Researching France on the Web

Sites of Genealogical Interest To Researchers of the Rambin and allied families:

France

Grenoble, Isere (Alps Region)
Key words: Auguste, Jeanne, Laurent, Pruhomme, Rambin
Cities on Microfilm
Library of Grenoble, L'Isere, France
Genealogy Center of the Dauphine
The Archieves of L'Isere
Note:
Besson entry:BESSON, Joseph (-BEF .. 1788 Agde, , ) BESSON, Joseph Nicolas (.. OCT 1768 Agde, 34, Par St Sever-) Personal Gen Site of BARBAROUX in French
Brothers Keeper Genealogy program, avail. as shareware. French and English!
les Compagnies franche de la Marine

The French Marines

Originally formed in 1622 by Cardinal Richelieu, Louis XIII's Minister of the Marine, the French Marines were specifically created to protect France's interests along the sea and outside its European boundaries. Marines guarded the ports of France, served on its warships, and were later used as garrison troops in North America and the Caribbean. Because Richelieu designed marine units to be highly mobile and adaptable to unforeseen circumstances, they were formed into compagnies, never in battalions or larger units. This philosophy was reflected in their official name, which in 1690 became "Les Compagnies franche de la Marine" or the Independent Companies of the Marine.The designated size of a Canadian company ranged from a low of 28 men to 65 men in 1756. Actual strength, however, was weaker than designated and during the French and Indian War, the Seven Years War in North America, a French Marine Company seldom fielded more than 60 men. In New France of 1755, Marine Officers were nearly all native Canadians. Enlisted men were most often from France, but notable numbers hailed from neighboring countries. Between 1745 and 1750, many Scots and Irish, who had supported the House of Stuart in its attempt to regain the British throne, fled to France and used the Marines as a way to continue the fight in North America. The average marine recruit was a volunteer, mostly between the ages of 16 and 30.According to Peter Kalm, most enlisted because they "were very well fed and clothed, paid regularly, enjoyed good relations with their officers, and were particularly well treated on discharge." Older recruits were sent to Fortress Louisbourg and the teenages,with less developed manual skills, were sent to more remote outposts. Garrisons were rotated among the posts about every two years. The Canadian French Marines of the 18th century were considered masters of Indian style warfare and were greatly respected by both Indians and the British.