French Canadians in the Copper Country John P. DuLong French Canadian Heritage Society of Michigan [email protected] 3 July 2008.

French Canadians in French Canadians in the Copper Countrythe Copper Country

John P. DuLongJohn P. DuLongFrench Canadian Heritage Society of French Canadian Heritage Society of

MichiganMichigan

[email protected] [email protected]

3 July 20083 July 2008

Thank YouThank You

I would like to thank Luanne Hamel for I would like to thank Luanne Hamel for making the arrangements for me to making the arrangements for me to speak to you today speak to you today

And I would like to thank Chassell And I would like to thank Chassell Heritage Center for inviting me to speak Heritage Center for inviting me to speak todaytoday

I deeply regret that I will not be in I deeply regret that I will not be in Chassell for your French-Canadian Chassell for your French-Canadian festival in August, I am sure it will be a festival in August, I am sure it will be a grand eventgrand event

Notes and PowerPoint Notes and PowerPoint SlidesSlides

A summary of this talk and the A summary of this talk and the PowerPoint slides can be found by PowerPoint slides can be found by pointing your Internet browser to:pointing your Internet browser to:

http://http://habitant.orghabitant.org/presentations/French Ca/presentations/French Canadians Copper nadians Copper Country.htmCountry.htm

MissionMission

The mission today is to put the The mission today is to put the French Canadians of the Copper French Canadians of the Copper Country into a historical perspectiveCountry into a historical perspective

The Copper Country French The Copper Country French Canadians were an important part of Canadians were an important part of the second wave of immigration to the second wave of immigration to Michigan from QuébecMichigan from Québec

Waves of French Waves of French Canadian Immigration to Canadian Immigration to

MichiganMichigan There was actually two separate and There was actually two separate and

distinct waves of immigration to distinct waves of immigration to MichiganMichigan

Little interaction between the two waves Little interaction between the two waves except in the Detroit areaexcept in the Detroit area

Many people of French Canadian Many people of French Canadian ancestry in the state descend from the ancestry in the state descend from the second wave of immigrantssecond wave of immigrants

This is especially the case in the Copper This is especially the case in the Copper CountryCountry

Comparison of First and Comparison of First and Second Waves of French Second Waves of French

CanadiansCanadians 1660-17961660-1796 Colonial periodColonial period Fur tradeFur trade Voyageurs and Voyageurs and

coureurs des boiscoureurs des bois Close ties to IndiansClose ties to Indians Single men, taking Single men, taking

native bridesnative brides Numbered in Numbered in

hundredshundreds

1840-19301840-1930 Industrial ageIndustrial age Lumberjacks and Lumberjacks and

saw mill workerssaw mill workers Surface mine Surface mine

workersworkers Came with wives Came with wives

and childrenand children Came over in Came over in

thousandsthousands

Comparing SettlementsComparing Settlements Sault Ste. Marie, 1668Sault Ste. Marie, 1668 St. Ignace, 1671; St. Ignace, 1671;

Michilimackinac, Michilimackinac, 1712; and Mackinac 1712; and Mackinac Island, 1780Island, 1780

St-Joseph (Niles), St-Joseph (Niles), 16881688

Detroit, 1701Detroit, 1701 Frenchtown (Monroe), Frenchtown (Monroe),

17851785

LP: Grand Rapids, LP: Grand Rapids, Grand Haven, Grand Haven, Muskegon, Ludington, Muskegon, Ludington, Manistee, Cheboygan, Manistee, Cheboygan, Alpena, Tawas City, Alpena, Tawas City, Midland, Bay City, Midland, Bay City, and Saginaw and Saginaw

UP: Menominee, UP: Menominee, Escanaba, Ishpeming, Escanaba, Ishpeming, Negaunee, Marquette, Negaunee, Marquette, Houghton, Lake Houghton, Lake Linden, and CalumetLinden, and Calumet

Michigan’s Copper Michigan’s Copper CountryCountry

On the Keweenaw Peninsula, on the On the Keweenaw Peninsula, on the far north western end of the Upper far north western end of the Upper PeninsulaPeninsula

Consists of Keweenaw, Houghton, Consists of Keweenaw, Houghton, and Ontonagon Counties (Baraga and Ontonagon Counties (Baraga County is sometimes included)County is sometimes included)

A copper mining district from the A copper mining district from the 1840s to the 1960s1840s to the 1960s

Heyday from 1865 to 1913Heyday from 1865 to 1913

A Land of ImmigrantsA Land of Immigrants

Immigrants were needed to labor in Immigrants were needed to labor in the mines and surface facilitiesthe mines and surface facilities

French Canadians were just one of French Canadians were just one of the many ethnic groupsthe many ethnic groups

They were neighbors with Cornish, They were neighbors with Cornish, German, Irish, Finnish, and many German, Irish, Finnish, and many other ethnic groupsother ethnic groups

The immigrants out numbered the The immigrants out numbered the YankeesYankees

Unfair AdvantageUnfair Advantage

With the exception of the Finns and With the exception of the Finns and other Scandinavians, we French other Scandinavians, we French Canadians had a competitive Canadians had a competitive advantageadvantage

The winters of Québec prepared us The winters of Québec prepared us for the Copper Country wintersfor the Copper Country winters

Origins in Québec of Origins in Québec of Nineteenth Century Nineteenth Century

ImmigrantsImmigrants Tended to come from western Tended to come from western

Québec, near Montréal and along Québec, near Montréal and along the Ottawa Riverthe Ottawa River

These are also the same areas that These are also the same areas that were most heavily involved in the fur were most heavily involved in the fur tradetrade

Often involved in lumbering trade in Often involved in lumbering trade in Canada or eastern United States Canada or eastern United States before immigrating to Michiganbefore immigrating to Michigan

Stops Along the WayStops Along the Way

Many French Canadians did not come Many French Canadians did not come directly from Québec to Canadadirectly from Québec to Canada

Many went to work in the textile mills Many went to work in the textile mills of New Englandof New England

They would come either from New They would come either from New England to Michigan or go back to England to Michigan or go back to Québec and then come to MichiganQuébec and then come to Michigan

Some went to Illinois or Wisconsin Some went to Illinois or Wisconsin firstfirst

Civil War InterruptionCivil War Interruption Although some French Canadians came over to Although some French Canadians came over to

Michigan after the failed 1838 Patriot's RebellionMichigan after the failed 1838 Patriot's Rebellion Most did not come until after 1840Most did not come until after 1840 But the Civil War put a temporary hold on But the Civil War put a temporary hold on

immigrationimmigration Some French Canadians served the Union during Some French Canadians served the Union during

the Civil War, but more went back to Québec the Civil War, but more went back to Québec during the warduring the war

Immigration to the Copper Country from Québec Immigration to the Copper Country from Québec did not start in earnest until after the Civil Wardid not start in earnest until after the Civil War

Work in the Copper Work in the Copper CountryCountry

French Canadian men were French Canadian men were attracted to the area to work as attracted to the area to work as lumberjacks, carpenters, surface lumberjacks, carpenters, surface workers at the mines, stamp mill workers at the mines, stamp mill workers, and smelter workersworkers, and smelter workers

Few worked inside the minesFew worked inside the mines There were few work opportunities There were few work opportunities

for French Canadian woman except for French Canadian woman except running boarding housesrunning boarding houses

Routes to MichiganRoutes to Michigan

Before 1855, some still took canoes and small Before 1855, some still took canoes and small boatsboats

After 1855 and the opening of the St. Mary’s After 1855 and the opening of the St. Mary’s Falls Ship Canal, they were more likely to take Falls Ship Canal, they were more likely to take sailing and steam shipssailing and steam ships

By the 1870s they would have used railroads to By the 1870s they would have used railroads to reach most pointsreach most points

However, Houghton was not connected to However, Houghton was not connected to Marquette by rail until 14 November 1883!Marquette by rail until 14 November 1883!

The railroads and ships also permitted visits The railroads and ships also permitted visits back home to Québecback home to Québec

Push and PullPush and Pull

Pushed out by few industrial Pushed out by few industrial opportunities and less agricultural opportunities and less agricultural land opening up in Québecland opening up in Québec

Pulled to work in the lumber and Pulled to work in the lumber and mining industriesmining industries

Immigration slowed with the stricter Immigration slowed with the stricter laws of the 1920s and nearly laws of the 1920s and nearly stopped with the Great Depression stopped with the Great Depression of the 1930sof the 1930s

Role of Joseph GrégoireRole of Joseph Grégoire Joseph Grégoire was from St. Valentine, QuébecJoseph Grégoire was from St. Valentine, Québec Immigrated to the Copper Country in the mid-1850sImmigrated to the Copper Country in the mid-1850s In 1867 he established on the shores of Torch Lake the In 1867 he established on the shores of Torch Lake the

hamlet of Gregoryville, a “suburb” of the village of Lake hamlet of Gregoryville, a “suburb” of the village of Lake LindenLinden

From this location he operated a sawmill, which made From this location he operated a sawmill, which made lumber, doors, sashes, and blindslumber, doors, sashes, and blinds

He was the premier French-Canadian businessman in the He was the premier French-Canadian businessman in the region region

According to a plaque at St. Joseph's church, he was According to a plaque at St. Joseph's church, he was known as the “Father of the French Canadians of Lake known as the “Father of the French Canadians of Lake Superior”  Superior” 

He earned this title because he offered jobs to immigrants He earned this title because he offered jobs to immigrants from Québecfrom Québec

Grégoire never married and died childless in 1895; he is Grégoire never married and died childless in 1895; he is buried in Mount Calvary Cemetery outside of Lake Linden buried in Mount Calvary Cemetery outside of Lake Linden

Little CanadaLittle Canada

Although some villages were almost Although some villages were almost entirely French Canadian, in most entirely French Canadian, in most towns they lived in districtstowns they lived in districts

Semi-rural / small townsSemi-rural / small towns Called Little Canada or FrenchtownCalled Little Canada or Frenchtown Lake Linden or Hubbell (Frog Pond), Lake Linden or Hubbell (Frog Pond), They had their own general stores, They had their own general stores,

livery stables, barber shops, and livery stables, barber shops, and saloons (lots of these)saloons (lots of these)

Communities with a French Communities with a French Canadian PresenceCanadian Presence

Beacon HillBeacon Hill CalumetCalumet ChassellChassell Dollar BayDollar Bay EdgemereEdgemere FredaFreda FrenchtownFrenchtown HancockHancock HoughtonHoughton

HubbellHubbell HurontownHurontown Lake LindenLake Linden LauriumLaurium MasonMason OsceolaOsceola RedridgeRedridge Tamarack MillsTamarack Mills

1900 Census: Number1900 Census: Number

1900 census, Michigan, 32,483 1900 census, Michigan, 32,483 foreign-born French Canadians, and foreign-born French Canadians, and 55,314 children55,314 children

Approximately 3.6 percent of Approximately 3.6 percent of populationpopulation

A dramatic demographic turnover A dramatic demographic turnover from the 1820's when they were the from the 1820's when they were the majoritymajority

1900 Census: Rank1900 Census: Rank

Still the foreign-born French Still the foreign-born French Canadians were the fourth largest Canadians were the fourth largest ethnic group in Michiganethnic group in Michigan

Outnumbered by Canadians, Outnumbered by Canadians, Germans, and EnglishGermans, and English

Followed by the Dutch, Irish, Followed by the Dutch, Irish, Swedes, and PolesSwedes, and Poles

1900 Census: Counties1900 Census: Counties

The 1900 census shows that 59 The 1900 census shows that 59 percent of the foreign-born French percent of the foreign-born French Canadians were living in just eight Canadians were living in just eight countiescounties

Wayne (4,426), Houghton (3,144), Wayne (4,426), Houghton (3,144), Bay (2,664), Delta (2,637), Bay (2,664), Delta (2,637), Menominee (1,892), Marquette Menominee (1,892), Marquette (1,765), Saginaw (1,288), and Alpena (1,765), Saginaw (1,288), and Alpena (1,197)(1,197)

1900 Census: New 1900 Census: New England and New YorkEngland and New York

Michigan (32,483) was behind Michigan (32,483) was behind Massachusetts (134,416) and New Massachusetts (134,416) and New Hampshire (44,420) in the number Hampshire (44,420) in the number of foreign born French Canadiansof foreign born French Canadians

But Michigan was ahead of Rhode But Michigan was ahead of Rhode Island (31,533), Maine (30,908), Island (31,533), Maine (30,908), New York (27,199), and Connecticut New York (27,199), and Connecticut (19,174)(19,174)

1900 Census: Midwest1900 Census: Midwest

Michigan (32,483) had the largest Michigan (32,483) had the largest settlement of French Canadians in settlement of French Canadians in the Midwest the Midwest

Compared to Minnesota (12,063), Compared to Minnesota (12,063), Wisconsin (10,091), and Illinois Wisconsin (10,091), and Illinois (9,129)(9,129)

1950 Census1950 Census

By the 1950 census there was a By the 1950 census there was a large numbers of Poles, Italians, and large numbers of Poles, Italians, and RussiansRussians

They pushed the foreign-born They pushed the foreign-born French Canadians from the fourth to French Canadians from the fourth to the ninth largest ethnic group in the the ninth largest ethnic group in the statestate

Second Wave ChallengesSecond Wave Challenges

Other immigrants and being lost in Other immigrants and being lost in the shufflethe shuffle

Poverty and discrimination as Poverty and discrimination as CatholicsCatholics

Tense labor relationsTense labor relations Naturalization and votingNaturalization and voting SurvivanceSurvivance and assimilation and assimilation

Other ImmigrantsOther Immigrants

The first wave had to contend with The first wave had to contend with Indians, French, English, American, Indians, French, English, American, Irish, and Scottish neighborsIrish, and Scottish neighbors

The second wave had a much more The second wave had a much more diverse ethnic environment, this was diverse ethnic environment, this was especially true in the Copper Countryespecially true in the Copper Country

They had to compete with these other They had to compete with these other ethnic groups for jobs and housingethnic groups for jobs and housing

Other ImmigrantsOther Immigrants

However, the competition here in However, the competition here in Michigan was not as intense as in New Michigan was not as intense as in New EnglandEngland

The French Canadians tended to The French Canadians tended to intermarry with Irish, Germans, and intermarry with Irish, Germans, and Walloons Walloons

Later they would intermarry with Italians, Later they would intermarry with Italians, Poles, and other Eastern EuropeansPoles, and other Eastern Europeans

The common thread was CatholicismThe common thread was Catholicism

Other Immigrants: The Other Immigrants: The IrishIrish

Love / hate relationship with the IrishLove / hate relationship with the Irish Both Catholic, but competed over Both Catholic, but competed over

church politicschurch politics The Irish were for a centralized The Irish were for a centralized

church, the French Canadians wanted church, the French Canadians wanted decentralized “national” parishes and decentralized “national” parishes and schoolsschools

Nevertheless, there was much mixed Nevertheless, there was much mixed marriage between between themmarriage between between them

PovertyPoverty

According to the 1950 census, French According to the 1950 census, French Canadians in comparison to other white Canadians in comparison to other white ethnic groups, had the lowest incomeethnic groups, had the lowest income

However, they were better off in However, they were better off in Michigan than in New England (perhaps Michigan than in New England (perhaps due to the automobile industry which due to the automobile industry which attracted a lot of Copper Country attracted a lot of Copper Country migrants during the 1950s)migrants during the 1950s)

In general, education and the professions In general, education and the professions were not encouraged initiallywere not encouraged initially

DiscriminationDiscrimination

French Canadians in Michigan did French Canadians in Michigan did not face as much discrimination as not face as much discrimination as other ethnic groups in Americaother ethnic groups in America

Any they did feel was more likely Any they did feel was more likely because they were Catholic or because they were Catholic or because spoke Frenchbecause spoke French

They were seen as clannish and self-They were seen as clannish and self-isolating because of their retention isolating because of their retention of Frenchof French

Tense Labor RelationsTense Labor Relations

In New England, the French Canadians were In New England, the French Canadians were known as the “Chinese of the Eastern states”known as the “Chinese of the Eastern states”

They were often used as strike breakers, They were often used as strike breakers, though not so much here in the Midwestthough not so much here in the Midwest

Nevertheless, in Michigan they were Nevertheless, in Michigan they were generally viewed as docile workers and hard generally viewed as docile workers and hard to organizeto organize

Although some French Canadians participated Although some French Canadians participated in labor activities in the Copper Country, in labor activities in the Copper Country, many others were neutral or hostile to the many others were neutral or hostile to the labor movementlabor movement

NaturalizationNaturalization

The French Canadians in Michigan The French Canadians in Michigan were slow to naturalize and few went were slow to naturalize and few went through the process to become a citizenthrough the process to become a citizen

There was even a repatriation There was even a repatriation movement that was not very successfulmovement that was not very successful

Most of the first generation and a Most of the first generation and a significant portion of the second significant portion of the second generation seemed satisfied with being generation seemed satisfied with being a resident onlya resident only

SurvivanceSurvivance

The French Canadian elite were The French Canadian elite were concerned with the preservation of concerned with the preservation of their language, culture, and faiththeir language, culture, and faith

They believed that it was better for They believed that it was better for the French Canadians to immigrate the French Canadians to immigrate to the west than to heathen New to the west than to heathen New EnglandEngland

They relied on parishes, schools, They relied on parishes, schools, newspapers, and societiesnewspapers, and societies

Ethnic OrganizationsEthnic Organizations

Parishes: By 1912 Michigan had Parishes: By 1912 Michigan had approximately ten parishes identified approximately ten parishes identified as totally French and 23 as partially as totally French and 23 as partially FrenchFrench

Many parishes also had schoolsMany parishes also had schools Newspapers: Between 1809 and 1919, Newspapers: Between 1809 and 1919,

the French Canadian communities of the French Canadian communities of Michigan published thirty-three Michigan published thirty-three French language newspapersFrench language newspapers

Parishes with a Parishes with a Concentration of French Concentration of French

CanadiansCanadians Church of the Church of the

Resurrection, Resurrection, HancockHancock

Holy Trinity, Beacon Holy Trinity, Beacon HillHill

Our Lady of Mount Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Franklin MineCarmel, Franklin Mine

Sacred Heart, Sacred Heart, CalumetCalumet

St. Anne, CalumetSt. Anne, Calumet St. Anne, ChassellSt. Anne, Chassell

St. Anne, RedridgeSt. Anne, Redridge St. Cecilia, Hubbell St. Cecilia, Hubbell

St. Francis of St. Francis of Assisi, Dollar BayAssisi, Dollar Bay

St. Joseph, St. Joseph, HancockHancock

St. Joseph, Lake St. Joseph, Lake LindenLinden

St. Louis, CalumetSt. Louis, Calumet

Ethnic OrganizationsEthnic Organizations

Social groups and mutual benefit Social groups and mutual benefit societies provided life, accident, and societies provided life, accident, and burial insuranceburial insurance

Société de Lafayette, the Union des Société de Lafayette, the Union des Canadiens-Français Catholique, the Canadiens-Français Catholique, the Institut Jacques Cartier, and the Institut Jacques Cartier, and the Association Canado-Américaine. Association Canado-Américaine.

Many French Canadians were also in Many French Canadians were also in the International Order of Foresters. the International Order of Foresters.

Société de St-Jean-Société de St-Jean-BaptisteBaptiste

The Société de St-Jean-Baptiste was The Société de St-Jean-Baptiste was the largest and most popularthe largest and most popular

Came to Michigan in 1864Came to Michigan in 1864 Chapters in Alpena, Calumet, Chapters in Alpena, Calumet,

Champion, Detroit, Hancock, Champion, Detroit, Hancock, Houghton, Lake Linden, Manistee, Houghton, Lake Linden, Manistee, Marquette, Menominee, Muskegon, Marquette, Menominee, Muskegon, and Negauneeand Negaunee

Société de St-Jean-Société de St-Jean-BaptisteBaptiste

Now there is only one Société de St-Now there is only one Société de St-Jean-Baptiste group left in the Jean-Baptiste group left in the Detroit areaDetroit area

Most of its members are from Most of its members are from QuébecQuébec

Ethnic CelebrationEthnic Celebration

Fête de St-Jean-BaptisteFête de St-Jean-Baptiste on 24 June. on 24 June. The French Canadians marked their The French Canadians marked their

national holiday with parades, national holiday with parades, picnics, speeches, and bonfirespicnics, speeches, and bonfires

Failure to Organize Failure to Organize PoliticallyPolitically

The first wave did get Fr. Richard The first wave did get Fr. Richard elected to Congresselected to Congress

But both the first and second wave But both the first and second wave failed to organize politically and failed to organize politically and become a force on the local scene become a force on the local scene like the Irish didlike the Irish did

The organizations of the second The organizations of the second wave were split by controversieswave were split by controversies

Annexation ControversyAnnexation Controversy

The annexation controversy, erupted The annexation controversy, erupted at the 1869 joint conference of French at the 1869 joint conference of French Canadian groups in Detroit, damaged Canadian groups in Detroit, damaged the effectiveness of the Société St-the effectiveness of the Société St-Jean-BaptisteJean-Baptiste

Médéric Lanctot, a journalist, spoke at Médéric Lanctot, a journalist, spoke at this meeting and argued that Québec this meeting and argued that Québec should break away from the Canada should break away from the Canada and become part of the United States. and become part of the United States.

Naturalization Naturalization ControversyControversy

The French Canadian elite was The French Canadian elite was hesitant to endorse naturalization hesitant to endorse naturalization because of its feared impact on because of its feared impact on survivancesurvivance

Not until the 1886 national St-Jean-Not until the 1886 national St-Jean-Baptiste convention in Plattsburgh, Baptiste convention in Plattsburgh, New York, did they endorse a New York, did they endorse a platform of "naturalization without platform of "naturalization without assimilation"assimilation"

Ironic TurnIronic Turn

Against all predictions, the French Against all predictions, the French Canadians in New England have Canadians in New England have done a better job preserving their done a better job preserving their culture and languageculture and language

They could easily travel home to They could easily travel home to QuébecQuébec

More often refreshed with new More often refreshed with new immigrantsimmigrants

AssimilationAssimilation

French Canadians tended to hold on French Canadians tended to hold on to their language and culture longer to their language and culture longer than most other ethnic groupsthan most other ethnic groups

However, in another irony, once they However, in another irony, once they assimilated it was almost totalassimilated it was almost total

Very few French Canadians speak Very few French Canadians speak French any more, nor do they listen French any more, nor do they listen to their music, only the food ways to their music, only the food ways are leftare left

SeparatismSeparatism

As an example of the distance between As an example of the distance between French Canadians in Michigan and French Canadians in Michigan and Québec, few in Michigan support Québec, few in Michigan support separatism in Québecseparatism in Québec

This is true of first and second wave This is true of first and second wave descendantsdescendants

They identify Québec with the land of They identify Québec with the land of their deceased ancestors than their their deceased ancestors than their living cousinsliving cousins

Lost in the CensusLost in the Census

The French Canadians in Michigan have The French Canadians in Michigan have become so assimilated that they do not become so assimilated that they do not even identify themselves in the censuseven identify themselves in the census

In the 1980 and 1990 census most In the 1980 and 1990 census most French Canadians simply identified French Canadians simply identified themselves as being of French ancestrythemselves as being of French ancestry

Because of this phenomena, it is getting Because of this phenomena, it is getting harder to trace them as a groupharder to trace them as a group

Reclaiming our French Reclaiming our French Canadian HeritageCanadian Heritage

Many of the current generation of Many of the current generation of French Canadians are reclaiming French Canadians are reclaiming their heritage through two ways:their heritage through two ways: Historical ReenactingHistorical Reenacting GenealogyGenealogy

Nevertheless, few reclaim the Nevertheless, few reclaim the language of their ancestors or the language of their ancestors or the political aspirations of their Québec political aspirations of their Québec cousinscousins

Conclusion: Symbolic Conclusion: Symbolic EthnicityEthnicity

Symbolic ethnicity is a term the Symbolic ethnicity is a term the sociologist Herbert Gans Came up sociologist Herbert Gans Came up withwith

It means to identify with an ethnic It means to identify with an ethnic group and its symbols in such a way group and its symbols in such a way that there are no real demands on that there are no real demands on your American way of lifeyour American way of life

It is claiming a heritage selectivelyIt is claiming a heritage selectively

Genealogy and French Genealogy and French CanadiansCanadians

Genealogy is the harmless but vigorous Genealogy is the harmless but vigorous exercise of symbolic ethnicityexercise of symbolic ethnicity

It lets us lay claim to our ancestors and an It lets us lay claim to our ancestors and an ethnic identity without changing our ethnic identity without changing our American way of lifeAmerican way of life

There is no need to change cultural ways or There is no need to change cultural ways or to become fluent in Frenchto become fluent in French

My guide to doing French-Canadian My guide to doing French-Canadian genealogy in Houghton County can be found genealogy in Houghton County can be found online at online at http://habitant.org/houghton/fcgenealogy.htmhttp://habitant.org/houghton/fcgenealogy.htm

First Wave and Second First Wave and Second Wave GenealogyWave Genealogy

Genealogy brings French Canadians Genealogy brings French Canadians together to use resources back together to use resources back QuébecQuébec

However, here in Michigan they However, here in Michigan they tend to use different resourcestend to use different resources The first wave descendants can rely on The first wave descendants can rely on

published workspublished works The second wave descendants use more The second wave descendants use more

unpublished recordsunpublished records

Genealogy and QuébecGenealogy and Québec

Genealogy is also very popular in Genealogy is also very popular in QuébecQuébec

The finest, most complete, and best The finest, most complete, and best preserved records in the world for preserved records in the world for any ethnic groupany ethnic group

One of the few points of contact One of the few points of contact between Michigan’s French between Michigan’s French Canadians and their Québec cousinsCanadians and their Québec cousins

New BooksNew Books

French Canadians in MichiganFrench Canadians in Michigan Covers both waves of immigrantsCovers both waves of immigrants Part of the Discovering the People of Part of the Discovering the People of

Michigan series published by Michigan Michigan series published by Michigan State University PressState University Press

Also recommend Jean Lamarre’s Also recommend Jean Lamarre’s The French The French Canadians of Michigan: Their Contribution Canadians of Michigan: Their Contribution to the Development of the Saginaw Valley to the Development of the Saginaw Valley and the Keweenaw Peninsula, 1840-1914and the Keweenaw Peninsula, 1840-1914 (Detroit: Wayne State Univ. Press, 2003).(Detroit: Wayne State Univ. Press, 2003).

First Wave ChallengesFirst Wave Challenges

The British conquest of CanadaThe British conquest of Canada The British take over of the fur tradeThe British take over of the fur trade Pontiac’s UprisingPontiac’s Uprising The American RevolutionThe American Revolution The War of 1812The War of 1812 The Yankee invasion and becoming a The Yankee invasion and becoming a

minority by about 1830minority by about 1830

MétisMétis

MétisMétis are the mixed offspring are the mixed offspring usually of a French Canadian man usually of a French Canadian man and a Native American womanand a Native American woman

In Michigan, they tended to In Michigan, they tended to eventually join their mother’s tribe eventually join their mother’s tribe or to blend in with their father’s or to blend in with their father’s peoplepeople

AcadiansAcadians

Unlike the first wave of French Unlike the first wave of French Canadians to Michigan, some of the Canadians to Michigan, some of the second wave were part Acadiansecond wave were part Acadian

Acadians had lived in the Canadian Acadians had lived in the Canadian Maritimes and were exiled in 1755Maritimes and were exiled in 1755

Many made it to Québec and Many made it to Québec and blended in with the French blended in with the French CanadiansCanadians

Franco-ontariennesFranco-ontariennes

An interesting mix of first and second An interesting mix of first and second wave immigrants are the wave immigrants are the Franco-Franco-ontariennesontariennes

They are descendents of the first wave They are descendents of the first wave settlers of Detroit who moved to the settlers of Detroit who moved to the Windsor, Ontario, areaWindsor, Ontario, area

They came back to Michigan in the They came back to Michigan in the industrial period attracted by the same industrial period attracted by the same jobs the second wave French Canadians jobs the second wave French Canadians soughtsought