Has anyone ever been to this location in France? We have traced our ancestors to Francois Voisine in the 1700's France. I have also been told that we are decendents of the merovingians from France.I would be interested in anymore info you can provide me!

Fixing "Albigenses" in the title of the thread.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Doru,

quote:

Albignses

it comes from Albi, near Toulouse. it is going back been first use in 1181, the Cathares were people who revolted again the church and were persecuted and eliminated.
nothing to do with merovingians, those were the first line of Kings of France as in Clovis.

By the way if you are from Maine and trace your ancestors as French (with proof of course) you are automatically a French citizen. Go with the docs to the nearest French consulate. of course if you wish to do so.

Hey Pedmare...thanks for the info. I do have the documents. I would love travel there next year. My family name is Voisine. Do you live in the area?

We loved the Languedoc -- we were just there this past spring. Albi was one of our favorite places. Also, we found Languedoc generally cheaper to visit than most of France and Italy.

I have a trip report here on SlowTrav, and a photo album of our trip here. My husband also wrote a blog during the trip, which is linked from the photo album.

The history of this area is fascinating, although much of it very sad. At the end of my trip report is a bibliography of some of the books I read in relation to the trip.

- Roz

quote:

Originally posted by pedmar:


By the way if you are from Maine and trace your ancestors as French (with proof of course) you are automatically a French citizen. Go with the docs to the nearest French consulate. of course if you wish to do so.

FriendofFiesole:

There is a very interesting New York Times article that discusses the former suppression of French language and culture in Maine and its current rebirth. I love France and I love Maine (my husband and I were married there) and this particular facet of the French in Maine was unfamiliar to me. You can find the article here.

Fancy

Some basic information here.

quote:

My family name is Voisine. Do you live in the area?

FriendofFiesole,

I know all about Maine and the original Arcadians french speaking and the problems they encounter there. In fact many went on to New Orleans!!!

I do not live in that area I am near Versailles near Paris. But my wife is from the region Lavaur between Toulouse Gaillac and Albi its our country now; we go there every 3 mos or so still have family there that dates back to the Cathars. name is MERIC the area is full of them!!!

by the way a popular french canadian singer is Roch Voisine: very popular here my kids love him pop singer.

also folks, the area is not the languedoc; it is region de midi pyrénées diff tune altogether at least as we are concerned lol!!!

Pedmar....my ancestors immigrated to Kamarouska Quebec, then fought in the battle and received a parcel of land in northen Maine to farm. Indeed the French people were supressed adn violated in many ways. Very sad! I also found out that one of my uncles fought in the civil war and was wounded, then was invited to march in President Abraham Lincoln's funeral service....interesting history. I would love to return to France and look for more history....

interesting indeed: the area where folks bound for Canada is near me just north of Chartres its call le Perche. churches have many testimonials to that discovery....per se.
its in french but talk about names and a link for research on the immigration to Canada
http://www.perche-quebec.com/files/perche/menu/frame.htm

I am sure many French Canadians here will find it interesting.

Wow pedmar....great info. I should have asked questions sooner!