Six Days in Boston

Posted on September 13, 2008 by Steve

I arrived in Boston at 6:30 this morning on the redeye.

It seems that a few people figured out I’m here – my friend Barbara ran into me at the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) where I spoke with NEHGS genealogists Rhonda McClure and Julio Otto for help with French Canadian records. I also spoke with David Dearborn and briefly caught sight of Marie Daly.

Then, when I returned to my hotel room, I found that Midge had left me a message on Facebook to let me know she was waving to me from her home South of Boston.

I’ll be here in Boston for six days. Today, I spent half the day at NEHGS (I spent the first half of the day napping in my hotel room after the flight). I’ll return to NEHGS on Wednesday evening to try to find some Québec notarial records that mention my Godmother’s ancestors. On Thursday, I’ll be at the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics.

In between all that, I’ll be attending the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society Conference in the Hynes Convention Center. Events for that conference begin at 7:00 AM on Sunday and run through 4:30 Pm on Wednesday.

But, for now, it’s an early night for me here in Boston. Tomorrow will be a busy day!

Copyright © 2008 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Birth and Baptism of Genevií¨ve Fortin – 1686

Posted on September 12, 2008 by Steve

On 28 Oct 1686, Genevií¨ve Fortin, daughter of Charles Fortin and Marie Sainte Cloutier, was born. She was baptized in Rivií¨re des Trois Saumons (the River of Three Salmons), Québec, New France on 19 Nov 1686.

The Birth and Baptismal Record of Genevieve Fortin - 1686

The Birth and Baptismal Record of Genevií¨ve Fortin – 1686

SOURCE: Gabriel Drouin, comp. Drouin Collection. Montréal, Québec, Canada: Institut Généalogique Drouin. Cap St. Ignace, Québec, New France, 1686. Birth and Baptismal Record of Genevií¨ve Fortin, recto folio 8.

Click on the image above to enlarge it. Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Birth and Baptismal Record of Genevií¨ve Fortin – 1686. Translated from the French the record reads:

8 Baptism of Genevií¨ve Fortin

In the year one-thousand six-hundred eighty-six on the nineteenth day of the month of November was conditionally baptized by me, Brother Claude Recollet missionary, Genevií¨ve, born on the twenty-eighth of the month of October, daughter of Charles Fortin and Sainte Cloutier his wife in La Rivií¨re des Trois Saumons. The Godfather and Godmother were Eustache Fortin the paternal uncle and Genevií¨ve Langlois. The Godfather has signed and the godmother has declared that she does not know how to sign as required by law.
Eustache fortin     Brother Claude Moreau, Recollet Missionary

This record can be found as image 9/948 in the Québec Vital Records (Drouin Collection), 1621-1967 on Ancestry.com as part of the records for Cap-St-Ignace 1679-1808. The record appears on recto folio 8 (the front of folio 8).

Copyright © 2008 by Stephen J. Danko

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Ten Essential Books in My Genealogy Library

Posted on September 11, 2008 by Steve

When I was young, I spent a lot of time in the local library, and I remember telling my mother that I wanted to read all the books there. At home, I began my own library, mostly with paperback books I bought through Scholastic Book Services at school.

Ever since I began researching my family history, I’ve accumulated a number of genealogy reference books. I keep most of these genealogy books in bookcases, but there are a number of books that I keep at my desk because I use them so often.

Ten essential books in my genealogy library are:

  1. Fisiak, Jacek, Arleta Adamska-Sałaciak, Piotr Gąsiorowski, Marcin Feder, Maciej Machniewski, and Mariusz Idzkowski. 2003. Nowy słownik Fundacji Kościuszkowskiej = The new Kosciuszko Foundation dictionary. New York: Kościuszko Foundation.
    The Kościuszko Foundation dictionary is the definitive Polish-English English-Polish dictionary and includes a searchable CD version of the dictionary.
  2. Geyh, Patricia Keeney, Joyce Soltis Banachowski, Linda K. Boyea, Patricia Sarasain Ustine, Marilyn Holt Bourbonais, Beverly Ploenske LaBelle, Francele Sherburne, and Karen Vincent Humiston. 2002. French Canadian sources: a guide for genealogists. Orem, Utah: Ancestry Pub.
    This book provides a great overview of French Canadian records and includes sample translations.
  3. Hoffman, William F. 1998. Polish surnames: origins and meanings. Chicago: Polish Genealogical Society of America.
    I use this resource constantly to verify the spellings of Polish surnames. In this book, Fred Hoffman provides the frequencies of surnames in Poland as well as insight into the source and the meanings of Polish surnames.
  4. Mills, Elizabeth Shown. 2007. Evidence explained: citing history sources from artifacts to cyberspace. Baltimore, Md: Genealogical Pub. Co.
    I use this resource constantly when preparing complete and accurate source citations. It’s absolutely the best reference for citing sources for genealogy.
  5. Mullerowa, Lidia, and Zofia Zuchowska. 1995. Roman Catholic Parishes in the Polish People’s Republic in 1984. Chicago, IL: Polish Genealogical Society of America.
    This book is not only a reference to the location of Roman Catholic Parishes in Poland, but it also includes a section on the translation of Polish church names.
  6. Proko, Barbara, John Kraska, and Janice Baniukiewicz Stickles. 2003. The Polish community of Worcester. Images of America. Charlestown, SC: Arcadia.
    When my cousin gave me this book, I didn’t expect much. However, I found photos of several cousins, the main Polish church in Worcester, and the priests my parents and grandparents knew in the early 20th century.
  7. Shea, Jonathan D., and William F. Hoffman. 2000. In their words: a genealogist’s translation guide to Polish, German, Latin, and Russian documents. Volume one, Polish. New Britain, CT: Language & Lineage Press.
    What a great resource for genealogists translating Polish records! I use it frequently.
  8. Shea, Jonathan D., and William F. Hoffman. 2002. In their words: a genealogist’s translation guide to Polish, German, Latin, and Russian documents. Volume two, Russian. New Britain, CT: Language & Lineage Press.
    For those of us with ancestors who lived in Russian-Poland, this book is a Godsend! I doubt if I could have made much progress on my maternal ancestry without it.
  9. Sulimierski, Filip, Bronisława Chlebowski, and Władysław Walewski. 1880-1902. Słownik geograficzny Królestwa Polskiego i innych krajów słowiańskich. Warszawa: Filipa Sulimierskiego i Władsława Walewskiewgo.
    I have a copy of this series on CD, although I usually refer to the searchable online version these days. This enormous work is a gazetteer of Poland and surrounding areas, frequently with useful facts of the villages where our Polish ancestors lived.
  10. White, Jeanne Sauve. 1993. Guide to Quebec Catholic parishes and published parish marriage records. Baltimore, MD: Printed for Clearfield Company by Genealogical Pub. Co.
    While deceptively small, this book is a great resource for locating Roman Catholic parishes in Québec. I bought a copy for my cousin, and then I panicked when I had a hard time finding another copy for myself. Luckily, I was able to buy a copy through the National Institute for Genealogical Studies.

Written for the Carnival of Genealogy: 10 Essential Books in My Genealogy Library.

Copyright © 2008 by Stephen J. Danko

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Three in Hats

Posted on September 10, 2008 by Steve

Photographs show us people as they were at a specific point in time. As such, we can see what our ancestors looked like, what clothes they wore, and what they did.

Old photographs of ourselves or of events in which we participated can do something even more. They can evoke latent memories and stir in us emotions long forgotten.

That’s the case of this photograph of my sisters and me from February 1960.

I think I remember the day this photograph was taken. I certainly remember the outfits my sisters and I were wearing. This photo is only one of two in which all three of us were wearing hats.

Three in Hats

Three in Hats

SOURCE: Three in Hats (Albany, Albany County, New York). Photographed in February 1960 by either Francis J. Danko or Jane A. Danko.

My younger sister’s hat is something like a bonnet. Mine has flaps to keep my ears warm.

My older sister’s headwear is just a narrow band of fuzzy material around her head and over her ears . Her headwear matches her muff, an accessory in which she took great pride.

While looking at lots of old photos of my sisters and me, I’ve noticed one peculiar phenomenon. My older sister rarely looked directly at the photographer, but usually seemed to be preoccupied with something outside the view of the camera. Her distracted appearance, while no doubt disappointing my parents who would have preferred a photo of all three of us looking directly at the camera, lends charm to the photo, revealing something about my sister’s personality – a keen observer of everything occurring around her.

Written for the 5th Edition of Smile for the Camera – Crowning Glory.

Copyright © 2008 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Birth and Baptism of Jean Baptiste Fortin – 1684

Posted on September 10, 2008 by Steve

On 15 Dec 1684, Jean Baptiste Fortin, son of Charles Fortin and Marie Sainte Cloutier, was born. He was baptized in Rivií¨re des Trois Saumons (the River of Three Salmons), Québec, New France on 16 Dec 1684.

The Birth and Baptismal Record of Jean Baptiste Fortin - 1684

The Birth and Baptismal Record of Jean Baptiste Fortin – 1684

SOURCE: Gabriel Drouin, comp. Drouin Collection. Montréal, Québec, Canada: Institut Généalogique Drouin. Cap St. Ignace, Québec, New France, 1684. Birth and Baptismal Record of Jean Baptiste Fortin, verso folio 5.

Click on the image above to enlarge it. Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Birth and Baptismal Record of Jean Baptiste Fortin – 1684. Translated from the French the record reads:

Baptism of Jean Baptiste Fortin

On the sixteenth of December in the year one-thousand six-hundred eighty-four was baptized at La Rivií¨re des Trois Saumons by me, the undersigned missionary of the Seminary of Québec, providing the functions of the pastor of the south coast, Jean Baptiste, son of Charles Fortin and Sainte Cloutier his wife, born the previous day. The Godfather was Jacques Fortin, the Godmother was Marie Anzelin daughter of René Anzelin who have declared that they do not know how to sign as required by law. Thomas Morel, Missionary Priest

Of some significance is the fact that the baptism occurred at La Rivií¨re des Trois Saumons. It is likely that Charles Fortin and Marie Sainte Cloutier resided at that location which was without a church.

This record can be found as image 7/948 in the Québec Vital Records (Drouin Collection), 1621-1967 on Ancestry.com as part of the records for Cap-St-Ignace 1679-1808. The record appears on verso folio 5 (the back of folio 5).

Copyright © 2008 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Birth and Baptism of Jean Baptiste Gagnon – 1688

Posted on September 9, 2008 by Steve

On 25 Jan 1688, Jean Baptiste Gagnon, son of Pierre Gagnon and Barbe Fortin, was born. He was baptized in the Church of Ste. Anne de Beaupré, Ste. Anne de Beaupré, Québec, New France on 26 Jan 1688.

The Birth and Baptismal Record of Jean Baptiste Gagnon - 1688

The Birth and Baptismal Record of Jean Baptiste Gagnon – 1688

SOURCE: Gabriel Drouin, comp. Drouin Collection. Montréal, Québec, Canada: Institut Généalogique Drouin. Ste. Anne de Beaupré, Québec, New France, 1688. Birth and Baptismal Record of Jean Baptiste Gagnon, Page 85.

Click on the image above to enlarge it. Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Birth and Baptismal Record of Jean Baptiste Gagnon – 1688. Translated from the French the record reads:

Baptism of Jean Baptiste Gagnon

On the twenty-sixth day of the month of January in the year [one-thousand six-hundred] eighty-eight; by me Germain Morin, priest of the seminary of Québec, performing the function of pastor of this church, was baptized Jean Baptiste, son of the deceased Pierre Gagnon and Barbe Fortin his wife, born on the previous day. His Godfather was Joseph Fortin, his uncle, and his Godmother was Charlotte Cochon, wife of Mathurin Gagnon, who have declared that they do not know how to write or sign as required by law. :/: Signed Morin, Priest :/:

In addition to the birth and baptism of Jean Baptiste Gagnon, this record also indicates that the father, Pierre Gagnon, died sometime in the previous nine months. A quick look through the previous pages of records revealed Pierre’s death occurred on 10 Aug 1687 and was recorded on page 80 of the ledger.

This record can be found as image 74/877 in the Québec Vital Records (Drouin Collection), 1621-1967 on Ancestry.com as part of the records for Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré 1668-1808. The record appears on page 85.

Copyright © 2008 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Birth and Baptism of Marguerite Gagnon – 1687

Posted on September 8, 2008 by Steve

On 06 Jan 1687, Marguerite Gagnon, daughter of Pierre Gagnon and Barbe Fortin, was born. She was baptized in the Church of Ste. Anne de Beaupré, Ste. Anne de Beaupré, Québec, New France on 07 Jan 1687.

The Birth and Baptismal Record of Marguerite Gagnon - 1687

The Birth and Baptismal Record of Marguerite Gagnon – 1687

SOURCE: Gabriel Drouin, comp. Drouin Collection. Montréal, Québec, Canada: Institut Généalogique Drouin. Ste. Anne de Beaupré, Québec, New France, 1687. Birth and Baptismal Record of Marguerite Gagnon, Pages 79-80.

Click on the image above to enlarge it. Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Birth and Baptismal Record of Marguerite Gagnon – 1687. Translated from the French the record reads:

1687.
Baptism of Marguerite Gagnon

On the seventh day of the month of January in the year [one-thousand six-hundred] eighty-seven, by me, Germain Morin, priest of the Seminary in Québec, providing the function of pastor of this church, was baptized Marguerite, daughter of Pierre Gagnon and Barbe Fortin his wife, born on the previous day. Her Godfather was Pierre Giguere, son of Robert Giguere and her Godmother was Jeanne Barette daughter of Jean Barette of this parish, who have declared that they do not know how to write or sign as required by law.
Signed Morin, Priest :/:

The child whose birth and baptism was recorded in this record is the third daughter of Pierre Gagnon and Barbe Fortin who was named Marguerite. The first was born in 1681 and the second was born in 1682. While I could find no record of the death and burial of the first Marguerite, the second Marguerite died 30 May 1686.

This record can be found on image 71/877 and image 72/877 in the Québec Vital Records (Drouin Collection), 1621-1967 on Ancestry.com as part of the records for Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré 1668-1808. The record appears on pages 79-80.

Copyright © 2008 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Birth and Baptism of Alexandre Gagnon – 1684

Posted on September 7, 2008 by Steve

On 06 Jan 1684, Alexandre Gagnon, son of Pierre Gagnon and Barbe Fortin, was born. He was baptized in the Church of Ste. Anne de Beaupré, Ste. Anne de Beaupré, Québec, New France on 07 Jan 1684.

The Birth and Baptismal Record of Alexandre Gagnon - 1684

The Birth and Baptismal Record of Alexandre Gagnon – 1684

SOURCE: Gabriel Drouin, comp. Drouin Collection. Montréal, Québec, Canada: Institut Généalogique Drouin. Ste. Anne de Beaupré, Québec, New France, 1684. Birth and Baptismal Record of Alexandre Gagnon, Page 60.

Click on the image above to enlarge it. Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Birth and Baptismal Record of Alexandre Gagnon – 1684. Translated from the French the record reads:

1684.
Baptism of Alexandre Gagnon

On the seventh day of the month of January in the year [one-thousand six-hundred] eighty-four was baptized in the church of Ste. Anne by me, Thomas Morel, Missionary Priest providing the functions of pastor of this church, Alexander, son of Pierre Gagnon and Barbe Fortin his wife, born on the previous day. His Godfather was Joseph Fortin, his uncle, and his Godmother was Marguerite Gagnon Caron, daughter of Jean Caron: who have declared that they do not know how to write or sign as required by law. Signed Th[omas] Morel, Missionary Priest :/:

This record can be found as image 62/877 in the Québec Vital Records (Drouin Collection), 1621-1967 on Ancestry.com as part of the records for Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré 1668-1808. The record appears on page 60.

Copyright © 2008 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Birth and Baptism of Marguerite Gagnon – 1682

Posted on September 6, 2008 by Steve

On 02 Feb 1682, Marguerite Gagnon, daughter of Pierre Gagnon and Barbe Fortin, was born. She was baptized in the Church of Ste. Anne de Beaupré, Ste. Anne de Beaupré, Québec, New France on 03 Feb 1682.

The Birth and Baptismal Record of Marguerite Gagnon - 1682

The Birth and Baptismal Record of Marguerite Gagnon – 1682

SOURCE: Gabriel Drouin, comp. Drouin Collection. Montréal, Québec, Canada: Institut Généalogique Drouin. Ste. Anne de Beaupré, Québec, New France, 1682. Birth and Baptismal Record of Marguerite Gagnon, Page 51.

Click on the image above to enlarge it. Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Birth and Baptismal Record of Marguerite Gagnon – 1682. Translated from the French the record reads:

Baptism of Marguerite Gagnon

On the third day of the month of February, in the year [one-thousand six-hundred] eighty-two; by me, Louis Soumande, priest, performing the function of pastor of this church, was baptized Marguerite, daughter of Pierre Gagnon and Barbe Fortin his wife, born on the previous day. Her Godfather was Eustache Fortin, uncle of the infant  [two words?] and the Godmother was Marguerite Gagnon, wife of Jean Caron, who have declared that they do not know how to write or sign as required according to law. / Signed L. Soumande, Priest :/:
Eustache Fortin :/:

Because this is the second child of Pierre Gagnon and Barbe Fortin born within one year who was named Marguerite, I assume the first Marguerite died during the first year of her life. I have not, however, found a burial record for the first Marguerite.

This record can be found as image 57/877 in the Québec Vital Records (Drouin Collection), 1621-1967 on Ancestry.com as part of the records for Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré 1668-1808. The record appears on page 51.

Copyright © 2008 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Birth and Baptism of Marguerite Gagnon – 1681

Posted on September 5, 2008 by Steve

On 09 Feb 1681, Marguerite Gagnon, daughter of Pierre Gagnon and Barbe Fortin, was born. She was baptized in the Church of Ste. Anne de Beaupré, Ste. Anne de Beaupré, Québec, New France on 10 Feb 1681.

The Birth and Baptismal Record of Marguerite Gagnon - 1681

The Birth and Baptismal Record of Marguerite Gagnon – 1681

SOURCE: Gabriel Drouin, comp. Drouin Collection. Montréal, Québec, Canada: Institut Généalogique Drouin. Ste. Anne de Beaupré, Québec, New France, 1681. Birth and Baptismal Record of Marguerite Gagnon, Page 48.

Click on the image above to enlarge it. Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Birth and Baptismal Record of Marguerite Gagnon – 1681. Translated from the French the record reads:

48.
1681.
Baptism of Marguerite Gagnon

On the tenth day of the month of February, in the year [one-thousand six-hundred] eighty-one; by me, Louis Soumande, priest, serving the function of pastor of this church, was baptized daughter of Pierre Gagnon and Barbe Fortin his wife, born on the previous day. Her Godfather was Jacques Abelin, and her Godmother was Anne Gasnier, wife of Franí§ois LaCroix who have declared that they do not know how to sign as required according to law. / Signed L. Soumande, Priest :/:

This record can be found as image 56/877 in the Québec Vital Records (Drouin Collection), 1621-1967 on Ancestry.com as part of the records for Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré 1668-1808. The record appears on page 48.

Copyright © 2008 by Stephen J. Danko

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