Additional Source Material

Canadian History

The Genealogist, Volume 11, #1, Issue #23, Winter 1985, Manchester, NH. “Francois Moitier – Soldier, farmer, Family Man” by Donald H. Scott – pages 11 to 23

The first page is a short history of Canada regarding historical hostilities between the French and English. The French are first to arrive and begin exploration, establishing relations with the “Natives,” and beginning settlements. Forts are constructed along major waterways as fur traders move westward into the lands of present day Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Western Ontario.

The article speaks of the author’s journey down the western side of Lake Champlain and his visits of Forts Ticonderoga and St. Frederic (Crown Point), which leads us to the subject of the article, Francois Moitier, his life and his family, beginning with his marriage in November 1741. The story comes to an end when the British acquire control of Canada in 1763.

There is also a short article on “Isle de Grace” (known as Grace Island to the English), and subsequently named “Grosse Ile” by French Canadians of Quebec.

JE ME SOUVIENS, Fall 1992, Volume 15, number 2 “Rhode Island’s Franco-Americans in our Pluralistic Society” by Prof. Paul P. Chasse

A text of the talk given by the author highlighting Franco-American history in Rhode Island and answers to the age-old questions of “Who am I?,” “Where do I come from?,” and “Where am I going?” Some historical information is included and begins in 1523 when “Pigafetta’s account of this trip around the world with Magellan is translated into French,” Verrezano coming to Narraganset Bay and “Refuge” (Newport today) in April 1524, the establishment of “New France,” and its demise in 1763. It speaks about the exodus of Quebecois to New England mills, their impact on politics of the day, the contribution of Franco Americans in the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, the Bishop Hickey/Sentinelle controversy in 1924, and the major “Franco-American” players in Rhode Island politics, including Aram Poitier, Philip Noel, and Bishop Gelineau.

JE ME SOUVIENS, Spring 1996, Volume 19, Number 1 “A Romance with Quebec” by Dr. J. Peter Hughes

A sojourn in the author’s past recounting his experiences with Quebec and its English as well as its French-speaking people, its culture, its politics, and ultimately his opinion on the separatist movement. Keep in mind that this is written in 1996.

Notaries

The Notaries in Canada under the French Regime – Translated by Frank Craig

This explains their role in society and the importance of their record keeping as a valuable source of Canadian history.

The Genealogist, Volume 12, Number 1, Issue No. 27, Winter 1983 “The Notaries of Canada under the French Regine” by Suzanne Guimont Binette

A one-page article with similar information as the one indicated above, but which nevertheless reinforces their role as a valuable resource in the lives of our Canadian ancestors. It includes a list of Notaries from 1637 to 1759.

The Genealogist, Volume 13, Number 1, Issue No. 31, Winter 1987 “Common French Terms found in French Records” by Al Yelle

Common terms and their English interpretation, including “Types of Notarial Acts.”

Les Filles Du Roi

The Daughters of the King by Helen Tuttle

On page 35 is an article regarding “Les Filles Du Roi” and their importance in the history of Canada. Their ancestors can be found in all sections of Canada and the United States. A much neglected saga by historians.

“Les filles du Roi,” marriageable girls who volunteered to come to “Nouvelle France” to help populate the newly established colony, numbered about 770 in total. The trip from France took about 3 to 4 months and the long sea voyage took its toll. Some of the girls died from cold and exposure or sickness. Those who died along the way were buried at sea. Those who made it were scheduled to meet and interview with prospective husbands and usually married within a few months of their arrivals. The 20th century movie “No No Nanette” is loosely based on the story of these girls.

Passage to Canada by Adrienne Leduc

The story of a “fille du roi” in the form of a letter sent by the author.

Other Sources and Topics

Fort St. Frederic by Al Yelle

This book gives a history of the fort, its siege by the English, and its ultimate destruction by the French so that it would not fall into the hands of the conquering English. It includes a list of Commandants and some genealogical data on some of them.

Ellis Island vs. Castle Clinton by Peter W. Berlo

A short article about “Castle Clinton” and its role as the point of immigration for the United States before “Ellis Island” was created.

Le Beau Non the Morin Translated by Emile Morin

Origins of the family name “Morin,” its many variations, and the history of the people who are so named.

La Grande Hermine

The article above is followed be a brief story about this ship that Jacques Cartier sailed to Canada and how you can visit a replica of it at “Parc Cartier-Brebeuf” in Quebec City.

Jacques Cartier was the first European to spend a winter (1535-1536) in what is now Quebec City. He came over on a ship called “La Grande Hermine” and anchored at the junction of the St. Charles and Lauret Rivers. This is also the site at which, 90 years later, the Jesuits established their first mission in North America (1625).

Virginia City Nevada – A historical Ghost Town by Alfred E. Melanson

A brief history of the town and its French-Canadian connection.

New Brunswick and Genealogy by Robert H. Maurier

A brief history of the Province and a list of some of the materials one can access (at this NH AFGS site) to aid in research. A map of the parishes is included.

A French and Indian Wars Enigma – Tracing my descent from an English Captive by Beatrice Couture Sawyer – Part II

The continued story of Nicholas Pinaud and his adopted daughter Marie Elisabeth (Wabert), an Indian captive, who marries Paul Nathaniel Otis and the lives of their children.

The Genealogist, Volume 14, Number 1, Issue No. 35, Winter 1988 “The Voyageurs” by Roger W. Lawrence

A brief description of the “Explorers” who ventured west in search of fur and trade. Included is a list of the various merchants and companies that sponsored these undertakings with the hopes of profit, the voyageurs, and “coureurs de bois” who set out to parts unknown for months at a time.

A Voyageur’s Journal by Anne Marie Perrault

An introduction to the book penned by Nicholas Perrot titled “Recollections of the Morals, Customs, and Religion of the Natives of North America”. Not a very flattering account of the “First Nations” peoples.

Who were the Voyageurs – “Je Me Souviens” magazine, Vol 2, Number 2, Fall 2017, page 16 through 18

An article by Janice Burkhart that gives a brief history of what a “voyageurs” was, what was required of him, and what his day was like. Obviously a rough life with little conveniences, little pay, little rewards, and many hardships. These men were the backbone of the fur trade but received little recognition.

Origin of the name Ile D’Anticosti translated by Constance Hanscom

As the title implies, this article attempts to describe how this island got its name.

German Soldiers in the American Revolution condensed by Robert Maurier

A brief story of German soldiers hired by the English to fight in the American War for Independence. The hiring of mercenaries was not uncommon. After all, we had the French help us out.

The Genealogist, Volume 15, Number 1, Issue No. 19, Winter 1989 “The French Canadian Presence in a Typical Mill Town” by Ron LeBlond

The story of our ancestors in the town of Somersworth, NH. Included are statistics of marriages, deaths, and births for this location.

My visit to the Chapdelaine Ancestral Home in Normandy by Aime J. Lariviere

An account of his visit to the “Chapdelaine Lariviere” homestead in the hamlet of La Chapdelainere, Plomb, France.

Jean Baptiste Truteau – Schoolteacher, Trader, Explorer by Art Boudreault

The early explorations of Jean Baptiste as told by the journals he kept, which were instrumental to the Lewis and Clark expedition. It goes on to tell of his career as a schoolteacher in St. Louis, MO, his days as explorer to supplement his income, and how it eventually led to the opening of the Oregon Trail.

Life Expectancy in Early Canada – A survey on one family by William H. Stone

His ancestors “Longevity Records.”

La St. Jean Baptiste by Rose Brodeur Freeman and James Freeman

A brief history about the origins of the festival, its prehistoric relation with the summer solstice, and the celebration of his day on June the 24th.

The Genealogist, Volume 16, Number 3, Issue No. 45, Summer 1990 “New England Settlers in Northern Alberta, Canada” by Marc O. Gauthier

A list of settlers (some from Woonsocket) who established themselves in this part of Canada in the latter part of the 19th century.

The Notaries in Canada under the French Regime by Gerard J. Gauthier

Additional list of notaries to supplement the two lists previously published.

Prudent Beaudry – Mayor of Los Angeles, CA 1874–1876 by Art Boudreault

Interesting story about Prudent, who was a major “mover and shaker” in those early years of LA. He dies in 1893 and is buried in Montreal at the Notre Dame des Nieges Cemetary. His ancestral lineage is included.

Marriage Contract of Henry Bellisle and Jeanne Archambault – 14 August 1712 submitted by Michael L. Belisle, translated by Frank Binette.

Marriage contract prepared by the Royal Notary “Le Pallieur” between the above couple. Great example of a marriage contract and what a typical contract might include.

Index to the Genealogist – 1989

Kept this because the list includes “Edouard Hogue.” Have to get copy of the issue to see if he belongs to the Hogue Family Tree.

The Genealogist, Volume 24, Number 1, Issue # 75, 1998 “A History of the French in America” by Paul P Chasse – Reprinted from Issue #12

Apparently, Columbus did not discover America as we were taught to believe in our history books. Interesting account of the settlements and progression of the French into North America, with Cartier, Champlain, and the Jesuits as the first “whites” and pioneers into what would become New France.

The Genealogist, Volume 26, Number 2, Issue #84, 2000 “French Canadian Textile Worker,” Philippe Lemay, Reported by Louis Pare, Submitted by Jacqueline Pare Hamilton

A “day in the life,” so to speak, of textile workers in the Manchester, NH, area and the trials and tribulations of our ancestors as recounted by Monsieur Lemay.

The Genealogist, Volume 27, Number 1, Issue #87, 2001 “More Acadians to Massachusetts” by William F. Kane

Additional information of “Le Grande Derrangement” of 1755, the deportation of Acadians by the British, and the story of Paul Leblanc and his family.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau – 1900 to 2000 – Prime Minister 1968 to 1984 by Pauline Cusson

A brief history of Pierre and his Ancestral chart.

Some Early Families of Acadia – Part I by C. Melvin Surette

The “LaTour” and “Mius-d’Entromont” families and their interrelationships with other pioneer families of Acadia, and how these various families contributed to the history of Acadia.

The Genealogist, Volume 29, Number 1, Issue #95, 2003 “Frankly Speaking” by Frank Binette

A short explanation of the notation of “PDS” on some baptismal records.

From other Publications by Laurent Autotte

A list of additional reference material on various subjects relating to genealogy. Of note is the publication “Bulletin,” which contains letters from Louis Riel (a distant Hogue relative) to his mother.

The Genealogist, Volume 30, Number 1, Issue #99, 2004 “From other Publications” by Laurent Autotte

A list of additional reference material on various subjects relating to genealogy. Of note is the publication “Quarterly,” regarding Slavery in New France and French Canada.

Also included is a “Je me Souviens” (Vol. 26, No. 2), which contains an article on “The Village of Manville, RI”, important for the Laferriere side of the family (my wife’s ancestry).

Frankly Speaking by Frank Binette

“Nuggets of experience” and tips on genealogical research.

Germanic Blood among French Canadians submitted by Jacques Gagne

An account of Dr. Christian Allen Drouin and his search for the origin of the “Rothmund-Thomson” syndrome.

The Carignan Regiment and the Peopling of Canada by William F. Kane

The establishment of the regiment and a list of the 400 or so soldiers who remained in Canada, many of whom became our ancestors.

Catherine Delavaux Barbier, Ancestor of Several Trudeau and Beaudry Families – Part I by Helen Morin Maxson

The authors search for her ancestor. Included is a short history of “Villemarie,” founded in 1642 by Paul de Chomedey, Sieur de Maisonneuve.

The Genealogist, Volume 30, Number 3, Issue #101, 2004 “From other Publications” by Laurent Autotte

A list of additional reference material on various subjects relating to genealogy. Of note is the publication “Heritage” regarding the deportation of Acadians.

The Soldiers in our past by William F. Kane

A quick history of the soldiers who came to New France from 1604 to 1760.

1755 – French Regulars come to Canada by William F. Kane

War is imminent between England and France, and in response to the English dispatching two battalions of regulars, the French send six battalions of line infantry. The “French and Indian War” ensues.

The Genealogist, Volume 35, Number 1, Issue #119, 2009 “From other Publications” by Laurent Autotte

A list of additional reference material on various subjects relating to genealogy. Of note is the publication “Heritage,” regarding “La vie de nos peres,” and “Memoires,” the article regarding “Joseph Monarque et les Patriotes de 1837 et 1838,” among others.

Memoires of Israel Belanger by Gabrielle Lee Belanger Rohde

A transcript of his memoirs by his granddaughter from his birth in 1863, his marriage, and his political life, up to 1915 when he became a Deputy Attorney General in Cohoes, New York.

Lorenzo DeNevers 1877 – 1967 by Doris G Demers

A short but interesting account of “DeNevers,” a portraitist and landscape painter and one of Woonsocket’s “favorite sons.”

A Mother is Lost by Albert Boissoneault

Part three of the author’s life, in which he recounts his childhood, losing his mother to sickness, and the hardships he and his family endured during a four-year time span, from 1916 to 1920. I imagine that his life was more typical than we think.

Portraits of the Poulins by Eugena Poulin, RSM, PhD.

The journey of Claude Poulin from Rouen, France, his arrival to New France in 1636, and the story of Elzear Poulin, one of Claude’s descendents. Again, I imagine Elzear’s life is more typical than we think.

JE ME SOUVIENS, Autumn 1996, Volume 19, Number 2 “Joliette Days” by Albert Boissonneault

The continuation of the author’s early childhood days, notably of events after his mother’s death, and in which he recounts his school experiences in Joliette, PQ. The previous issue tells of his mother’s passing.

JE ME SOUVIENS, Spring 1997, Volume 20, Number 1 “The Blacksone Valley National Heritage Corridor” by Robert R. Bellerose

The formation of the “Corridor” and the importance of the Blackstone River in establishing the valley as the “Birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution.”

Reading about your Roots – A Book Review by Eugena Poulin, RSM, Phd.

A book review of “Steeples and Smokestacks” edited by Claire Quintal, regarding the steeples of the churches and the smokestacks of the mills and how they represent the Franco-American experience in New England.

JE ME SOUVIENS, Autumn 1997, Volume 20, Number 2 “La Survivance: From the French Canadian Struggle for Cultural Survival to World Class Museum” by Robert R. Bellerose

Speaks of the French-Canadian experience in the Blackstone River Valley, but more specifically in Woonsocket, ultimately leading to the creation of the Museum of Work and Culture.

Marie Rollet: Cultural Mediator by D. Van Delia

Tells the story of Marie Rollet and her husband Louis Hebert, the first true European family to settle in Canada and the first to build a home in Quebec. The story focuses on her and her life after the death of Louis in 1627. She served as an educator, advisor, mother, farmer, diplomat, and trader. She dies in 1649.

A Romance with Quebec… A Rebuttal by Dominique Ritchot

The author takes exception to the article written by Dr. Peter J. Hughes and offers his opinions. The end of the article contains Dr. Hughes’s explanation of his “reminiscences” that M. Ritchot objected to.

Godfroy Daignault, Walter F. Fontaine, and Alexander Gilbert taken from “Representative Men and Old Families of Rhode Island” Vol III, published in 1908 by J.H.Beers and Co., Chicago

A “who’s who” of prominent Rhode Islanders of the period that highlights their contributions to and accomplishments within the Woonsocket area.

Au Revoir, Lowell by Albert Boissonneault

The 5th installment of the author’s early childhood memories and his move from Lowell to Winthrop, MA.

A Family’s Migration: Transition from Habitant to Industrialzed Society by Marguerite R. Robinson

The author’s attempt to describe the efforts of one French Canadian “Habitant” family to maintain a specific way of life in the midst of an industrial environment.

JE ME SOUVIENS, Spring 1998, Volume 21, Number 1 “Treasure in Wood, A Brief Biography of Moise Potvin” by Robert R. Bellerose

The story of the world-renowned wood carvings of Moise Potvin. He was also a violin maker. His family immigrated to the Arctic section of West Warwick in 1891, but Moise travelled extensively with his carvings. He died in 1948 at the age of 72.

Crime and 17th Century Women in New France by Eugena Poulin, RSM, Phd.

The horrifying story of crimes against women in the 17th century and the punishments of the perpetrators. The laws in New France were harsh and in many instances inconsistent for both men and women, especially if you were among the poor. The wealthy and rich usually did not suffer for their transgressions.

Franco-American Civil War Veterans from the Woonsocket, RI area by Paul P. Delisle

An estimated 100,000 men of French descent took part in the Civil War. Nearly 40,000 from Quebec, of which 14,000 were killed. In May of 1870, Woonsocket erected a memorial to its Civil War dead. There is not a single French name on it. The 81 individuals that the author list is compiled so that they receive the recognition that they deserve.

Winthrop Ways and Woes by Albert Boissonneault

The 6th installment in the author’s early childhood memories centering around his days in Winthrop MA.

JE ME SOUVIENS, Autumn 1998, Volume 21, Number 2 “Quebec: The Formative Years” by Lucille F. Rock

Tells the story of Quebec’s early years, starting in 1534 with Jacques Cartier exploring the region, the founding of the city of Quebec by Champlain in 1608, the founding of Montreal in 1641 by M. de Maisonneuve, and which ends with the relationship between “church and state” and it’s impact on the judicial system.

Remember the Surcouf by Maurice Labelle

The story of the 4,304-ton cruiser-submarine “Surcouf” and of its controversial sinking. If the ship was docked nearby, the sailors would take leave and visit the area where they were stationed. Some had come to stay with families in Woonsocket.

Other Wars, Other Valois by John Valois

The “Valois” experiences during the Revolutionary War and “our” attempts at invading Canada. It also speaks about the War of 1812, and “our” second, also disastrous, attempt at invading Canada.

Captives from Haverhill by Armand Letourneau

A family’s story of capture and escape. During this time in history, it was a common occurrence for Indians to raid villages, kill the men, take the women and children captive, and march them back to their villages.

It’s Off To Work I Go by Albert Boissonneault

The 7th installment of the author’s childhood memories. In this one, he is 14 years of age and forced to find employment to help the family finances.

Criminal Punishment in New France and New England by Richard L. Provost, Phd.

The horrific punishments imposed on “wrongdoers.”

French Canadian Exiles in Bermuda by Armand R. Letourneau

The exile of 8 French Canadian “revolutionaries” as punishment for their role in the 1837 rebellion.