Sunday, July 22, 2007

The Franco-American Connection BLOG

Jacques L'Heureux
from
Columbia, MD
has a BLOG that should be of interest to everyone researching French-Canadian and Franco-American ancestors. It would be well worth your time to
click on the ORANGE TITLE above
to be brought to his BLOG.

Saturday, July 14, 2007

Canadian Home Children

Those of us, who are interested in Canadian genealogy, have eventually come upon the HOME CHILDREN, who were sent from their homeland (England or Ireland) to work for Canadian families. Not much is known about their daily living experiences in Canada in the late 1800's, i.e. not until JEAN LITTLE wrote a novel about 2 of these children based upon much research. Her book, "ORPHAN AT THE DOOR: The Home Child Diary of Victoria Cope," brings you right into the heart of the situation of a Home Child in a strange land and what these siblings lived at the hands of their "employers."
While lexperiencing Canadian life in Ontario with these Home Children, I was also introduced to the author, Jean LITTLE, via the blurb on the jacket of the book. From there I Googled and ended up on her website, only to discover that she is a prolific blind person, who has shared the results of her vivid imagination and thus has helped us to see WITHIN the heart of our fellowmen via her novels.
Learn more about JEAN LITTLE
by visiting her website.
Just click on the ORANGE TITLE above
if you're interested in knowing more about
Canadian Home Children.

Friday, July 13, 2007

Father Émilien TARDIF (1928-1999)

Born June 6, 1920 in Saint-Zacharie, Beauce County, QC, Émilien TARDIF was the son of Léonidas & Anna LAROCHELLE. In 1940, the family moved to Rapide-Danseur in the Abitibi region of Québec.
In 1949-09-08 Émilien made profession in the religious community of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC: Missionaires du Sacré-Coeur). In 1955-06-24, he was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest in Rapide-Danseur. In September 1956, he left for the Dominican Republic where he taught at the Minor Seminary of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, worked for the Amigo del Hogar magazine, was named "superior" of the mission in the Dominican Republic, and in 1971 he became Administrative Provincial of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in that country.
Later, Father TARDIF founded the community of lay persons known as the Servants of the Living Christ (Serviteurs du Christ Vivant), which, in 1999, had more than 300 members. He opened several community homes in the Dominican Republic as well as in the state of Florida in the U.S.
In 1973, Father TARDIF returned to Canada because of failing health and was cared for at Laval Hospital in Québec City, QC. . While in hospital, he met members of the Charismatic Movement. Once cured of his health problems, he began preaching retreats throughout the world.
Father TARDIF's first book: Jésus a fait de moi un témoin, sold more than one million copies. It was translated into 18 languages. He wrote 2 more books before dying in 1999-06-08 while preaching a retreat to priests in Cordoba, ARGENTINA. His funeral was held in the stadium in San Domingo, Dominican Republic, and he is buried in Santiago de Los Caballeros, Dominican Republic.
For information concerning
Father Émilien TARDIF's ancestry,
click on the ORANGE TITLE above.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Ancestors baptized or married or buried in Montréal, QC?

Since many researchers of French-Canadian ancestors have relatives, who were born, married or died in Montréal, I am in the process of uploaded pictures of the many Catholic and Protestant church of that city. You may download them at will and free of charge.
Click on the ORANGE title above
to be brought to album # 45
on our Webshots site.

Sunday, June 24, 2007

Searching for your North-American Indian Heritage?

WILFRED PELTIER
Why not start by understanding Native American thinking?

Wilfred PELTIER (b. 1927-10-16, d. 2000-07-07) An Odawa aboriginal, Wilfred was born on the Wikwemikong Reserve in Manitoba, CANADA. According to his autobiography, NO FOREIGN LAND : THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A NORTHERN AMERICAN INDIAN, Wilfred changed the spelling of his surname, PELTIER, to PELLETIER at one point in his life, so as to be recognized as of French-Canadian extraction.
Unlike usual autobiographies, Wilfred PELTIER goes beyond relating his life events. He brings us into the Indian mind and allows us to begin thinking like one. What an experience! Being led to see the world through aboriginal eyes is mind-boggling and well worth the experience. Such a point of view removes all pre-conceived notions I had about Indians as well as my judgmental attitude concerning their actions and way of being. Wilfred PELTIER’s autobiography brought me into the very spirit of native North-American life and has opened my mind to who they are from the inside out.
If you have Indians among your ancestors, it would be worth your while to read Wilfred PELTIER's autobiography, which was written from tape recordings of conversations he had with a friend over a period of many years. Experience your native ancestors by THINKING like them from their point of view of Mother Earth. You will then discover a whole other meaning to the words,
COMMUNITY, OWMERSHIP & SHARING.

Friday, June 01, 2007

Cross on MOUNT ROYAL in Montréal, QC

In 1643, Paul CHOMEDEY, Sieur de Mainsonneuve, erected a wooden cross on Mont-Royal in thanksgiving to God for having proected the city now known as Montréal, QC, from flood waters. In commemoration of this act, in 1924, a metal cross, 30 meters high, was erected on the exact spot of the original cross. Through the years, the cross has been weather-beaten; therefore, it, and the surrounding area, will be restored in the Spring of 2008. A well-known landmark, the cross is lit up at night and can be seen from many miles, especially on the south shore of the St. Lawrence Seaway.
To view the cross and discover more about
MOUNT ROYAL
click on the ORANGE title above.

Saturday, April 21, 2007

Franco-Americans from QUÉBEC to RHODE ISLAND

CONNIE LEMONDE
has done it again, sharing the knowledge she has gained, through the years, about living alone.
Thoughts and hints
to encourage women who,
through divorce, widowhood,
or other forms of separation,
are suddenly living alone
and having difficulty
adjusting to this change.
To discover more about
Connie LEMONDE's ancestors
(BADEAU, CHARLAND, FENLEY, LEDOUX)
who went from Lotbinière County, QC
to
New England, U.S.A.
and to view pictures of them,
click on the ORANGE title above.

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Sister Claire DESROCHERS

Claire DESROCHERS
was born in
St-Charles-de-Mandeville, QC
the daughter of
Lucien & Florida LONGPRÉ
Claire is a member of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. She worked for many years in Bolivia and has recently returned to Peru. She is providing community services in Lima.
For more information about
the
Sisters and their missionary work,
just click on the ORANGE title above
and you will be brought to their official website.

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Baptisms, Marriages and Burials in QUÉBEC

BMS 2000
now available
Many persons have been asking me about the above program that lists a large number of baptisms, marriages and burials in Québec. Well, the program is now available to the public. Just remember that it's a FRENCH program; therefore, the abbreviations must be read as FRENCH:
B=Baptêmes (BAPTISMS)
M=Mariages (MARRIAGES)
S=Sépultures (BURIALS)
The rest of the information should be easy enough to understand, even by English-speaking persons. On the other hand, should you have any questions, just leave a COMMENT to this posting and I'll get back to you. Need I mention that I'm not involved with the publication of the BMS2000. I am a user, not a seller.
Click on the ORANGE TITLE above
to be brought to the website where
the BMS2000
is available.
Enjoy|

Saturday, April 07, 2007

BOURBAUT/BOURBEAU & GENEST dit LABARRE Ancestries

Élie, Paul and Pierre BOURBAUT
Lineage
may be found in the
February 2007 (Vol 135, No. 2) issue
of the REVUE SAINTE-ANNE.
The article includes 4 photos. It traces the arrival of the BOURBAUT brothers in the Mauricie region of QUÉBEC, one after the other, beginning in 1650.

Jacques GENEST dit LABARRE
Lineage
is traced in the
April 2007 (Vol. 135. No. 4) issue
of the REVUE SAINTE-ANNE.
There are 5 pictures including a drawing of Jacques and a photo of Dr. Paul GENEST, who died in Sainte-Foy, a suburb of Québec City, on December 10, 2000.
By clicking on the ORANGE TITLE above,
you will be brought to the official website
of SAINTE-ANNE SHRINE
where the REVUE is published.

Friday, April 06, 2007

1957: Franco-American mill workers at the mercy of ANTHRAX epidemic

Albert LANGLOIS,
born 1924-06-14
Manchester, Hillsborough County, NH,

son of Arthur LANGLOIS & Éveline MARTIN,
died of ANTHRAX in October 1957. He and several co-workers in the Arms Textile Mill located along the Merrimack River, were affected by the bacteria.
To read the whole story,
click on the ORANGE TITLE above.

Saturday, March 31, 2007

Connie LEMONDE, Franco-American author & artist

DEDICATED
To the women
who are struggling
to adjust to independent living.

The trauma of being catapulted into living alone is understood fully only by those who experience it. Most of those who find themselves in such a situation , for whatever reason and regardless of race or nationality, go through a roller coaster of emotions such as hurt, bitterness, fear, inadequacy, uncertainty, etc. and it takes a long time to adjust to their new condition and status.

For some, it’s like being thrown into a life of loneliness, resentment, and so many other emotions that struggle for attention in the mind, suffocate the spirit, and seem to go on forever. The truth is, however, that these feelings do not have to be lasting because time does heal wounds, life does go on, joy and wonder do return.

Of the millions who have gone through such a devastating change in their lifestyle, some have grabbed on to what they felt were disadvantages to living alone, and they never let go. These persons will never be able to see the rewards that independent living can bring. In fact, if they are glued to the negatives, they will probably never find contentment anywhere.

Others decided to focus on the good things that they discovered, kept their eye on these positive features, and eventually, they found that living alone, temporarily or permanently, can actually be a rewarding experience.

If you’re still grieving, disillusioned, scared, and angry, it’s probably impossible for you to believe this at this time. As the days and months pass, however, you’ll begin to appreciate some of the good features of independent living. For instance, you don’t need anyone’s approval to take a trip or go away for a weekend; you can purchase whatever you want without having to consult a partner; you can have a longed-for pet; you can come home in the middle of the night without having to account for it, etc. This freedom will never replace the person that is gone, but it may help you adjust to your present situation, and you’ll soon see yourself taking steps to a healthy transition from being two to being one.


Maybe your husband/partner wanted to handle all the finances by himself. Or maybe you just didn’t care to get involved in the abracadabra of stocks, mutual funds, CD’s, etc.

If that’s the case, find a reputable accountant or financial planner.

Better yet. Learn about managing your money. Even if you do use a professional, you’ll then be able to keep track of what he/she is doing and have a better understanding of the decisions that he/she makes to keep your portfolio healthy.

If you have only a savings and a checking account, check with the bank to see if you could benefit from CD’s or other financial instruments.

If you’re left penniless (no insurances, or they had been cashed, etc.) do not hesitate to apply for temporary government assistance. Taxpayers are always happy to help people who really need the assistance.
If you still feel guilty, and if you are well and capable, do some volunteer work until you can return to employment.
SEARCH
And you will find and unveil
The dark story
That you have been told,
Or have told yourself--
The lie that you are
Incomplete,
Incapable,
Helpless.
Recognize the lie
Accept it as such.

Then will you rise
To be your true self
And finally meet joyIn the days and years ahead.
See more of Connie, her ancestors, her work
by clicking on the ORANGE title above.

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

BRUNELLE Ancestry

The BRUNELLE ancestry
is well covered in the
March 2007 (Vol. 135, No. 3)
issue of the
REVUE SAINTE-ANNE
The article begins with the arrival of Hilaire LIMOUSIN dit BEAUFORT in Québec in 1665. The LIMOUSIN and BEAUFORT surnames are no longer used.
The author has included a drawing of Hilaire and of the BRUNELLE crest. Three pictures are reproduced:
1) Germain BRUNELLE, his wife, Yvette MARCHAND with their daughter, Josée, and their son, Serge, in 1984.
2) A wedding picture of Germain BRUNELLE and his wife, Yvette MARCHAND, a teacher, taken in 1952.
3) Fr. Gérard BRUNELLE in 1984 when he was pastor of the parish of Saint-Tite.
Click on the ORANGE TITLE above
to be brought to the homepage of
Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré Shrine, QC
where the magazine is published

DE LA VOYE aka LAVOIE Ancestry

Les
De la Voye
de 1633 à nos jours
by
Fredo DESCHÊNES
This private publication is the result of steeped research into the LAVOIE lineage. More than just a listing of marriages through the generations, Fredo DESCHÊNES also sheds light upon the type of events his maternal ancestors, the LAVOIE, experienced. Much anecdotal information is included. The booklet consists of 58 pages. The original manuscript may eventually be available on CD. Requests may be left as COMMENTS to this posting.
To see the book jacket
as well as several paintings of the author,
click on the ORANGE TITLE above.
De la VOYE/LAVOIE
(1)
René de LAVOYE
Isabeau BELLANGER
(2)
René de LAVOYE
Anne GODIN
1656-04-19
Québec City, QC
(3)
Jean LAVOIE
Madeleine BOUCHER
1688-10-22
Rivière-Ouelle, Kamouraska County, QC
(4)
Joseph LAVOIE
Geneviève MIVILLE-DESCHÊNES
1725-05-13
Rivière-Ouelle, Kamouraska County, QC
(5)
Jean-Baptiste LAVOIE
Josèphte BÉRUBÉ
1764-02-27
Rivière-Ouelle, Kamouraska County, QC
(6)
Benjamin LAVOIE
Judith ÉMOND
1806-01-07
Kamouraska, Kamouraska County, QC
(7)
Alexis LAVOIE
Marie-Desanges DESCHÈNES
1845-04-01
Rivière-du-Loup, Rivière-du-Loup County, QC
(8)
François LAVOIE
Jeanne SLIGHT
1879-09-30
Saint-Louis-du-Ha! Ha!, Témiscouata County, QC
(9)
Rose-Anna LAVOIE
Louis DESCHÊNES
1914-10-27
Notre-Dame-du-Lac, Témiscouata County, QC

Saturday, February 24, 2007

Historical Short Stories by Fredo DESCHÊNES

Ten tales, based upon events that happened in the Lower St-Lawrence region of Québec between 1930-1940, formerly Témiscouata County. Illustrations are by the author, whose artwork is also on the front jacket. Fredo DESCHÊNES is from Dégelis, QC and wishes to share the many events that marked the area of his childhood. He is presently living in Longueuil, QC where he is writing another book about the days of yore in Témiscouata County.

MIVILLE dit DESCHÊNES

(1)
Pierre MIVLLE dit LESUISSE
Charlotte MAUGIS
Circa 1631
Saintes, Saintonge ( (Charente-Maritime) FRANCE
(2)
Jacques MIVILLE dit DESCHÊNES
Catherine de BAILLON
1669-11-12
Québec City, QC
(3)
Charles MIVILLE dit DESCHÊNES
Marthe VALLÉE
1702-08-28
Rivière-Ouelle, Kamouraska County, QC
(4)
Jacques MIVILLE dit DESCHÊNES
Anne ROY
1735-10-26
La Pocatière, Kamouraska County, QC
(5)
Raphaël MIVILLE-DESCHÊNES
Marie-Charlotte CARON
1772-11-23
La Pocatière, Kamouraska County, QC
(6)
Côme MIVILLE-DESCHÊNES
Angélique PELLETIER
1795-10-05
La Pocatière, Kamouraska County, QC
(7)
Jéröme MIVILLE-DESCHÊNES
Marcelline DION
1845-07-01
Saint-Roch-des-Aulnaies, L'Islet County, QC
(8)
Achille MIVILLE-DESCHÈNES
Basilisse/Basilice COUILLARD
1872-11-11
Saint-Modeste, Rivière-du-Loup County, QC
(9)
Louis DESCHÊNES
Rose-Anna LAVOIE
1914-10-27
Notre-Dame-du-Lac, Témiscouata County, QC

Click on the orange title above to view the jacket
of Fredo DESCHÊNES' book,
Il était une fois....au pays des légendes

Saturday, January 06, 2007

GUYON Ancestry=DION, DESPRÈS, DUMONTIER, LEMOINE, DERBANNE

The ancestor, JEAN GUYON,
is featured in the January 2007 (Vol. 135 No. 1)
of the REVUE SAINTE-ANNE.
Some of the "dit" surname descendants of this ancestor include DION, DESPRÈS, DUMONTIER, LEMOINE and, in Louisiana, DEBRANNE. The article is 3 ½ pages and contains 5 pictures:
Church of Saint-Auibin-de-Tourouvre;
Céline DION at age 14;
Adhémar DION & his wife, Thérèse TANGUAY (Céline's parents);
DION brothers: Arthur, Adélard, Napoléon, Alphonse, Alfred;
Antoine DION and Jeanne DUTIL
For more information, just click on the ORANGE title above
to be brought to the official website of the
SHRINE of SAINTE-ANNE in BRAUPRÉ, QC

Thursday, January 04, 2007

Age of adulthood in QC through the centuries

Many persons have been asking me what the “age of majority” was in New France (Nouvelle France), aka Lower Canada and Québec ,through the generations since parish registries often indicated whether the spouses were “majeur” (mj) or “mineur” (mn) at the time of their wedding.
After a bit of research, I’ve found the following:

From 1620 to 1783 = 25 years of age
From 1783 to 1972 = 21 years of age
From 1972 to date = 18 years of age

Friday, December 15, 2006

TANGUAY Genealogy Dictionary online


I've just found the TANGUAY dictionnaire généalogique des familles canadiennes online. This will certainly be of great help to many of you researchers, who don't own the dictionary nor that of JETTÉ. It lists the founders of NEW FRANCE (QUÉBEC) and their descendants for the period of 1608-1760.
Please note the following abbreviations that you will find in this French dictionary:
n = naissance = BIRTH
b = baptême = BAPTISM
m = mariage = MARRIAGE
d = décès = DEATH
s = sépulture = BURIAL
Just click on the ORANGE title above to be brought to the website where you may consult the TANGUAY Dictionary at will
Enjoy!

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

BILODEAU Descendants

The November 2006 (Vol. 143, No. 10) issue of the REVUE SAINTE-ANNE contains the JACQUES BILODEAU genealogy. Pictured are:
1) Father GASTON BILODEAU, b. 1934 in Saint-Patrice-de-Beaurivage, Lotbinière County, QC;
2) ADRIENNE BILODEAU (1905-2006), wife of JOSPEH CADRIN;
3) JOEPH BILODEAU, b. 1900-08-09 in Saint-Pamphile, L’Islet County, QC, d. 1976-10-25 in Sainte-Foy, suburb of Québec City, QC;
4) Wedding photo of FERNAND BILODEAU de VIMY and SOLANGE BOISSONNAULT who married 1959-08-28
For more information, click on the ORANGE title above
and you will be brought to the official website of the
SAINTE-ANNE de BEAUPRÉ Shrine.

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Homosexual marriages legal in CANADA

The Catholic Church does not allow its priests to perform marriages of couples of the same sex. Below is a warning to Church Ministers.

Important reminder to state that
Catholic ministers cannot celebrate
exclusively civil marriages

CONSIDERING that a new definition of marriage has been adopted by the Federal Government on July 20,2006;

CONSIDERING as a follow-up to this decision, that Québec bishops, in plenary assembly, deemed it advantageous to remain under the present regime whereby the State grants civil effects to marriages performed in the Catholic Church;

CONSIDERING these civil effects are inseparable from the religious celebration of marriage in accordance with the canonical and liturgical standards in force;

WE WISH TO REMIND the statement of Bishop of Saint-Jean-Longueuil that ministers of the Catholic Church are prohibited from performing marriages that are exclusively civil. Departure from the rule may cause the withdrawal of celebrant’s permit. You may wish to consult page 107 of the Canonical and Pastoral Guide for Parishes on the subject, published by the AQCB.

Jean-Pierre CAMERLAIN, priest
Chancellor
Click on the ORANGE title above to be brought to the
the main page of the
Diocese of Saint-Jean-Longueuil, QC
monthly publication: Actuality diocésaine