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