Visit to France

Roche lès Clerval

Branne

Prepared by Don Lomont

June 2009

Quest to find information about our Great….Great Grandparents generations past: Claude François Lomont and Angélique Marie Verdy

Lomont Ancestral Origin

History of the Franche-Comté Region of FranceThe region has been inhabited since the Paleolithic age and was occupied by the Gauls. Little touched by the Germanic migrations, it was part of the territory of the Alamanni in the 5th century, then the Kingdom of Burgundy from 457 to 534. It was Christianized through the influence of St. Columbanus, who founded several monasteries there. In 534, it became part of the Frankish kingdom. In 561 it was included in the Merovingian Kingdom of Burgundy, under Guntram, the third son of Clotaire I. In 613, Clotaire II reunited the Frankish Kingdom under his rule and the region remained a part of the Kingdom of Burgundy under the later Merovingians and Carolingians.

Franche-Comté was one of the last parts of France to have serfdom. In 1784, half the population were serfs, 400,000 out of the 1 million French. Landowners took 1/12 of the sales price if a serf wanted to sell up. Serfs were not forced to stay on the land, but the lord could claim “droit de suite”, whereby a peasant who died away from his holding left it to the lord, even if he had heirs. A runaway serf's land was forfeit after ten years. Louis XVI issued a decree banning these practices on August 8 1779 but the parliament of Besançon blocked this till 1787. The region's population fell by a fifth from 1851 to 1946, reflecting low French natural growth and migration to more urbanized parts of the country.

The name Franche-Comté (English: Free County of Burgundy, or literally "Free County") did not officially appear until 1366. It had been a territory of the County of Burgundy from 888, the province becoming subject to the Holy Roman Empire in 1034. It was definitively separated from the neighboring Duchy of Burgundy upon the latter's incorporation into France in 1477. That year at the Battle of Nancy during the Burgundian Wars the last duke Charles the Bold was killed in battle. It was transferred to Austria in 1481 and to Spain in 1556. Franche-Comté was captured by France in 1668 but returned under the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle. It was conquered a second time in 1674, and was finally ceded to France in the Treaty of Nijmegen (1678).

Franche-Comté, France Switzerland Italy

Belgium Germany

Location of the Franche-Comté Region of France

Franche-Comté, France Switzerland Italy

Belgium Germany

Franche-Comté RegionLocated in Eastern France Along the Border with Switzerland

It is composed of the modern departments of Doubs, Jura, Haute-Saône and Territoire de Belfort and has a population of 1,159,000 (2008).

This little known région borders Switzerland and shares much of its architecture, cuisine, and culture with its neighbor. Between the Vosges range of mountains to the north and the Jura (Gaulish word meaning 'forest') range to the south, the landscape consists of rolling cultivated fields, dense pine forest and remparts like mountains.

Forty percent of the région's GDP is dependent on manufacturing activities, and most of its production is exported. Construction of automobiles and their parts is one of the most buoyant industries here. Forestry exploitation is steadily growing and 38% of the agriculture is dairy and 17% cattle farming. The région has a large and lucrative cheese-making industry with 40 million tons of cheese produced here each year, much of which is made by the traditional cheese dairies of Franche-Comté).

25 Miles

Franche-Comté RegionLocated in Eastern France Along the Border with Switzerland

Franche Comté is composed of the modern departments of Doubs, Jura, Haute-Saône and Territoire de Belfort

Franche Comté has a population of 1,159,000 (2008).

This little known région borders Switzerland and shares much of its architecture, cuisine, and culture with its neighbor.

Besancon is the capital of Franche Comté

Construction of automobiles and their parts is one of the most buoyant industries here.

Forestry exploitation is steadily growing and 38% of the agriculture is dairy and 17% cattle farming.

The région has a large and lucrative cheese-making industry with 40 million tons of cheese produced each year, much of which is made by the traditional cheese dairies of Franche-Comté).

25 Miles

Villages of Roche lès Clerval, Branne, Clerval, Lomont Sur Crete, Villers Saint-Martin, Crosey le-Petit, Crosey le-

Grand and Hyevre Magny are often mentioned in Birth, Marriage and Death records.

Department of Doubs: Origin of Our Lomont and Verdy Ancestors

Switzerland

Our French Hosts

Pierre was provided the information that was researched by Jean Cuche and given to me by George Jeanney. Pierre made contact with the Mayors of the nearby villages of Lomont sur Crete, Clerval, Roche lès Clerval and Branne. They welcomed Jeanne and I into their

home for our stay in the area of our ancestors.

Vercel

Dr Pierre and Chantal Courtois

Pierre is a retired veterinarian. They live in

Vercel and have three children

(two girls and a boy) and four

young grandchildren

(three boys and a girl).

Names of Persons providing Generous and Meticulous Help with their Time and Energy to Research the Family Ancestry

• George Jeanney – Wrote the book -“Our Cousins, inhabitants of Franche-Comté in America”

• Jean Cuche – Georges friend solicited to research possible whereabouts of the Ancestors of Claude François Lomont and Angélique Marie Verdy who first identified Branne and Roche lèsClerval as likely birthplaces

• Pierre Courtis – Our host upon entering the Franche-Comté region who made contact with the mayors of five villages and setup our meetings

• Josianne Guiloz – Wife of the mayor of Roche lès Clerval who researched the village ledgers to document the Lomont Ancestral Tree and the Verdy Ancestral Tree from that villages records

• Lilliane Guyan – Mayor of Branne who researched the village ledgers to document the Lomont Ancestral Tree and the Verdy Ancestral Tree from that villages records. Who researched the Motte Ancestral Tree as well. (Motte is Claude François’s mother’s maiden name)

Family Names Mentioned in the Lomont Ancestral Records

• Lomont, Motte, Verdy, Bonnet• Faivre, Roussey, Racine, Bardez, Vermot• Grosjean, Patey, Jussey, Fenix• Petitjean, Mourey, Heuvrard• Hyoset, Pourron, Louvet, Huguenotte• Maniguet, Lenoir, Vinkler, Pauthier• Girard, Fusis, Koegler, Brusset, Perrard• Petitrichard, Magin, Posty, Jacoutot• Jeannon, Jacquot, Cheviet, Jeannot• Thuriet, Moyne, Bataillard, Bourquard• Thiebaud, Huot, Pautot, Jeannin• Simon, Routhier, Hanriot, Genevois• Bernard, Bretillot, Cagnon

Records of Ancestor Data

Ledgers of Birth, Marriage, Death of residents of a village are maintained by the Mayors of the villages.

Date of Recording27 July 1808

Birth of Claude François Lomont Ledger Entry

Place of BirthBranne, Doubs

Claude Joseph Lomont, farmer in Branne father of a boy born on 27 July 1808 born to Marie Josephte Motte, mother

Declare his name as Claude François Lomont

Claude François Lomont, farmer (Claude Joseph’s brother) and Claude Joseph Motte, farmer (Marie Josephte’sbrother?) were witnesses

Claude François Lomont Claude Joseph MotteSignatures

Records of Ancestor Data

Marriage of Claude François Lomont and Angélique Marie Verdy Ledger Entry

Ledgers of Birth, Marriage, Death of residents of a village are maintained by the Mayors of the villages.

Date of Recording23 October 1826

Pierre Antoine Verdy, farmer (Angélique’s father)

Claude Joseph Lomont (Claude’s father-deceased)

Claude François Lomont and Angélique Verdy in marriageClaude François Lomont Claude Joseph’s brother’s Signature

Jeanne Claude Bonnot, (Angélique’s mother)

Marie Josephte Motte(Claude’s mother-Deceased)

Angélique Verdy and Claude François Lomont Signatures

Also Verdy and Faivre Signatures

Besançon, France

Besançon

The Citadel

Burgundian Style Varnished Tile Roof

Besançon is the capital and principal city of the region of Franche-Comté in eastern France. A population of about 220,000 inhabitants in the metropolitan area in 1999. It is the capital of the department of Doubs.

Clerval

Clerval

Country FranceRegion Franche-ComtéDepartment DoubsBorough MontbéliardTownship ClervalElevation 866–1,800 ftLand area 4.57 sq miPopulation 1,066 (1999)

Village of Clerval France

Mayor Julien Boulanger(left)

Pierre and Don

Clerval Castle in the eleventh century was a key part of the fortified city of Clerval formed in a loop of the Doubs River between the bridge and castle. The city walls formed a square of over 200 meters on each side were built and lined with ditches 15 meters wide. Six towers defended the city gates

and the corners of the enclosure.

Lomont-sur-Crête

Families: Legrand -Lomont

Lomont-sur-CrêteFromagerie

A third of the village is involved in agriculture. It also has the only cheese factory in the canton that produces Comté, a hard cheese made from cow's milk.

Lomont-sur-Crête

Country FranceRegion Franche-ComtéDepartment DoubsBorough BesançonTownship Baume-les-DamesElevation 1,250–1,844 ftLand area 3.78 sq miPopulation 157

Mayor: Marcel Parisot

Roche lès ClervalCountry FranceRegion Franche-ComtéDepartment DoubsBorough MontbéliardTownship ClervalElevation 892–1,831 ftLand area 2.06 sq miPopulation 93 (1999)

Mayor Jérôme Guilloz and his wife Josiane

Roche-lès-Clerval

Roche lès Clerval lies on the bank of the Doubs River at the foot of the peak of the Lomont Mountains.

Roche lès Clerval lies on the bank of the Doubs River at the foot of the peak of the Lomont Mountains.

Roche lès Clerval

WWI Memorial Plaque to Raoul and Justin Lomont in Roche lès Clerval

Justin Joseph Charles Lomont (Right)(b October 14, 1888, d September 28, 1915)

Died for France. Corporal killed by the enemy at Réez-Fosse-Martin in the Oise

Department of France during the Battle of the Marne in WWI. Never married.

Raoul Armand Jean Lomont (Left)(b March 27, 1893, d September 9, 1914)

Died for France at Somme-Suippes, Marne in WWI. Soldier in the 11th Regiment 3rd

Dragon Squadron. Sum-Suippes is a village in the department of Marne.

Sons of Jean Baptiste Félicien Lomont (b December 5, 1847 m August 22, 1871, d January 28, 1928 and Philomène Faivre

Berthe and Lucien Lomont

Lucien Edmond Lomont(b 1924)

Married 1964, Lucienne Madeleine Léonie Grosjean

(b 1942)

Berthe Pélagie Renée Lomont(b 1932)

Married 1951,Robert Clément Franchini

(b 1929)

Daughter and Son of Jules Albert Lomont And Pélagie Marie Louise Emilie Verdy

Lucien Lomont

Lucien Edmond Lomont(b 1924)Lucienne Madeleine Léonie Grosjean

(b 1942)

Lucien and Lucienne married in 1964 and are living in Roche lès Clerval

Christian Albert Paul Lomont(b 1965)

Clara Catela(b 2006, one of two daughters of

José Catela and Fabienne Paulette Germaine Lomont (b 1970)

daughter of Lucien and Lucienne )

Fernande (Lomont) Jobard

Fernande Marie Césarie Lomont(b 1931)

(Widow of Jacques Paul Jean Nicolet)

Jacques Paul Jean Nicolet(b March 3, 1928,

m December 16, 1980, d October 16, 1984)

Louis Jobard(b 1924)

Louis and Fernande are married and living in Roche lès Clerval, France

Félicie Marie Françoise Bonnot(b October 13, 1901,d August 19, 1967)

Charles François Lomont and Félicie Marie Françoise BonnotParents of Fernande Marie Césarie Lomont

Charles François Lomont(b May 20, 1878,d July 17, 1955)

Married September 29, 1921

A Peek at the Ancestral Relationship of United States and France Lomont Families

Lucienne, *Note, Lucien and Christian*(Lucienne's daughter's child from prior marriage)

Ms Hélène Clémence LOMONT (b1925,m1952,d2005)Ms Fernande Marie Césarie LOMONT (b1931,m1950)

Fernande and Husband

marié à Ms Joséphine SIMON

marié à Virginia Cecelia WELLING

Louis Delphin LOMONT (b1838,m1873,d1910)marié à Ms Césarine Joséphine VERDY

Charles François LOMONT (b1878,m1904,d?)marié à Ms Félicie Marie BONNOT

Ms Jeanne Marie Eugénie LOMONT (b1921,m1949)

Pierre Joseph LOMONT (b1740,d1799)

Auguste Aimé LOMONT (b1820m1845.d1890)

marié à Jean Baptiste GENEVOIS Ms Anne LOMONT (b1745,m1776)

marié à Ms Françoise FAIVREJean Baptiste LOMONT (b1784,m1815,d1864)Claude Joseph LOMONT (b1775)

Jacques LOMONT marié à Ms Jacquotte VERMOT d1778

Claude François LOMONT (b1773,m1805,d1844)

Léger LOMONT (b1743,m1773,d1792)marié à Ms Georgine VERDY

marié à Ms Marguerite HYOSET marié à Ms Angélique Marie VERDYmarié à Ms Aimable FAIVRE

marié à Marie Ms Josephte MOTTE

Claude François LOMONT (b. 1808)Auguste LOMONT (b1815,m1847,d1871)

marié à Ms Claudine PAUTOT

Jean Baptiste (le jeune) LOMONT (1811,m1834,d1883)

Jean Baptiste Félicien LOMONT (b1847,m1871,d1928)marié à Ms Philomène FAIVRE

Jules Albert LOMONT (b1885,m1920)marié à Ms Pélagie Marie Louise Emilie VERDY

Mr. Joseph René Louis LOMONT (b1929)Mr. René Maurice Eugène LOMONT (b1930)

Lucien LOMONT et son épouse Lucienne ainsi que Christian leur fils (grand et mince) étaient présents lors de votre visite à Roche les Clerval; (Lucien LOMONT and his wife Lucienne and their son Christian were present during our visit to Roche les Clerval)

Auguste LOMONT (b1852,m1880.d1909)marié à Aimable BONNOT

Eugène Théodule LOMONT (b1884,m1929)marié à Ms Irma Hermance VERDY

Lucien Edmond LOMONT (b1924,m1964)marié à Ms Lucienne Madeleine Léonie GROSJEAN

Mr. Christian LOMONT

Miss Amanda LOMONT (b. 1975)Mr. Ashley LOMONT (b. 1977)

en bleu les personnes vivant encore à Roche les Clerval; (Names in blue still living in Roche les Clerval)

Juvénal Alphonse LOMONT (b. 1846)marié à Victoria GLADIEUX

Justin Peter LOMONT (b. 1876)marié à Emma Magdalene LOTHAMER

Joseph Alphonse LOMONT (b. 1909)

marié à Jeanne Marie ANGELODonald Joseph LOMONT (b. 1943)

Roots for Some Residents of Roche lès Clerval and Seal Beach

Roche lès ClervalUnited States and France Lomont Family Photo Op

Lucienne, Clara, Don, Fernande, Lucien,

Laëtitia Franchiniwife of Albert Lice

Albert Lice

Franchini Lomont son of Bertha and Robert Franchini

Robert Franchini, husband of

Berthe Lomont

Berthe Lomont Franchini

Christian Lomont

PierreJeanne

Josiane Macias-Dutouxwife of Louis Nicolet,

son of Fernande by first marriage

The Lomont Mountains

The Doubs River Dam and Locks

(left)

The Hike to Capture the View (right)Emanuelle

Liegeois “Amy” acted as

interpreter

Roche lès Clerval

Lomont Mountain View: Roche lès Clerval lies on the bank of the Doubs River at the foot of the Lomont Mountains and Branne lies on the opposite bank.

Branne

Amy & her grandparents – Jean Pierre Bonnot and Therese Boby Bonnot

Roche lès Clerval

Church of St PierreBuilt in 1723

Recording the Bell Chime at Noon Just as Angélique and Claude heard it

Beautifully Kept by the Village

Jeanne and Don at the Alter

The Church Where Claude and Angélique Were Married

Roche lès Clerval

“I am afraid of the past, the season now I am sorry, tomorrow the future

very sad is not good for me”

“Lintel” - Stone above the door of Fernande LOMONT NICOLET’s houseThis house is opposite the church of the Roche Clerval. It should read:

CFC JHT 1736THE PA PE EC MA TROM THE PR

TORMENT ME MI ESEN LAVENIR POVAt the end of the construction of a house, they lived there before the owners were to get the house blessed

by Father.Thus, they placed their house under the blessing of God.

Explanation:CFCs are the initial owners (surely FC for Claude François Claude and C for names or Claudine very

fashionable at the time).

JHT IHT abbreviations or religious. Hominum Iesus Salvator (Latin), Jesus savior of man (in French).

1736 date of construction of the house.

Then a thought (philosophical) chosen by the owners, a reflection of their personality."The past me wrong, this worries me, the future frightens me."

Roche lès ClervalThe Cemetery Next to the Church

Many Many Lomont and Verdy Gravesites

WWI Memorial next to the

churchWith inscription

of many Lomont’s and

Verdy’s

Roche lès Clerval

Waiting for the School Bus

Living in the Village

Walking Around The Village

Home with Garage and Barn attached

Timber and Rock Ceiling in Vegetable

Storage Area

Garage and Barn with Work Tools and Remnants of the Past

Pillar Supports House Above

Branne

Branne

Country FranceRegion Franche-ComtéDepartment DoubsBorough MontbéliardTownship ClervalElevation 892–1,824 ftLand area 2.49 sq miPopulation 167 (1999)

Branne lies on the bank of the Doubs River almost directly across the river from Roche lès Clerval

Mayor Liliane Guyon

Branne lies on the bank of the Doubs River.

Branne

BranneSt. Michael’s? Church

St. Michael’s? Church

BranneThe Cemetery Next to the Church

St. Michael’s Church

Lomont’s and Verdy’s found here

Well Maintained

BranneWalking Around The Village

WWI Memorial

BranneClaude and Angélique Lived Here

Once the home of Claude (and Angélique) in the village of Branne; It belonged to Claude’s Mothers Family (Motte)

Churches of the Franche-Comté Region

Lomont-sur-Crête VercelChurch of St Pierre, Roche lès

Clerval

Churches of the Franche-Comté Region have a “Clochers Comtois” bell tower architectural style unique to this area. The curved dome of

the church bell tower is unique to Franche-Comté. The graceful domes on these bell towers are sometimes decorated with colored

tiles to form geometric patterns. There are over 650 clochers comtoiswithin Franche-Comté. The style is said to have reached Franche-

Comté from Florence in the 16th century. Much rebuilding was necessary after the French conquest of the region in 1678, and many

church domes date back to this period.

Branne

Clerval

Besançon

Reception for Mayors of Roche lès Clerval and BranneIn the Home of Pierre and Chantal

Discussion of the history of this area of France over the past centuries

Josiane, Jerome (Mayor of Roche lès Clerval), Don and Liliane (Mayor of Branne)

Jerome , Josiane, Liliane, Chantal, Don and Pierre

Sharing of Gifts from Seal Beach, Roche lès

Clerval and Branne (Soil and Wheat from the from the Ancestors Farms in Roche lèsClerval and Branne

End Of Show

Thank You for Your Interest

Produced By Donald J Lomont

Info at: djlomont@earthlink.netAll Rights Reserved

Copyright 2010