Quarterly

The French Canadian/Acadian Genealogists of Wisconsin Quarterly features articles on French Canadian/Acadian research, historical as well as cultural information, published genealogies, and news about many current genealogical events. The annually published surname list consists of major surnames being researched by members.

Volume 14 Number 4, Summer 2000

Articles

"The Poor of New France and French Canada" by Joyce Banachowski

"It would be nice of us to think of our ancestors who came to New France as being strong, determined, successful, hardworking, talented, adventurers who were out to conquer whatever should face them. However, as the colony grew, reality set in. There were those who would be unable or unwilling to cope. There would be those who would find the work too difficult; there would be those who would be too old or too ill to handle the demands of everyday life. There would be those who would have bad luck. Droughts, frosts, and insects led to crop failures. For poor small farmers there was nothing to fall back on....

The author explains in detail the role of the nursing orders of nuns who came to help the poor. The role of the government in dealing with the beggars is explained. The Hotel Dieu in Quebec and Montreal were ministering to the poor as well.

Orphanages, foundlings, prostitution, etc. caused many problems for the authorities of the time.

A detailed bibliography accompanies the article. An in depth listing of the Grey Nuns who died between 1737 - 1879 is also presented.

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