INTRODUCTION TO THE GIBLOT DUCRAY HISTORY AND FAMILY TREE BOOK

Written by

Marc Ducray

and

Sue Luzy (born du Cray)

Published 2000

The book is out of print.There were only fifteen copies bound copies produced.

Computer generated, electronic books, on individual family members can be obtained. Send a request through the Visitors book or send an e-mail to the site manager.

Introduction by Marc:-

My interest in the family tree stems back to 1954, when I visited my Uncle Volcy in Cape Town and was shown  the family tree scroll, which he was busy with.

 Some time after my uncle Emilien Volcy Giblot Ducray’s death in 1967, I received, from his widow the original family tree scroll and documents, some of them are depicted in this publication. These documents were kept by me, in boxes, for almost a quarter of a century, only being taken out on occasions to show family members. It was only in 1994, after I retired, that I endeavored  to sort out the papers. I was looking for ideas on how to display,  in some presentable form, the wealth of information which I had inherited, when I saw a book on the de Froberville family, which had been produced by Richard Yardley.

      I was inspired by this computer, desk top publication, and obtained his permission to produce a book along similar lines, resulting in this book, which I dedicate to my brother Tony Ducray, (A. V. Giblot Ducray) who unfortunately did not live long enough to see me carry out my intentions.

A final remark

Genealogy and family history only come to a stop if the family dies out. It is unlikely that this could happen to the Giblot Ducray family, at present. Therefore, if you would like to contribute family details and stories please use the visitors page or e-mail dlmd@Mweb.co.za  You are also invited to advise the authors of any errors or omissions.

EXTRACT FROM THE CHAPTER ON

CHARLES FRANCOIS

  In September 1750, Charles François having acquired with the castle and the honorary title of  "Seigneur de Lorcy, squire, etc.", went to pay homage to the local high ranking and powerful seigneur, Mr. Jacques de Bernier, seigneur, Marquis de Champigny sur Yonne, Châlette and  Monthenon, from whom he held "en plein fief" according to ancient feudal law, the fief de Chevenelle, " on which  clod of earth there had formerly stood a dovecote and a drawbridge". He was now owner of  "les Bréaux, le Fournil de Chevenelle, de la Champagne, de la Vergne, etc." as well as the Chateau des Fourneaux. See the last paragraph below as to what happened to the castle

 Charles François and Anne remained in Lorcy for the rest of their lives. In March 1751, Charles François acquired the "Office of secretary to the King in the Chancelry established near the Parlement of Toulouse".  This would most likely have engaged him in drafting official and administrative documents, rather like a present day "secrétaire de préfecture". As he lived far from Toulouse he probably didn't go there often or indeed at all, but travelled instead to the nearby towns of Nemours or Orléans for this purpose. The Office earned him a stipend of some £3,200 per annum.  

  In Lorcy, from 1752 to 1765, Charles François and Anne had six more surviving children, five girls and a boy: Charlotte Marie Anne, Geneviève Elisabeth, Anne Julie, Joseph Benoît, Elisabeth Thérèse and Marie Anne Gabrielle Rosalie. A son died at birth in December 1752 and was taken to the church for burial on 10th December by Louis Gile and Louis Guichard, "servants of the Seigneur who said they did not know how to sign".

Charles François died at 5 am on 11th February 1780. He was buried the following day at the of the altar of the Holy Virgin in the Church of Lorcy. The Curé Jolly officiated, as he had done at all the children's baptisms, and was accompanied by the priests of eight neighbouring villages.Three of Charles François' sons were present:  Charles Jean Louis, Paul Benoît and Joseph Benoît, as well as numerous other notables.  According to the Abbé Boibien, who wrote several notes on the history of Lorcy, the burial tablet was still in a perfect state of preservation at the time of his incumbency, from 1928 to 1957. The epitaph, translated from French, states

"Here lies the body of Mr Charles François Giblot, squire, knight, high, middle and low dispenser of justice of the parish of Lorcy and founder of this Church, former first councillor of the Upper Council of the Isle de France, Second Governor of the same Isle, deceased the 11th February 1780. He was a tender husband and respected father, pious, sincere friend, gentle, generous, affable, helping the poor, sensitive to their misfortunes. If time effaces his history from this marble, his name, from father to son, and his memory, will remain forever engraved in all hearts. Pray God his soul may rest in peace."

 ortunately for our family history the Abbé Boibien and several of the parishioners of Lorcy, did a lot of research on the Giblot family, and it is thanks to them that we have transcriptions of notarial documents relating to their land and property transactions in Lorcy. One of the most interesting documents is an inventory of  the contents of the chateau, made just after the death of Charles François in March 1780. The Chateau des Fourneaux was apparently demolished long ago, and two houses now stand on its former site.