Hilaire Pitre is my Great Great Grandfather. He is the father of Victor Pitre.
Hilaire was the 6th child of Jean Baptiste Pitre and Marie Hache. He was baptized April 6, 1818 in the Ste. Famille parish, Nipisiguit (Bathurst), New Brunswick. This was the first time the missionary priest had visited since November 1817 and was one of many children baptized that day. The only time that Hilaire's actual birthday is recorded anywhere is on the 1901 census, it is listed as Jan 8, 1817. It is unlikely that the year of his birth is 1817 since it would have been unusual for a family to wait a year to have their child baptized if they had the opportunity to do so sooner. However, the ages listed for Hilaire on most census records do match with an 1817 birth year. He at least believed that he was born in 1817!
Hilaire married Tarsille (Teresa?) Boudreau on September 1, 1835 in the St. Polycarpe parish in Petit Rocher, New Brunswick. They settled in Beresford, New Brunswick, which is about halfway between Bathurst and Petit Rocher. It is here that Hilaire raised his family of 10 (5 boys and 5 girls) working as a farmer, carpenter and finally as a general store merchant. Hilaire must have worked until the day he died as he is listed as a general store merchant on the 1901 census at the age of 84. As his family married and started families of their own they did not move far away. In 1901, Hilaire was living surrounded by 1 daughter, 3 sons and 20 grandchildren! It must have been wonderful to have his family so close by. Hilaire deeded his land to 4 of his 5 sons (one must have died), I wonder if some of this land is still within the family.
Hilaire died about 2 months after his wife on October 24, 1902 in Petit Rocher, New Brunswick at the age of 84/85, no cause of death listed. Was it old age or a broken heart at the loss of his wife?
Sunday, 29 June 2014
Saturday, 21 June 2014
52 Ancestors: Joseph Cyrille Mazerolle (1893-1918) Spanish Flu Victim
Joseph Cyrille Mazerolle is my 1st Cousin Twice removed. He is the grandson of Germain Mazerolle. Cyrille was the third child of Urbain Mazerolle and Caroline Albert.
Cyrille was born Nov 22, 1893 in Pokemouche, Gloucester, New Brunswick, Canada. He lived with his parents and 8 siblings on a farm in Inkerman and Upper Pokemouche. Next door to Cyrille and his family were his grandparents, several uncles and their families all earning their living as a farmer. Cyrille was also a farmer when he became old enough.
Farmer was the occupation he listed when he was arrested in Upper Pokemouche on July 11, 1918 for defaulting on his draft orders. Why did he not report for the draft? Was it because he could only speak French (1901 census indicates he only spoke French; unable to locate 1911 census) in what would most likely be an English environment. Was it a fear of dying? By July 1918 Canada had fought in many battles (Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele, etc.) and had lost many men. Did he believe that he was exempt from the draft because he was a farmer? Prime Minister Borden promised labouring farmers exemptions during his campaign but broke this promise after the election. We will never know his reason for not reporting.
Four days after being arrested for defaulting, Cyrille underwent medical examination in Sussex, Kings county, New Brunswick where he was declared fit for duty but lacked training. The description on his calling up describe him as 6 feet tall with a 39 inch chest, fair complexion, blue eyes and black hair with no distinctive marks.
Cyrill's time as a soldier was short, it is unknown if he even completed his training. He fell ill November 22, 1918 (approximately) of the Spanish Influenza while in Upper Pokemouche and died one week later on November 29, 1918. Cyrille was one of the 776 Canadian Expeditionary Force members for whom the Spanish Influenza Pandemic was fatal.
Cyrille was born Nov 22, 1893 in Pokemouche, Gloucester, New Brunswick, Canada. He lived with his parents and 8 siblings on a farm in Inkerman and Upper Pokemouche. Next door to Cyrille and his family were his grandparents, several uncles and their families all earning their living as a farmer. Cyrille was also a farmer when he became old enough.
Farmer was the occupation he listed when he was arrested in Upper Pokemouche on July 11, 1918 for defaulting on his draft orders. Why did he not report for the draft? Was it because he could only speak French (1901 census indicates he only spoke French; unable to locate 1911 census) in what would most likely be an English environment. Was it a fear of dying? By July 1918 Canada had fought in many battles (Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele, etc.) and had lost many men. Did he believe that he was exempt from the draft because he was a farmer? Prime Minister Borden promised labouring farmers exemptions during his campaign but broke this promise after the election. We will never know his reason for not reporting.
Four days after being arrested for defaulting, Cyrille underwent medical examination in Sussex, Kings county, New Brunswick where he was declared fit for duty but lacked training. The description on his calling up describe him as 6 feet tall with a 39 inch chest, fair complexion, blue eyes and black hair with no distinctive marks.
Cyrill's time as a soldier was short, it is unknown if he even completed his training. He fell ill November 22, 1918 (approximately) of the Spanish Influenza while in Upper Pokemouche and died one week later on November 29, 1918. Cyrille was one of the 776 Canadian Expeditionary Force members for whom the Spanish Influenza Pandemic was fatal.
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| Library and Archives Canada; War Graves Registers: Circumstances of Death; Box: 239 |
Saturday, 14 June 2014
52 Ancestors: Margaret Legace (1861-1940)
Margaret Ann Legace is my Great Grandmother. She is the wife of Alexander Christie from an earlier post.
Margaret or Maggie, as records seem to refer to her as, was born September 17-22, 1861 in Bathurst, New Brunswick, Canada. She was the 1st born child of Isaac Legace and Thersile (Theresa) Daigle. Margaret was baptised when she was just a few days old, sponsors were Michael Daigle and Angel Pitre (more research needed to find out who they were), in West Bathurst at Ste. Famille Parish. The more research I do, the more I find that Ste. Famille Parish is a big part of my roots on my mothers side. So many, almost everyone so far, have either been baptised, married or buried in this parish. Maybe I should do some research on the parish.
Margaret lost her mother when she was between 7-10 years old. She would have had to assume the role of running the household; cooking, cleaning and looking after her 2 younger sisters while her father was working the farm. Margaret would have continued this daunting task until sometime between 1871-1873 when her father re-married. This most likely was the reason she was unable to read and write as Margaret would not have been able to go to school with all of these household duties to look after. She most likely continued to assist her step-mother (who was deaf) with the running of the household and looking after the two brothers who were born before she was married.
On October 30, 1882 when Margaret was 21 years old she married Alexander Christie in West Bathurst at Ste. Famille Parish, the same parish she and Alexander were baptised. The witnesses to their marriage were William Christie and Mary Jane Boyle. William Christie could have been Alexander's brother. I don't know who Mary Jane Boyle could be as I have not found any connection to a Boyle in the family tree yet.
Margaret and Alexander has 12 children (4 girls and 8 boys) all who were able to read, write and speak both French and English. I wonder if Margaret felt that this was a priority for her children as she never went to school and only learned to read and write and speak English after her marriage to Alexander. I wonder if she learned along side her youngest children.
Margaret lived her entire life in West Bathurst. She died Jan 27, 1940 from hypertension (heart attack) when she was 78 years old. Margaret outlived her husband and 6 of her 12 children.
Margaret or Maggie, as records seem to refer to her as, was born September 17-22, 1861 in Bathurst, New Brunswick, Canada. She was the 1st born child of Isaac Legace and Thersile (Theresa) Daigle. Margaret was baptised when she was just a few days old, sponsors were Michael Daigle and Angel Pitre (more research needed to find out who they were), in West Bathurst at Ste. Famille Parish. The more research I do, the more I find that Ste. Famille Parish is a big part of my roots on my mothers side. So many, almost everyone so far, have either been baptised, married or buried in this parish. Maybe I should do some research on the parish.
Margaret lost her mother when she was between 7-10 years old. She would have had to assume the role of running the household; cooking, cleaning and looking after her 2 younger sisters while her father was working the farm. Margaret would have continued this daunting task until sometime between 1871-1873 when her father re-married. This most likely was the reason she was unable to read and write as Margaret would not have been able to go to school with all of these household duties to look after. She most likely continued to assist her step-mother (who was deaf) with the running of the household and looking after the two brothers who were born before she was married.
On October 30, 1882 when Margaret was 21 years old she married Alexander Christie in West Bathurst at Ste. Famille Parish, the same parish she and Alexander were baptised. The witnesses to their marriage were William Christie and Mary Jane Boyle. William Christie could have been Alexander's brother. I don't know who Mary Jane Boyle could be as I have not found any connection to a Boyle in the family tree yet.
Margaret and Alexander has 12 children (4 girls and 8 boys) all who were able to read, write and speak both French and English. I wonder if Margaret felt that this was a priority for her children as she never went to school and only learned to read and write and speak English after her marriage to Alexander. I wonder if she learned along side her youngest children.
Margaret lived her entire life in West Bathurst. She died Jan 27, 1940 from hypertension (heart attack) when she was 78 years old. Margaret outlived her husband and 6 of her 12 children.
Saturday, 7 June 2014
52 Ancestors: Nicolas Godin (1886-1958)
Nicolas Godin is my Great Great Uncle from my Dad's side of the family. He is my Grandmother's uncle. He was the 4th of 10 children born to Aime Godin and Marie Theriault. Although I have been unable to find a baptism or birth record for Nicolas his age and birthday are consistently recorded to support a birth date of May 17, 1886 in Paquetville, New Brunswick, Canada.
Nicolas, like his father before him and his male siblings was also a farmer. He must have became a full time farmer around 15-16 years old (school must have stopped at this age) as he was able to read, write and speak French and all siblings younger than 16 were attending school and those 16 and older were farmers or listed with no occupation.
On Thanksgiving day October 14, 1907, Nicolas Godin married Marie Antoinette Godin (10 years his senior) in Paquetville at St. Augustin of Paquetville Parish. They were both from this parish and must have met there originally. After their marriage Nicolas and Antoinette quite possibly lived in the same dwelling as Antoinette's parents. The 1911 census records Nicolas, Antoinette and their 4 month old son Dosithee living in an "appartment" with Antoinette's parents and 3 of her siblings. My guess is that they lived in the same house but had separate living quarters. In 1911, Nicolas was supplementing his farming income with carpentry work to support his growing family. Unfortunately, this son like their daughter, Nelida, 2 years previous would die before his 1st birthday. Such sadness to have lost two children back to back at such a young age when they were just starting their family.
In 1921, Nicolas and Antoinette are still living in Paquetville as a farming family but now have 3 children, 2 girls and a boy! They continue to live in Paquetville until Sept 1939 when they moved about 10km away to the community of Notre-Dames-des-Erables with their son Armand as reported in the September 7, 1939 edition of the La Voix d'Evangeline. Nicolas lived in Notre-Dames-des-Erables until his death August 15, 1958. According to is death certificate he spent the last 5 days of his life in the Hotel-Dieu St. Joseph (hospital) and died of a stomach ulcer. Nicolas is buried in the cemetry at Paroisse De Notre Dame De Auxiliatrice Roman Catholic, Gloucester County.
Nicolas, like his father before him and his male siblings was also a farmer. He must have became a full time farmer around 15-16 years old (school must have stopped at this age) as he was able to read, write and speak French and all siblings younger than 16 were attending school and those 16 and older were farmers or listed with no occupation.
On Thanksgiving day October 14, 1907, Nicolas Godin married Marie Antoinette Godin (10 years his senior) in Paquetville at St. Augustin of Paquetville Parish. They were both from this parish and must have met there originally. After their marriage Nicolas and Antoinette quite possibly lived in the same dwelling as Antoinette's parents. The 1911 census records Nicolas, Antoinette and their 4 month old son Dosithee living in an "appartment" with Antoinette's parents and 3 of her siblings. My guess is that they lived in the same house but had separate living quarters. In 1911, Nicolas was supplementing his farming income with carpentry work to support his growing family. Unfortunately, this son like their daughter, Nelida, 2 years previous would die before his 1st birthday. Such sadness to have lost two children back to back at such a young age when they were just starting their family.
In 1921, Nicolas and Antoinette are still living in Paquetville as a farming family but now have 3 children, 2 girls and a boy! They continue to live in Paquetville until Sept 1939 when they moved about 10km away to the community of Notre-Dames-des-Erables with their son Armand as reported in the September 7, 1939 edition of the La Voix d'Evangeline. Nicolas lived in Notre-Dames-des-Erables until his death August 15, 1958. According to is death certificate he spent the last 5 days of his life in the Hotel-Dieu St. Joseph (hospital) and died of a stomach ulcer. Nicolas is buried in the cemetry at Paroisse De Notre Dame De Auxiliatrice Roman Catholic, Gloucester County.
Saturday, 31 May 2014
52 Ancestors: Margaret B Christie (1886-1949) The reason my siblings and I were born?
This week I am writing about my Great Aunt Margaret B. Christie.
Margaret was the second child of Alexander Christie and Margaret Ann Legace. She was born in Bathurst, New Brunswick, Canada on April 16, 1885. She was probably baptisted at Ste. Famille parish like the siblings that are younger than her but I am unable to confirm this as the records for Ste. Famille start on page 9, June 21, 1885. Such is the way with genealogy, not all of the records survive.
Margaret lived with her parents until at least 1901, after that I am unable to find her again until she is married to Frank Leonard Best on May 1, 1916 in Sussex, New Brunswick, Canada. Frank was a WW1 Soldier stationed in Sussex in 1916. Margaret must have met Frank in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada where his parents were living. Margaret's death certificate states she lived in Saint John since approximately 1914. Where was she in 1911 that she is not listed on a census record? How and why did she move to Saint John, almost 400km away from Bathurst? In the early 1900's that seems like such a great distance for a single unmarried women to be away from her family. I did not know that I had relatives living in Saint John prior to my parents. I wonder if knowing a relative in the city was a factor in my mom's decision to move to Saint John and work. If so, then Margaret was the reason my parents met and my siblings and I were born!
Margaret and Frank only had a short time together before Frank was shipped overseas in June of 1916. His pending deployment overseas probably hastened their marriage. Margaret lived in various areas of Saint John while Frank was overseas, sometimes on her own other times with Frank's parents. When Frank was first deployed overseas Margaret lived on Paradise Row, for several months in 1917 she lived with Frank's parents and then in 1918 she moved to Prince Street where she and Frank are listed as living at the time of his discharge in January 1919.
According to the 1921 census Margaret and Frank lived in a rented single family 6 room wood house on Moore Street with a one year old daughter. Did they have any other children? I think they had one other daughter, I'm still trying to confirm with more reliable sources. They did move at least one other time to Main Street where Margaret is listed as residing at the time of her death.
Margaret died on March 2, 1949 in Saint Joseph's Hospital of a cerebral hemorrhage due to Hypertension (stroke?). I wonder if my older siblings have any recollection of Margaret and Frank Best and their family.
Margaret was the second child of Alexander Christie and Margaret Ann Legace. She was born in Bathurst, New Brunswick, Canada on April 16, 1885. She was probably baptisted at Ste. Famille parish like the siblings that are younger than her but I am unable to confirm this as the records for Ste. Famille start on page 9, June 21, 1885. Such is the way with genealogy, not all of the records survive.
Margaret lived with her parents until at least 1901, after that I am unable to find her again until she is married to Frank Leonard Best on May 1, 1916 in Sussex, New Brunswick, Canada. Frank was a WW1 Soldier stationed in Sussex in 1916. Margaret must have met Frank in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada where his parents were living. Margaret's death certificate states she lived in Saint John since approximately 1914. Where was she in 1911 that she is not listed on a census record? How and why did she move to Saint John, almost 400km away from Bathurst? In the early 1900's that seems like such a great distance for a single unmarried women to be away from her family. I did not know that I had relatives living in Saint John prior to my parents. I wonder if knowing a relative in the city was a factor in my mom's decision to move to Saint John and work. If so, then Margaret was the reason my parents met and my siblings and I were born!
Margaret and Frank only had a short time together before Frank was shipped overseas in June of 1916. His pending deployment overseas probably hastened their marriage. Margaret lived in various areas of Saint John while Frank was overseas, sometimes on her own other times with Frank's parents. When Frank was first deployed overseas Margaret lived on Paradise Row, for several months in 1917 she lived with Frank's parents and then in 1918 she moved to Prince Street where she and Frank are listed as living at the time of his discharge in January 1919.
According to the 1921 census Margaret and Frank lived in a rented single family 6 room wood house on Moore Street with a one year old daughter. Did they have any other children? I think they had one other daughter, I'm still trying to confirm with more reliable sources. They did move at least one other time to Main Street where Margaret is listed as residing at the time of her death.
Margaret died on March 2, 1949 in Saint Joseph's Hospital of a cerebral hemorrhage due to Hypertension (stroke?). I wonder if my older siblings have any recollection of Margaret and Frank Best and their family.
Tuesday, 27 May 2014
52 Ancestors: Theodore Godin (1911 - 1916)
I am back over to the Mazerolle-Godin side of my family tree with a very short post as there is not much to find when it is a child you are researching.
Theodore Godin is my Great Uncle. He was born in Paquetville, New Brunswick, Canada in April of 1911 (according to the 1911 census). He was the youngest child of Jean-Aimie Godin and Beatrice Hebert. Theodore had two older sisters and two older brothers. I wonder if he had any memories of his mother as he was only 2 years and 9 months when she died. After the death of his mother his family moved to St. Isidore, New Brunswick, Canada.
Theodore died July 28, 1916 at St. Isidore, New Brunswick, Canada when he was only 5 years and 3 months old. He would not have been in school yet. I wonder if he was looking forward to going to school with the rest of his siblings. How he died or the length of illness is not listed on his death certificate. Why was the reason for his death not listed? You would think that it would be unusual for a child of this age to die without any cause of death noted. Someday I will have to see if I can find where he might be buried in St. Isidore.
Theodore Godin is my Great Uncle. He was born in Paquetville, New Brunswick, Canada in April of 1911 (according to the 1911 census). He was the youngest child of Jean-Aimie Godin and Beatrice Hebert. Theodore had two older sisters and two older brothers. I wonder if he had any memories of his mother as he was only 2 years and 9 months when she died. After the death of his mother his family moved to St. Isidore, New Brunswick, Canada.
Theodore died July 28, 1916 at St. Isidore, New Brunswick, Canada when he was only 5 years and 3 months old. He would not have been in school yet. I wonder if he was looking forward to going to school with the rest of his siblings. How he died or the length of illness is not listed on his death certificate. Why was the reason for his death not listed? You would think that it would be unusual for a child of this age to die without any cause of death noted. Someday I will have to see if I can find where he might be buried in St. Isidore.
Saturday, 24 May 2014
52 Ancestors - Joseph Napolean Pitre (1904-1917) Unlucky 13 Hero Remembered
I'm back after a two week vacation and will try and get caught up between this Saturday and next Saturday with 3 posts instead of 1!
Joseph Napolean Pitre was my Great Uncle on my Mom's side of the family tree. His life seemed to be connected to the number 13, none of it bad until the end.
Napolean was the 13th child of Victor Pitre and was born on the 13th of June 1904. He was born and raised in Petit Rocher, New Brunswick, Canada. At the time of his death he was living with his parents and 12 siblings (5 older and 7 younger), making it 13 children at home.
Not long after his 13th birthday, on July 27, 1917, Napolean died from accidental drowning (confirmed by death records) while trying to save another person (family oral history). Could it have been a sibling? They were all very close in age (just about everyone had a sibling 1 year older and 1 year younger than them). Was it a neighbour or friend playing in the river on a hot summers day? Did they survive or was the community in mourning for the loss of two lives? More digging required into archived newspapers to see if I can find a story.
Napolean, I don't know much about you, you were just starting to become a man when you died. I think you would have grown to be a wonderful person if your selfless act of dying while trying to save another person was any indication of the person you were becoming. Your family family thought you were very brave and told the story of your death so that future generations would know you were a good person.
Joseph Napolean Pitre was my Great Uncle on my Mom's side of the family tree. His life seemed to be connected to the number 13, none of it bad until the end.
Napolean was the 13th child of Victor Pitre and was born on the 13th of June 1904. He was born and raised in Petit Rocher, New Brunswick, Canada. At the time of his death he was living with his parents and 12 siblings (5 older and 7 younger), making it 13 children at home.
Not long after his 13th birthday, on July 27, 1917, Napolean died from accidental drowning (confirmed by death records) while trying to save another person (family oral history). Could it have been a sibling? They were all very close in age (just about everyone had a sibling 1 year older and 1 year younger than them). Was it a neighbour or friend playing in the river on a hot summers day? Did they survive or was the community in mourning for the loss of two lives? More digging required into archived newspapers to see if I can find a story.
Napolean, I don't know much about you, you were just starting to become a man when you died. I think you would have grown to be a wonderful person if your selfless act of dying while trying to save another person was any indication of the person you were becoming. Your family family thought you were very brave and told the story of your death so that future generations would know you were a good person.
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| NB Provincial Returns of Deaths, PITRE, NAPOLEON, 1917-07-27, County:GLOUCESTER |
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