which was followed by a few hundred names, many with a French look. My interest was heightened by the last name in the list which was ". . . Zollicofer Pfarrer 1698."
I thought that perhaps I should consult the Encyclopedia. The Britannica told me more than perhaps I wanted to know. The World Book has a much shorter sketch. Following the latter, the Waldenses are members of a Christian religious group which was founded by Peter Waldo, a wealthy merchant of Lyon, France. In 1173, Waldo left his wife, gave his fortune to the Church and charity, and began preaching in the streets of Lyon. His message of poverty and religious devotion attracted many followers who were called the Poor Men of Lyon. His preaching also came to the attention of the Pope Alexander III and the local bishop, who forbade the followers of Waldo to preach because they were not priests. Perhaps a more telling point was that their teachings differed from the Catholic Church. They denied the pope's authority, which may have touched a sensitive spot. They also denied the existence of purgatory. Within eleven years, they were excommunicated by Pope Lucius III.
Their thought spread to many centers of Europe and influenced many others. They maintained a presence in France, and established another center in northern Italy. While they have been opposed through the ages by many political and church leaders, they have about 50,000 members today in Europe and in North and South America.
Why the Gochsheim Ortssippenbuch should have a mention of the Colony is not clear. The Waldenses had their own religious leader. It looks as if the political leaders ordered the Waldenses to register with the local church and the list that has been preserved is that registration. A date range of 1698 to 1724 is given. I wonder if they were only present during this time or whether a (possible) requirement to register was valid only during time. Were they evicted from France at this time?
Genealogically, the impact on us (the Germanna Colonies) may not be great. But if they were in the neighborhood of our ancestors, it gave them something to think about.
The name Zollicofer is Swiss, I believe, and is the same as the merchant from St. Gall who was a trader in Virginia, and the messenger who took the appeal of the First Germanna Colony back to Germany. If anyone else can add information about the Waldensers, please speak out and tell the rest of us.
(17 Aug 02)
