[Frontispiece: Caudebec Coat-of-Arms] THE "CAUDEBEC" COAT-OF-ARMS * * * * * The Caudebec Coat-of-Arms is a pointed, oval azure, two metal shield, with an ("or") gold embattled mural crown or crest. Across the face of the shield area charges: three argent finned smelts naiant, placed one above the other. Near the point of the shield is an "argent" (silver) daisy. From this, a wreath of "or" (gold) encircles the shield, reaching nearly the crest. On the sinister side of the shield, this wreath is a laurel branch, on the dexter side, an olive branch. (In heraldry, dexter (right) and sinister (left), denote the right and left sides respectively, of the shield in the position as the wearer views it, and not as viewed by a distant observer). On some of the Caudebec Coat-of-Arms, the laurel and the olive branches are crossed at or near the shield point, and are tied by a bow of ribbon. The azure (sky blue), the royal color of the Bourbons, predominates in French shields, and denotes justice and loyalty. The "argent" denotes purity. The "or" denotes stability and worth. The smelts were peculiarly and pleasingly flavored fish, with pale green back, and silvery white lower part. It has been said that the presence of fish on Coat-of-Arms, denoted a predominant occupation of an early period. The olive and laurel denote peace and victory. Crests were originally a device indicative of high honor, and were worn upon a helm. Later they were placed upon and attached to the shield. It's form and marking indicate a knight. The emblems of the family later became the emblems of the town of Caudebec. [Illustration: WILLIAN LOUIS CUDDEBACK, M.D.] CAUDEBEC IN AMERICA A RECORD OF THE DECENDENTS OF JACQUES CAUDEBEC, 1700 to 1920 BY WILLIAM LOUIS CUDDEBACK, M.D. * * * * * ILLUSTRATED * * * * * NEW YORK TOBIAS A. WRIGHT PRINTER AND PUBLISHER 1919 TO THE MEMORY OF MY DEVOTED WIFE ALICE DIMMICK MALVEN CUDDEBACK FOR ME FOR MORE THAN THIRTY-FIVE YEARS A HOMEMAKER IN ITS FULLEST SENSE, A SHARER IN MY LIFE'S JOYS, TRIALS AND SORROWS. "OUR LIVES ARE WAVES THAT COME UP OUT OF THE OCEAN OF ETERNITY, BREAK UPON THE BEACH OF EARTH AND LAPSE BACK TO THE OCEAN OF ETERNITY. SOME ARE SUNLIT, SOME RUN IN STORM AND RAIN; ONE IS A QUIET RIPPLE, ANOTHER IS A THUNDEROUS BREAKER, AND ONCE IN MANY CENTURIES COMES A GREAT TIDAL WAVE THAT SWEEPS OVER A CONTINENT, BUT ALL GO BACK TO THE SEA AND LIE EQUALLY LEVEL THERE." "MAN IS A HUNTING ANIMAL," SOME HUNTING FOXES, OTHERS FAME OR FORTUNE, SOME IN THE WORLD OF NATURE, SOME OF MIND, SOME SEEK THE ROOTS OF WORDS AND THE ORIGIN OF THINGS. I AM FOND OF HUNTING OUT A PEDIGREE. WITH THIS COMES A PRIDE OF ANCESTRY AND PEOPLE, AND AN INTEREST WHICH MAY LURE THE READER, AND PERHAPS CAUSE HIM TO CONTINUE THIS "GENEALOGICAL CHASE."