Hello List -- This is in response to an inquiry from Patricia <curran@innernet.net> on 2 Feb re: Pierre NOUE family who sailed to British North America on the ship "De Bonte Koe" in 1663. Pierre's European origins are unknown but the family obviously is French, judging by the names provided. I am wondering if a search for this family in the Netherlands might get some results. I say this because of the name of the ship Pierre sailed on -- I believe "koe" is Dutch for "cow". I don't know the meaning of the word "bonte" (an online translation gave me the word crow but that doesn't make sense here). Maybe some native Dutch speakers can help. Is it possible to find out which port this ship sailed from or any other information about the ship which might provide clues? This might give an idea of where to start looking in Europe. Also, there were many Walloon churches in the Netherlands (including the ports of Rotterdam and Amsterdam) to which Pierre and his family may have fled, possibly after leaving France. Please see the post in list archives dated 11 Jan with subject line: Walloon Churches in NL. Good luck! Unless you pinpoint at least a general location in Europe, it's like looking for a needle in a haystack, as I'm sure you know. Also, don't forget to check the IGI on the LDS website (www.familysearch.org) in case there are clues there. Andrea