These are the stories, of the FIRST of my ancestors to travel from countries in Europe and begin new lives in Canada. They are the 'adult' children of, the last of my European ancestors to remain in their homeland.
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Maps
The borders of sovereign states changed noticeably between the 1600's and 2000's, particularly those borders affecting German-speaking countries. The accompanying maps are included here to provide orientation.
1600's
1700's
1800's
2000's
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Names are clickable and will take you to a WikiTree Profile.In order of country / age :
FRANCE
Pierre VINCENT (1631 - 1686) arr. May 1654 Port Royal, NS aboard the Chateaufort
* Mathieu BRUNET (1637 - 1708) arr. 1657 New France aboard Les Armes d'Amsterdam
Philibert COUILLAUD dit ROCBRUNE (1641 - 1701) Philibert Couillaud sailed from La Rochelle Harbour on Wednesday, May 31, 1665, on either the "La Paix" or "L'Aigle d'Or" and arrived at Quebec City on August 18, 1665.
* Marie BLANCHARD (1647 - 1722) arr. 25/09/1667 Québec aboard Le St Louis de DieppeNicholas Sustier (1665 - 1740)
Sepherine CONVENCHIERE (1827 - 1906)
AUSTRIA
Johann LENTZ (1765 - 1810)
PRUSSIA Sovereign State 1525 - 1918
Gottlieb BIEDERMANN (1812 - 1880)
Dorothea SCHNEIDER (1815 - 1899)
August RUTZ (1826 - 1911)
Wilhelmine PEETZKE (1833 - 1913)
IRELAND
Michael O'KANE (1821 - 1895)
Catherine O'GORMAN (1825 - 1920)
Michael WALSH (1830 - 1891)
Mary SHERIDAN (1830 - )
* = Not included in my Watchlist, Profile managed by another
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The interactive google map, MY ANCESTORS PATHS (right sidebar), displays their journeys to a new homeland. Open as a [larger map] at the top right, then pan/zoom/click for more detail. ~
FRANCE
The First French-Acadian Was a Plowman
VINCENT
Pierre VINCENT
Relationship to Me
SEVENTH Great Grand-Father
Relationship Trail
1. Dann is the son of Jim O'Kane
2. Jim is the son of Mary Cordelia Vincent
3, Cordelia is the daughter of Maxime Vincent
4. Maxime is the son of Charles Lazare Vincent
5. Lazare is the son of Charles-Honore Vincent
6. Charles-Honore is the son of Charles Vincent
7. Charles is the son of Jean-Baptiste Vincent
8. Jean-Baptiste is the son of Michel Pierre Vincent
9. Michel is the son of Pierre Vincent
Genealogy
An extensive genealogy of Pierre Vincent and Anne Gaudet's descendants is available here.
History
A good resource website for a history of the Acadians is here.
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The first VINCENT to arrive in Acadie was Pierre (the elder.) Vincent, first ancestor known in America
Father Léopold Lanctôt omi says in a book whose title is: FAMILIES ACADIENNES (Volume II), the following:
"Pierre Vincent, was born in France in 1631. He came to Acadia, Canada in 1654, with Emmanuel Le Borgne, Sieur du Coudray, merchant of La Rochelle, just supply the colony, where he has business interests. The Châteaufort, armed in war, made available by Le Borgne by his associate, the Duke of Vendome, from La Rochelle 25 March 1654. It carries on board some new settlers, and Pierre Vincent, Michel Richard, laborers, and Pierre Thibodeau, miller . It is also loaded with supplies, weapons and ammunition, whose value amounts to 75,000 pounds ($ 15,000). the ship of 300 tons arrived in Port-Royal in mid-May 1654. "
"A few days after his arrival, Pierre Vincent attends the capture of Port Royal by Sedwick ....."
When Father Lanctôt writes about Pierre Thibodeau, he said and I quote:
"...... Emmanuel Le Borgne of Belleisle, lord of Port Royal ......"
"...... The Châteaufort, captained by Guilbeau ......."
"Two months after the arrival of Peter" (Thibodeau) "in Acadia, July 31, 1654, although one is right in peacetime, a British fleet commanded by Major Robert Sedgwick, appeared before Port Royal . it is composed of three warships and a ketch (sailboat with two masts), carrying 500 soldiers of fort Sedgwick arrives the Saint John river, which he took over and where he made prisoner Charles Saint-Étienne de La Tour, governor of Acadia. After two weeks of stubborn resistance, despite its small garrison of 120 men, Germain Doucet, said La Verdure, commander of Port Royal, to capitulate. the French garrison and its commander . and Le Borgne, are returned to France aboard Châteauford After the departure of the French garrison, the English also leave Port Royal, leaving no garrison: people govern themselves through a Council chaired by a trustee, Guillaume Trahan. (His daughter Jeanne married Pierre (II) Vincent).
Pierre was married in 1662 to Anne Gaudet daughter of Denis Gaudet and Martine Gauthier. She was born in Port Royal, Nova Scotia. Records show that by 1686 he was deceased. He and Anne had one daughter, Huguette, and four sons, Clement, Pierre, Thomas (must have died young), and Michel.
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Michel Vincent and (1) Marie-Anne Richard (2) Jeanne Anne Marie DoironRelationship to Me
SIXTH Great Grand-Parents
Relationship Trail
1. Dann is the son of Jim O'Kane
2. Jim is the son of Mary Cordelia Vincent
3, Cordelia is the daughter of Maxime Vincent
4. Maxime is the son of Charles Lazare Vincent
5. Lazare is the son of Charles-Honore Vincent
6. Charles-Honore is the son of Charles Vincent
7. Charles is the son of Jean-Baptiste Vincent
8. Jean-Baptiste is the son of Michel Pierre Vincent
Michel and brother Pierre went to live at Pisiguit. Michel was born 1668 and married 1689 to Marie-Anne Richard and married a second time to Jeanne Anne Marie Doiron in 1710. The Doirons were neighbors. They were married in the church of the Holy Family. One of their daughters, Anne-Froisine married Michel Trahan. Another, Madeleine married Jean Baptiste Duhon. Another, Anne-Maire, married Honorè Duhon. These children were born of the second marriage to Jeanne Anne-Marie Doiron. A son Joseph Vincent, born 1722, became the father of Pierre (the younger) who came to Louisiana.
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Some Family History: Extracted from The Vincent History website
So Joseph Vincent was a grandson of Pierre Vincent who had come to Acadie from France. He was soon a man with a family and two children. He was also the brother of Jean-Baptiste Vincent who is my SIXTH Great Grand-father.
Joseph and Marguerite lived a peaceful life until the English declared war with France again. This had happened times before and did cause them some disturbance. This time matters were worse. The Acadians refused to sign allegiance to the English king and leave their Catholic religion. When the Acadians refused, the English decided to send them away and settle the area with people who were loyal to England. Later, people from Scotland would be given the land and named it Nova Scotia (New Scotland).
Joseph grew up in Pisiguit. He married a local girl, Marguerite Bodard, in September 1746. Marguerite's father, Francois Bodard was from France, born 1686, married 1708 to Marie Babin. When the Acadians were dispersed, he was sent to Maryland where he died.
So Joseph Vincent was a grandson of Pierre Vincent who had come to Acadie from France. He was soon a man with a family and two children. He was also the brother of Jean-Baptiste Vincent who is my SIXTH Great Grand-father.
Joseph and Marguerite lived a peaceful life until the English declared war with France again. This had happened times before and did cause them some disturbance. This time matters were worse. The Acadians refused to sign allegiance to the English king and leave their Catholic religion. When the Acadians refused, the English decided to send them away and settle the area with people who were loyal to England. Later, people from Scotland would be given the land and named it Nova Scotia (New Scotland).
On Friday, the 5th of September, 1755, four hundred eighteen Acadiens of the Grand-Prè and Bassin des Mines areas gathered in the church of Saint Charles des Mines at Grand-Prè. They had been ordered to do so. This happened at 3:00 p.m. The English officer announced that in her majesty's name the Acadians were all prisoners and that their goods were confiscated, except their money and a few effects which they were permitted to carry with them on board ships which would transport them to parts unknown.
A translator by the name of Deschamps interpreted Commander Winslow's remarks to the Acadians.
On Sunday, 7 September, 1755, Winslow signaled the arrival of five vessels. He expressed doubt that the ships were large enough to carry all the prisoners of the region Grand-Prè.
On Wednesday, 10 September, 1755, Winslow gave the signal for the embarkation of the Acadian prisoners into the ships anchored in the river Gaspareaux. Winslow wrote that he gathered his officers to plan the loading. They decided to load 50 prisoners on each of five vessels which had arrived from Boston, and to commence with the young men. He called for the interpreter, Francois Landry, Sr.
On the 27th of October, 1755, 14 more vessels arrived to pick-up the Acadians. Ten more vessels arrived for those of the region of Beaubassin. More than 4,000 Acadians were plunged overnight from comfort of their homes to abject poverty, but still thinking that they would find their way home.
Joseph Vincent, his wife Marguerite Bodard and their two children, Marie-Josephe and Pierre were taken to Liverpool, England as prisoners-of-war. Joseph died there in prison. He died between the age of 33-39, because the rest of the family were in Liverpool for 6 years until the end of the war.
In 1765 we find, among the Acadians in Belle-Isle-en-Mer, France, Guillaume Montet 28 with wife Marie-Josehe Vincent 20. With them was Marguerite Bodard, widow of Joseph Vincent, and Pierre Vincent, 18. The Montet's have a child, also named Pierre, 2 years old.
"all your land and homes, cattle and animals are confiscated by the crown...."
On Sunday, 7 September, 1755, Winslow signaled the arrival of five vessels. He expressed doubt that the ships were large enough to carry all the prisoners of the region Grand-Prè.
On Wednesday, 10 September, 1755, Winslow gave the signal for the embarkation of the Acadian prisoners into the ships anchored in the river Gaspareaux. Winslow wrote that he gathered his officers to plan the loading. They decided to load 50 prisoners on each of five vessels which had arrived from Boston, and to commence with the young men. He called for the interpreter, Francois Landry, Sr.
On the 27th of October, 1755, 14 more vessels arrived to pick-up the Acadians. Ten more vessels arrived for those of the region of Beaubassin. More than 4,000 Acadians were plunged overnight from comfort of their homes to abject poverty, but still thinking that they would find their way home.
Joseph Vincent, his wife Marguerite Bodard and their two children, Marie-Josephe and Pierre were taken to Liverpool, England as prisoners-of-war. Joseph died there in prison. He died between the age of 33-39, because the rest of the family were in Liverpool for 6 years until the end of the war.
In 1765 we find, among the Acadians in Belle-Isle-en-Mer, France, Guillaume Montet 28 with wife Marie-Josehe Vincent 20. With them was Marguerite Bodard, widow of Joseph Vincent, and Pierre Vincent, 18. The Montet's have a child, also named Pierre, 2 years old.
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Marie was a Fille de Roi
BRUNET - BLANCHARD
Relationship to Me
NINTH Great Grand-Parents
Relationship Trail
1. Dann is the son of Rhoda (Lance) O'Kane
2. Rhoda is the daughter of Maxime Gilbert Lance
3. Mac is the son of Henriette (Souiller) Lance
4. Henriette is the daughter of Henriette (Larocque) Souliere
5. Henriette is the daughter of Genevieve (Lalande dit Latreille) Lalande
6. Genevieve is the daughter of Marie Josephe Merlot
7. Marie Josephe is the daughter of Marie Louise Amable (Dumais Aumais) Dumais
8. Marie is the daughter of Marie Madelaine Proux
9. Marie is the daughter of Marie Jeanne Pillon
10. Marie is the daughter of Marie Anne Brunet
11. Marie Anne is the daughter of Michel Mathieu Brunet dit Lestang
Marie was born in 1647 in St-Nicaise parish, city and archdiocese of Rouen, Normandie, France, to Jean Blanchard and Martine Le Bas. She immigrated from France to New France (later known as Quebec). She participated in the “Filles de Roi” (King's Daughters) program which was created by the French Crown to encourage young women to immigrate to New France. The title, "Filles de Roi" showed the girls had state support, not that they were of royal or noble birth. Between 1663 and 1674, seven hundred sixty eight "Filles de Roi" were recruited to go to New France.
Under the program, the Crown paid the transportation of the girls. The cost of sending each to New France was 100 livres: 10 for the recruitment, 30 for clothing and 60 for the crossing itself –the total being roughly equivalent to $1,425 in the year 2000. In addition to having the costs of her passage paid by the state, each girl received an assortment of practical items in a case: a coiffe, bonnet, taffeta handkerchief, pair of stockings, pair of gloves, ribbon, four shoelaces, white thread, 100 needles, 1,000 pins, a comb, pair of scissors, two knives and two livres in cash.
The nuns looked after them and taught them cooking, sewing, knitting, how to make medicines, etc. This was to prepare them for wilderness life and made them even more attractive as wives.
While the men who immigrated to New France mainly came from rural areas, the "Filles de Roi" were recruited from urban settings, including Paris. Almost two thirds of the girls had lost one or both parents with many coming from convents or hospitals where they'd been placed as orphans.
In France, fathers found husbands for their daughters, who married who they were told to marry. Things were different in New France, since there were more single men than marriageable girls. The government had restrictions on the activities of single men, but provided many benefits to married couples, including financial rewards to families with many children. Single men would sometimes spend a year or more creating a house and home for their new brides.
When selecting a wife, men were looking for an attractive woman, but also a sturdy woman who could grow crops, bear children and be an active participant in life in the wilderness. But in the end the woman had to agree to the match.
Marie agreed to marry Michel Mathieu Brunet dit Lestang. Mathieu was also an immigrant from Normandie, France however he was from St. Jean de rai, pres l'aigle, ev. evreux. He migrated from France to Nouvelle France as contracted for the first time in 1657, probably embarking on the ship Les Armes d'Amsterdam.
They married on November 10, 1667, at Notre-Dame de Québec, Ville de Quebec.
In 1685, he joined an expedition organized by his 'friend' Nicolas Perot who was appointed commander in chief of Green Bay (Green Bay, Wisconsin) and neighbouring countries in the spring. He moved his family to Montreal about the same time, according to a farm mortage dated Nov 1687.
Marie and Mathieu had ten children: Michel (m. Marie Madeleine Moison), Jeanne (m. Francois Huard Laliberte), Marie Anne (m. Antoine Pilon), Jean (m. Marie Perrier), Pierre, Marie (m. Francois Bigras), Jacques (m. Marie Jeanne Verret), Catherine (m. Honore Danis Tourangeau), Marguerite (died 16 days before her 16th birthday), and Mathieu (died at 19 years).
Marie and Mathieu were married until his death. His exact death date is unknown but he was buried on December 17, 1708 in Montreal. Marie married (2) Yves Luc Lucas (Lucas St-Venan) on January 2, 1716. No children were born of this union.
Marie died at age 75 years and was buried July 29, 1722 in Lachine (as was her daughter Marguerite).
''' BLANCHARD Marie''', Normandie
Arrivée à Québec le 25/09/1667 à bord du vaisseau ''Le St Louis'' de Dieppe.
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SOULIERE Nicholas Sustier
CONVENCHIERE
Zepherine Convenchiere
Nationality
Records indicate that the Souliere name in this region of Ontario was of of French and Indian origin (Metis).
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He was a Blacksmith and She was a Seamstress
BIEDERMANN - SCHNEIDER
Gottlieb BIEDERMANN and Dorothea SCHNEIDER
Relationship to Me
SECOND Great Grand-Parents
Relationship Trail
1. Dann is the son of Rhoda (Lance) O'Kane
2. Rhoda is the daughter of Bertha Paulina (Biederman) Lance
3. Bertha is the daughter of Gustave Biederman
4. Gustave is the son of Gottlieb J. Biedermann
In the 1860's, the American Civil War diverted American-bound Germans to agricultural lands in the Upper Ottawa Valley in Ontario, where a population of 12,000 Germans from Prussia settled by 1891. In the summer of 1861, Gottlieb and Dorothea bid farewell to all their kinfolk in Pinnow, Province of Brandenburg and sailed for Canada.
Dorothea Schneider (scanned from family album)
Dorothea's sister Christine, her husband Gottfried Bramburger and their family came along with them to America. America, the new land promised them a home and freedom from the wars which were causing unrest in Europe from 1855 till 1865.
Travel
Application for land had been made and granted, and so they sailed from Germany arriving in Montreal; proceeded by rail to Bytown which is now Ottawa. Here they were allotted land; supposedly rich farm land, in the Ottawa River valley around what is now the Pembroke area. They travelled on foot from Bytown for six days securing food and lodging at the taverns and stopping places along the way. Their personal belongings were wrapped tightly in sacks and hung over their shoulders. A wooden tub brought with them was used to carry the young children. A spinning wheel was also part of the possessions they had brought with the from the Old Country. When they arrived at their destination, there were no roads - trails had to be blazed, the land had to be cleared and buildings had to be erected. Being the housekeeper was the duty of every married woman but family life was simple and happy as we learn from our older generation.
Occupations, Residence, Faith
Gottlieb Biederman had fair curly hair, was refined and sociable, a blacksmith by trade. His wife Dorothea was a seamstress which was quite fashionable in those days. Women in her day, wore their black wedding dress only on special occasions. They were distinguished by their white embroidered aprons which they wore to church and they hung a dainty fabric bag from the belt which contained a handkerchief and the few pennies they had.
The family settled on fifty acres of land in Rankin - corner lot 6, Concession 23 in Wilberforce Township. Gottlieb set up a Blacksmith shop on the site of what later became Paul Schultz's Store and is presently owned by Allan Snyder who runs a grocery store there today. The Biederman Blacksmith Shop attracted many business services and it was a corner of many friendly relationships.
These German settlers were mostly Lutheran in faith and of primary importance to them was the observance of the Lord's Day. It was on these premises that the first church services were held. Gottlieb Biederman provided seating for the worshippers by cutting logs and tree stumps to sit on. They had brought with them their faith, the fear and love of God and they looked for His blessings. Their children were brought up in this atmosphere. In 1861, the first Lutheran Missionary was sent into this Upper Ottawa Valley and in 1862, Grace Lutheran Parish, Rankin was established by Rev. L. Gerndt. By 1870, when Rev. Gerndt relinquished the parish, Wilberforce and Alice Parishes were the largest congregations in the Valley, each with fifty families.
Children
Gottlieb and Dorothea were blessed with eight children, seven of which were born in Germany. They were August, William, Carl, Frederick, Auguste, Wilhelmine, Gustav and Pauline. Auguste Remus was eleven years old when she came to Canada. Wilhelmine was nine years and Pauline was born in this new homeland in 1862. From these eight children there descended fifty-eight grandchildren for their parents.
Descendents
Exactly one hundred and twenty years after the arrival of Gottlieb Biederman and his family in Canada, his descendants gathered in Ladysmith, Quebec at Thorne Centre Recreation Building in response to an invitation from Mr. and Mrs. Fred Krose (Carl Biederman lineage) for a get together. More than three hundred were in attendance. An informal welcome and program highlighted the afternoon with many displays of hand work, posters of family data and a talent show under the direction of Sister Esther Brose, President of the Remus family. Everyone joined in a pot luck supper which was enjoyed by all and many acquaintances were renewed.
Memoriam
Credits
Narrative extracted (verbatim) from the July 26, 1981 Biederman Get-Together document " Seven Generations of Descendants of Gottlieb Biederman and his wife Dorothea - in Canada since 1861 "
Photography from family albums and supplied by Wayne Hampel (cousin) and Rhoda O'Kane (mother).
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RUTZ - PEETZKEAugust Frederick Rutz (1828 - 1911) and Friderika Wilhelmine Soffia Peetzke (1833 - 1913) from Barvalde in Pommern, came to Canada in 1868 with 4 children, 5 were born in Wilberforce Twp., County of Renfrew at Rankin.
The Province of Pomerania (German: Provinz Pommern) was a Province of the Kingdom of Prussia and the Free State of Prussia from 1815 - 1945. Afterwards, its' territory became part of Allied occupied Germany and Poland.
Mr and Mrs August Rutz arrived 1868 (photo courtesy K.G. Schutt, Killaloe)
Faith
They worshipped at the Grace Lutheran Church near Green River, later at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Rankin Parish where their tombstones also stand.
Memoriam
Credits
Narrative extracted (verbatim) from " Rutz Family Tree. " by K. Gerry Schutt, 251 Queen St. South, Killaloe, ON, Feb. 15, 1992.
Photography credit " Harvest of Stones - The German Settlement in Renfrew County " by Brenda Le-Whiting (pg 58).
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AUSTRIA
LANCE
Michel Lentz (1805 - 1873) and Zepherine Convenchiere (1827 - 1906)
Background as told by John N. H. Lance
" Several years before I started to compile information for this family tree, a family rumour surfaced which stated that it was known that our family name had been Lentz, and having originated from Germany, the name had been changed to avoid any possible persecution at the time of the World War. I accepted this as possible, but it wasn't until I started this research that I became suspicious of this.
Canadian Census documentation from as far back as 1861 showed the family name as Lance, as it is known today (coming from Quebec but of German origins), yet I also uncovered evidence from church records that the correct spelling was Lentz, with some indications being made that it was known locally as Lance. In all cases the name Lance was considered by the church to be the French spelling of a surname of German origins.
I have been unable to identify the father or mother of Michel Lentz. "
Credits
Narrative extracted (verbatim) from " Lentz (Lance) Genealogical History " by John H.N. Lance.
Residence
I have been unable to determine when our ancestors immigrated to Canada, but at least it would have been prior to the birth of Michel, and was probably in the mid-late 1700's. The exact reason for their immigration is also unknown, as is the reason for their decision to live in Quebec. However it is reasonable to assume that they came for a better way of life, and the new frontier of Canada offered this to anyone who was willing to work for it. Europe in the mid-to-late 1700s was wrought with one war after another (some small - some large) and the borders between France and Prussia (Germany) kept moving back and forth. It is conceivable that one day our ancestors were living in France and the next in Germany. They undoubtedly spoke French regardless of which side of the French/Prussian border they came from, and this probably had a bearing on their decision to originally reside in Quebec. In any event, they would have undoubtedly landed in Quebec at the time of their immigration.
As the families began their westward migration - following work or looking for land of their own to clear and farm, they eventually learned how to speak English. The Ottawa River was the "major highway" in those days, and settlement on either side of the river was dependent only on the availability of work and land, and language normally had very little to do with it. Our ancestors are known to have lived throughout Pontiac County in Quebec and Renfrew County in Ontario. Locally, our Lance relatives have lived or still live in the Village/City of Pembroke, Petawawa Township and Village, and the Wylie and Buchanan Townships of Ontario. They are known to have also spread to the Toronto and Windsor areas of Southern Ontario, and the Detroit area of the U.S.A.
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IRELAND
O'KANE - O'GORMAN
Michael O'Kane and Catherine O'Gorman
WALSH - SHERIDAN
Michael Walsh and Mary Sheridan
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