Story of the "Laux" family

Some of you have asked about the Historical Background of our family.  The following 3 sections of information will give you a very good overview of our family's history.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OVERVIEW

In 257, the Goths divided into two groups: the Visigoths and the Ostrogoths.  Though a conquering race, they were noted for their morality, integrity, love of justice and good faith.  Their appreciation for the fine arts, science and learning are qualities that are not only found in their Gothic architecture but also in their descendants. 

During the 5th Century, the Visigoths invaded the Spanish Peninsula.  This region became known as the Basque Provinces of Biscay and Alava.  Here they were hard at work at the task of turning a turbulent population (mixture of Celt and Iberian) into a stable form of government.

Inigo Lope du Laux, the 6th Seigneur de Biscaye and Count of Alava, had two sons.  The younger son,  Guillaume Sanche du Laux,  crossed the Spanish Pyrennees circa 1075 and established himself in the Viscounty of Bearn near the City of Pau.  He became the founder of all Laux descendants.

From 1152-1453, this area was a possession of the Crown of England instead of a part of France as it is today.  Thus, one begins to find mention of the Seigneurs du Laux in the service of the Kings of England.  At the end of the Hundred Year's War (1453) between England and France, France gained control of this area.

As time passes, we find our family had embranced Protestantism.  We also are identified with Henry IV and his efforts to secure the throne of France.  However, when Henry IV took the throne, he was forced to pledge allegiance to the Roman Church.  This was the beginning of persecution, massacres, and exile for the Huguenots (Protestants).  Due to the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685, over 500,000 Huguenots were driven into exile.  It is most probable that Germany received half of the Huguenot exiles with many settling in the Palatinate of the Rhine.

And thus, the beginning of our family eventually making their way to America.

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From The London Lists (1709), NY Colonial Governor Hunter's Subsistence Lists (1710-1712), the New York Naturalization Records (1715-1716) and Simminger's Register of 1717, we know the following Laux/Lauck families were part of the 1710 Palatine Emigration to the colony of New York:

(Johann) Dietrich Laux
Johann) Jost Laux along with daughter Maria Margaretha Wagner and son
Johannes Laux
Hendrick Laux
(Johann) George Laux along with son Peter Laux and stepson Philip Launhardt, who in the earliest records is listed as Philip Laux)
Nicholas Laux/Lauck
Abraham Lauck
(Johann) Philip Laux/Lauck
Jacob Laux/Lauck, who died shortly after arriving in NY (no descendants)

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Some of you have asked to have the 200th Anniversary Program added to the website so everyone will have a better idea as to what information was shared in 1910. 

We also hope this will aid those of you that are thinking of doing a Presentation at next year's Anniversary Reunion.

NOTE:  Errors have been discovered since then and corrections
have been made.  Those errors & corrections are NOT shown here.  Hopefully that information will be added to this website in the near future.

Click here for the Program:  200th Anniversary Program.pdf