L'Etoile Tuesday: Les Avis de Décès pour Francois-Xavier Savard

I've decided to start my own little blogging meme for Tuedays. Calling it L'Etoile Tuesday, the plan is to take one article each week from L'Etoile, transcribe it, and then translate. L'Etoile, a very popular Franco-American newspaper, was published in Lowell, MA from 1886 up until 1957. It's available on microfilm at several repositories in the area, including the Pollard Memorial Library in downtown Lowell

So... this week, because I transcribed and posted his Petition for Naturalization yesterday,  I have chosen the death notice for Francois-Xavier Savard, my youngest daughter's paternal third great-grandfather, which was published in the October 26, 1916 edition of L'Etoile.

As far as I can tell, at the time, L'Etoile listed death notices according to which undertaker was handling the arrangements, hence the heading below.

JOS. ALBERT & FILS

SAVARD -- Francois-Xavier Savard, est decede ce matin a sa demeure No 711 Lakeview Ave., a l'age de 61 ans. Il laisse dans le deuil 3 fils, Arthur, Oliver et Edouard Savard; 2 filles Mmes Corrine Grondin et Clorida Tremblay des freres et des soeurs au Canada. Le defunt appartenait au Tiers-Ordre et a l'Association Funeraire. Le service aura lieu samedi matin a 8 heurs, en l'eglise St-Louis de France avec diacre sous diacre et choeur de chant. Parents et amis sont pres d'y assister.

My translation:

JOS. ALBERT & SONS

SAVARD - Francois-Xavier Savard, died this morning at his residence No. 711 Lakeview Ave., at the age of 61. He is survived by three sons, Arthur, Oliver and Edward Savard; 2 daughters Mrs. Corrine Grondin and Mrs.Clorida Tremblay brothers and sisters in Canada. The deceased belonged to the Third Order and the Funeral Association. The service will be held Saturday morning at 8 o'clock in the church of St. Louis de France with sub deacon deacon and choir singing. Relatives and friends are welcome to attend.

One thing to note about this death notice is the mention of Frank's membership to the Funeral Association. That little reference is very interesting.. Verrry interesting, indeed. Because on page 80 of  Felix Albert's autobiography an Immigrant Odyssey: A French-Canadian Habitant in New England, Felix, father of Joseph Albert the Lowell undertaker, refers to Frank as his clerk. And, in a small 1892 Lowell Sun article, which tells us of Frank's mother's death in Point-aux-Trembles, Frank is referred to as being Felix's foreman. Was Felix Albert an undertaker as well? I think he made caskets, but I didn't take too many notes when I read the book, so I'm not sure. Needless to say, I need to revisit that book again. Also, what about the 1909 Lowell Directory that states that Frank was insurance agent at 13 Merrimack Square. Now, I'm wondering what type of  insurance he sold, and for who, was he in business for himself?? I need to go to the library and go through all of the pertinent directories to see if I can obtain any more details. One more thing, there was no mention about Frank's membership to the Funeral Association in the death notice that was published in The Sun. Which just goes to show you how invaluable a source L'Eoile is for anybody researching their Franco-American connection in Lowell.

On This Happy Mother's Day

Using TMG's companion utility product On This Day I am able to take a look into my database on any given day and see the events that occurred.

Louis-Arsene Robillard married Josephine Albert in 1887.

Cecile Godin dit Bellefeuille died in 1804.

And, Emilie Robillard was born in 1810. Today is also my Aunt Joan's birthday. Happy birthday, Aunt Joan!

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.

(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.

The Obituary of Athala Albert nee Caron, 1918, Lowell, Massachusetts

Follow up to a previous Tombstone Tuesday featuring the memorial of Joseph Albert and his wife, Athala Caron

Published in The Lowell Sun, December, 19, 1918, pg. 7.

ALBERT--The many friends of Mrs. Joseph Albert, wife of the well known undertaker, nee Athala Caron, will be grieved to learn of her death which occurred this noon at her home, 173 Aiken street, after a lingering illness at the age of 54 years, 4 months and 19 days. Mrs. Albert was born at St. Jean Port Joli, Que., and came to this city 34 years ago. She was a prominent member of St. Joseph's parish and always active in the parish affairs. She leaves to mourn her loss besides her husband, four daughters, Rev. Sister Marie Albert of the Grey Nuns of the Cross of Ottowa, Ont., Misses Maria, Dorila and Claire Albert of this city; a son, Joseph Albert Jr., three brothers, Andre Caron of Chandlers Que., Andre Caron of Notre Dame du Lac, Que., and Pierre Caron of this city; a sister, Mrs. Thomas Beaulieu of Notre Dame du Lac. She was a member of the Third Order of St. Francis and St. Anne's sodality of St. Joseph's parish.

Published in The Lowell Sun, Monday, December 23, 1918, pg. 11.

ALBERT--The funeral of Mrs. Joseph Albert, wife of the well known undertaker, took place this morning from her home, 173 Aiken street and was very largely attended. The funeral cortege composed of 35 automobiles left the home at 8:45 o'clock and wended its way to St. Joseph's church, where at 9:00 o'clock solemn high mass of requiem was celebrated. The congregation at the church was very large for the deceased was one of the best known members of St. Joseph's parish. In attendance were the children of the french-American orphanage accompanied by the Sister of Charity, pupils of St. Joseph's convent and the following delegations: St. Anne's sodality, Mesdames C. Lirette, Z. St. Hilaire and J. St. Pierre; Third Order of St. Francis, Mesdames J. Tetreault, E. Dupont and M. Cote. The celebrant of the mass was the pastor Rev. Eugene Turcotte, O. M. I., who was assisted by Rev. Charles Denizot, O. m. I., as deacon and Rev. Armand Baron, O. M. I. as sub-deacon. The choir, augmented for the occasion, rendered the Gregorian mass under the direction of Telesphore Malo. The bearers were H. Michaud, A. Michaud, T. Lamire, F. Albert, W. Bouthillette, W. Perron, S. Belanger and E. Cossette. Burial was in St. Joseph's cemetery, where the committal prayers were read by Rev. Aurelien Mercil, O. M. I. Funeral arrangements were in charge of Napoleaon Bilodeau and James W. McKenna.

Tombstone Tuesday: Joseph Albert and Athala Caron, Cimetière Saint-Joseph, Chelmsford, Massachusetts

Buried here is Joseph Albert and his wife, Athala Caron.  Baptized at the parish of  St-Eloi, Riviere-du-Loop, Quebec on the 26th of February, 1869,  Joseph was the son of Felix Albert (Fermin, Celeste Bergeron dit Damboise) and Marie Desneiges Michaud (Alexandre, Zoe Pelletier). Athala, Joseph's wife, was born, according to the headstone, in 1864. However, I can only find one baptismal record for an Athala Caron and that is in 1861 at St-Jean-Port-Joli, L'Islet, Quebec. The father of the aforementioned Athala is documented as being Moise Caron and the mother is Apolline, I can not read the mother's surname.

Below is the baptismal record for Joseph Albert from the parish of St-Eloi, Riviere-du-Loop. According to this record he was born le vingt duex ? (22)  du meme mois (of this month).

[Gabriel Drouin, Institut Généalogique Drouin, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Le Fonds Drouin 1621-1967, Quebec vital records, 1869, St-Eloi, Co. Riviere-du-Loop, pg.4, B.12., Joseph Albert, register photocopy to the Greffe of Riviere-du-Loop]

Joseph Albert and Athala Caron were married 17 Aug 1891, in Lowell, Massachusetts in a ceremony performed by Rev. A. Amyot. (click the image to enlarge)

[Massachusetts Archives, Albert , Joseph,  Lowell , 1891, vol. 416, pg. 212]

In the record cited above, Athala's mother is only recorded as being Apolline.

On 23 June 1900 the family of Joseph Albert was enumerated in the 12trh census of the United States, living at Jodoin Place in Lowell, Massachusetts. Joseph, the head, is recorded as being born in Feb of 1868. He is 31 years old and, according to the census, has been married for 9 years. He was born in Canada-French (Quebec) as were both his parents. The year of his immigration to the United States is 1881, he has been here for 19 years. He is an alien immigrant and his profession is that of an Undertaker with zero months not employed. Also, according to the census, he can neither read nor write, but he can speak English. Joseph Albert rents his home.

Athala, Joseph's wife, is enumerated as being Athela. according to the census, she was born Nov. 1864. She is married and has been for 9 years, four children out of five births are living and she too was born in Canada-French, as were her parents. Her year of immigration is 1883 and she has been in the United States for 17 years. The status of her citizenship is blank, she can read and write and speak English.

The children of Joseph and Athala are recorded on the census as follows:

1. Marie A. - daughter/w/f//Aug/1892/ 7/s/Mass/CanFr/CanFr/at school/10/yes/yes/yes
2. Bernadette - daughter/w/f/Aug/1893/6/s/Mass/CanFr/CanFr/at school/10/yes/
3. Joseph Jr. - son/w/m/July/1897/2/s/Mass/CanFr/CanFr/
4. Blanche - daughter/w/f/June/1898/1/s/Mass/CanFr/CanFr/

There is also a Pierre Caron living with the family, he is enumerated as being Joseph's brother-in-law. Recorded as being born in February of 1864, if Pierre is Athala's brother this date certainly conflicts with her  given birth date, doesn't it? I believe the census records Pierre as being widowed, he was born Canada-French, as were both his parents. His year of immigration is 1883, he has been in the united States for 17 years, he's an alien and his occupation is that of a Hostler (?). He can read, write and speak English.

In 1910 the couple, Joseph and Athala, are living on Cheever st. in Lowell. There are two more daughters, Dorila, age 7 and Claire, age 4. According to the census, Athala has now given birth eleven times but only 6 children are living. Joseph is still an undertaker, but now he owns his own shop and is also an employer.

In 1920 Joseph Albert is living with three of his daughters, Dorila, Claire, Maria F, a son-in-law, Edward J. Lynch, who is Maria's husband, and a maid. Athala, Joseph's wife, died in 1918 and Joseph will die on 27 September 1930. Please click the link above to read Athala's obituary. I am still searching for Joseph's.

In 1930 Joseph's son, Joseph Jr, is recorded in the 1930 census, on April 2nd of that year, living at 476 Merrimack st., he is recorded as being 32 years old. His wife, recorded as Florina, is 19. Age at first marriage for both of them is their age at which the census was taken. There are no children. Joseph Jr. is noted as being an embalmer in a Funeral parlor. Is Joseph Jr. getting ready to take over his father's business or had he already?

If anyone knows Apolline's maiden name I would be grateful if you could contact me at callmeshell at gmail.com.

HENRY FERRON PAROLED

Published in The Lowell Sun, June 10th, 1919, pg. 2

Lowell Man Who Figured As Principal in Murder, Allowed His Freedom

Henri Ferron, of this city, who since 1910 has been condemned to the insane department of the state farm at Bridgewater for the murder of Flora Lariviere, which occurred in Hareford place, off marshall street on the evening of Jan. 26, 1910, was released yesterday afternoon after the charge of murder against him was placed on file by Justice Hugo A. Dubuque at the criminal session of the superior court in East Cambridge. Ferron spent last night in this city and this evening will leave for Massey Station, Ontario, Canada where he will live with his uncle and aunt.

Although very thin in appearance, Ferron is enjoying the best of health and says the treatment he received at the institution was most satisfactory. "I have lost at least 15 oounds during my incareration." he said, "but that was due to confinement for several years."

The mutilated body of Flora Lariviere, a married woman, was found on a mattress in the kitchen of her home at 3 Hareford place, off Marshall street on the morning of Jan. 26, 1910. A search was immediately started for Henri Ferron, who was known to have lived there, and had disappeared. A few weeks later word was recieved in this city that Ferron had been captured at St. Sebastion, Que., and Lowell officers went to Canada and returned with the prisioner. He did not fight extradition.

Ferron was kept under observation for a few days and finally was declared insane by two physicians and sent to the insane department of the state farm at Bridgewater. During his long stay at the farm Ferron was a model prisioner and won the confidence of the attendants and officials to such an extent that after five years he was given considerable freedom. He conducted a clothes cleaning and pressing deaprtment and in this manner was able to save enough money to care for his aged mother, up to the time of her death, which occured in this city, April, 15, 1917. During his spare time Ferron also learned the carving business.

About a year ago through the recommendations of his attendants Ferron was placed on parole and given more freedom than ever. He was transferred from the insane department to the farm and assisted in looking after the livestock. Through the efforts of Lawyer A. O. Hamel and Joseph Albert of this city, who became interested in the prisioner, a petition for his release was filed with the proper authorities and several hearings were held. Yesterday afternoon Ferron was taken to East Cambridge and appeared before Judge Dubuque at the criminal session of the superior court. By the terms of his parole Ferron is to go to Canada and live on a farm with relatives, an uncle and aunt. Dr. Frank H. Carlisle, medical director of the hospital, gave a written statement to the effect that Ferron had shown no traces of insanity and perfectly safe to be at large. Ferron is 32 years old.

This explains why I couldn't find him the 1920 census. He does, however, appear in the 1910 census at Bridgewater state hospital. Note that Joseph Albert had a hand in getting him released. Interesting...

The Marriage of Francois Bergeron and Josephine Robillard, Lowell, Massachusetts

Another article from my archives. This is interesting indeed...

Published in The Lowell Sun 9 Jan. 1911, pg. 6.

MATRIMONIAL

A pretty wedding was solemnized last night when Rev. Fr. Watelle, O. M. I. , united in marriage Mr. Francois Bergeron and Miss Josephine Robillard. The ceremony was performed at 7 o'clock at St. Joseph's rectory. The witnesses were Mr. Cleophas Heroux, the bride's uncle, and Mr. Phillippe Bergeron, the bridegroom's father. The bride wore a charming gown of white silk with silk lace trimmings, and she carried a bouquet of white roses and carnations.

At 8 o'clock a reception was given at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Cleophas Heroux, 23 Decatur street. There were many guests and a fine entertainment program consisting of piano selections and songs was given by Miss Eugenie Heroux, Messrs. Arthur and Zenon Robillard and Alfred Duval and others. Among the guests present were Mrs. Arsene Robillard of Cohoes, N. Y., and Mr. and Mrs. Felix Albert of Pelham, N.H.

Mr. and Mrs. Bergeron, who received many rich and beautiful gifts will make their home at 23 Decatur street.

Interesting I say because Mrs. Arsene Robillard is the sister-in-law to Arthur and Zenon (I haven't traced Arsene's descendants yet) and an Alfred Duval married Zenon's wife, Rosanna Foucher, after he died in 1918. The marriage was short lived.. But I believe this Alfred to be that Alfred. Also I find it interesting that  Mr. and Mrs. Felix Albert were in attendance. I just finished reading the autobiography of Felix Albert a few weeks ago, it's entitled Immigrant Odyssey: A French-Canadian Habitant in New England.

I wonder who Josephine Robillard's parents were, there is no mention of them in this article.

Josephine's parents are Louis Arsene Robillard (Jerome & Sophie Riberdy) & Josephine Albert (Fermin & Genevieve?)  Now I just have to figure out who Genevieve is and how Felix and Fermin are related : )

The Wilfrid Albert Family, Lowell, Massachusetts

Son of Isadore and Georgiana..

Isadore and Georgiana Vezina were married 20 Aug 1899 at Lowell, Massachusetts. Isadore's parents are noted as being Edward Albert and Caroline Unknown. Georgiana's parents are documented to be Joseph and Agles Leduc.

I have here my transcriptions of Albert family for the 1910 and 1920 census of Lowell, MA. I also have the 1930 census. However, I did not transcribe it completely. In that particular census Wilfrid is married and living on the Dutton St. front row. He and his family were probably neighbors of my Aunt Victoria Simoneau nee Ferron, she and her sister Blanche ran rooming houses there. Wilfrid Albert's occupation in the 1930 census is that of a laborer in the construction industry. His wife's name is not very legible. It looks like Hermain to me. Both husband and wife are 29 years of age. And both are born in Massachusetts. However, unlike Wilfrid's parents (born in Canada), Hermain's parents were both born in Massachusetts. Wilfrid and Hermain have 4 children at this time; Andrew, age 9; Armand, age 8; Arland, age 4 years and 8 months; and Doris, age years and 5 months.

1930 US Federal Census, 20 Dutton St., Lowell, Middlesex, Massachusetts; 1930; Film: T625; Roll: 921; Ward: 5; Enumeration District: 119; Page: 10A; Image: 288.0.

1910 US Federal Census, 36 Suffolk St., Lowell Middlesex, Massachusetts; Film:T624 Roll: 599; Page: 2B; Ward 2, Enumeration District: 839; Image: 256; Line: 82

Asa/head/m/w/35/m1/CanFrench/CanFrench/CanFrench/1890/english/spinner/cottonmill
Georgiana/wife/f/w/34/m1/11/5/4/CanFrench/CanFrench/CanFrench/none
Wilfrid A/son/m/w/9/s/Mass/CanFrench/CanFrench/none
Leonel/son/m/w/4/s/Mass/CanFrench/CanFrench/none
Blanche/daugh/f/w/3/s/Mass/CanFrench/CanFrench/none
Homer/son/m/w/1 and 4/12/s/Mass/CanFrench/CanFrench/none
 

1920 US Federal Census, 64 Prince St., Lowell, Middlesex, Massachusetts; Film: T625; Roll: 711; Page: 5A; Ward: 2; Enumeration District: 184; Image: 32; Line: 30.

Isadore/head/r/m/w/44/m/1885/al/ / /yes/yes/CanFr/CanFr/CanFr/yes/spinner/cottonmill/yes
Georgiana/wife/f/w/43/m/1893/al/ / /yes/yes/CanFr/CaFr/CanFr/yes/none
Wilfrid/son/m/w/19/s/ / / /no/yes/yes/Mass/CanFr/CanFr/yes/operative/cottonmill
Leonel/son/m/w/14/s/ / / /yes/yes/yes/Mass/CaFr/CanFr/yes/none
Blanche/daugh/f/w/13/s/ / / /yes/yes/yes/Mass/CanFr/CanFr/yes/none
Homer/son/m/w/12/s/ / / /yes/yes/yes/Mass/CanFr/CanFr/yes/none
Annette/daugh/f/w/7/s/ / / /yes/ / /Mass/CanFr/CanFr/ /none
Alfred/son/m/w/1 and 6/12/s/ / / / / / /Mass/CanFr/CanFr/ /none
Dorothy/daugh/f/w/2/12/s/ / / / / / /Mass/CanFr/CanFr/ /none