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 21 Number 1, Fall 2006
Articles
"Coureurs des Bois" by Joyce Banachowski
Champlain recognized the importance of furs in France and encouraged young men to live among the Indians, to learn their languages and customs, and to convince them to bring their furs to Montreal and Trois Rivieres. The government of New France required a license for men to leave the colony and go into the forests for furs. The voyageurs signed a contract with a licensed trader, but the coureurs de bois (a colorful group of men) generally operated illegally in the fur trade.
Because the rules concerning the license (conge) often changed, a coureur de bois might be outside the law one year and legally within it the next. An amnesty was sometimes offered, but seldom accepted. Coureurs des bois, preferring to operate independent of the law, continued to live with the Indians in the interior.
Life in the interior could be harsh, but with an Indian wife and the freedom to hunt and trade, it was more appealing than returning to the colony to farm. Since this was a life for young men, some returned to the colony with enough money to enjoy a good life. 15 pages, bibliography and listing of some known coureurs des bois.
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