Well, I did it! At the start of the year I took on the challenge of writing one family history story a month for all of 2018. Sometimes my enthusiasm gets the better of me, and I wasn’t sure I would be able to maintain the momentum for the entire year, but I did! (Self congratulatory pat on the back here!)
An interesting component of family history research, is the “history” part – the history of the country and its people. Since Marc and I both have deep roots in Canada, our daughter, Danielle, is a veritable smorgasbord of Canadian history.
To finish of my year of family history, here’s a brief listing of all Danielle’s connections to Canadian history
1939 – WW2 -Marcel Content Captain with the Regiment de Chateauguay – grandfather
1916 – Gordon Maxwell served with the 9th field ambulance, and the 3rd Canadian Hospital (where he served with John McRae, author of In Flanders Fields) – great grandfather
1887 – Honore Mercier, 9th premier of Quebec – 4th great uncle
1885 – Louis Riel, hung for treason for his part in the resistance to Canadian encroachment on Metis land, the only hanging for treason in Canada – 6th cousin 4 times removed
1881 – Alice Cooper, British Home Child – 2nd great grandmother
1829 – William Muchmore, worked on the Rideau Canal – 4th great grandfather
1812 – War of 1812 – William Morgan, Captain in the Stormont Militia – 6th great grandfather
1784 – Edward Ryckman, United Empire Loyalist – 5th great grandfather
1776 – William Morgan, Sargeant with the 5th Dragoons during the American Revoluation – 6th great grandfather
1663 – Filles du Roi. The Filles du Roi arrived in New France between 1663 and 1673. The young women were recruited to go to New France to marry, and increase the population of the colony. – 34 direct ancestors ranging from 7th-10th great grandmother
1653 – Marguerite Bourgeoys, founder of the Congregation du Notre Dame order of nuns, and first Canadian female saint (1982) – 10th great aunt
1651 – La Grande Recrue. In 1651 the governor of Ville Marie (Montreal) recruited 100 men from France to settle in Montreal, Montreal was founded in 1642, at the western end of New France. Despite its strategic location its population was very small. – 12 direct ancestors ranging from 8th-10th great grandfather
1634 -The Fille a Marier were recruited between 1634 and 1663. These young women came to New France for a better life; many were from poor rural families – 35 direct ancestors ranging from 9th-11th great grandmother
1634 – Percheron settlers – One hundred and forty six adults (80 families) were recruited from the Perche region of France to be bricklayers, masons, and carpenters in New France – 27 direct ancestors ranging from 8th-12th great grandparents
1620 – Helene Desportes, first white child to be born in New France and survive – 9th great grandmother
12 Ancestors in 12 Months 