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Episode 076-October 1, 2018
David Vermette (episode #58, The Geographic Evolution of a Franco-American Family) is back to introduce us to his newly published book, A Distinct Alien Race: the Untold Story of Franco-Americans, Industrialization, Immigration, Religious Strife. It’s a look at the push and pull factors involved in their immigration to the industrial regions of the northeastern United States. It also draws parallels to immigration concerns today.
A Distinct Alien Race
In this episode, David and I discussed his book A Distinct Alien Race.
The title “A Distinct Alien Race” comes from a quote found in an 1889 Boston newspaper:
“They are kept a distinct alien race, subject to the Pope in matters of religion and of politics. Soon…they will govern you, Americans.”
David found correlations between the immigrant story of his Franco-American ancestors and events taking place today.
He also found that his research put context to some of the traditions that carried down through his family.
The story of Franco-Americans is not generally taught in the American education system.
While visiting his sister at the ancestral home on PEI, David saw a feature on TV about the film Reveil, Waking Up French (see episode #39, Franco-Americans and the KKK). That film inspired some of his research.
To provide the social history aspect of his book, David studied the history of the town of Brunswick, Maine. This is where his ancestors settled after emigrating to the US. He found newspaper articles on the outbreak of diphtheria in the tenement buildings where many immigrants lived. In 1886, the editor of the local paper wrote a series of articles condemning the local textile mill for its appalling treatment of the Franco-American workers. This opened David’s eyes to the extent of poverty his ancestors experienced. His research then spread to the history of the entire Franco-American community, the mills, and the mill owners of Brunswick. He then expanded to a study of the Franco-American communities of the entire New England region.
A study of Franco-American history can lead to a study of persistent themes like immigration, nativism, labor, and religion.
We discussed a brief history of push and pull factors influencing French-Canadian immigration to New England.
There were many conspiracy theories surrounding the influx of French-Canadians to New England. These theories evolved into the eugenics movement and the rise of the Ku Klux Klan in New England.
David covers four themes in his book:
- Industrialization and its discontents – French-Canadians were probably the
first group of people recruited specifically to serve as industrial workers in factories. - Cross-border immigration – in other words, those who immigrated by crossing a land border
- The nature of US citizenship – The French-Canadian identity was transnational; they maintained their identity while crossing province, state, and national borders. Yet Francos also claimed a fierce loyalty to the United States.
- Fear of “the other” – In the late 19th century, Catholics were a counter-cultural religious group in a region that identified with its Puritan origins.
See David’s blog post Why Are Franco-Americans So Invisible? on his website.
David also discussed Canada’s ongoing relationship with the 19th-century Francos living in a British-controlled country. Although the government provided homesteading opportunities in the 19th century, “the time to money in the pocket for a poorer family was shorter for those who went to the New England mills as opposed to being a homesteader in the West…”
Where to find A Distinct Alien Race
Please leave a review for David’s book!
Contact David
Leave a comment on David’s blog, French North America. All comments are moderated, so he will not post a personal message. Click on the comments and add yours at the bottom.
Announcements
If you’d like to support the podcast, see the Podcast Support section at the bottom of the show notes page for this episode. And thank you.
French-Canadian News
The American-French Genealogical Society
October 20: Thomas Allaire will present DNA – Part 2 – The Next Step. Prior knowledge of DNA basics presumed, and attendance at DNA Part 1 which took place in September is encouraged.
October 27: Dennis M. Boudreau will present Techniques for Beginning French Canadian Genealogy.
Classes are held at the AFGS Library, 78 Earle Street, Woonsocket, RI, and begin at 10:00 AM.
The Franco-American Centre
October 1-7: an online auction. Participants will be able to obtain valuable gifts before the holidays while supporting the FAC’s mission promoting French language, culture and heritage in NH and beyond.
The French Canadian Heritage Society of Michigan
October 13, 11 AM, at the Mount Clemens Public Library: Paul Blanchard will give a short presentation about his French-Canadian related wood carvings. Following the talk you can celebrate with French-Canadian dishes at the annual French-Canadian potluck.
The Quebec Family History Society
October 13, 10:30 AM, at the QFHS Heritage Centre and Library in Pointe-Claire, Quebec: Notarial Records in Quebec with Deborah Waddell at the Briarwood Presbyterian Church Hall in Beaconsfield.
October 27, from 1-4 at the QFHS Heritage Center: Gary Schroder and Jackie Billingham present a seminar on Discovering Your Quebec Ancestors.
The French-Canadian Genealogical Society of Connecticut
October 13, at the United Congregational Church, 45 Tolland Green, from 1-4: George Ducharme will speak about his own journey through genealogy and learning that his ancestor, Samuel Gill, was captured by the Abenaki in Massachusetts and taken up to French-Canada, where he eventually became a Chief! Cost is free for members; $5.00 for non-members.
October 20, guided trip to the Work and Culture Museum in Woonsocket, RI: This will be followed by lunch and a visit to the American French Genealogical Society, also in Woonsocket.
The Vermont French-Canadian Genealogical Society
October 6: Introduction to DNA Testing with Ed McGuire
October 13: Sheila Morris will explain How to Earn One of Our Historic Pins. Pins are awarded if you can prove an ancestor who knew Champlain, one who was a fille du roi who married a Carignan soldier, an Acadian ancestor, or a Civil War ancestor.
October 27: Unlocking the Secrets of Your Family’s 19th Century Photos
Classes run from 10:30 AM until noon and are held at the Vermont Genealogy Library in Colchester, Vermont.
The French-Canadian Heritage Society of California
October 28 from 10 AM to 4 PM at the Southern California Genealogical Society and Family Research Library in Burbank, CA: Fall Meeting– The topic of the day is Finding Your French-Canadian Cousin Relationships Live Using an App. Presenters Alice Fairhurst and Pam Weidenbeck will demonstrate how to enter your ancestry on FamilySearch Family Tree. Thousands of French-Canadian families have already been added, and source records are attached. You will learn how to download the mobile app and use it live to meet your cousins. In the afternoon, there will be volunteers ready to assist you in the research library.
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