Bonnin is my family name.
I was born at Bournezeau, a small town in west of France.
The name of these city was changed in 1682.
It became Creil Bournezeau.
Why: because it became a « Marquisate » with a Marquess : Jean de Creil the marquess of Creil of Bournezeau.
After the french revolution (1789), my village took its first Name: Bournezeau.
In my village the story of this marquess was forgotten.
I try to write this story.
This man was a « administrator » of provinces of Louis the fourteenth.
At the beginning he was in charge to persuade the members of the Claimed Reformed Religion (Religion Prétendue Réformée) to abjure. In others words he was one of the organizers of the persecution against the hugenots. The king's wish was : « One king, one faith, one law ».
I began my researches in this way.
Now, I'm looking for the story of Bournezeau's protestants.
It's difficult.
Sometimes I call them « The invisible men».
But day after day, I find some tracks.
If you want, I can help you in your researches in France.
I suppose that all my ancestors stayed in France and were catholics.
But it's not sure.
In the same family it was possible to have protestants and catholics.
I can search and translate french's registers.
The story of Bonnin's families around the world it's a good challenge.
Two things more to finish.
Another link with some informations about the Vaudois and the Bonnin's families.
http://refuge-huguenot.ish-lyon.cnrs.fr/recherches.phpIt's a data bank about a French's Huguenot's Refugees.
The CNRS is the greatest research center in France.
You can read it in English.
A little story
My brother lives in sud of france, near of the city of Pau.
It was some years ago, when I asked one of my nieces "Who are you", she answered me.
I'm Louise Bonning.
With the accent it's the same than Peter Bonning in your site
The link about the Bournezeau's :
http://histoire.bournezeau.free.fr/Jean-luc
