth: Chuck, you said that the NY Huguenot Society did not recognize many of the Huguenots. Is this also true for some of the other societies? GFS Chuck: Beth, the NY society is very restricted. Some others, like the SC society, will accept with little proof. But few will accept membership based on "family tradition." Some now have associate memberships. And I think the National Huguenot Society accepts associate members GA GFA Beth: WORDFREE, your question WORDFREE: Where is the best place in VA to start researching Huguenot immigrants? GFS Chuck: Beth, the NY society is beginning to release some of their information to researchers. WORDFREE, I would start in the records of the Manakintown group and in the state archives from the early period. Also the minutes of King William Parish church are available and tell of many Huguenots and their marriages. I think these are available from the VA. Historical Society and the VA. Gen. Society. TFmarvi, go ahead. GFS Chuck: Beth, you are next. Tfmarvin: Have many inlaws Huguenot and rumor ours is French or Italian. Did Huguenots go to Italy then possibly to US?? And if NY where can I check without going to Albany GFS Chuck: Tf, few Huguenots went to Italy, because that was the seat of the Roman Catholic religion. But, money talked then, and some wealthy Huguenot merchants did go to Italy to trade, but few settled there. GA, Beth. GFA Beth: For Huguenots in VA, check King Wm Parish records, also records from Buckingham co., Powhatan Co. GFS Chuck: GReik, GA. GReik: Many archives are from German descent... why so? GFS Chuck: GReik, many Huguenots went to the German City States where they found refuge. After a generation or two they were Germanized and came to this country as Germans, though of Huguenot background. At one time Berlin had more Huguenot citizens than Germans. GA The Dutch Walloons who settled New Amsterdam, NY City, were mostly French Huguenots. GFA Beth: Any other questions or comments? GFS Chuck: The Huguenots were very adaptable. Thanks all for the opportunity to share my obsession with you. Beth, what will it be here next week? GFA Beth: Migration, Natchez Trace, Chuck. :) GFS Chuck: Beth, that sounds like me again??????? GFA Beth: Chuck, you can tell the other side. :) We'll split it. :) GFS Chuck: Beth, I will try to keep it shorter and not get bumped. I will give a quick review of the Davis book on the Trace. GFA Beth: OK, that would be great! I want to tie it in with what I have. :) Hi Karen, Kevin. How about trying to tie in 2 lectures some week about migration and the Indian lands? I want to thank everyone for coming. thanks again Chuck for the chat.