Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Episode 080-February 1, 2019

Dr. Elizabeth Blood (episode # 32) joins us again for a look at another Franco project. This time, she translated a 1919 French language book published by Félix Gatineau. Histoire des Franco-Américains de Southbridge, Massachusetts, was Gatineau’s history of the Franco community in the central Massachusetts town of Southbridge from the time of the first French-Canadian settler until 1919.

Felix Gatineau and the Francos of Southbridge, Massachusetts

During the interview, Dr. Blood and I discussed the following:

Who was Félix Gatineau?

• Felix Gatineau immigrated to Southbridge, Massachusetts, in 1877.
• He began working in one of the mills and worked his way up to being a business owner. He also loved politics and became a Massachusetts state legislator representing Southbridge.
• The Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society was an important part of Gatineau’s life, and he held many positions in that organization.

The book

• History of the Franco-Americans of Southbridge, Massachusetts gives us a look at life in a New England Franco community from the mid-nineteenth century to the beginning of the twentieth century. Gatineau discusses the religious life of the community, the first citizens, the first politicians and doctors, social organizations and activities, military contributions, and local businesses.
• Lists of members of the Franco community are scattered throughout, including the most important lists of all. Beginning in 1830, Gatineau lists each male who immigrated to Southbridge, what year he migrated, and for most, where he had resided in Quebec before the move.
• Early settlers came with the idea of staying for a few years and then returning to their farms in Quebec.
• Many settlers relocated after the failed Patriot Rebellion of 1837-1838. A wave of immigrants came around this time from the town of St-Ours, the site of the first meeting of the patriot rebels in May of 1837.
• Southbridge had many mills and factories to attract workers from Quebec.

Life in a Little Canada

Religion-The book centers on life around the newly-built Notre Dame Church. Gatineau covers the building of the church, the priests, the religious women who came to help at the school, the establishment of the parochial school, and the choirs.

Politics– Gatineau was very interested in politics. He listed those who participated in municipal affairs and the offices they held. Around 1900, about 60% of the population of Southbridge was French-Canadian.

Military– The French-Canadians were valuable in World War I because of their knowledge of French. Gatineau gives an overview of residents of Southbridge who participated in the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and World War I. Photos of many are included. Gatineau also tells the story of Ellen Riendeau, a telephone operator in France during WWI.

Social interactions– The French loved their musical groups. Brass bands participated in patriotic events. Social aid groups like the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society not only provided insurance to its members, but it also provided social events. There were theater groups as well to provide entertainment.

Business– Gatineau was proud of the Franco community’s economic success. Included are lists of businesses and Francos who worked in those occupations throughout the period covered by the book.

Gatineau memorial

 

Books mentioned

• History of the Franco-Americans of Southbridge, Massachusetts by Felix Gatineau, translated by Dr. Elizabeth Blood
• Loyal but French: The Negotiation of Identity by French-Canadian Descendants in the United States by Mark Paul Richard
• The Hello Girls: America’s First Women Soldiers by Elizabeth Cobbs

Questions for Dr. Blood

• If you are a member of the Maple Stars and Stripes Facebook group, you can ask a question there.
• Email: eblood [at] salemstate [dot] edu

RAFFLE

If you would like a chance to win a copy of this book, then I encourage you to listen to the podcast for details. But you only have until Valentine’s Day, so you’d better hurry!

Announcements

TRM2020

We are in the planning stages of our next Walk in the Footsteps of Your Ancestors tour. This one will cover sites of historical and genealogical importance in Trois-Rivières and Montreal. It is tentatively scheduled for July of 2020.

If you think this trip is something you might be interested in, I encourage you to join our private TRM2020 Facebook group. Here you can get your questions answered and give your input. What would you like to be included on this tour?

Podcast supporters

Thank you very much. Doris from Florida, for your donation and kind words!

Volunteer

We have a new Community Helper. Danielle Plummer has volunteered to help as a records translator. Thanks, Danielle!

A genealogical mystery

One of our listeners wrote in about a decades-old Labonte family brick wall which has long stumped her uncle (now deceased) and her father (aged 88). If you like a good mystery, listen to her story in the podcast. Then download The Labonte Mystery. If your sleuthing skills reveal new information, send it to me at maplestarsandstripes [at] gmail [dot] com, and I’ll forward everything to Sherie. And, of course, I’ll announce your brilliance on the next episode of the podcast!

NERGC

The next edition of the New England Regional Genealogical Consortium conference (NERGC) is fast approaching. It takes place this year from April 3-6 in Manchester, New Hampshire. Registration is now open.

Featured speakers are Blaine Bettinger of DNA fame; Thomas W. Jones, author of Mastering Genealogical Documentation and Mastering Genealogical Proof; and Cyndi Ingle of Cyndi’s List.

As usual, there is a French-Canadian track on Friday which includes the following presentations:

Exploring New Sources in Québec and the US with Pauline Cusson
Tracking Your Ancestor Across the Border into Québec with George Findlen
Tips and Tricks for French Language Documents with Bryna O’Sullivan
French-Canadian Problem Solving with Michael LeClerc
Québec Doomed with Ronald Blanchette

Several of those esteemed speakers have appeared on Maple Stars and Stripes.

Then on Saturday you will find a few sessions on Acadians. For a complete list of speakers and sessions, including several DNA topics, check out the conference brochure.

Journal rundown

This month, I spotlight the NEHG Register, the scholarly quarterly journal of the New England Historic Genealogical Society in Boston, Massachusetts. In volume 172, a two-part article appears in the winter and spring issues. The winter portion of Pierre Geoffrion of Montréal by Rhonda McClure presents his life narrative. Part two presents the genealogical summary.

French-Canadian News

The Franco-American Centre

It’s Mardi Gras time again. On March 2 from 6 to 10 PM at the Jupiter Hall, in Manchester, NH, join in on the Mardi Gras Celebration.

The French Canadian Heritage Society of Michigan

Research help, 11 AM at the Mount Clemens Public Library-Members helping members. Bring your brick walls a get some personalized research help.

The Vermont French-Canadian Genealogical Society

February 2-Beginning Genealogy
February 9-French-Canadian Genealogy-Getting Started
February 16-DNA Testing Basics
February 23-Using FamilySearch.org
March 2-Mastering Search at americanancestors.org

Classes run from 10:30 AM until noon and are held at the Vermont Genealogy Library in Colchester, Vermont.

The Minnesota Genealogical Society’s Canadian Interest Group

February 9, from 10 AM to 1 PM, at the Minnesota Genealogical Center in Mendota Heights-Join them for a conference, Destination Canada. Learn about some of the many ethnic groups who immigrated to Canada and where to find their records.

The Alberta Genealogical Society

April 26-28 at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center in Edmonton- the Alberta Genealogical Society’s conference called Images through Time. The program includes several sessions on French-Canadian topics including Researching Your French Canadian Ancestors, Using Quebec Notarial Records on Ancestry, and the French Canadian Disease.

Podcast Support

If you wish to support the podcast, you can send your donation to Sandra Goodwin, PO Box 124, Leicester, Massachusetts 01524. You can send a check or set up a small monthly payment through your online banking. You can also donate through Pay Pal (maplestarsandstripes [at] gmail [dot] com). Thank you for your support. It means the world!

[DISCLOSURE: This website may contain affiliate links. Maple Stars and Stripes will be compensated if you make a purchase through these links. There will be NO additional cost to you. Thanks for your support.]

Get Maple Stars and Stripes

Subscribe to the MSS Newsletter 
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts (iTunes)
Subscribe on Stitcher
Join our private Facebook group

How to Contact Maple Stars and Stripes

Post comments on Show Notes page (MapleStarsandStripes.com/#-of-episode) or at end of blog post
Go to https://MapleStarsandStripes.com/contact
Email me at feedback [at] maplestarsandstripes [dot] com
Send a voicemail by clicking on the ‘Send Voicemail’ link from any page at MapleStarsandStripes.com