Hi to all for the first time: I am interested in BLANC name from Co. Laois, Port Arlington ,Ireland. My gt gt grandfather was Robert BLANC brn:1834 Port Arlington Ireland he married Jane GIBSON brn: 1844 Stradbelly Co.Laois Ireland. They immigrated to New Zealand around 1860.Robert worked the gold fields in the South Island, there were 8 siblings all together.There oldest son John Damer BLANC - my gt grandfather. Roberts parents I think were Richard & Susan BLANC. Thanks,hope to hear from someone soon. Leila

Hello Leila and listers, I checked up BLANC in Lee and found LE BLANC in Portarlington abt 1699. There were two families, one of "Le noble homme Louys LE BLANC, Sieur de Perce, Capitaine pensionne", the other Claud LE BLANC, boucher. The latter family existed later under the name of BLONG, and a Peter BLANG in 1756 placed a tombstone for his family. In addition an Andrew and a Mark LE BLANC from Ales, received their naturalisation in Dublin in 1704. The name is apparently still extant in Portarlington. I think there is a good deal of documentation of the French colony at Portarlington, although I have no direct knowledge of it. Check firstly familysearch and see what you can find. Regards, Kaye Cole in Melbourne simba01 wrote: > Hi to all for the first time: > > I am interested in BLANC name from Co. Laois, Port Arlington ,Ireland.