Researching French lineage can be interesting and frustrating. Many of my ancestors came from the Brittany area of northern France, and - when living in Nova Scoita - had the family name of Préjean-LeBreton. The "LeBreton" is an indicator of families from Brittany, France.
Both my parents were French - but one side from Canada/Nova Scotia/Northern France, and the other side directly from rural southern France near the spanish border, Department of Ariege.
I suspect if you've been working with any Canadian records, you've discovered the "extra" or "false" name problem? Usually called a "dit" or "ditte" name (pronouced DEET)?
The problem is - many French people upon arriving in Canada, either changed their names, or took on dual-names. Some just plain lied and recreated themselves. To make the problem even worse, the Canadian government forced many families to take on new names due to a French name shortage. There were so many French families with the same names it was hard for the government to identify people - so many were forced to take on extra names - added to the original - to narrow things down a bit.
Subsequently, many people now - in Canada and the USA, have names based on many things - not all, and sometimes not AT all, related to the original family name. To make things worse, most got spelled wrong by English speakers, and recorded that way.
The best way to start to sift this stuff out is with records kept by French priests - like Loiselle's Index.
In regard to actually going to France and doing research? You've done a lot better than I have. I still have relatives living in southern France and they won't lift a finger to help their American cousin (me). That because they love our money, and love our health care, but can't stand us otherwise (in many cases). My cousin came here and was a personal cook for president Kennedy. He then became head chef for Pan American airlines. He left all his children behind in France while he made his money here. Then, he went back to France and says he hates Americans. A few years ago, his wife had a stroke. What did he do? Sent her to Long Island, New York, and stuck her in a nursing home to get free health care. Then went back to France and is still chasing women - and he's 89 years old.
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]
Today's Featured Article - History of the Nuffield Tractor - by Anthony West. The Nuffield tractor story started in early 1945. The British government still reeling from the effects of the war on the economy, approached the Nuffield organization to see if they would design and build an "ALL NEW" British built wheeled tractor, suitable for both British and world farming.
... [Read Article]
Latest Ad:
Oliver 550 Diesel runs like a watch three point hitch pto engine gone threw about two hundred hours ago nice clean tractor
[More Ads]
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy
TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.
