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De Lévis family papers

 Collection
Call Number: MS 323

Scope and Contents

The de Lévis Family papers are mostly concerned with Gaston-François-Christophe de Lévis, duc de Ventadour (1794-1863). They contain legal documents, letters, court decisions, and other miscellaneous papers bearing directly with his inheritance case brought to court on Jan.29th,1831, and its later developments. The inheritance consists of certain estates in Martinique, originally the property of the d'Alesso family, de Lévis' grand-grandparents on his mother's side.

There are also manuscripts concerning many other members of both families, which bear directly or indirectly on the de Lévis case. These, however, come chronologically earlier and cover a span of about a century; from 1707 to circa 1810. Those after this date have to do with de Lévis' various affairs.

The documents first to be consulted are the printed booklet called "Mémoire" and all the other manuscripts to be found in the first Box, in the "Documents" folder. Therein are also included two charts of the de Lévis estates and a manuscript bearing the title "Note historique". For the sake of convenience, agenealogical table has been drawn based on this and other manuscripts. Shortbiographies about de Lévis' grandfather, father, and himself can be found in the 22nd vol. of La Grande Encyclopédie; Paris; Lamirault et Cie., eds; 1895-1896.

From the second folder on, material has been arranged chronologically and, wherever possible, according to content. (Thus, for example, the letters to the duc of de Lévis occupy a different folder than those by himself.) The first and earliest set of manuscripts are about Mme d'Ampus, presumably the first proprietor of the estates. These later on pass to M. Fabry and to M. Boutin from whom they are finally bought by the d'Alesso familiy. The other people under whose names the consequent manuscripts have been filed are members of the family to be found in the genealogical table.

Dates

  • 1707-1850

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The materials are open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of this collection are in the public domain. There are no restrictions on use. Copyright status for other collection materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Extent

1.25 Linear Feet (5 boxes)

Language of Materials

French

Catalog Record

A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog

Persistent URL

https://hdl.handle.net/10079/fa/mssa.ms.0323

Abstract

The papers contain legal documents, correspondence, and miscellaneous papers primarily concerned with Gaston-François-Christophe de Lévis, duc de Ventadour (1794-1863). The papers, in French, primarily relate to inheritance of land in Martinique.

Biographical / Historical

Gaston-François-Christophe de Lévis, 1794-1863: aide de camp to duc d'Angouléme; fought in the campaigns of Spain (1823) and Morée (1828); entered the Chambre des Paris in 1830; did not recognize Louis-Phillipe and went into exile with the old branches of the Bourbons; served as counselor to the comte de Chambord.

For a chart outlining the genealogical relations of the De Levis family, please consult the Genealogical Chart.

For short biographies of the De Levis family, please consult the Biographies.

Title
Guide to the de Lévis Family Papers
Status
Under Revision
Author
compiled by Dimitri Gutas
Date
October 1966
Description rules
Finding Aid Created In Accordance With Manuscripts And Archives Processing Manual
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository

Contact:
Yale University Library
P.O. Box 208240
New Haven CT 06520-8240 US
(203) 432-1735
(203) 432-7441 (Fax)

Location

Sterling Memorial Library
Room 147
120 High Street
New Haven, CT 06511

Opening Hours