Today I pulled out my notes that I made on 1 June 1995, when I was actually in the Palace of the Popes in Avignon. Our group was with an English speaking guide from Holland who not only was very knowledgeable but who also became kindly interested in trying to assist me. As I wrote earlier to the Digest, I was following along very quietly on the tour until we entered the very small room of sculptures in the palace. As I gazed around, which didn't take long, I noticed a very large wooden plaque on the wall that measures about 5-6 feet wide and is slightly longer/taller. On it are the names of the Avignon Popes and Bishops. There appeared just as bold as can be: Jacque de Via - 1316. I became very excited and spoke to our guide to tell him that my maiden name was/is on the plaque. At first he wasn't interested, and he later said that many people find their surnames among the Bishops. However, when I told him that the name was Via, he became very enthusiastic and told me that was the first time anyone had claimed that name. I asked if there was any information about him. He hastened out of the room to speak to an archivist/historian in the palace office. When he returned, he said what was known is that Pope John XXII was from the Cahors area and that this Jacque de Via was his nephew. It was Jacque who was Bishop of and whose tomb is in his church across the Rhone River in Villenueve - Les Avignon. He then led me across the room to a small bust about 24" wide x 15" tall that is flat on the back side which indicates it was intended to be placed against a flat surface. He wears a mitred hat, has ringlets, slight smile, hollow cheeks but not sunken as is found in many old people of the period, high cheek bones, very pleasant expression, generous mouth with a rather enigmatic smile. This was Jacque's brother, Armand de Via. He was a Cardinal and his palace is in the same square opposite the Palace of the Popes and is called Petite Palais. It now houses a fine arts museum that is open to the public. Armand de Via died in 1436, twenty years after his brother's death. Pope John XXII's name was Jacques Duese so the de Via brothers must have been children of his sister. That is, if nephew had the same meaning in the 14th century as it does today. When I find the material I copied when I was in Cahors, I shall post it to the Digest. It has somehow got itself misplaced. This is long enough, anyhow. Janelle

I have a very nice picture of some of the children of Uphromis Taswell Via. In this picture is: Ida E. Via, Martin Luther Via, James Buchanan Via and Mary "Molly" Ann Catherine Via. Also a picture of Dale Martin Via with his mother Rosella Agnes Brokamp Via, and sisters, Berneda Via & Helen Via. And a picture of Clarence Frederick Via & Rosella Agnes Brokamp. And two more pictures on this family line. These pictures were given to me by Tom & Carolyn Via If you want copies of these pictures, email me at ElaineVia@comcast.net Elaine =^..^=

Dale M. Via, 53, 301 North West I St., died Tuesday at Reid Memorial Hospital after a four-month illness. He was a native and life long resident of Richmond and the owner operator of Shera's Service Station on South Fifth Street. He was a veteran of World War ll, a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church, the Richmond Elks Lodge, Lodge No. 196 F & AM, Scottish Rite, Murat Temple and the Tarum Shrine Club. He was as associate member of the Fraternal Order of Police. Survivors include the widow, Mary Elizabeth; three sons, Jerry, Thomas and Gary, all of Richmond; one daughter, Miss Sharon Via, Richmond; his mother, Mrs. Rosella Via; seven grandchildren and one niece. Services for Mr. Via will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Riggle-Waltermann Funeral Home, Rev. Lynn Dennison officiating. Burial will be in Earlham Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Masonic memorial services will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, followed by Shrine memorial services at 7:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be given to the Wayne County Cancer Society.

With the kindness of Tom & Carolyn Via I have some certificates to share with you. The marriage certificate of Dale Martin Via & Mary Elizabeth Prows married 9 May 1940 Richmond, Wayne, Indiana. The death certificate of Dale Martin Via died 3 Jun 1975 Richmond, Wayne, Indiana. Parents: Clarence Fredrick Via & Rosella Agnes Brokamp The birth certificate of Mary Elizabeth Prows born 27 Sep 1923 Richmond, Wayne, Indiana. Parents: James Thomas Prows & Ruth Jenette Keelor. If you want copies of these certificates, please email me at ElaineVia@comcast.net Elaine =^..^=

I sent the data to Leon Via but I have not heard from him since. Or perhaps he had a different source than mine. I have never seen it in print, and the only way I know to gain access to the data is in the Cahors Archives and later data is in Avignon after both men moved there. I have been in both places and researched these sources when I was actually on location on two separate occasions. One of the true delights of a trip that my sister and I made together was staying in the summer "Palace of the Popes" that is located on a high cliff above the Lot River just outside of Cahors when the Papacy was in Avignon and that Pope John XXII had built during his reign. It is now a fine hotel. John's family home is still standing in Cahors. I certainly make no claim that I have found a link between this family to our Amor/Amer Via, but at least it is something that could be pursued. I have only found a de (sometimes da) Via family in Valladolid in Spain (and feel confident that this must be the link to the Via families in Mexico). As an aside, when I was studying the 1900 Texas Census Index for my great grandfather, Andrew Jackson Via, there was no Via (and those were few in number) who had been born in Texas. They had all been born in either Virginia or Mexico. Such disparate cultures! Interesting, I thought. During the centuries that would be meaningful to us, I found a family in Bologna, Italy, one de Via woman who was being married in Paris and a family in the 18th century in the Ardennes. I have never researched in the low countries, Switzerland or Germany for our Via family. In German the number five is spelled either vier or viar. I can't remember which as I do not speak or read German. This weekend when I have more time, I shall post my notes to the VIA digest as I wrote them when I was in the Cahors Archives, in the Palace of the Popes and the palace on the same square that belonged to one of the brothers in Avignon and the cathedral of the other brother in New Avignon across the Rhone River. I have a photograph of his tomb and one of the bust that is in the small room of sculptures in the Palace of the Popes and their names (or it may be of only one of the brothers) on a plaque in the same room. I first came across one of the names at the British Library when it was housed in the British Museum. Janelle

Janelle: Thank you very much for your note on Jaques de Via!! I was excited to read it in my book. Surely we'll relate back to these Via's someway!! Thanks so much again, Brenda

In a message dated 6/29/2005 8:19:57 AM Pacific Standard Time, scmore@yahoo.com writes: I find this very interesting and the connection Leon has posted some information along these same lines. You can find his notes as _http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Hollow/1936/overseas.htm_ (http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Hollow/1936/overseas.htm) Judy

very interesting Thanks Patricia Via Lang seawood96@aol.com

----- Original Message ----- From: Thomas Nester To: Elaine Via Sent: Wednesday, June 29, 2005 5:10 AM Subject: Via Obit. Harless Lane Via, 81, of Floyd, passed away Monday, June 27, 2005. Survivors include his wife, Eva Alderman Via of Floyd; daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Joseph Reynolds of Floyd; granddaughters, Kristen Dickerson and husband David of Floyd, Raven Vest of Floyd; sister-in-law, Joanne Via of Floyd, Vera Moles and husband Junior of Willis; brother-in-law, Winston Alderman of Floyd. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Thursday, June 30, 2005 at the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel, Floyd, with the Rev. Stephen Lackey officiating. Interment will follow at Jacksonville Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Maberry Funeral Home.

Yes, please provide more information. I find this very interesting and the connection (if any) to the Via's in America. Sherri Via Seymore --------------------------------- Discover Yahoo! Find restaurants, movies, travel & more fun for the weekend. Check it out!

Tell us more, please. This is the first I have heard of him. Any connection between him and the Via's in America? James R. Via

Jacques de Via was the nephew of Pope John XXII. The family came from the Cahors area on the Lot River. Cahors was the equivalent of the county seat of the province. He and his brother were appointed to high positions in the Church. I have researched the de Via vamily at the archives in Cahors. Both brothers were administrators and bishops in Avignon when the Papacy was located there. I have their names in my notes, what they did, where they are buried, their palaces, etc., in Avignon. Their father was one Pierre de Via. One brother's tomb is in his church in New Avignon (he was its Bishop). The other brother's bust is in the Palace of The Popes in Avignon. I think I have posted this to Via Digest in the past, but if there is interest, I shall pull my notes and write more specific information. No one in the past expressed an interest, but it was very exciting to me. Cahors is in an area from whence many Huguenots fled several centuries later. Janelle

Elaine, John 1710 is uncle to my John b. 1759. Jewell ----- Original Message ----- From: "Amanda Covey" <amturne3@vt.edu> To: <VIA-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, June 28, 2005 8:37 AM Subject: RE: [VIA-L] The Descendants of John Via born abt 1710 > are the booklets the same thing you have at the library? just curious > also how much are you planning on charging for them? > > Amanda A. Covey > Administrative Assistant > Virginia Tech/Wake Forest > Center for Injury Biomechanics > 100F Randolph Hall (0238) > Blacksburg, Virginia 24061 > 540-231-1617 (work) 540-231-2953 (fax) > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Elaine Via [mailto:elainevia@comcast.net] > Sent: Friday, June 24, 2005 1:00 PM > To: VIA-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: Re: [VIA-L] The Descendants of John Via born abt 1710 > > I have NO parents for this John Via. Jewell, this is your family line. > It > would be Great to have pictures of you, your husband, children and > parents & > grandparents in the Booklet. Please use my email address if you are > interested in the Booklet. ElaineVia@comcast.net Thanks > Elaine =^..^= > > > >

are the booklets the same thing you have at the library? just curious also how much are you planning on charging for them? Amanda A. Covey Administrative Assistant Virginia Tech/Wake Forest Center for Injury Biomechanics 100F Randolph Hall (0238) Blacksburg, Virginia 24061 540-231-1617 (work) 540-231-2953 (fax) -----Original Message----- From: Elaine Via [mailto:elainevia@comcast.net] Sent: Friday, June 24, 2005 1:00 PM To: VIA-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [VIA-L] The Descendants of John Via born abt 1710 I have NO parents for this John Via. Jewell, this is your family line. It would be Great to have pictures of you, your husband, children and parents & grandparents in the Booklet. Please use my email address if you are interested in the Booklet. ElaineVia@comcast.net Thanks Elaine =^..^=

Hey Gang! I have been reading a book entitled, Lost Secrets of the Sacred Ark, by Laurence Gardner. On page 234 (Hardback) I stumbled across the following: "Despite the Templars' abandonment of any papal affiliation, this new Order was not apparent as a Templar institution, and since the Pope held the international reins of Chivalric Orders, a meeting was necessary fro registration. Gaston de la Pierre Phoebus was the senior representative for the mission, and Pope John agreed to issue a Charter so long as his own nephew, Jacques de Via, became the operative Grand Master. However, de Via died on 6th May 1317, and the position immediately became vacant, whereupon the Knights elected Guidon de Montanor (who was then in Scotland), and they duly returned with the necessary Charter of Incorporation, which they present to King Robert." Anyone know who this Via may be?? Brenda Clark Albemarle County, VA

Anytime is fine. Elaine =^..^= Elaine; I will see what I can find. It will take awhile. Jewell

Elaine; I will see what I can find. It will take awhile. Jewell ----- Original Message ----- From: "Elaine Via" <elainevia@comcast.net> To: <VIA-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, June 24, 2005 11:59 AM Subject: Re: [VIA-L] The Descendants of John Via born abt 1710 >I have NO parents for this John Via. Jewell, this is your family line. It > would be Great to have pictures of you, your husband, children and parents > & > grandparents in the Booklet. Please use my email address if you are > interested in the Booklet. ElaineVia@comcast.net Thanks > Elaine =^..^= > > >

Elaine, Who is the father of this John? ----- Original Message ----- From: "Elaine" <ElaineVia@comcast.net> To: <VIA-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, June 24, 2005 1:34 AM Subject: [VIA-L] The Descendants of John Via born abt 1710 > Hi Everyone, > > I just finish my Certificates Books, 3 volumes, they are going to the > binders in a day or two. I am having FUN making these Books. > > I have had LOTS of emails about my Books. I am going to make a Booklet > (Soft Cover) for Etta Katherine Viar Link on The Descendants of John Via > (born abt. 1710), for her 100th Birthday. AFTER I make the Booklet for > Etta, then I will know how much it will cost to make the Booklet for > others. I will make some for others who might be interested. If anyone is > interested PLEASE, email me at MY email address ElaineVia@comcast.net not > the Via List. And I will put your name & address on the list. The > Booklet (Soft Cover) will be about 200 pages. > > Bubby I have Delete your family line from my data base, so people won't > get the wrong information from me. Elaine =^..^= > >

I have NO parents for this John Via. Jewell, this is your family line. It would be Great to have pictures of you, your husband, children and parents & grandparents in the Booklet. Please use my email address if you are interested in the Booklet. ElaineVia@comcast.net Thanks Elaine =^..^=

Hi Everyone, I just finish my Certificates Books, 3 volumes, they are going to the binders in a day or two. I am having FUN making these Books. I have had LOTS of emails about my Books. I am going to make a Booklet (Soft Cover) for Etta Katherine Viar Link on The Descendants of John Via (born abt. 1710), for her 100th Birthday. AFTER I make the Booklet for Etta, then I will know how much it will cost to make the Booklet for others. I will make some for others who might be interested. If anyone is interested PLEASE, email me at MY email address ElaineVia@comcast.net not the Via List. And I will put your name & address on the list. The Booklet (Soft Cover) will be about 200 pages. Bubby I have Delete your family line from my data base, so people won't get the wrong information from me. Elaine =^..^=