Genealogy Chat

watched the wdytya last night with great interest as i was told by my mum that she thought that her grandfathers family the lamberts had been huguenot refugess,looking through the new wdytya book it features julia sawalha,it states that the researcher looked for julias ancesters through the archives of a number of friendly societies set up to help the huguenot refugess,and also look at records held at the french church in soho square,also the french hospital where a number of destitute french weavers and thier familys were looked after in times of hard ship,it still exists but has been relocated to rochester in kent,the hospital remains open exclusively to huguenots and their decendants and holds a large amout of infomation on huguenot familys that came over in the 1800s,hope this helps those of ypu wondering how to find out more about huguenot ancesters.xxx

Hi Some Huguenot records for London are on the IGI. Threadneedle Street Church 1699-1840 Crispin Street 1694-1716 Maureen

I found Julia's story quite touching. However, where I think the program makers have got it a bit wrong is not spending some time explaining how their researchers found their information and giving some tips for people like ourselves. Perhaps if they devoted say ten minutes dotted through the program on explaining how this would help.

I love the programme but always get annoyed at how easy rhey make it look. I have silk weaving ancestors from Canterbury by the name of Laming and have been trying for a while now to prove a Huguenot connection but no luck yet! Jacqui

Thanks everyone for your input - I still think the narrator could have least explained where the researcher may have found out the Huguenot information. I will check out the sources that you have all suggested. Jeannie

Hi if anyone has Huguenot ancestors they might find them listed here. Maureen Money paid to assist French refugees http://freepages(.)history(.)rootsweb(.)com/~frpayments/Introduction(.)htm

Damn, I forgot WDYTYA was on last night and I missed it. I must remember to catch the repeat next Tuesday. There is a professional Guided Tour company in London called London Walks and they do a tour called 'Old Spitalfields - From Riches to Rags' . It covers a lot of Huguenot history and lives of the silk weavers etc.. I went on it last year when I was looking for links to my Grandfather in that area. I found it very interesting and informative. It lasted for about 2 hours and cost £6.00 which I thought was good value for money. http://www*walks*com Lyndsey

I've got Huguenot on both sides of my family, the Chenu's and the Dubock's. Imagine my surprise when Julia tells us her grandmothers name. I was sitting next to the computer during the episode checking if my tree linked with hers ever time a new name came up. Alas it didn't, but its very very similar in terms of occupation, names, etc.

ive also had rumours told to me that my Binch family originate from the Huguenots. Trying to find the proof is a major headache tho. Ive been on the Huguenots society site, and done hours of research. I have learnt quite a lot about the above (and found it extremely interesting even if the rumours arn't true ive learnt something I hadn't even heard about before) I am now awaiting software that will hopefully tell me one way or another whether my Binch family did flee to this country from Belguim/France in the 1600's. Of course when I do recieve it any one that wants a surname lookup for the Huguenots are more than welcome to contact me xxxx 2 links you might find usefull http://www*huguenot*netnation*com/general/dates.htm http://www*huguenot*netnation*com/general/huguenot.htm replace *

After that programme I think that the archives will be pretty busy but I suggest that you arrange to go to Canterbury Cathedral archives - they have the Parish Registers for miles around and also several items regarding the Huguenots including the Canterbury French Church Records, papers on the Huguenots and their Descendants which will include Brick Lane, London. You should also know that there is a Huguenot Chapel within the Cathedral. You will need to make an appointment to visit the Archive which is in the grounds of the Cathedral - Tel : 01227 865330. The staff there very freindly and will help you search - generally bookings are for blocks of 2 hours. Obviosuly people pay to visit the cathedral and you will have to enter via the main gate but just tell them you are going to the archive and they will allow you through.

There's a Huguenot library in UCL London. G

I expect it was the way it was edited, she probably had already found out about the family descending fom huguenots before going off to all the historical places. I thought it was an interesting programme, although I was surprised that her mother said she was descended from Huguenots, then admitted she did not know what they were- you would have thought that at some point in her life she might have botherd to find out!!!

Hi Jeannie, I did see some Huguenot researchers on rootsweb message boards. I think there may be a Huguenot Society of GB. Have you tried googling? Gillian

Jeannie, Yeah ... I was a bit miffed at how 'easy' it all was, yet again, for the subject to 'discover' their family heritage. Honestly, who'd go off researching the Huguenot way of life before trying to trace their own family line and establish if the 'legend' was true!!?? Still, it was an interesting episode. Reckon your best bet is to ring the local studies bit of Canterbury Library - google to find the phone number. I've found local librarians very helpful indeed - if they don't know the answer they usually know who might! Good luck Annie

I was interested to learn that Julia had Huguenot ancestors especially as my mother-in-law always says this about her family. I can understand how they traced the family back through the 1700's probably via Parish Records but I was a bit annoyed when she just tore open the envelope from the professional genealogist to find out he had finally made the French connection (something to do with Canterbury) but they didn't explain how this connection was found. Any ideas? Jeannie