Translation of the French article from "Dictionaire de la Noblesse par de la Chenaye-Desbois et Badier" troisieme edition Paris 1870, reprint 1969 Kraus-Thomson Org. Ltd. POSCHET De VOYAUX, nobel family of German origins, which was transplanted in diverse provinces because of wars. One of this name was established in Voyoux, District of Maubeuge, sub-district of Valenciennes. I. Eustache-Joseph Poschet, Knight, Lord of Raazem, Lieutenant of the Royal Guard, married Mathilde de Foeleimberg, from which union: 1. Philippe-Octave-Emmanuel, who follows 2. and Albert-Joseph, Knight of the order of St. John of Jerusalem [Note: this means he went on one of the Crusades] who passed on this inherited title in 1458 to II. Philippe-Octabe-Emmanuel Poschet, Knight, Viscount of Raazem, Colonel of Infantry, married to Reinelde-Eleonore de Montecuculli, from which union: 1. Philippe-Theodore, who follows 2. and Reinelde-Philippifle, who was received as Cannonesse of the nobel Adenne Chapter. III. Philippe-Theodore Poschet, Knight, Viscount of Raazem, Colonel of Infantry, who married Alyde-Rechared de Longueville, from which union IV. Josephe Poschet, Esquire [possibly "master of horses"], Lord of Generet, Lieutenant-Colonel of the Nassau Regiment, who was married, according to a contract of 30 May 1523 to Jeanne-Marguerite de Lalaing, of whom he had V. Mathieu Poschet, Esquire, Captain of the Nassau Regiment, then Mayor of the City of Ath, who was married to Alyde Polayndre, Baroness of Kerkhoven, from which union: VI. Gilles Poschet, Esquire, Sargeant-Major of Infantry at the siege of Ostend, who married, according to a contract of 3 April 1551, Jeanne de Ghozee, which union produced among other children: 1. Martin, who follows 2. and Jean-Baptiste, Knight, President of the Sovereign Counsel fo Namur, who was father of Pierre, who was knighted by letter of [the abbreviation is S.M.C which Gus believes is Sa Majeste or His Majesty with C=???, this was during the reign of Louis XIV], dated January 1664 and Captain in the Regiment of Colonel de la Mothe VII. Martin Poschet, Knight, Lord of Vaux, was married 1st to Anne de Colnet; and 2nd to Iseabeau Tamison, died childless; Of the first bed came VIII Michel Poschet, Esquire, Lorde of Vaux, who married Marie le Mosnier de la Lobbe, from which union IX. Michel de Poschet, II of the name, Knight, Lord of Vaux, etc. who married Ursule Jacquier de Gesvres, from who issued X. Francois Poschet, Knight, Lord of Nahaut, who, from his household with Charlotte Poschet [note: no other identity of Charlotte] had 1. Pierre-Francois, who wished to develop the value of a grant which he had, these being lands under the control of The Empire and obtained letters-patent from S.M.I. [note: again the abbreviation probably means Sa Majeste or His Majesty with the I being unknown. This was during the reign of Louis XV] of December 17, 1749, who confirmed him, as well as his son in the state of "the nobility of the sword" [See History Note at end]; these letters have been registered at the Chamber of Accounts, Finances and Heraldic Courts for Brussels, Mons, and Luxembourg the 7, 29, and 30 of January, 1750 2. Pierre-Joseph, who established himself in the Provence of Champagne and whose nobility was continued by an Order of the Steward of the Provence of September 1741. 3. and Manie-Cathenine-Therese, who married, according to a contract dated 1 April 1723, Louis de Lancy, Lord of the Bois de Caberet [note this translates as Tavern Grove], Knight of Saint Louis, Commander of the second batallion of the Champagne Regiment, of whom she was widowed, and had, among other chidren: 1. Louis-Charles de Lancy, Capitain of the same regiment; 2. and Nicolas-Charles-Gabriel de Lancy, Capitain in the Conde Regiment, Infantry. [Voy=Voyez] Look: LANCY The Arms: silver, with chevrons of gules [see Note following], accompanied by 3 stars of 6 points each, sumounted by a silver helmet and bounlet [?? could not translate] and gules. Crest: A star of gules. [Note on heraldry from the Enclylopedia Britannica, "The field or ground of the shield is of one of three kinds: a colour, a metal, or a fur. There are five main colours (known as tinctures): azure (blue), gules (red), sable (black), vert (green), and purpure (purple)." There were also other colors in English heraldry. [Note, this is the Lancy arms and not directly of the Poshet's] History Notes: In the 18th Century of France, the old nobility were not producing enough sane and intelligent people to do all of the jobs that were expected of them. Some who were more able were intrested in increasing their own independent power and wealth rather than working for the Crown. So, as talented people from the bourgeoisie - the wealthy but not noble class - gained high positions as advisors, they were ennobled by the King. If they were not Nobles of the Sword, then they were Nobles of the Robe, referring to the robe of their official office. Another way to achieve nobility would be for a rich merchant to marry an empoverished noble daughter. Titles, especially at times of royal succession, could get quite confusing and if a noble backed the side that lost, his land would revert to the crown through confiscation. This was then re-issued to those now in favor. So, a Count of xxx would lose his land and have it bestowed on someone else who would then become the Count of xxx. Gretchen Kohl [Alameda,CA] - GretchenKohl@aol.com