Magazine a Franco-American treasure trove

I’ll say it again. I love Le Forum, the publication of Le Centre Franco-Americain at the University of Maine.

It’s not just for those who speak and read French. The magazine is a tremendous resource for those who want to increase their understanding of Franco-American culture – or perhaps share some of that culture with their children and grandchildren.

Norbert Michaud has a fascinating article, “Who Was the Stronger Frenchman, Canada’s Louis Cyr or Maine’s John Gagnon?”

Gagnon, the son of Louis and Sophie (Levasseur) Gagnon of Caribou, was reported in 1923 as having lifted a total of 16,650 pounds in 25 minutes – a combination of lifts by finger, one hand, two hands and knee, neck, harness, teeth, arm, arms and back. Goodness!

For genealogists, Gerald O. Lesperance wrote the useful “Tracing French-Canadians from Vermont Back to Quebec in the 19th Century.”

Even if your Franco-Americans didn’t go to Vermont, the ideas he discusses may be helpful. Like many, he has a name that was something different in France, Landie, which became Landie dit Lesperance and then just Lesperance.

His article may prompt you to seek out some of the Canadian resources at the Maine State Library in Augusta or Fogler Library at the University of Maine.

Another interesting piece is “The French-Canadians of Brunswick, Maine,” by Denise P. Deshaies, drawing from a 1946 article by William N. Locke, a Bowdoin professor.

The Cabot Mill, a textile company, recruited workers from Quebec and even Ontario in the mid-19th century. They came from counties such as L’Islet and Kamouraska.

(Many French-Canadians who settled in the St. John Valley also came from Kamouraska. Their lines had moved from Quebec City, migrating a little farther up the St. Lawrence River every few generations.)

The immigrants to Brunswick were noted for being diligent, talented workers, but a separate, self-contained community. “For many years the local newspaper did not even record Franco-American births, marriages and deaths,” Locke pointed out. Nor did local histories of the late 19th century take into account the Franco-American presence.

Other features of this issue include Bob Chenard’s “The French Connection,” including some marriage records of the Paquette family. Chenard has been writing this column for 17 years!

The issue is dedicated to the memory of Marcella (Belanger) Violette of Van Buren, the first woman from the St. John Valley to have earned a doctorate. A teacher for many years and strong advocate for the University of Maine at Fort Kent, she was the wife of legislator and Maine Supreme Court Justice Elmer Violette.

Many of Le Forum’s articles are in English, and some in French. And Ginny Sand of Bangor, who didn’t learn French until adulthood, has written three pieces in English – and also in French. One is “The Door to Everywhere,” about a trip to the Gaspe in her youth.

Even if your French is from your high school days, you may enjoy reading these articles in French, with the English translations to help when needed.

Here’s another sports item. Yves Chartrand of Ottawa wrote “Two Years Later … And Other Coincidences from Maine,” about baseball. You may know the names Aldrick J. Gaudette and Adelphia “Del” Bissonette.

Subscriptions to Le Forum are $20 in the United States, $25 outside the U.S., and $40 for libraries, sent to Le Centre Franco-Americaine, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5719. Lots of Maine libraries should have Le Forum. If yours doesn’t, why not offer to purchase a gift subscription in memory of your Franco-American ancestors for the library?

3360. NADEAU-MARQUIS-DUPRE-DEPREY-LAPLANT. Seeking date and place of death for Joseph Nadeau, born Aug. 16, 1850, to Fabien Nadeau and Marie (Marquis). Joseph married Marie Dupre April 5, 1875, in Fort Kent, and they had four children: Lydia or Meddie, Jeannie, Alfred and Clara. Also seeking date and place of death for Joseph Deprey and Alma or Emma (LaPlant) Deprey, who were married Feb. 18, 1878, in Fort Kent. They may have lived in Wallagrass. Pauline Nelson, 13 Cedar St., East Millinocket, ME 04430-1023.

Send genealogy queries to Family Ties, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402; or send e-mail, familyti@bangordailynews.net.