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 17 Number 4, Summer 2003
Articles
"Armuriers/Gunsmiths of New France" by Joyce Banachowski
"Guns were necessary for more than hunting for food. Not
only were they used to get food, but they were needed to acquire furs
and to provide protection. Our ancestors of New France had to face
almost continuous Indian wars in the seventeenth and into the nineteenth
centuries. In the eighteenth century they were also facing the English
in combat. Defending themselves was a necessity for all who came to the
new world. All males between the ages of 16 and 60 were required to be
in the militia".
This article articulately describes the people and their
guns as well as the development of weaponry, the role of the armunier in
New France, the frontier gunsmith, and in particular "A Gunsmith at
Michilimackinac".
A detailed bibliography and an extensive listing of the
gunsmiths of New France and French Canada accompany the article.