RELEASE DATE: DECEMBER 14, 2008
KINSEARCHING
by
Marleta Childs
P. O. Box 6825
LUBBOCK, TX 79493-6825
[email protected]
Much has been written about the French exiles after their departure from France following the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685. Usually, the material has concerned refugees who pursued various careers such as merchants, manufacturers, artisans, ministers, and farmers. But what about individuals who served as professionals in the military? That neglected aspect is the topic of Matthew Glozier's fascinating book, THE HUGUENOT SOLDIERS OF WILLIAM OF ORANGE AND THE GLORIOUS REVOLUTION OF 1688: THE LIONS OF JUDAH.
As Glozier states in his preface, this book began as a study of the Huguenot soldiers who served under William of Orange in the Netherlands between 1685 and 1688. It soon became an examination of these military men and their activities during the years from approximately 1685 to 1700. During that time frame, they followed William in 1688 to England where he and his wife Mary, both Protestants, took over the British throne and served with the British in Ireland in 1690 in the famous Battle of the Boyne, the decisive confrontation which gave William of Orange, now William III of England, control of the Emerald Isle. Glozier's investigation into the political, social, and religious rationale of militant Huguenot support for William of Orange led to the discovery of previously unobtainable and unknown data about this prominent group. He explains the role of the Huguenot soldiers within an international Protestant political context through rich historical detail.
In addition to historical data, Glozier utilizes biographical material about numerous Huguenot soldiers, who often ties to the French nobility and belonged to families with a military background. Genealogical information appears throughout the text, especially in the epilogue; in some annotated footnotes; and in an eleven-page roster of Huguenot officers in Dutch service, 1685-1688, and in the four Huguenot regiments in Ireland, 1689-1691. Huguenot soldier, Charles PERRAULT DE SAILLY, who served in the Irish campaign, is reputed to have been one of the French refugees who went to Virginia in 1700.
Although the first and second generations of exiles tended to marry other Huguenots, some did marry outside their ethnic group. Interesting facts about numerous French families and their alliances appear throughout the narrative. Examples of a few discussed are AVESSEIN DE MONCAL, DARASSUS, DeROMAIGNAC, LaBASTIDE, and PECHELS.
After completing their British service, many of the men settled in England or Ireland, while others went to the Netherlands. Some returned to the continent to serve in Portugal and Flanders. While many Huguenots fought along side the British, some refugees served under the German Elector, Frederick William of Brandenburg. Genealogists, therefore, should not be surprised if they find some of their forebears from a variety of European countries had Huguenot ancestors in their pedigree.
Originally published in 2002, the 228-page indexed reprint has a colorful front cover and contains several illustrations as well as a pedigree chart of the DURFORT-DURAS family. The introduction sets up the main points the author discusses in the book and mentions works familiar to genealogists such as HUGUENOT PEDIGREES by Charles Lart. A four-page chronology highlights the important events in the history of the Huguenot soldiers from late 1685 through early 1706. Well-documented endnotes often provide additional historical and genealogical material that is interesting to read. A fifteen-page select bibliography lists several works that family researchers may ordinarily overlook; they will want to check those references for any data regarding their ancestors.
Glozier's scholarly work is well-written and fascinating to read, even for the average person. His work is a worthy addition to the literature on the French Huguenot exodus. He is commended for bringing the subject of THE HUGUENOT SOLDIERS OF WILLIAM OF ORANGE AND THE GLORIOUS REVOLUTION OF 1688: THE LIONS OF JUDAH to the attention of both historians and genealogists.
Priced at $35.00, the volume may be ordered from International Specialized Book Services (ISBS), 920 N. E. 58th Avenue, Suite 300, Portland, OR 97213-3786 (phone 503-287-3093; fax 503-280-8832; e-mail [email protected]; website www.isbs.com).
Bonnie Bright Johannes, 5594 North 10th, Apt. 103, Fresno, CA 93710-6586 (e-mail: [email protected]) would appreciate information on the family of Sion LAMBERT, born about 1853, and wife, Georgiane CROW, born about 1857, who lived in Limestone County, Alabama, in 1880. At that time, they had three children: Ola (female), born about 1875; Ida, born about 1877; and Elmo, who was seven months old in 1880. Where were the children in 1900? Johannes is also interested in data on Thomas LAMBERT and Ruth C. LOWE, who married on 2 January 1853 in Limestone Co., AL. Did they have any children?
The Acadian Diaspora will be the theme of the Fourteenth Annual Williams Research Center Symposium presented by the Historic New Orleans Collection. It is scheduled for January 30-31, 2009, and will take place in the New Orleans French Quarter.
Occurring from 1764 through 1788, the diaspora concerned approximately 3,000 French-speaking Acadians who settled in the prairies, bayous, and marshes of Louisiana. Although the popular conception of the Acadian migration is one journey from Nova Scotia directly to Louisiana, in reality, the diaspora lasted over a twenty-five year period and often made detours through France, the British colonies on the Eastern Seaboard, or the Caribbean islands. After their arrival in what became the Pelican State, the Acadians established a lifestyle and culture that continue to enrich and define the area.
The symposium is being held in conjunction with two exhibitions celebrating Acadian culture--Evangeline: From Tragic Hero to Cultural Icon and Cajun Document, 1974. For additional information about the symposium or exhibits, call 504-523-4662 or visit the website www.hnoc.org.