52 Ancestors: Isaac Legace/Legacy/Lagassy/Legassey/.... about 1840 - 1922

Ancestor number 31 that I am writing about this time is my Great-great Grandfather Isaac Legace from my Mom's side of my family tree.

I can not find any record of Isaac's birth or baptism in the church records in Bathurst or Petit Rocher, New Brunswick, Canada. Some of the records are very faded and hard to read so he might be there but I have not been able to decipher it. I think his parents might be Francis Legassey and Matilda Boudreau. They were married in Petit Rocher in 1830 so they would be a good match age wise to be Isaac's parents. There were not many Legace (or the various spellings) in the church records of the early 1800's so the chance that they are his parents are good. The 1851 census records for Gloucester county New Brunswick would have been an excellent place to confirm my suspicions; Isaac would have been young enough to still be home. Unfortunately these particular census records did not survive.

Isaac married Tharsile (Theresa) Daigle on August 7, 1860 in Bathurst, New Brunswick, Canada at the Ste. Famille Parish; unfortunately there is no mention of who their parents were. The 1861 census records for Gloucester county New Brunswick list Isaac and Theresa living in the Northern Section of the parish of Bathurst and Isaac earning a living as a Lumberer. Three households away lived Francis and Matilda Legassey with their 7 children and it is noted that their was a marriage in the previous year (possibly Isaac and Theresa).

Isaac and Theresa started their family right way with the birth of their first child, my Great Grandmother Margaret Ann Legace on September 17, 1861. They had at least 2 other children (both girls) before Isaac was widowed sometime between 1868 - 1871. In 1871 Isaac was unable to read or write, was widowed and earning a living as a Farmer while raising his 3 young girls aged 9, 5 and 3 in the parish of Bathurst.

Sometime between 1871 and 1873 Isaac married Nora Daly. Isaac continued to farm in the Bathurst area while caring for his growing family. By 1881 Isaac had living in his household: his wife Nora, his three daughters from his first marriage and four sons from his marriage to Nora. The McAlpine's New Brunswick Directory 1889-1896, lists an Isaac Legacy as a farmer in Tete-a-Gouche River S.S. of the Bathurst area. Isaac continued to farm and raise his ever growing family in the Bathurst area. In 1991 Isaac and Nora had an additional son and three more daughters. At this time all of Isaac's children were living at home except for this first three daughters. Isaac must have been a successful farmer of a pretty big farm as he employed a farm hand to help him out at the farm. I don't think this was any of his sons as they are not listed as having a profession or occupation.

The 1900's have Isaac continuing to farm but this time each year the family he supports is shrinking. In 1911, he is still farming in South Tetagouche, Bathurst with only his wife Nora and youngest son William still at home. After the death of Nora in 1915 Isaac moved to Fox Creek, Moncton, New Brunswick to live with his daughter Elizabeth who was recently widowed. I wonder why he moved so far away from Bathurst when many of this other children still lived in the area. Did his family convince him to move in with Elizabeth to help her because she was recently widowed?  It is here in Fox Creek where Isaac died on February 13, 1922, at approximately 82 years old, and is buried at the St. Anselme Parish.

L'Acadien - Feb 17, 1922,  http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bXkDAAAAIBAJ&sjid=FCoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5569%2C5901032, Accessed November 2, 2014

Isaac's death was reported by his 22 year old grandson. It is interesting to note that his death certificate lists his year of birth as 1826; 4 years before his suspected parents married. The death notice published in L'Acadien February 17, 1922 lists Isaac's age as 96 years old, probably using the information from the death certificate. This information is suspect as all of the census records point to a year of birth around 1840.

52 Ancestors: Benjamin Hebert: 1798 - 1878

It's been awhile since I've written anything, I have lots of excuses some valid, some not. I'm going to try and get back to my regular weekend postings. This will be my 30th post in the 52 Ancestors challenge. I haven't managed to write weekly but I am striving to keep writing.

This week I am writing about my Great-great-great Grandfather, Benjamin Hebert.

Benjamin was born December 2, 1798 to Joseph Hebert and Theotiste Doucet in possibly Bathurst, Gloucester county, New Brunswick. He was baptized in West Bathurst at St. Famille parish on April 7, 1799 the same day as 4 other baptisms. His godparents were listed as Dominique Doucet and Isabelle Robisson. This could possibly be the brother and sister-in-law of Theotiste.

On November 3, 1817 when Benjamin was 19 years old he married Magdeline Duguay in West Bathurst at St. Famille parish. At the time of his marriage both his mother and father were deceased. Benjamin and Magdeline were married the same day as another couple Augustin Godin and Marguerite Robertson. It must have been a double wedding! They had 3 instead of the usual 2 witnesses and these witnesses are also the same people Augustin and Marguerite had, Pierre Degrace, Augustin Godin, and Tranquille Doucet.

Benjamin and Magdeline must have moved to Shippagan, Gloucester county, New Brunswick some time after they were married as this is where they had at least 6 children baptized (5 boys and 1 girl). Sometime between the birth of their last child in 1835 and 1840 Magdeline died and Benjamin married for a second time to Colette Duguay. I have not been able to find a record for Benjamin and Colette's marriage so I am left wondering if Colette and Magdeline were related or was Duguay just a common last name in the area. Benjamin and Colette has at least 4 children, all boys, the oldest was my great-great grandfather Dazi Hebert.

Benjamin was living in Shippagan with his wife Colette and his 3 youngest sons when the 1871 census of New Brunswick was taken. At this time Benjamin was listed as earning a living as a farmer.  I could probably assume that he was also a fisherman in his younger days as 6 of his sons who were living with him or near by were either fishermen or farmers and fishermen in 1871.

Benjamin died April 26, 1878 in Shippagan and was buried in the St. Jerome parish cemetery. The following people were listed in the parish registry as being in attendance: Ferdinand Hebert, Nicholas Chiasson, Jos. B. Dugue & al.

52 Ancestors: William Christie (1814 - between 1875 - 1881)

I have slowed down on my weekly ancestor posts as I wanted to dig back a little deeper and post some information from earlier in the 1800's. It is taking me a little longer to find information from the early part of the 1800's.

I am on story 29 of my 52 Ancestors challenge. This week I am back to my Mom's side of the family, specifically the Christie's.

William (a.k.a. Guillaume) Christie, the father of Alexander Christie,  was born April 7, 1814 to William (Bill/Guillaume) Christie and Francoise Vienneau. He was baptized on the 9th of June 1814 at Ste. Famille Parish in Bathurst, New Brunswick. His god parents were Joseph Boudrault and Elizabeth LeJeune. These were most likely relatives as his grandmothers maiden name was LeJeune. William was one of one of many William Christie's in his family. He was named after his father and grandfather and he also named one of his sons William and many of his grandchildren have William as a middle name. This has presented some challenges in determining which William Christie records are referring to.

William lived in Petit Rocher with his parents and at least 2 older siblings and 3 younger siblings. It is in Petit Rocher where he must have met his wife Teresa (Tarsiel) Arseneau. William and Teresa were married in Petit Rocher November 27, 1839 with John Christie (William's brother?) and Isidore Arseneau (Teresa's brother?) as their witnesses.

William supported his family by farming. He and Teresa had 12 children between 1840 and 1866. They started raising their family in Petit Rocher but by 1861 they are listed as living in the northern section of the Parish of Bathurst. They may have moved their family when Teresa's father left them land after his death. Between January and March 1855 William paid 5 shillings to 6 children and co-heirs of Isadore Arseneau (Teresa's father) and in September 1856 paid 5 shillings to 3 additional sons and co-heirs of Isadore Arseneau in consideration of the will and desire of Isadore Arseneau.

This land consisted of  "...part of lot A adjoining the north parish line of Bathurst aforesaid and originally granted to the said Isadore Arseneau deceased under the name of Theodore Arseneau Viz. to commence at the north east point of the dividing line between said lot A and the lot owned or occupied by John Boyle thence following the said dividing line southerly and westerly to the rear of the grant then northerly along the said rear thirty rods thence to the shore parallel with the said division line thence following the courses of the shore to the place of beginning save and except the salt marsh in front of the same heretofore conveyed to the late Germain Landry which salt marsh is especially reserved and excepted out of this conveyance to contain fifty acres more or less together with all and singular the rights members privileges and appurtenances to the same belonging or in any wise appertaining with there version and reversions remainder and remainders rents issues and profits thereof...."

There are several land records in the 1830's and 1850's that involve a William Christie that need some further review to determine if this is this William or his father.

On May 19th 1875 William filed his will with the land registry office. It states that he is from Peter's River Parish of Bathurst and is of feeble health but sound mind. He leaves everything to his wife until her death and then it is to fall to his son John who is to give specific items to his brothers Alex and William, maintain his brothers Charles and Francis until they are of age and give his sister Louisa sheep.

William died between the time his will was registered and the next census in 1881.

52 Ancestors: Isaac Hebert (1872 - 1936)

I'm back this week to my Dad's side of the family or more specifically to my Grandmother's side.

Isaac Hebert is my Great Great Uncle. He was the first born son of Dazi (Dasie, D'Assis, plus other spellings) and Marie (Clementine) Robert and brother to my Great Grandmother Beatrice Hebert. Although I have not found any baptism or birth records for him I believe that he was most likely born in Shippagan on March 8-9, 1871-72 based on the contents of various census records and his death certificate.

Isaac lived and worked along side his father as a farmer and fisherman in Shippagan, New Brunswick, Canada, with his 10 other siblings, until at least 1891.  On Sept 7, 1891 Isaac married widower Angele Thibodeau in the Roman Catholic Church of Shippagan. One of the witnesses to his marriage was Isaac's younger brother Honore.

Isaac and Angele lived in Shippagan when their first three children were born where I assume that he continued to support his family with farming and fishing. Isaac must have felt strong ties to his family as he name his first born son and daughter after his parents.

Sometime between 1895 and 1897 Isaac moved his family from Shippagan to Paquetville (a distance of about 50 kilometers). This move would have happened during the same time period that Isaac's father moved his family from Shippagan to Paquetville.  I wonder if they moved at the same time or did one family move first and get settled and the other follow them? The 1901 census has them living just one household away from each other with another Hebert family in between (possibly a brother to Dazi, based on the age stated). Isaac's family continued to grow with the addition of three more children, unfortunately their last child died when only one month old. Isaac supported this growing family mainly by farming but he also supplemented his income as a labourer, earning $48 dollars for 2 months of work in 1901. In 1911 Isaac was still farming but he only had his two youngest children left at home. Sometime between 1911 and 1921 Isaac and Angele adopted a son who was born around 1907. Who is this child and how and why did they adopt him? Another genealogy puzzle to solve.

Isaac continued to farm right up until his death from Tuberculosis on Feb 28, 1936 in Paquetville, Range St. Georges.

52 Ancestors: Pierre Pitre 1856 - 1938

Pierre Pitre is my Great Great Uncle. He was the 8th child of Hilaire Pitre and Tarsille Boudreau and was born in Bathurst, New Brunswick, Canada sometime around 1856. When Pierre was 3 or 4 months old he moved with his family to Beresford, New Brunswick, Canada (according to a typed written note at the bottom of his death certificate). This might be incorrect as Pierre's younger brother Victor was baptized in Feb/61 in Bathurst and is recorded on the 1861 census (taken in April) as living in Beresford. I think who provided the information may have confused who was a few months old when the family moved to Beresford.

Pierre was raised in Beresford where he attended school with his siblings and learned to read and write and speak both English and French. In 1881, Pierre was farming with his father and living at home with his older widowed sister (Jane), younger brother (Victor), older brother (Joseph) and his wife (Helene) and their young son (Alphonse).

Sometime between the 1881 Census; when he was single and living with his parents; and 1885; the birth of his first child; Pierre married Elizabeth Doucet. I have not been able to find their marriage recorded in the county register or parish registry. I'm going to have to expand my parish records search to Petit Rocher and West Bathurst and be on the look out for alternate spellings.

Pierre provided for his family by farming and working as a labourer. He and Elizabeth raised 8 of their 9 children, from their marriage date until at least 1901, on the farm not far from where Pierre's parents and 3 of his 4 brothers lived. Pierre's children were sent to school and learned to read and write and spoke English and French. When his sons were older (15-16) they began helping out on the farm and working odd jobs or at the sawmill. Sometime between 1901 and 1911 Pierre moved his family off of the family land and 60 houses/farms way towards the middle of Beresford. Why did Pierre move his family away from where he had lived almost his entire life? Did it have something to do with the death of his parents in 1902? Was he not given any of his father's land? For whatever reason he moved his family, he returned to the family land and was living next door to his brother Victor in 1921 with his wife Elizabeth, his grandson, daughter-in-law and son Joseph.

Pierre died December 26, 1938 at approximately 83 years old. It must have been a sad Christmas that year.

Death Certificate Pierre Pitre via NB Archives

52 Ancestors: Marie Mazerolle (1856/7 - 1955)

I'm back over to the Mazerolle side of my family tree, this time to Marie Mazerolle my Great Great Aunt.

Marie was the fifth child and second daughter of Germain Mazerolle and Christine Hache. I have been unable to locate Marie's baptism certificate to confirm her date of birth, guess I will need to look page by page on the parish registry to see if I can find it (no time to do that last week!). Her age and birth year vary over the census years, they were listed as: 1856 (5yrs old in 1861), 1861 (30yrs old in 1891 & 40yrs old in 1901) to 1866 (45years old in 1911). Her birth month, May, when stated has always been consistent. Based her first showing up on the census records in 1861 and her death certificate I have concluded that she was born in May of 1856/57 in Pokemouche, Gloucester county, New Brunswick, Canada.

Marie was raised and went to school (learning to read and write) in Inkerman, Gloucester county, New Brunswick, Canada with her 9 brothers and sisters. She continued to live in Inkerman even after her marriage to George Bruno St. Pierre on Sunday Jan 6, 1878 at l'Immaculee Conception parish, Pokemouche-en-Haut. It must have been a celebration for the whole community that Sunday mass, welcoming in the new year and the beginning of a new family.

Marie and George lived with George's parents and younger siblings at the start of their marriage until at least after their second child was born. It must have been a lively household as Marie & her mother-in-law both had children born around the same time (Marie's first child and her mother-in-law's last child). With large families this must happen often as my oldest sibling and my youngest aunt on my Dad's side can attest to.

When Marie and George moved into their own household they did not move far, the lived right next door! They continued to live right next door raising their 11 children (4 boys & 7 girls) until at least 1901. Starting around this time Marie's children began to marry and start families of their own. By 1911, with the 4 oldest children married, they were down to only 7 children living at home. In 1921 they were living in the Cowan Creek area of Inkerman with only their youngest child still living at home. They were not far from their 3 youngest sons as they settled with their families right next door to each other with Marie and George living in the middle of them. Marie may have been losing her children to marriage but she was rapidly gaining grandchildren (9 living next door).

At some point between census periods or after 1921 Marie adopted a 12th child, a girl. I don't have any information on this child, other than her name and who she married. This information was obtained from Marie's funeral notice that was published in the Nov 11, 1955 edition of l'Evangeline. This is another mystery to solve!

At the time of her death Marie was still living in the Cowan Creek are of Inkerman, possibly with her youngest son. Marie's death was reported by her youngest son on October 31, 1955. She was 98/99 years old at the time of her death. This seems like an incredibly long life for anyone, let alone someone who was born in 1856/7. We seem to have some long lives on the Mazerolle side of the family tree.

 Nov 11, 1955 edition of l'Evangeline

 Nov 11, 1955 edition of l'Evangeline

52 Ancestors: Joseph Alexander Christie (1886 - 1979) Sawmill worker to Sawmill Manager

Joseph Alexander Christie is my Great Uncle on my Mom's side of my family tree. He was born on May 24, 1886 to Alexander Christie and Margaret Legace in Peter's River (West Bathurst, Gloucester, New Brunswick, Canada), he was their third child and first son. Joseph was baptized on May 30, 1886 when he was 6 days old. His baptism sponsors were Francis Christie and Elizabeth Legacey, most likely his Uncle and Aunt.

In 1891 Joseph lived in West Bathurst with his parents, 2 older sisters, a younger sister and brother and his grandmother Teresa Christie (Arseneault). He went to school and learned to read and write. Sometime after completing his schooling he went to work for the sawmill in Beresford, this must have been how he met his future wife as she was from Petit Rocher (just a little further down the road).

When Joseph was 21 he married Rose Godin in Petit Rocher, Gloucester, New Brunswick on May 21, 1907 at St. Polycarpe parish. The witnesses for their marriage were Maggie Christie (Joseph's sister) and Arthur Godin (Rose's brother?). Joseph and Rose started their family right away with the birth of their first child Catheline in April 1908 and a second daughter Delia in May 1910. Joseph worked on average 60 hours per week earning less than $10 per week. In 1910 his yearly earnings from the sawmill were $320 for 48 weeks of work. This was close to the average wage and hours of work for mill workers in 1910. In 1911 Joseph's household consisted of his wife Rose, daughters Catheline and Delia and a 4 year old girl from the U.S. that is listed as a lodger. I don't know how this girl came to live with them or what happened to her after 1911, she is a mystery to solve!

Joseph and Rose continued to expand their family with the birth of daughters Margarette in 1915, Frances in 1917 and Josephine in 1919. In 1920 after the death of his sister Brigitte and her husband, Joseph's nephew Wilfred Daigle came to live with him (finally a boy in the house!). Joseph and Rose continued their family with a 6th daughter, Georgine, in 1921. Joseph and his family were living in West Bathurst in 1921 and Joseph continued to work at the sawmill except that he was no longer a labourer, he had moved to Manager and now earned $1000 per year. Joseph continued to work at the sawmill until his retirement sometime between 1953-1957.

Joseph lived his entire life in West Bathurst. He died in 1979 at the age of 92 and is buried in the New Holy Family Roman Catholic Cemetry in Bathurst, Gloucester, New Brunswick.