Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Tombstone Tuesday: Marie Louise Leontine Lefebvre nee Robillard, Cimetiere St-Joseph, Chelmsford, Massachusetts

This week for Tombstone Tuesday I am posting the final resting place of my great-grand aunt Marie-Louise-Leontine Robillard. Leontine, as I call her, was born and baptized on 6 Nov., 1868 in Ste-Melanie, Joliette co., Quebec. She was the daughter of Jerome and Sophie Riberdy. She was the 7th child born to Jerome and Sophie Riberdy.

[Gabriel Drouin, Institut Généalogique Drouin, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Le Fonds Drouin 1621-1967, Quebec vital records, 1868, Ste. Melanie d'Aillebout, Co-Joliette, PQ, pg. 17, B.69 Marie Louise Leontie, Register Photocopy to the Greffe of Joliette]

According to Family Search Record Search, Leontine married Victor Lefebvre (Joseph, Eugenie or Virgine Jacob) on 6 Sept., 1887 in Lowell, Middlesex, Massachusetts. I need to obtain more records to verify the date of this marriage.

Also, there is some confusion surrounding the date of Leontine's death. Family Search Record Search has her date of death as 5 Dec., 1911 in Lowell, but St-Joseph Cemetery has her date of burial as 1 Dec., 1911. Further research must be done to try and clear the confusion.

According to the cemetery records, Leontine is buried in section J, lot 514. She is buried with her son Victor, who, according to cemetery records, was buried on 26 July 1948. Also, in the same plot is a Rene Deziel, Joseph Broulet, Rose Deziel and a Joseph Paquin. I have not found an obituary for Leontine yet and the research surrounding this family is on going. Please contact me for the latest updates.


Friday, August 20, 2010

The Marriages of Louis Gaspard Robillard, Ste-Melanie, Joliette, Quebec

My current research goal is to track the children, all 23 of them, of my g-g-grandfather Jerome Robillard (Louis, Genevieve Riberdy). I know I have a big job laid out in front of me, but I am well on my way.

In an attempt to accomplish this goal I sometimes browse the public trees on ancestry.com to see what other people may have for information on Jerome's children. And the keyword here is, browse, as I'm just looking. I do my own research and I don't take from others. Anyway, while browsing through ancestry.com today I came across a family tree which includes my great-grand uncle Gaspard Robillard (Jerome, Sophie Riberdy). Actually, I have two great-grand uncles with the name of Gaspard, Louis Gaspard Alfred who is the one mentioned in this ancestry tree, and Pierre Jerome Gaspard, both born to the same parents. In this tree that I came across, it incorrectly documents the date and place of Gapspard's first marriage to Marie Percide Parent.  I know this because I had researched both Gaspards, Louis Gaspard and Jerome Gaspard, some time ago and at the time of this research there was great confusion in regard to which Gaspard married whom. But I believe I got that mess figured out and you can read about that here. The other Gaspard, Louis Gaspard's brother, Pierre Jerome Gaspard, married Marie Lea 'Delia' Bonin and their family ended up settling in Rensselaer & Albany counties in New York. You can read about some of that research here.

So, back to the tree on ancestry. In an attempt to correct the aforementioned tree on ancestry, I have contacted the owner of the tree and I am posting the marriage record of Louis Gaspard Robillard and Marie Percide Parent in order to aid in that the correction.

Louis Gaspard Alfred Robillard was born 15 April 1866 and baptised the next day at the parish of Ste-Melanie in Joliette county Quebec. A son of Jerome Robillard and Sophie Riberdy, he was one of 23 (15th) children born to his father Jerome and his 2 wives. Louis Gaspard married Marie Percide Parent (Isidore, Emelie Etu) on 3 April 1883 at the parish of Ste-Melanie, Joliette county, Quebec. Click the image below to enlarge. For a specific source citation please contact me.

If we take a look at the acte in the image below you will see that Jerome Robillard, Louis Gaspard's father; Leontine, L. Gaspard's sister; L.Gaspard, himself;  his wife, Marie Percide; and some others, whom were present, all signed.


However, and unfortunately, Louis Gaspard's bride, Marie Percide, dies sometime between 1883 and 1889. I know this as I have found a marriage for Louis Gaspard and his sister-in-law, Elisa Parent.. Louis Gaspard Alfred Robillard and Elisa Parent were married 29 April 1889 at the parish of Ste-Melanie, Joliette co., Quebec.



If we take a look at this acte in the image above you will see that there is a bans of dispensation in the first degree for affinity. Gaspard, an instituteur (a teacher, like his father), is also the widower of Percide Parent. Those present are Jean-Baptiste Brisset dit Courshaine, brother-in-law of the wife, and Isidore Parent, brother of the wife, all of whom did not sign.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Wordless Wednesday: Celine Courtois nee Mayotte

Therese Mayotte, Alice Mayotte nee Jodoin, Gerard Mayotte and Celine Courtois nee Mayotte

Photograph received from the personal collection of Susan Mayotte Johnson 2010

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Tombstone Tuesday: Mr. Francis Xavier Bergeron, Cimetiere St-Joseph, Chelmsford, Massachusetts

In a follow up to a post that I made last week, I am posting the final resting place and obituary of my first cousin 2x removed, Josephine Robillard's husband, Francis Bergeron. Born as Francois Xavier Bergeron, Francis was the son of Philippe (Francois, Louise Hele ou Helie?) and Odelie Courshaine (Damase, Margeuerite Lafond). He was born and baptised on 23 Feb. 1888 at St-Cyrille de Wendover, Drummond co., Quebec. In 1918 Francis worked for the Lawrence Manufacturing Company on Suffolk street in Lowell as a bolter and as far I can tell, he and Josephine only had one child. Francis died in 1952, twelve years before his wife, and is buried in section A, lot 112 with his parents and siblings.


Published in the Lowel Sun Thursday 24 April, 1952, pg. 6.

FRANCIS X. BERGERON
Francis X. Bergeron died last evening at St. Joseph's hospital. He was born at St. Cyrille P.Q. Canada, and had been a resident of this community for over 50 years. Mr. Bergeron was a machine operator in a cotton mill. He was a member of the Holy Name society of St. Jean Baptiste parish and also of the CMAC. Besides his wife, Mrs. Josephine (Robillard) Bergeron of Lowell, he is survived by a daughter, Miss Cecile Bergeron of Lowell; four sisters, Mrs. Claire Theriault, Mrs. Rose Bergeron and Mrs. Mira Brassard of Lowell and Mrs. Regina Lafond of Drummondville, Canada; three brothers, Deneri, Arthur and William Bergeron , all of Lowell; also several nieces and nephews.


BERGERON -- Died in Lowell, April 23, suddenly at St. Joseph's hospital, Francis Xavier Bergeron of 53 Salem street. Calling hours from 7 to 10 p.m. today and from 1 to 10 p.m. Friday. at the Tremblay funeral home, 744 Merrimack street. Funeral mass in St. Jean Baptiste church Saturday morning at 9 o'clock. Burial in St. Joseph's cemetery under the direction of the Joseph E. Tremblay funeral directors.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

The Obituary of Mrs. Bergeron nee Josephine Robillard

Published in the Lowell Sun, 22 July, 1964.

Mrs. Bergeron
Mrs. Josephine (Robillard) Bergeron, wife of the late Francois Xavier Bergeron, died this morning at her home. She was born in Lowell and had been a life-long resident of the community, establishing her home at 53 Salem street. By occupation before her retirement she was a spinner. She is survived by one daughter Cecile Bergeron.


BERGERON-- Died, July 22 at her home. Mrs. Josephine (Robillard) Bergeron of 53 Salem street. Calling hours are from 2-5 and 7-10 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the Tremblay funeral home, 744 Merrimack street. Solemn high mass in St. Jean Baptiste church, Saturday at 3 a.m. Burial in St. Joseph cemetery. Tremblay Funeral Home.

Born abt. 1893, Josephine was the daughter of Louis Arsene Robillard (Jerome, Sophie Riberdy) and Josephine Albert. (Fermin, Genevieve?) Josephine married Francois Bergeron in Lowell, MA on 8 Jan, 1911. According to cemetery records, Josephine was interred in the free ground at St-Joseph Cemetery in Chelmsford,  MA on 25 July, 1964 at the age of 71.


Wednesday, August 11, 2010

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday: Undertaker Joseph Albert, Lowell, Massachusetts



While browsing through the Museum Collection of the Lowell National Historical Park I found a photograph of a man whom I believe to be Undertaker Joseph Albert of Lowell, MA. Joseph Albert was the son of Felix Albert and Desneiges Michaud. I have done some minimal research on Joseph and his family, you can read about it here.

[LOWE 650, Museum Collection online: http://www.museum.nps.gov/lowe/page.htm; Lowell National Historical Park, Undated, Mounted sepia photographic print depicting Mr. Joseph Albert seated in carriage in front of St. Jean Baptiste rectory. The statue of Fr. Guerin is visible. The mount stock is black.]

I believe this photo to be in the public domain. If anyone knows otherwise please contact me.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Thursday, August 05, 2010

The Obituary of Mr. Ludger Maille of Dracut, Massachusetts

Published in the Lowell Sun, 18 April, 1973, pg. 44.
Ludger Maille

...Lowell native

DRACUT -- Ludger M. Maille of 204 Pleasant Street, husband of Beatrice (Bonin) Maille, died yesterday at St. Joseph's Hospital. Born in Lowell, he was the son of the late Adam and of the late Maria (Prud'homme) Maille. He was the former owner of the Elm Farm Dairy and prior to his retirement he had been employed with the Middlesex County Training School. He also was a communicant of Ste. Therese's Church and a member of the L'Union Saint Jean Baptiste D'Amerique. His survivors include his wife, Beatrice (Bonin) Maille; one son, Andre J. of Lowell and five grandchildren, Robert J. Maille of Dracut, Donald A., Richard M., Andre J., and Dawn N. Mitchell all of Carlton City Mass.

MAILLE -- Died in Lowell, April 17, at St. Joseph's Hospital, Ludger M. Maille of 204 Pleasant St., Dracut. Friends may call at the Amedee Archambault & Sons Funeral Home, 309 + 311 Pawtucket St., from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday. Funeral Friday morning at 9 o'clock at Notre Dame de Lourdes Church where Libera will be sung. A post burial funeral mass will be celebrated Monday morning at 9 o'clock at Notre Dame de Lourdes Church. Burial in St. Joseph's Cemetery. Funeral Director Victor J. Archambault.

The Obituary of Sister St. Jean d'Avila (Maire Anne Maille), Lowell, Massachusetts

Published in the Lowell Sun, 24 Oct, 1961, pg. 3.

Was Nun for Many Years


Sister St. Jean d'Avila (Marie Anne Maille) of D'Youville Manor, died yesterday at St. Joseph's hospital. Born in Lowell, the daughter of J. A. and the late Maria (Prudhomme) Maille, she entered the community of the Grey Nuns of the Cross in Ottowa, Canada in 1905. She took her religious profession on January 4, 1908. She devoted herself as a teacher, superior and directrice of retreats in the following missions: Ogdensburg, N.Y., teacher and superior; St. Joseph's convent, Lowell, teacher; St. Joseph's hospital, Sudbury, Ontario, librarian, Notre Dame de Lourdes convent, Lowell, superior; Our Lady of the Sacred heart convent, Haverhill; Mount St. Joseph's Rolfe street, Lowell: St. Joseph's hospital and D'Youville Manor, Lowell, in charge of the gift shops. Sister St. Jean d'Avila is survived by one brother, Ludger Maille of Dracut.

The Obituary of Louis P. Maille, Dracut, Massachusetts

Published in the Lowell Sun, 7 Feb, 1952, pg. 4.
Dracut School Janitor Dies

DRACUT--Louis P. Maille, a lifelong resident of this town died last night at his home, 40 Arlington avenue. He has been in failing health for sometime but his death was unexpected.

Mr. Maille was employed as a janitor of the Dracut high school.
Surviving him is his wife, Mrs. Germain (Lecourt) Maille; three sons, Raymond G. Maille of California, Lionel P. Maille and Robert C. Maille of Dracut; four daughters, Mrs. Joseph Dunn, Miss Carmen Maille, Miss Lorraine Maille, and Miss Jeannine Maille of Dracut; two sisters, Mrs. Alfred J. Dufour of Dracut and Mrs. Edgar Martin of Van Buren Me., and a grandchild.

He was a member of the Holy Name society of St. Louis de France parish and a member of the Dracut Police association.

MAILLE--Died in Dracut, Feb. 6, Louis P. Maille, husband of Germaine (Lecourt) Maille of 40 Arlington avenue. Friends are invited to call at the Archambault funeral home, 311 Pawtucket street, from 7 to 10 p. m. today and from 2 to 10 p. m. Friday. Funeral Saturday morning. At 10 o'clock in St. Louis de France church a solemn high mass of requiem will be celebrated and burial will take place in St. Joseph's cemetery. Funeral Directors Amedee Archambault & Son in charge.

The Obituary of Mr. Edmond Maille, Lowell, Massachusetts

Published in the Lowell Sun, 11 Oct., 1952, pg. 3.
EDMOND MAILLE

Edmond Maille of 63 Norcross street, husband of Mrs. Virginie (Cayer) Maille, died last night at St. John's hospital after a long illness. He was 85. He was the son of the late Eusebe and Angele (Charette [sic]) Maille. Mr. Maille was born in Canada. For many years he was employed as a carpenter at the old Hamilton mills. He retired 10 years ago. He is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Maria Lemire, Mrs. Alice Lebleu and Mrs. Frederick J. Marshall, all of Lowell; three brothers, Harvey of Lowell, Phillip of Springfield and Arthur, better known as Eddie, of Lowell and several nieces and nephews, including Rev. Sister Jean d'Avila of the Grey Nuns of the Cross of this city. He held membership in the Holy Name society of Notre dame de Lourdes parish.

MAILLE--Died in Lowell, Oct. 10, at St. John's hospital, Edmond Maille of 63 Norcross street, husband of Virginie (Cayer) Maille. Funeral Monday morning at 9 o'clock from the Archambault funeral home, 311 Pawtucket street. Solemn high mass at 10 o'clock in Notre Dame de Lourdes church. Calling hours from 2 to 5 and 7 to 10 p. m. today and Sunday. Burial in St. Joseph's cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of Funeral Directors Amedee Archambault and Son.

The Obituary of Mrs. Eva (Wagner) Maille, Dracut, Massachusetts

Published in the Lowell, Sun, 12 Oct, 1948, pg. 3.

MRS. EVA MAILLE


Mrs. Eva (Wagner) Maille, widow of Adam Maille of 16 Gregg street, Dracut, Center, died early last night at her home after a long illness. She was born in Canada, daughter of Alexis and Octavie (Beauparlant) Wagner, removing to this community where she had resided for the past 50 years. She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Alfred Dufoe and Mrs. Edgar Martin, and a son, Phillippe Maille of Dracut; five brothrs, Joseph and Gedeon Wagner of Lowell, Albert and Leo Wagner of Biddeford, Me., and Evangelis Wagner of Norwalk, Conn.; six sisters, Mrs. Albini Blanchette of Fall River, Mrs. Walter Pope of Lowell, Mrs. Arthur Germain of Haverhill, Mrs. Wilbrood Desmaris of Lowell and Mrs. Joseph Durand of Lowell; 11 grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.


MAILLE--Died in Dracut, Oct. 11, Eva (Wagner) Maille, widow of Adam Maille, of 16 Gregg street. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Archambault funeral home from 1 to 4 and from 7 to 10 p. m. Funeral Thursday morning at 9 o'clock in St. Louis de France church, a solemn high mass of requiem will be celebrated and burial will take place in St. Joseph's cemetery. Funeral Director Amedee Archambault & Son in charge.

The Obituary of Mrs. Felanise (Courtois) Gaudette

Published in the Lowell Sun, 3 March, 1925, pg. 3.

GAUDETTE--Mrs. Felanise (Courtois) Gaudette, widow of Alexander Gaudette, died Saturday at the home of her granddaughter, Mrs. Joseph Carle, 32 Pawtucket street, aged 74 years. She had been a resident of Lowell for over half a century. Besides her granddaughter, she is survived by one son, Edward St. Godard of Malden; four sisters, Mrs. Simon Langlais of Canada, Mrs. Axilda Mailloux and the Misses Delphine and Denise Courtois, the three latter of this city, and two brothers, Moise Courtois of Lowell and Oliver Courtois of Lynn.


GAUDETTE--Died in this city March 21, at 32 Pawtucket street, Mrs. Felanise (Courtois) Gaudete. Funeral will take place Tuesday morning at 7:15 from the home of her granddaughter, Mrs. Joseph Carle, 32 Pawtucket street. Solemn high funeral mass will be celebrated at St Jean Baptiste church at 8 o'clock. Burial in St. Joseph's cemetery, Funeral Director Joseph Albert in charge.

The Obituary of Mrs. Eugenie M. (Ferron) Gagnon of East Chelmsford, Massachusetts

Published in the Lowell Sun, 15 April, 1970, pg. 56

Mrs. Gagnon


...Notre Dame de Lourdes


EAST CHELMSFORD--Mrs. Eugenie M. (Ferron) Gagnon, 82 of 64 Gorham St. died unexpectedly yesterday noon at St. Joseph's hospital. Born in St. Pauline, P.Q., Canada, she was a daughter of the late Cluade and Georgianna (Rabouin) Ferron. She was a communicant of Notre dame de Lourdes church and was a member of the parish Sodality. She was also a member of the Merguerite D'Youville Charity League, L'Association Educatrice Franco Americaine, the Cercle Jeanne Mance and L'Americale of St. Joseph Achievement Club.


Surviving her are two sons, Arthur Gagnon of Dracut and Raymond Gagnon, East Chelmsford; three daughters, Mrs. William (Doris) Stafford of Southington, Conn., Mrs. John (Rena) Campbell of Dracut and Mrs. Albert (Therese) Larose of east Chelmsford; three sisters, Mrs. Blanche Guillemette, Mrs. Victoria Simoneau and Mrs. Yvonne Moran all of Lowell; nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

The Obituary of Paul L. Gormley Sr., Dracut, Massachusetts

Published in the Lowell Sun, 11 Oct, 1956, pg. 3.

PAUL L. GORMLEY SR.


Paul L. Gormley Sr., husband of Mrs. Alice M. (Therrien) Gormley, and a well known resident of the Collinsville section of Dracut, residing at 1 Water street, died unexpectedly this morning at his home. He was born in Lowell, the son of the late Francis and Catherine (Riley) Gormley. Mr. Gormley was employed at the Suffolk Knitting mill as a second hand in the spinning room. He was a member of St. Mary's parish in Collinsville. He is survived by his wife; three sons, Paul L. Gormley Jr., who is associated with the Curtis-Marble Co. of Worcester as an engineer, Gerald F. Gormley of the USMC, stationed at Parish Island, S. C.; and Robert C. Gormley of Collinsville; and a sister, Mrs. Charles. F. Edlund of Lowell.

The Obituary of Joseph Ferron, Lowell, Massachusetts

catching up on some obituaries today..

Published in the Lowell Sun, 9 Oct, 1956, pg. 3

Joseph Ferron, a resident of Lowell for the past 60 years, making his home with his sister, Mrs. Victoria Simoneau, at 33 Cosgrove stret, died last night following a long illness. He had been an employee of the Boston & Maine railroad for many years, retiring several years ago. He is survived by four sisters, Mrs. Joseph gagnon of Chelmsford, Mrs. Blanche Guillmette, Mrs. Victoria Simoneau and Mrs. Yvonne Moran of Lowell; also several nieces and nephews. Mr. Ferron held membership in the Holy Name society of St. Jean-Baptiste church, the CCA club and the Passe-Temps club.

Published in the Lowell Sun, 11 Oct, 1956, pg. 3.


JOSEPH FERRON
The funeral of Joseph Ferron took place this morning from the funeral home, 311 Pawtucket street. Preceded by a flower car, the cortege arrived at Notre Dame de Lourdes church at 9 o'clock where a solemn high mass of requiem was celebrated by Rev. Lionel Labrie, OMI, assisted by rev. Josephp Guaire, OMI, as deacon and rev. George Lessard, OMI, as sub deacon. Seated in the sanctuary was Rev. Adelard Gagnon of Brockton, a nephew of the deceased. The choir, under the direction of Victor Genereaux, organist and choir master, sand Pietro Yon's requien mass with solos by Frank Filiatreault, Emile Boisvert, Adelard Chouinard and Mr. Genereux. Representing the Holy Name society at the mass were Arthur Chateauneuf, Phillippe Lemay, Vialeur Croisetierre and Henry Bergeron. The CCA club sent Amdee Belanger, Joseph Comtois, Pierre Michaud and Joseph Lafortune.Bearers were John Ferron, Arthur ferron, Paul Maille, Robert Moran, Roland Simoneau and Raymond Ferron.


Burial took place in St. Joseph's cemetery where Rev. Lucien Brassard, OMI, recited the committal prayers, assisted by Rev. Fr. Gagnon.Funeral Director Amedee Archambault and Son was in charge.

Tuesday, August 03, 2010

Tombstone Tuesday: IMG_7757, Deadman, Mt-Royal Cemetery, Outremont, Quebec


IMG_7757
Originally uploaded by radiatingeye
Photo from radiantingeye's flickr set Mont-Royal Cemetery.

Isn't it nice? The Deadman family have a place which memorializes their dearly departed.

"Why is having a place to visit so important ?


Because it provides a focal point for memorializing the deceased. To remember and to be remembered are natural human needs. Throughout history, memorialization of the dead has been a key component of almost every culture. Psychologists say that remembrance practices, from the funeral or memorial service to permanent memorialization, serve an important emotional function for survivors by helping bring closure and allowing the healing process to begin. Providing a permanent resting place for the deceased is a dignified treatment for a loved one's mortal remains, which fulfills the natural human desire for memorialization."

http://www.mountroyalcem.com