FOR DAVE SCHMUTZ: Would you kindly post this, and the original message, to [email protected] ====================================== For: Joseph O. Pecenka, Replying to ur msg of 10/22/1999. Sorry for the delay in replying to your msg. I now have the list of books about which you inquired. Also have obtained some of the books for my own library. In your msg you wrote: "The surnames involved were: Tron, Constantin, Bonnet, Buoc, Blanc, Vincon, etc." [...] I am interested to know your reference source for these names, and whether it is a book or other type. In the interval since you wrote, a copy of the very rare and almost impossible to get book "Le Livre d'Or des Familles Vaudoises" has turned up in the hands of one André Tinturier, <[email protected]>.This quite old and very rare book lists the families living in Canton Vaud in April 1919 and as far back as the 12th and 13th century. Included for many are historical notes and brief biographies. Since the book seems totally unavailable on the regular market, André has offered to e-mail several of us every page of the book, which he is now doing. I have so far received one e-mail transmitting five pages. It would be almost no work at all for André to add you to the list of recipients. I would be interested to know if the names you mentioned were from a formal source (book, list, or other) and if so, the name of the reference source. Returning now to your original request for a list of books on the subject. Many books touch on the people of the Cottian Alps and the strength with which they resisted repeated attempts by the French Kings and the Dukes of Savoy to "exterminate them totally on both sides of the Alps" to use the words of the French King Francis I in 1545. From the establishment of the Vaudois Church in the 12th century until the beginning of the 19th century, no less than eleven full scale invasions, one hundred and forty three military actions, and twelve full scale massacres of the residents of individual villages attempted to accomplish that which had been ordained by Francis I, and his predecessors, and subsequent rulers of France and of the Holy Roman Empire. All to no avail. The Vaudois would not be extirpated from their mountain fastness. Commonly we are told of forays by 600 or 800 soldiers of the King being put to flight by, in one case 7, in another 12, mountain men armed with muskets and slings. In 1685, after two attempts by first 200 men, then 900, the Marquis of Pianezza attacked the 17 Vaudois defenders with 10,000 soldiers divided into three columns. Even the 17 valiant Vaudois patriots could not withstand these odds and were forced to retire long enough for the French army to plunder and burn the houses on the outskirts of the village before being driven off by the ten fusileers and their seven compatriots wielding slings. Subsequently the army of the Marquis was followed and relieved of all their booty. More cruel than even the French, were the soldiers of Victor Amadeus II, Duke of Savoy. For it was he that issued a decree in 1730 by which most of the Vaudois were driven into exile to Switzerland, B-W in Germany, The Netherlands, England, and to the English colonies in America. Hundreds of thousands fled rather than endure further torments in their native land. It was to be over one hundred years before the ban was lifted and the Vaudois were allowed to return under the aegis of the Statuto signed by King Charles Albert (King of Sardinia, Cyprus, and of Jerusalem. Duke of Savoy, Genoa & Piedmont.) By this document peace was restored and the people could once again worship in accordance with the precepts of the Vaudois Church. As I say, many books touch on the events I have mentioned, but you do not have to acquire more than three of the best to cover the subject in depth and in detail so that nothing is left out. THey are: 1) First and foremost: "The Valley of Light" written in 1899 by the Englishman W. Basil Worsfold. This is a book written by a master of the art of prose. Every page is a pleasure to read. 2) "The History of The Evangelical Churches of The Valleys of Piedmont" by Samuel Morland, Commissionary Extraordinary for The Affairs of The Valleys of Piedmont, later knighted by Oliver Cromwell, King of England. This is the book he composed while representing the king in Geneva, Savoy and the Vaudian mountains of Piedmont. 3) The third book has yet to be selected from five that compete brilliantly with the other two. There are attributes to recommend each one. It will be a hard choice, but I will remember your primary interest is in the Cottian Alps. My preference by a long shot would be a book by Léger, if I can find its title. I hope this reply reaches you, and that your e-mail address remains the same. And if I can locate a good source for the books I have recommended, I will pass that info to you by separate e-mail. If not, I can let you have my "The Valley of Light" long enough to read through once or twice. It leaves very little out, though nothing can compare to Léger. My best regards, Pete Mattli 3805 Scarborough Court East Hampton at Kings Ridge Clermont, FL 34711 ph: (352) 536-9586 fax (352) 536-9170 e-mail: <[email protected]> [3-ggg's] =========================================== Subj: Writings on the Cottische-Alpen "heretics" Date: 10/22/1999 9:48:39 PM Eastern Daylight Time From: Joseph O. Pecenka To: [email protected] Hi B-W list, Ridding the area known as Cottische-Alpen (overlapping Italy, Switzerland and France) of heretics, Victor Amadeus II drove 2,000 protestants out of his northern lands at French behest. These migrated northerly into the lightly controlled border area between France and the Kingdom of Wuerttemberg, the Mark of Oelbronn in 1699. The surnames involved were: Tron, Constantin, Bonnet, Buoc, Blanc, Vincon, etc. Is anyone aware of any writings that treat the expulsion and wanderings of these refugees from the Cottische-Alpen? Or any sources that I might search to find such? Thank you, Joe Pacenka DeKalb, Illinois =====BADEN-WURTTEMBERG Mailing List===== Visit the Baden-Wuerttemberg Mailing List Website: http://members.xoom.com/BW_List/bw.htm

A couple of years ago when I was in Switzerland, I attended a lecture on Swiss history. The speaker had a book which listed many, many town in America that were settled by Swiss immigrants. I wonder if anyone has estimated how many Swiss immigrated in the 18th and 19th centuries. Are more people with Swiss ancestry living outside Switzerland than in it now? Judy ----- Original Message ----- From: Roger Gerard To: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, September 18, 2002 11:31 AM Subject: Announcements-Lunenburg Founding/Swiss/German I have had requests to have the announcements on the 250th anniversary of the founding of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia by Swiss and German immigrants posted on this list.