Finding My Way Home - A Journey to the Past

I was born in 1942 in San Francisco during World War II.  My father, known affectionately to everyone as "Frenchy", had never known his own father who had died when my dad was only three (3) as a result of a fall from a ladder that led to peritonitis progressing into into his lungs, which was eventually fatal.  All I ever knew about Grandpa Jean was that he was 6'4" way back when (a giant of a man), who was an excellent dancer, a florist, and who hailed from the south of France. I knew nothing more about him.  

Then a few months back I received an email from Jean-Claude Mialocq of Jurancon, France, who indicated that we may be related and asked if I would be interested in exploring this.  I said I would and started my search, joining Ancestry.com.  Jean-Claude and I exchange pictures and family information and he impressed me as a very nice man who spoke very good English and who was genuinely interested in finding out what happened to the Mialocq who had left for America.  Jean-Claude, like me, wondered if he had relatives in America from our branch of the family.  And were we related at all?

Jean-Claude Mialocq, Jurancon, Aquitaine, France

Then it happened.  One night I watched the new show, WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE.  It featured Brooke Shields and her search for her own roots.  At the beginning of the show the narrator said.

"You don't know who you are until you know where you came from."  

That message struck my heart like cold steel.  It was true and my quest began.  This will change my life forever.



I logged in to Ancestry.com and searched the Birth and Death Records without success. I then searched the 1910 Census and BINGO!  There it was!

He had arrived in San Francisco in 1884 and was living with my grandmother, Catherine, (misspelled with a 'K'), and my uncle Al, who was 9 months old. I knew that! I needed more. After spending days of research of old records and newspapers, I struck gold.  I found the Crocker Langley San Francisco Directory of 1900 and voila:

Excited that I had found some information about my grandfather, I delved into the volumes of information available on the Internet and located an article from the San Francisco Call Bulletin.

I was unaware that there were even thousands of Frenchmen in the Bay Area at the turn of the 20th Century.  As I continued to read the article, there was Grandpa.  He stood 6'4", which at that time made him somewhat of a giant and my cousin, Aleda, who is ten years older than I, said that she had been told he was an excellent dancer.  He was involved in the activities as a member of the Dancing Committee.  

Sure enough, there in the bottom left hand corner of the article is my Grandpa.  My cousin remembers that she was told that Grandpa not only owned a florist shop on Bush Street, his shop delivered city wide.  He also owned several homes in the Richmond District in the Clement Street area where his employees lived and would grow mushrooms and raise snails that were supplied to the numerous French restaurants and hotels in San Francisco.

This sparked my curiosity even more and I wanted to learn how much influence the French actually had in San Francisco in the early days.  This led to another discovery, an article from the San Francisco Examiner written on December 16, 1923 by a Robert H. Willson.  Here it is in its entirety:

First One Came to State in 1831 and Started a Vineyard; Shipload Arrived Here in 1849.

The French do not claim to have built the San Francisco city hall, they merely educated the men who made it one of the architectural masterpieces of the new world.  The French nursed the city of San Francisco in its infancy. Young San Francisco was more accustomed to a menu of boullibaise and vol-an-vent than it was to the traditional American baked beans and pumpkin pie. French restaurants were for many years centers of gayer life of San Francisco, and though they have disappeared by the score, there is still a French cuisine hardly excelled by that of Paris, excent in the "vin compris."

The French were on the ground early in California. The first real immigrant recorded is Jean Louis Vignes, who came from Bordeaux and started a vineyard near Los Angeles in 1831. J. J. Vioget came to San Francisco in 1839. When the capital of California was still at Monterey, France was represented by a consul. 

The French pioneers of San Francisco, 36 in number, arrived on the sailing ship La Maose, in 1849. As early as the Spring of 1850 the French were operating stores, restaurants and hotels on Clay street, in the old business section. In July of the same year, Mr. Dilion arrived as the first French consul in San Francisco. In November, 1850, 131 additional French settlers arrived. There are today French societies in San Francisco which date back almost 75 years. There was a French newspaper, "L'Echo du Pacifique," as early as 1852.

First Railroad.

The French built the original hotel on the present site of the Fairmont. They organized one of those volunteer fire companies, which became famous in the history of the city. The French built the first railroad in San Francisco, a steam line, which ran from the bay to the Mission Dolores. French citizens were among the first to found a large and successful banking institution, which, however, had a somewhat tragic episode in its history. In 1878, when it had six millions of dollars on deposit, a much larger sum in those days than it would be now, irregularities were discovered in the management, and M. G. Mahe, the founder, committed suicide. The bank, however, was reorganized, and there have always been in San Francisco one or more powerful financial institutions of French origin or influence. Names of the French pioneers in the business of San Francisco are prominent today. They builded substantially and permanently. Daniel Levy exerted a strong influence in early French affairs. The Weill family came early and built enduring monuments in both business and culture. The Verdier family survived the many changes that have taken place.

Great Library Lost.

The French hospital, costing over $300,000, was built in 1894, and the resources of the society are estimated at a million dollars.   (NOTE:  I found this particularly interesting since my daughter, Nicole, was born in this hospital.

A French library of 31,600 volumes was burned up in the fire, but has been re-established.  There probably has been no time in the history of San Francisco when, if everything but French places of business, enterprises and activities were completely removed, there would not have remained a complete little city. This is still true, but for the poodle dogs. They have retreated before the mongrel. "Ici on parle Francaise." The sign is hardly necessary in a San Francisco shop or store. The language trots along close beside the English. Certain French commodities and materials have become so familiar that no one takes the trouble to translate the names.

The French people are conspicuously public spirited. Their efforts have not been directed so much toward amassing individual wealth as toward building up the city and community in which they live. The amounts of money gathered by subscription from the French people in this city for all sorts of public enterprises, when considered as a whole, are little short of astounding.

"How do you expect to profit by this?" one asked of a typical Frenchman, who is enthusiastic over plans for an art gallery, a theater, a library, a museum, or a monument in a public square. "But no," he replies, with great astonishment, "It is a profit to everyone. It is for education and culture. Of what use is money if it is to be spent only to make more money? A beautiful city is of more pleasure and value than too grand a house." The French of all peoples are fortunate in being able to enjoy the sense of personal possession in property that belongs to all.

For Citizenship.

The French residents in America have probably less reason to adopt American citizenship than most of the other immigrant nationalities. They have had no yoke to throw off, and not much to gain in the way of liberty. They are, however, among the most ardent advocates of immediate American citizenship. The Lafayette Club, one of the strong and active organizations of the French colony, makes a particular point of educating the French newcomers in all those matters required by the naturalization law. They are propogandists in that line. The French have been slow to demand recognition. They enjoy a voice in public affairs, but are too sincerely democratic to consider themselves anything more than individual voters. The French consul says he has no accurate figures, but he believes the number of unnaturalized French in California to be very small percentage of the total number.

Where would one go to find the French quarter? That is hard to say, because it is scattered, although there are one or two distinct sections where you may wander about among the maisons, blanchisseries and magasins, and be assured that you will need no word in English if your French is intelligible. There are more than one hundred French hotels in San Francisco, that is to say, hotels conducted by French proprietors. Some of them are distinctively French, and others are merely general hotels under French management. If you desire a hotel that is distinctively French you may find it characterized as a pension. A hotel and restaurant center is to be found along lower Broadway in neighborly relation to the Italian quarter. French stores and business houses are scattered indiscriminately over the city. If you are looking for a French laundry there is one just around the corner. One finds there are something like 200 of them listed in the business directories, and the proprietors have a strong organization. The French Bank Building at 110 Sutter street is a sort of down town headquarters with the consular offices in the building, the French library and offices of a number of associations. Another center has developed around the newspaper offices and social hall at Clay and Fillmore streets. You will find the Eglise Notre Dame des Victoires on Bush street in the heart of the city. It dates back to the construction of a chapel in 1849.

San Francisco's French Theater "La Gaite Francaise" on Washington street near Hyde makes the city one of the important centers of French culture in the world. It is the only theater outside of France recognized by the French government. Andrew Ferrier came to San Francisco as the leading dramatic tenor of a grand opera company. He was a graduate of the University of Paris and had received a dramatic training at the Sarah Bernhardt Theater. Jeanne Gustin Ferrier was a graduate of a conservatory of music at Nancy and had appeared with a Russian grand opera and the grand opera at Lisbon, Portugal. They liked San Francisco and decided to make it their home. They felt that here was a metropolis which would appreciate a genuine French theater.

Those who have looked for an appreciation of art in any field know that it means a lot of hard work, time and patience. M. Ferrier had all of these as well as genuine musical and dramatic talent. The fact that he was not afraid of work made La Gaite Francaise possible. It is now in its fourth season with the encouragement of a continually increasing patronage. Ferrier and his stage director, C. H. L. Fallon, also an actor taking leading roles in the productions, do practically all of the work connected with the theater. They attend to the business, plan and produce the plays, paint the scenery, and train their company.  It is interesting to note that with 8,000 or 10,000 French people living in San Francisco, the French theater depends upon other patronage for about 80 per cent of its revenues. Among its patrons are the leaders in San Francisco society.

Like Day in Paris.

Would you spend a day in Paris without a long voyage? You may take a drive in the Bois de Golden Gate which is not so different from that of Boulogne. Then you will find an interesting exhibition of French art at the Galerie des Artistes Francaise. This has recently been established by Mme. Paul Verdier not as a commercial proposition but in the interest of culture and education and a better understanding between the artists of the two continents. You might lunch at the Cercle Francais de l'Union on Post street, a club composed of leading French citizens with many French-speaking Americans in its membership.

For the afternoon there is the French library close at hand if you would read or a multitude of shops where you may buy Paris goods from French salesmen and even have the prices quoted in francs if you desire. In spite of the change that has come over San Francisco there is still to be had almost any kind of a French dinner that you would find in gay Paris. There are dozens of little places on the pension order, tucked away in basements or back rooms where the table d'hote is served in family style. The French have been slow to give way before the advance in prices. They know how to produce a better dinner for fifty cents than is to be had elsewhere. It is not entirely a matter of economy that draws a continual trade to the little French restaurants. Rows of luxurious equipages are to be seen nightly drawn up in front of them.

After dinner there is the theater and it may be a Moliere comedy or a light opera, but the performance is certain to be excellent and the evening entertaining. A seat costs but a dollar and as there are but 150 they are equally good. The ambition of Ferrier does not rest here. He is now planning a theater that will seat 500 people with a modern stage on which three or four scenes may be set. That is a great asset when the leading actors must set the stage and attend to the lighting effects, the costuming and all the details. La Gaite Francaise is oeprated without employes and without a payroll.

The Alliance.

The most important and powerful of the French organizations in America is the Alliance Francaise. Its purpose is the dissemination of French art and letters, the encouragement of schools, clubs and societies perpetuating the language and the traditions. The San Francisco section was organized in 1889, and established one of the first classes here for the study of the French language. There are French societies of almost every kind and deescription in San Francisco—social, religious, fraternal, patriotic and philanthropic. Alsace-Lorraine is so far represented as to have a club of its own, meeting twice a month in the Druids' Temple on Page street.

There is also a society of veterans of the world war maintaining a placement bureau and in other ways providing for the welfare of members. As a feature of its work among the young, the church, Notre Dame des Victoires, maintains a troop of Boy Scouts, affiliated with the general organization. Among the fraternal socities represented by the French lodges here are the Foresters, the Masons, the Druids, the Red Men and the Odd Fellows. The Ligue Henri IV is another mutual benefit order found only in the French colony.  (NOTE:  I learned from Aleda that my grandfather served as President of the Ligue Henri IV in San Francisco).

Jeanne d'Arc, youngest of the saints, has been especially honored by the French of San Francisco. There is an Eglise Jeanne d'Arc in South San Francisco and in connection with it, an Ecole Jeanne d'Arc. A Club Jeanne d'Arc is maintained by the church of Notre Dame on Bush street for its young people. The clubrooms are equipped with bowling alleys, billiard tables, a gymnasium and a basketball court.

Build Hospital.

Conspicuous among the philanthropic and charitable organizations is the Societe Francaise de Bienfaisance Mutuelle. Its most enduring and important work has been the building, equipment and maintenance of La Maison de Sante, or French Hospital, on Geary street, in the Richmond district. The membership of this organization is now over 8,000. The late M. Raphael Weill, a much loved citizen, was one of its most active supporters. The French hospital had its beginning here as early as 1852, when the city was a camp of adventurers, fortune seekers and people of many nationalities with but few steps taken toward permanent organization. The French were among the first to realize the necessity for an insititution where the sick might be cared for. A few of them got together, formed a society and established a small hospital at the corner of Jackson and Mason streets. In the following year they built a small hospital at Bush and Taylor streets. In 1855, the society, under its present name, was organized as an outgrowth of the early movement to secure a hospital. In 1858, a larger hospital was built on Bryant street. This soon came to be one of the leading hospitals on the Pacific Coast. In 1894, the patients were removed to the present hospital buildings.

The Ligue Nationale Francaise is another important organization among the French, its work having been largely devoted to the support and relief of those who suffered in the various French wars. In addition to its activities, there is now a club devoted especially to relief of the war orphans. Frequent entertainments and benefits are held in the French colony to secure contributions for these objects. La Maison Claire de Californie is another society found for war work which has been an active agency.

Acclaim Heroes.

The French national holiday, July 14, serves to illustrate the solidarity of the French colony in San Francisco, probably more than any other occasion, unless it might be the visit of a war hero like Marechals Foch and Joffre or General Giraud. It requires a building of no less capacity than the Civic Auditorium, where San Francisco celebrates the fourth of July, to accomodate the annual French holiday crowds. The governor of the State, mayor of the city and other distinguished citizens are accustomed to participate in the celebrations of this day. The tricolor is a more familiar flag in San Francisco than any other save the stars and stripes.

Politically, the French colony is represented chiefly by the Lafayette Club, of which E. Autard is president. The primary object of this club is to prepare French residents for citizenship. It has, however, engaged in local politics so far as to endorse a ticket in the city and county elections, which is recommended to its members. President Antard says, however, that its purpose is to remain free from any political affiliations. Its headquarters are in the B'nai B'rith building on Eddy street. The society of La Gauloise organized originally as a musical association, has been changed to a society for mutual benefit, but still fosters musical activities.

San Francisco is often referred to as "The Paris of America." The French people have certainly left a noticeable and enduring impress upon its first century of history. The French population is not increasing now as rapidly as that of other nationalities. There have been established, however, a sympathy and a sentiment between the two great cities that will always make the Parisian particularly at home in San Francisco, and the San Franciscan a most happy and appreciative guest on the boulevards and in the homes of Paris.

Source: San Francisco Examiner. 16 December 1923. K3. Pictures not included: Scene from a Moliere comedy at the La Gaiete Francaise, Andre Ferrier and Ch. Dillon, and a drawing of the L'Englise Notre Dame de Victoires.

To get a full appreciation for what San Francisco was like in those days, you need only take a street car ride on Market Street during those exciting times:  

This was getting exciting.  I learned that my grandpa was a successful business owner and civic leader who had been accidentally killed in a fall in San Francisco.  I knew he was buried in San Francisco at Holy Cross Cemetery and learned that his date of birth was October 11, 1859 and that he died on June 30, 1917.  

My next job was discover evidence of his birth and from where he came.  Was he a city dweller from Paris, or a country bumpkin? Now I needed to find where he came from and are there any relatives living currently in France?  My old friend, GOOGLE, served me well.  I did exhaustive research on births, marriages and deaths in France without success.  Then, I found it:

This was a genealogical website that included births, deaths and marriages in these communes in Southern France over several centuries. I started clicking on the links and when I reached Maslacq, I struck gold: 

There he was.  I had found him.  He was born on October 11, 1859 in Maslacq, Aquitaine, France.  His parents were Jean Mialocq and Marie Cambran.  And, he had a younger brother, Jacques, born in 1862, who died in Sauvelade in 1944, two years after I was born.  Now there was so much more I needed to learn.  Grandpa had left France for the United States, but what about Jacques.  Was he married and did he have children?  If so, are they still around and where are they.  I may have cousins.

But first I needed to learn about his father, Jean, my great grandfather, and his wife Marie Cambran.  I continue my research of the records.  I learned that old great grandpa Jean was an interesting character.  It seems he was married twice and had two families.  He was first married to a lady named Marie Cassou on Feb. 23, 1826, and later to Marie Cambran in 1863.  

Further research revealed that he married Marie Cassou when he was 27 (he was born in 1798), and they had three children:  Catherine, a son Pierre, and a son Jean.  Nobody seems to know what happened to Jean who was born in 1833 and seems to have disappeared after that.  Pierre, however, was busy.  He fathered NINE (9) children including a son named Andre, born on 30 Nov 1963.  That rang a bell.

I reviewed the Census records from 1910 and sure enough, my grandfather had come to America with his "cousin" Andre, who in actuality was the son of his father's oldest son by his first marriage.  Andre was actually my grandpa's nephew.  

Apparently, Marie Ann Cassou had passed away in 1837 at the age of 34, leaving Jean with three young children to raise.  After his children had grown and I'm sure he was kept busy with his son's nine children, he apparently met a young Marie Cambran who was 35 years his junior and the mother of a 4-year old son, Jean Cambran.  They had two children together, my grandpa Jean in 1859, and his brother, Jacques in 1862.  He married Marie on Dec. 10, 1863.  I guess Marie must have put her foot down.

To date, I have been unable to determine what happened to Jean Mialocq and Marie Cambran.  I have been unable to locate any death notices on either one.  

My next assignment:  Find out about Jacques and his descendants and see if I have living relatives in France.  Then look up my great grandfather's parents, Jean Mialocq and Catherine Lagarde.  It occurs to me that there must have been  more names available than just "Jean".  So the search continues...

As my research continued and the family tree rapidly spread its branches, it became apparent that Jean-Claude and I were cousins.  Grandpa's brother Jacques, was Jean-Claude's great grandfather.  That means that both Jean-Claude and I are descended from Jean Mialocq and Marie Cambran.  We are second cousins, once removed.  Frankly, I am ecstatic.  These are the descendants of Jacques, most of whom are alive, and all of whom are cousins, etc.

Jean-Claude MIALOCQ

b. 5 Nov 1944

& Christiane CARRERE

b. 1942

Christophe MIALOCQ

b. Jun 1967

& Francoise BUSQUE

b. 1969

Manon MIALOCQ

b. 1992

Dorian MIALOCQ

b. 1997

Philippe MIALOCQ

b. Nov 1970

|& Stephanie

b. 1974

Alienor MIALOCQ

b. 1999

Clara MIALOCQ

b. 2003

Michele MIALOCQ

b. Dec 1942

& G. ESCOURES

b. May 1942

d. Feb 2000

Cathy MIALOCQ

b. Jan 1971

& G BOLASQUE

Maxine BOLASQUE

Raphael BOLASQUE

Dominique MIALOCQ

b. Feb 1948

& P. DOUSTE

Pascale MIALOCQ

b. Feb 1969

& S BORDENAVE

Clement MIALOCQ

Paul MIALOCQ

Martin MIALOCQ

Frederic MIALOCQ

b. Apr 1970

& R DUVGIRA

Kevin MIALOCQ

Chloe MIALOCQ

Sylvie MIALOCQ

b. Apr 1949

& D CASANAVE

Valerie CASANAVE

b. Aug 1970

& M CRUZ

Melanie CRUZ

Bastine CRUZ

Theo CRUZ

Ines CRUZ

Jerome CASANAVE

b. Jul 1976

& Estelle ?

Nadine MIALOCQ

b. Mar 1955

& N. ROUSSILLE

Lucas ROUSSILLE

Jonas ROUSSILLE

b. 16 Sep 1997

I now have approximately 40 living relatives that I didn't know I had just a couple of months ago.  My online research has been eye-opening.  To those relatives whom I will meet who never had the pleasure or the opportunity to meet my grandmother, Katie, and my uncle Alfred and my father, Urbain Leopold, here is a picture:

A Proud and Loving Grandma Katie with her sons


Jurancon - The Wine Country of Aquitaine

I grew up within a short drive of Sonoma and the Napa Valley, California's famed wine district.  Now I would have an opportunity to see just what Pau and the famed wine district of Jurancon are like.  The location of Aquitaine is in the lower left hand corner of this map:

Aquitaine  is one of the great historic regions of France; it is also one of the largest and most varied regions of France, stretching from the foothills of the Massif Central in the north, to the Spanish border in the south, a distance of over 300 km. In the Middle Ages, Aquitaine was allied with the Plantagenet kings of England, and the region has many historic connections with the British Isles, notably through the wine trade.

On account of its size, Aquitaine is a very varied region; the northwest part of Aquitaine, comprising the departments of the Dordogne (24) and the Lot et Garonne (47) is made up of gentle hill country, with large areas of vineyards in the lower lying areas, and woodland and mixed farming in the hillier north east. The Dordogne area is famous for its rurality, its gentle valleys and villages, which seem to outsiders to be lost in time, and have become very popular with second-home buyers from the UK and the Netherlands in particular. The area is also famous as one of the oldest centres of known human habitation in Europe, and many prehistoric sites can be found round the area of Lascaux (remarkable caves, a UNESCO world heritage site) and Les Eyzies. Within France, the Dordogne department is more famous for its gastronomic specialities, truffles, foie-gras, walnuts and other mouth-watering delicacies, and is often rerferred to as "le Périgord", the area around the departmental capital of Périgueux.

The middle band of the region, following the line of the Gironde estuary, is low-lying land, and one of the most famous wine-producing areas in France. Bordeaux, regional capital and capital of the Gironde (33) department, is a magnificent city lying at the lowest bridging point on the Garonne river. it is one of France's great seaports, and its historic wealth is reflected in the many fine buildings of the old city, such as the unique eighteenth-century theatre. North of Bordeaux, to the west of the Gironde estuary, lies the area of Médoc, the most prestigious of the regions wine-producing areas; other famous vineyard areas can be found all round Bordeaux, and notably along the valley of the Garonne and its tributaries. The area around the small historic city of St. Emilion is another famous vineyard area. Further inland, the area between Marmande and Agen supports a busy fruit and vegetable industry. On the coast, the resort of Arcachon is very popular, on account of its sheltered anchorage, favoured by yachtsmen, and the proximity of the Dune du Pilat, the highest sand dune in Europe.

The southern part of Aquitaine is made up of two distinct areas, the departments of les Landes (40) and the Pyrénées Atlantiques (64). Les Landes is the most heavily forested area of Europe; a low lying area with sandy soil, almost the whole department is covered with pine forests interspersed with small areas of heath and farmland. The forests are popular with nature lovers, ramblers and hunters, and support a major timber industry. Outside the few towns and seaside resorts, the department of les Landes is one of the least densely populated areas of France. It is also a department where almost a quarter of all dwellings are second homes. The coastline of les Landes is a long almost unbroken stretch of sandy beach, much of it virtually empty.

The department of Pyrénées Atlantiques (64) is essentially composed of the former province of Bearn and the Basque country. It is a very attractive department, offering everything from Atlantic surf on the beaches around St Jean de Luz and Biarritz, to good skiing on the slopes high up in the Pyrenees. The foothills of the Pyrenees are a delightful area, benefiting from a very mild climate, and sufficient rainfall to remain green and luscious through many months of the year. Pau, the departmental capital, is an elegant city that was very popular with the British in the nineteenth century as a thermal resort, and even boasted at one time an English hunt, complete with hounds and redcoats.  THIS IS THE PART OF AQUITAINE IN WHICH THE MIALOCQS HAVE LIVED.

This exciting journey has taken a few mere months and I have learned that I am not only NOT one of the few Mialocqs in the world, but that I have 40 living relatives in the Aquitaine region of southern France, especially in Jurancon, where my cousin Jean-Claude resides.  I have learned that the Mialocq ancestors were present in Sainte Suzanne, the birth site of many, that my grandfather was born and raised in Viellegegure, and that my grandmother was born and raised in Aucun.  Now my investigation begins into just what these places are like. We will start with Pau and the Aquitaine region.  I located a website entitled FRENCH CHARACTER HOMES and this is what I found out about the Aquitaine region and the city of Pau:

The Region

The South West of France is renowned for its crystal clean air, great climate, superb food and wines and endless culture. The countryside is safe and idyllic, planted with vines, splashes of waving corn and bright sunflowers. There are traditional markets held in fortified villages selling fresh organic produce, homemade honeys, cheeses and pates. There are an abundance of night markets where locals jostle together around stalls of producers. One can explore the garlic and cheese festivals, the music and cultural events, or simply stroll around the historic chateaux, estates, abbeys and museums.

For the more energetic, the Pyrenees mountain range offers a host of exciting activities from canoeing, rafting and kayaking to hand-gliding, rock climbing and horse-riding. For winter sports, the Pyrenean summits boast hundreds of kilometers of ski runs, which meander beneath branches of pine trees. There are several summits topping 3000metres, including Pic du Montcalm (3077m), Pic du Balaitous (3146m), and the famous Pic du Midi (2872m). Along the Atlantic coast, water-sports are of abundance. Biarritz has a strong surfing culture, which is of world class standard.

The region hosts numerous festivals; notably centered around food and drink ! These include garlic, cheese, melon, wine and beer festivals. Each town hosts its own festival; Pau, for example, has a three week festival which is an extravaganza of dance, music and theatre. It also hosts its own Formula 3000 Grand Prix and the Classic Car Grand Prix, which runs through the city streets over the Pentecost weekend. The Tour de France has for many years, completed the mountain stage in the town centre of Pau.

Culinary Delights

Whether you choose to eat on the terraces of small restaurants or dine in the elegance of grand restaurants, France prides itself in its gastronomic delights. Among the specialties are foie gras, Toulouse style "cassoulet", confit de canard, magret, and naturally a vast range of charcuteries and local cheeses. To accompany the renowned French cuisine, the choices of wines are plentiful. Perhaps the best known in the area are Bergerac, Gaillac, Madiran, Buzet, Cahors and Jurançon. Armagnac is also a favourite beverage and is one of the oldest French ‘eau de vies’!

The Climate

The South West of France boasts an average of 2000 hours of sunshine per year, making it one of the sunniest regions of France. Temperatures exceed 25C between 60 and 80 days of the year. Spring comes early and has a feel of summer. Winters can be cold, but this provides enough snow for skiers extending the season from December to April.

All I can say is WOW!  No wonder that my Mialocq ancestors stayed in this part of the world for centuries!

Homes in the area are absolutely stunning.  Views are fantastic and the region is one of the most beautiful in the world.  I will publish pictures of individual homes.  You merely have to click on the picture to be taken to a magical world.  Enjoy.  I know I will when I travel to see this gorgeous place.

There are literally hundreds more, but it is apparent that the homes in the area of Jurancon and Pau are fabulous, that the area is green and lush, and that the views are sensational.  Here are some photos of the city of Pau:

After seeing Pau, Jurancon, and the surrounding area, I can hardly wait to visit in person and to experience the land of my forefathers.  Three more stops:

1) Sainte Suzanne, birthplace of many of the Mialocqs;
2) Viellesegure, where grandpa was born and raised, and
3) Aucun, the birthplace of my grandmother, which I know absolutely nothing about.

VIELLESEGURE

Way to go, Grandpa.

AUCUN

Finding Aucun was not easy.  It is one of hundreds of French villages, the ONLY one located in a National Park.  In this case, Aucun is located in Pyrenees National Park, at the southern border of France at the base of the Pyrenees Mountains.  It is very close to Lourdes and many hotels in the Aucun area serve as stopping off points for the millions who travel to Lourdes from around the world seeking its miraculous features.  It is spectacular.  This is where my Grandmother was born and raised.

No wonder Grandma lived to be 99.  She said that her ancestors lived into their 100s and I can see why.  Now we proceed to the place of miracles:  LOURDES.

There is nothing left to say...

Wow is all I can say.  Am I lucky! My family could have been from Iceland or Bulgaria. This adventure started with an email from a man whom I now know to be my cousin, Jean-Claude Mialocq asking me if I was interested in exploring the possibility that we may be related. It picked up steam when I saw the television program, WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE, which featured Brooke Shields.  Brooke's parents broke up when she was just 5 months old and all she knew was that her mother had a mean mother, and that her father was Italian, well-to-do, and lived in Miami.  

Her adventure, which led her to Italy and its palaces and royalty, and to France, Henry IV, and eventually to a saint was an event that struck a nerve of curiosity in me that led to my amazing discovery. I went in a short time from having practically no family or relatives to speak of and little knowledge of my grandfather, who he was or where he came from, to now having 40 living relatives in France who are wonderfully friendly and warm and who make me proud to carry the name, MIALOCQ.  Here is a photo of just a few relatives in France, Jean-Claude's immediate family:

I am excited to meet them.
Here is a link to my immediate family in America.
Vive le France!

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Here is the Family Tree as it exists today on Geneanet.com

MIALOCQ FAMILY TREE

o Jean MIALOCQ & ? ? o Jean MIALOCQ &1706 Jeanne PERGUILHEM o Pierre MIALOCQ 1708 &1741 Anne MARSAN 1714-1741 o Jean MIALOCQ 1744 & Marie SARROUILHE 1745-1810 o Pierre MIALOCQ 1769-1848 & Catherine LAGARDE 1767-1835 o Jacques MIALOCQ 1797 & Jeanne Daudine LARROSE ca 1799 o Marie MIALOCQ 1823 o Catherine Marie MIALOCQ 1823 & Jacques HAURAT 1820 ... o Marie 2 MIALOCQ 1825 o Jeanne MIALOCQ 1828 & Pierre LUQUET 1829 ... o Jeanne 2 MIALOCQ 1833 & Pierre DARRIEUX ... o Jean MIALOCQ 1798 &1826 Marie Ann CASSOU 1803-1837 o Catherine MIALOCQ 1826-1903 & Jean SERE 1822 ... o Catherine MIALOCQ 1826-1903 & Jean FRANQUEVIELLE 1824-1885 o Pierre MIALOCQ 1828 & Caroline ERNEST 1828 o Catherine MIALOCQ 1852 & Baptiste BERNEDE 1845 ... o Jean MIALOCQ 1854-1877 o Louis MIALOCQ 1855-1864 o Jacques MIALOCQ 1856 o Marie MIALOCQ 1858 o Jeanne Romeline MIALOCQ 1860 & Francois FERROU ... o Andre MIALOCQ 1863 & Marie LABORDE 1878 o Caroline MIALOCQ 1891-1913 o Louis (Jean) MIALOCQ 1893-1917 o Albert MIALOCQ 1901-1978 & Charlotte O MADSEN o Odine Marie MIALOCQ o Jean 2 MIALOCQ 1865 o Lambert MIALOCQ 1868 & Anne LABORDE o Jean MIALOCQ 1833 o Jean MIALOCQ 1798 &1863 Marie CAMBRAN 1833 o Jean Jacques MIALOCQ 1859-1917 & Catherine BOURDEAU 1878-1978 o Alfred MIALOCQ & Eda CELONI 1903-1993 o Aleda MIALOCQ o Alma MIALOCQ & Robert COOK ... o Urbain MIALOCQ & Mary CELONI o Ronald Joseph MIALOCQ o Gary MIALOCQ & Mialocq SUSAN o Gary MIALOCQ & Maureen Patricia WARNOCK o Nicole Michelle MIALOCQ & Kevin MACARGEL ... o Gary MIALOCQ & Cherith POWELL o Noelle Alexandra MIALOCQ & Matt WILLBANKS ... o Roger MIALOCQ & Robin G MCCORMACK o Stajonne MIALOCQ o Steven MIALOCQ o Jacques MIALOCQ 1862-1944 & Anna VIRGILE o Jean-Marie MIALOCQ 1886 & Catherine LUBEREILH 1891 o Robert MIALOCQ & Jeanne LEGOUEIX o Michele MIALOCQ & G ESCOURES o Cathy MIALOCQ & G BOLASQUE ... o Jean-Claude MIALOCQ & Christiane CARRERE o Christophe MIALOCQ & Francoise BUSQUE o Manon MIALOCQ o Dorian MIALOCQ o Philippe MIALOCQ & Stephanie UNKNOWN o Clara MIALOCQ o Alienor MIALOCQ o Dominique MIALOCQ & P DOUSTE o Pascale MIALOCQ & S BORDENAVE o Clement MIALOCQ o Paul MIALOCQ o Martin MIALOCQ o Sylvie MIALOCQ & D CASENAVE ... o Nadine MIALOCQ & N ROUSSILLE ... o Roger MIALOCQ & Andree TRESACOS o Nicole MIALOCQ & Denis ALBERGHI ... o Andre MIALOCQ 1894-1970 & Noelle Julie CAMPAGNE-IBARCQ 1899 o Abdon Lucien MIALOCQ o Jean-Marie MIALOCQ o Jacques Georges MIALOCQ o Xavier Camille MIALOCQ o Jean 2 MIALOCQ 1800 & Jeanne LABOUDIGUE 1815 o Marie Anne MIALOCQ 1847 o Jean 3 MIALOCQ 1807 & Jeanne FOUQUES 1831 o Catherine MIALOCQ 1856 o Jacques MIALOCQ 1772 o Elisabeth MIALOCQ 1776 o Jean MIALOCQ 1776 & Marie AUSSAT o Marie Angelique MIALOCQ & Pierre BOUSSEZ o Pierre MIALOCQ & Marie HURTERE LABEYRIE o Pierre 2 MIALOCQ & Jeanne LAFORE o Marie MIALOCQ 1769 & Pierre LOUSTAU ... o Marie MIALOCQ 1778 & Pierre LASSERRE 1780 ... ====================================== To be continued...

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