French-Canadian genealogists have an almost unheard of wealth of records with which we can trace our lines back hundreds of years. The Drouin Institute provides us with easy access to these records by publishing the original parish register pages online at a nominal fee. It also publishes the reconstituted...
To whom did our ancestors turn when they were sick? What treatments were available? How can we tell whether we had sickly or healthy ancestors? Susan McNelley, author of Hélène’s World: Hélène Desportes of Seventeenth-Century Québec, joins us in part 4 of a series examining the lives of the...
Since northern Vermont borders Québec, French-Canadians have played a role in the settling of that state since early colonial times. With a second influx during the Industrial Revolution, many of us have ancestors who lived in Vermont at some time. Today’s guest, Ed McGuire, explains the history, geography, records...
The religious orders that established themselves in New France did more than just tend to the spiritual needs of our ancestors. Susan McNelley, author of Hélène’s World: Hélène Desportes of Seventeenth-Century Quebec, rejoins us for an in-depth look at the theme of religion as it applied to 17th-century Québec....
Is it possible to go to bed a Canadian and wake up an American? Sure is! It happened to our ancestors thanks to the Webster-Ashburton Treaty. Guest George Findlen shares the story of this uncertain period of time and the depositions created by our ancestors to prove the land...
More KKK members in New England than the South? Really? Yes, at one time in the early 20th century this was true. And they were attacking Franco-Americans. Why? Dr. Eileen Angelini will tell us this interesting story about a little-known chapter in American history. In Language Tip #39, we’ll...
You’ve probably heard many times, “Parish registers are easy to read. Once you know how to read one type of record, you can read them all. They follow a pattern.” “Oh, no! This record is different!” And that’s true – for the most part. But what happens when you...
Today we conclude our French-Canadian parish record triad with the burial record. Perhaps the easiest of all three record types to abstract, even without knowledge of French, we discuss words and terms as well as the structure of these records. Remember to sign up for the Maple Stars and...
Most French-Canadian genealogists are familiar with the PRDH, but are you familiar with all three versions? Today we’ll describe each while discussing the pros and cons. To help you out, you can download a PDF copy of the Key to the Repertory, the English translation of the instructions for the printed...
Are you planning a trip to France? If so, take along your ancestors’ hometown information so you can visit and make it a truly memorable experience. A listener wrote in asking about the reliability of the Fichier Origine database. She had found some intriguing information on her ancestors’ origins and...
