A Temoignage is a certificate issued by the holder’s former church enabling admission to the membership of a new congregation. It authenticated the claimant thus removing fears of being a spy.

It is only when you examine these records that you realise our surname may not be so pure after all. Look at the variety of spelling used in some of the above records –


1. the record of 30 th July 1693 re Fallou and Falou

2.the records of 17th Sept 1693 and 21st Oct 1694 both concern the Le Challas family but our name is spelt as ‘Gobert and ‘Gobere'

3.the record of 10th March 1706, the 4th 1709 and 22nd April 1711 all concern the Rouph family but our name is spelt as ‘Gobert and ‘Goubert

4.the record of 14th June 1713 and 1st July 1713 both concern the marriage of Isaac Barbe to Jeanne ‘Gaubert and ‘ Gobert'

5.the record of 1st May 1720 and 18th May 1734 both concern Francillion but our name is spelt ‘ Goubert and ‘Goubar'

6.the record of 28th July 1723 and the record of 11th Oct 1730 shows the name ‘Goubard' and ‘Wilbeau'.

7.the record of 2nd Nov 1735 and 8th Jan 1738 both concern Susanne who has a maiden surname of ‘Wilbau' and ‘Willebau' and a child called either ‘ Goubar' or 'Goubart'.

8.the record of 11th Feb 1732 which shows the name ‘Vilbeau' is almost certainly connected.