French-Canadian History – Tales of a Family

Marie Louise Cloutier

Published on June 26, 2022June 27, 2022 by Ann Marie Bryant1 Comment

On 18 Mar 1632, Marie Louise Cloutier was born in Mortangne-su-Perche, France to Zacharie and Sainte (Dupont) Cloutier. She was the youngest of six children.

Archives départementales de l’Orne – État Civil, Mortagne-au-Perche, Paroisse Saint-Jean et Saint-Malo, Registres Paroissiaux, 1600-1712, 3NUMECRP293/AC293_24, p. 162.

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Fleur-de-lis

Published on March 19, 2022March 19, 2022 by Ann Marie BryantLeave a comment

The untainted symbol also represented the purity, strength, and power of a mother’s love for her children.

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Marie-Marguerite Dufrost de Lajemmerais: The Mother of Universal Charity

Published on March 10, 2022March 13, 2022 by Ann Marie BryantLeave a comment

Margueritte d’Youville – Le Mémorial du Québec, 1918

All the wealth in the world cannot be compared with the happiness of living together happily united.

— Marie-Marguerite Dufrost de Lajemmerais – Saint Marie-Marguerite d’Youville

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Marie Deshayes: A Daughter of the King

Published on March 7, 2022March 9, 2022 by Ann Marie Bryant1 Comment

Jean Talon, Bishop François de Laval and several settlers welcome the King’s Daughters upon their arrival. Painting by Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale.

On July 3, 1668, when she was about sixteen, Marie sailed to New France on the ship, La Nouvelle France.

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Almost Forgotten: The Marriageable Girls

Published on April 1, 2020February 3, 2022 by Ann Marie Bryant2 Comments

Often, life in France offered little hope for women. Arranged marriages prevailed, and most women did not have a say in the matter of matrimony, for parental consent was required for women under the age of twenty-five. For poor families that could not offer a dowry, marriage opportunities for the women were bleak.

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When Stars Begin to Fall – Part Six – The Reckoning

Published on March 15, 2020February 3, 2022 by Ann Marie Bryant5 Comments

Thinking of home, loneliness spread through him, and he longed for his family. Time away from those he loved caused him to regret his decision. More than once, the wood runner wanted to be under his own roof, with his wife and children.

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When Stars Begin to Fall – Part Five – A Fork in the Road

Published on March 15, 2020February 3, 2022 by Ann Marie BryantLeave a comment

“Even okwaho, a lone wolf, needs its pack, my son.”

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When stars Begin to Fall – Part Four – The Marriage

Published on March 15, 2020February 3, 2022 by Ann Marie Bryant2 Comments

As the couple rode together, it seemed as if even the land celebrated and rejoiced with them. Autumn had arrived, and the countryside was ablaze in color.
“This land is so beautiful,” Jeanne contentedly sighed.

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When Stars Begin to Fall – Part Three – The Welcoming

Published on March 15, 2020February 3, 2022 by Ann Marie Bryant2 Comments

When the sun began to set along La Manche, Jeanne marveled at the radiant site. It was as reverent as her church, so she sent a silent request. Peace for her mother, kindheartedness for her future husband, and protection for their long journey.

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