The Jorelle [Jorel] family originates from the Oise Valley. Most of the familys connected to the Jorelle come from Mery-sur-Oise, Auvery-sur-Oise, Nesles-la-Valléee, Arronville and other towns and villages in their vicinity.

The Jorells seem to have been wine farmers and servants to the Marquis François II. de Saint-Chamans and his successors, owners of the Chateau of Mery-sur-Oise. We find occupations like game wardens and gardeners in their bios.

The branch, from which I descend can be traced back to the late 16th Century. My  progeniters are Josef Jorel and Marie Boulay, who first appear in the marriage document of their son Pierre.

My branch ended up in Paris and the Levante. Francois Jorelle ventured out to Paris and America, before settling in Paris permanently during the times of the French Revolution. The new Regime gave him the unique opportunity to become the chief archiver in the Archive of Foreign Affairs. It also made it possible, for his sons to attend the school of  ... and embark on a diplomatic career in the Levante.

The direct male line ends with Felix Guillaume Jorelle married into the affluent and wealthy merchant venetian family Durighello from Aleppo. Unfortunately the marriage does not seem to have been happy; after the birth of their son Ernest they went their separate romantic ways. Despite having new partners - and children with them - Felix remained married to Charlotte Durighello until his death in 1858. My ancestor Stéphanie Jorelle was born Stéphanie Marie Antoinette Vailhen (dit Jorelle). She changed her name to Jorelle as an adult.