French Huguenot Ancestors

I have gotten into our French lineage of late. It has inspired me to even learn French. I am enjoying it a lot!

I have found this information for a beginning on our ancestors:
"Wallerand du Bois, son of Antoine and Philipotte du Bois, first of his line to be by inheritance Seigneur both of La Bourse and of Beaufermez, married 1583, Madelein de Croix. Wallerand and Madeleine du Bois thus lived at the right place and the right time to have been the parents of Chretien du Bois, father of Louis, the emigrant to New York. For since the Parish Register of La Bassee (in which Wicres is situated) shows that Chretien du Bois had at least two sons older than Louis, who was born in 1626, Chretien could not have been born much later than 1600 at latest, not too late for the birth of a son to parents married in 1583.
http://www.vnla.com/vnl/gen/mcq/DuBois.htm

Catarinen [Catherine] Blanchan [Blanjean] was apparently born in the Province of Artois, France, the oldest child of Mattheu Blanchan and Magdalena Jorisse, who left France to escape persecution of Huguenots before 1647. Catarinen died 1713 in Kingston, Ulster County, N.Y. She married Louis du Bois 10 Oct. 1655 in Mannheim, Germany. They had 12 children. Catarinen was captured by Esopus Indians on 7 June 1663, along with three of her children, her sister Maria, Maria's child and other women and children of New Village (now Hurley, N.Y.). They were rescued three months later. Catarinen married second about 1698 to Jean Cottin. She moved to Kingston after second marriage.

Matheu Blanchan [Blanjean] was born in Noeuville-au-Corne, parish Ricame, Province of Artois, France, a son of Leonin and Isabeau (LeRoy) Blanchan. He died 7 March 1687/8 in Ulster County, N.Y. A Huguenot, he fled from Flanders to England before 16 May 1647, when daughter Magdelaine was baptised at the Walloon or Strangers' Church of Canterbury. He was in Mannheim, Germany, on the Rhine River by 1651. Matheu became burger (citizen) of Mannheim. He was among first deacons of French congregation formed in 1652. He arrived at New Amsterdam (New York) Apr. 26, 1660, on "De Vergulde Otter" (The Gilded Otter) with his wife and three minor children, and daughter Maria and her husband, Anthony Crispel. Blanchans were among first Huguenots in Ulster County. Early colonial records of New York, both Dutch and English, support conclusion that Blanchan was "aggressive and obstinate individual." He frequently was in court as both plaintiff and defendant and apparently nursed grudges for years. Also appears to have been successful businessman. Owned property in both America and England at time of death. He married Magdeleine Jorisse 15 Oct. 1633 in Catholic Church of Armentieres. They had six children, one of whom apparently died before they came to America.

http://home.earthlink.net/~kseitz/hugim.html

Louis du Bois was baptised 21 Oct. 1626 at Lille, parish church of Wicres, now in Province of Artois, France, a son of Chretien du Bois. The area is also known as Flanders. Louis died 1695/6 in Ulster County, N.Y., probably in Hurley. A Huguenot, he fled France to escape persecution at unknown date, but prior to 1655. Louis came to America with family in 1661 aboard the "St. Jeane Baptiste." he settled for a short time in Wiltwyck (Kingston), N.Y., before moving to the new, nearby town of Hurley. Both were then part of Dutch colony of New Netherland. In 1663, he fought Indians who had taken captive his wife, three children and other Huguenot settlers. He was leader of the 12 men (Duzine) who obtained 1677 patent for land that became New Paltz, N.Y., although he returned to Kingston or nearby Hurvey in 1686, leaving his sons to build up colony. Apparently a money lender. At some point after the British took over, he was removed from a position as local judge because of differences with the governor's assistant. He married Catarinen Blanchan 10 Oct. 1655 in Mannheim, Germany.

There is a lot more information. I have found myself really touched by their devotion to their religious convictions. I hope this summer to go to Paltz with Andrew, Shea, Denise and Jenni. 4/15/08