W genealogical glossary terms: Difference between revisions

<hr>

'''W'''

Waldensians: A Christian church founded by Peter Waldo (or Valdo) of Lyon, France. In 1173 Waldo left his wife and gave his fortune to the church and to charities. He began preaching on the streets of Lyon. Many people were attracted by his voluntary poverty and his message of devotion to the church. The movement soon spread into Germany, Flanders, and Aragon. Waldo's followers became known as the poor men of Lyon. At first the pope and the Archbishop of Lyon approved of Waldo's actions. However, the next pope and archbishop forbade him to preach, citing the facts that Waldo was not a priest and that many of his teachings differed from Catholicism. In 1184 Pope Lucius III excommunicated the Waldensians. Many Waldensians adopted the doctrines and religions of the Protestant Reformation during the 1500s. In 1545 hundreds of French Waldensians were executed in the towns of Cabrières and Merindol. Persecution caused many Waldensians to move as far away as Uruguay and Argentina.  

Webster-Ashburton Treaty, USA and Britain: Treaty signed in August 1842 that settled a boundary dispute between the United States and Great Britain over territory between Maine and New Brunswick and allowed for the mutual extradition of criminals. The negotiations also provided the two countries with an opportunity for peaceful discussion about the problems caused by the British government's attempt to suppress the African slave trade.  

Welsh pronunciation: How the letters and words of the Welsh language are spoken.  

West Augusta: An area established by Virginia that included all of West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania's state boundary was agreed upon between 1779 and 1780.