A blessed and happy Easter, everyone!
Joyeuses Pâques, tout le monde!
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Friday, March 29, 2013
Funeral Card Friday: Yvonne Fournier
 |
| Front of card |
This funeral card is in memory of Yvonne (Belair) Fournier, my Dad’s cousin. The card measures 11.5 cm x 6.5 cm (approximately 4 ½” x 2 ½”). It was sent to my parents in March 1989, who weren’t able to attend Yvonne’s funeral.
 |
| Back of card |
Yvonne was born on 24 December 1926 in Ste-Cécile-de-Masham, Gatineau County, Quebec. She was baptised there the following day, with her maternal grandparents present as her godparents. Yvonne was the third, but eldest surviving child of Joseph and Corinne (Gingras) Belair, having four younger sisters (one of whom died young) and one brother. Her father Joseph was my grandfather Fred’s younger half-brother.
A few months before turning 22, Yvonne married Aldoria Fournier on 26 August 1948 at the parish church in Masham. They were the parents of seven children, six boys and one girl.
Yvonne died on 11 February 1989 in Hull (Gatineau), about 34 km (about 21 miles) south-east of Masham.
Copyright © 2013, Yvonne Demoskoff.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Travel Tuesday: The Cat and the Reindeer
My husband’s maternal uncle Philip Cazakoff (later Casacove) worked as a welder in Prince Rupert, British Columbia. On his way there one summer’s day in 1943, he picked up a postcard of Jasper National Park. (That cat certainly looks upset at being disturbed by one of the Park’s reindeer, doesn’t it?)
The card is addressed to his sister Ann, which is postmarked Edmonton, Alberta with a cancelled King George VI, 3 cents stamp.
Philip (1911-1976) and Ann (1926-1980) were the children of George and Polly (Poznekoff) Cazakoff, who lived on a farm in the Rural Municipality of St. Philips, near Kamsack, Saskatchewan.
The postcard reads:
3 P.M.
Aug 17/43
Dear Sis:
Though weary and sore / but still in one piece / have one and a half hrs. / to roam the streets till train time for [Prince] Rupert.
Your Brother
Phil.
Copyright © 2013, Yvonne Demoskoff.
 |
| "Playmates in Jasper Park" postcard (front view) |
Philip (1911-1976) and Ann (1926-1980) were the children of George and Polly (Poznekoff) Cazakoff, who lived on a farm in the Rural Municipality of St. Philips, near Kamsack, Saskatchewan.
 |
| "Playmates in Jasper Park" postcard (rear view) |
3 P.M.
Aug 17/43
Dear Sis:
Though weary and sore / but still in one piece / have one and a half hrs. / to roam the streets till train time for [Prince] Rupert.
Your Brother
Phil.
Copyright © 2013, Yvonne Demoskoff.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Sunday’s Obituary: John A. Demosky
John, my father-in-law Bill’s cousin, was the youngest child of Alex and Annie (Dorofaeff) Demosky. His parents, who were Russian Doukhobors, immigrated to Canada in 1899 and settled in Saskatchewan. John died on 13 March 1968 and was buried two days later in Riverview Cemetery, Kamsack, Saskatchewan.
Source:
“John A. Demosky”, funeral notice, undated clipping [March 1968], from unidentified newspaper; Demoskoff Family Papers, privately held by Yvonne (Belair) Demoskoff, British Columbia, 2013. Yvonne acquired an assortment of family memorabilia (including John’s funeral notice) in January 2012 from her father-in-law William (Bill) Demoskoff.
Copyright © 2013, Yvonne Demoskoff.
 |
| John A. Demosky funeral notice, 1968 |
Source:
“John A. Demosky”, funeral notice, undated clipping [March 1968], from unidentified newspaper; Demoskoff Family Papers, privately held by Yvonne (Belair) Demoskoff, British Columbia, 2013. Yvonne acquired an assortment of family memorabilia (including John’s funeral notice) in January 2012 from her father-in-law William (Bill) Demoskoff.
Copyright © 2013, Yvonne Demoskoff.
Friday, March 08, 2013
Friday Photo: Mother and Son
On the first two Fridays of each month, I showcase a family photo and answer the “who, what, when, where and why” of that picture. The first week’s Friday photo is taken from my side of the family and the second week’s Friday photo is chosen from my husband’s side of the family. (I got the idea for this column from Amy Coffin’s ebook The Big Genealogy Blog Book advertised on her The We Tree Genealogy Blog.)
Who:
My husband Michael and his mother Ann.
What:
Michael and Ann pose by the side of their house. He recognizes the tall rain barrel next to his bedroom window, the smaller pantry window (in the top left of the picture), and a basement window at ground level by his feet. He’s not sure why there’s a door leaning against the house, though.
When:
Michael appears to be about 10-14 months old, so the photo was taken in late 1953 or early 1954.
Where:
Mother and son were photographed at their family farm, north of Pelly, Saskatchewan.
Why:
It looks like a nice sunny day, so Michael’s parents (with father Bill probably taking the picture) thought it was a good time for an outdoor photo of their only son.
Michael loves this picture, because it brings back fond memories of his childhood and how much he enjoyed the clean, wholesome life he, his younger sister and their parents had at their farm. I love this photo, too, because it’s a rare picture of Michael as an infant.
Copyright © 2013, Yvonne Demoskoff.
 |
| Michael with his mother Ann, about 1954 |
My husband Michael and his mother Ann.
What:
Michael and Ann pose by the side of their house. He recognizes the tall rain barrel next to his bedroom window, the smaller pantry window (in the top left of the picture), and a basement window at ground level by his feet. He’s not sure why there’s a door leaning against the house, though.
When:
Michael appears to be about 10-14 months old, so the photo was taken in late 1953 or early 1954.
Where:
Mother and son were photographed at their family farm, north of Pelly, Saskatchewan.
Why:
It looks like a nice sunny day, so Michael’s parents (with father Bill probably taking the picture) thought it was a good time for an outdoor photo of their only son.
Michael loves this picture, because it brings back fond memories of his childhood and how much he enjoyed the clean, wholesome life he, his younger sister and their parents had at their farm. I love this photo, too, because it’s a rare picture of Michael as an infant.
Copyright © 2013, Yvonne Demoskoff.
Monday, March 04, 2013
Amanuensis Monday: In the Matter of …
An amanuensis is a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.
In October 1959, Joseph Philippe made a statutory declaration about Fred Belair’s name.1 I suspect it had to do with my grandfather wanting to collect his Canadian federal pension. (Joe was Fred’s nephew, being the son of his late sister Angélina.) My grandfather Fred would turn 70 years old in a couple of months, the age at which he could begin receiving his Old Age Security pension. Since he was baptised “Jean-Baptiste Ménésippe” in December 1889, but used “Fred” (or “Frederick”) most of his adult life, he probably had to prove who he was to the federal government before he could collect his $40 per month.
(Note: Preprinted portions of the declaration are in plain text, while the filled-in typewritten portions are shown underlined.)
Dominion of Canada
Province of Ontario
In the Matter of JEAN BAPTISTE MINISIPPE BELAIR, also known as FREDERICK BELAIR
TO WIT
I, Joseph Alfred Philippe
of the Town of Timmins in the
District of Cochrane, Miner,
Do Solemnly Declare that 1. I have known JEAN BAPTISTE MINISIPPE BELAIR, also known as FREDERICK BELAIR, for the last 43 years.
2. THAT when I first knew Mr. Belair, he was known under the name of MINISIPPE BELAIR or FRED BELAIR
3. THAT JEAN BAPTISTE MINISIPPE BELAIR and FREDERICK BELAIR is the one and same person.
And I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing it to be true and knowing that it is of the same force and effect as if made under oath, and by virtue of the Canada Evidence Act.
DECLARED before me at the Town
of Timmins
in the District
of Cochrane
this 6th day of October
1959.
[Signed] Joseph Philippe
Source:
1. “In the Matter of Jean Baptiste Minisippe Belair also known as Frederick Belair”, statutory declaration, dated 6 October 1959; Demoskoff Family Papers, photocopy held by Yvonne (Belair) Demoskoff, British Columbia, 2013.
Copyright © 2013, Yvonne Demoskoff.
 |
| Statutory Declaration (cover), 1959 |
In October 1959, Joseph Philippe made a statutory declaration about Fred Belair’s name.1 I suspect it had to do with my grandfather wanting to collect his Canadian federal pension. (Joe was Fred’s nephew, being the son of his late sister Angélina.) My grandfather Fred would turn 70 years old in a couple of months, the age at which he could begin receiving his Old Age Security pension. Since he was baptised “Jean-Baptiste Ménésippe” in December 1889, but used “Fred” (or “Frederick”) most of his adult life, he probably had to prove who he was to the federal government before he could collect his $40 per month.
 |
| Statutory Declaration (text), 1959 |
(Note: Preprinted portions of the declaration are in plain text, while the filled-in typewritten portions are shown underlined.)
Dominion of Canada
Province of Ontario
In the Matter of JEAN BAPTISTE MINISIPPE BELAIR, also known as FREDERICK BELAIR
TO WIT
I, Joseph Alfred Philippe
of the Town of Timmins in the
District of Cochrane, Miner,
Do Solemnly Declare that 1. I have known JEAN BAPTISTE MINISIPPE BELAIR, also known as FREDERICK BELAIR, for the last 43 years.
2. THAT when I first knew Mr. Belair, he was known under the name of MINISIPPE BELAIR or FRED BELAIR
3. THAT JEAN BAPTISTE MINISIPPE BELAIR and FREDERICK BELAIR is the one and same person.
And I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing it to be true and knowing that it is of the same force and effect as if made under oath, and by virtue of the Canada Evidence Act.
DECLARED before me at the Town
of Timmins
in the District
of Cochrane
this 6th day of October
1959.
[Signed] Joseph Philippe
Source:
1. “In the Matter of Jean Baptiste Minisippe Belair also known as Frederick Belair”, statutory declaration, dated 6 October 1959; Demoskoff Family Papers, photocopy held by Yvonne (Belair) Demoskoff, British Columbia, 2013.
Copyright © 2013, Yvonne Demoskoff.
Saturday, March 02, 2013
Ancestral Anniversaries for March 2013
Starting last October, I’ve posted articles about some of my ancestors’ life events that marked an anniversary in 2012. I’m continuing this series by presenting a selection of ancestral events for 2013.
3 March 1743:
Death of Pierre Ardouin (Hardouin) in Montreal. He was buried there the next day. Pierre was born in 1665 in Tesson in the province of Saintonge, France. He arrived in Canada about 1688 or 1689. He married Agathe Morin, a widow, in June 1692 in Montreal. They are my maternal ancestors.
5 March 1773:
Birth of Marie Anne Séguin in Boucherville, Chambly County, Quebec. Daughter of Pierre Séguin dit Ladéroute by his second wife Françoise Véronneau, Marie Anne was baptized the same day in the parish church Très Ste-Famille of Boucherville. In September 1794, she married Jean-Baptiste Lemieux, by whom she had eleven children. Marie Anne and Jean-Baptiste are my maternal ancestors.
13 March 1703:
Death of Catherine Loignon in Château-Richer, Montmorency County, Quebec. She was two weeks shy of her 34th birthday, and left behind nine children (two had predeceased her). Her husband Etienne Drouin remarried in 1711, a widow by whom he had no children. Catherine and Etienne were my paternal ancestors.
20 March 1833:
Death of François Pineault dit Laperle dit Deschatelets. His funeral took place two days later in Ste-Anne-des-Plaines, Terrebonne County, Quebec. François’ married twice: first to Marie Louise Colle (they are my maternal ancestors) and second to Marie Angélique Duquet (Madry), who survived him.
29 March 1733:
Burial of Jeanne (Françoise) Petit in Longueuil, Chambly County, Quebec. She died the previous day, aged either 77 or 90, depending on her age on the 1681 census or in her burial record. Originally from La Rochelle, France, Jeanne came to Canada as a “fille du roi” in 1672. That September, she entered into a marriage contract with François Séguin dit Ladéroute, whom she married on 31 October 1672 in Boucherville, Chambly County. Jeanne and François were the great-grandparents of Marie Anne Séguin, born on 5 March 1773, above.
Copyright © 2013, Yvonne Demoskoff.
3 March 1743:
Death of Pierre Ardouin (Hardouin) in Montreal. He was buried there the next day. Pierre was born in 1665 in Tesson in the province of Saintonge, France. He arrived in Canada about 1688 or 1689. He married Agathe Morin, a widow, in June 1692 in Montreal. They are my maternal ancestors.
5 March 1773:
Birth of Marie Anne Séguin in Boucherville, Chambly County, Quebec. Daughter of Pierre Séguin dit Ladéroute by his second wife Françoise Véronneau, Marie Anne was baptized the same day in the parish church Très Ste-Famille of Boucherville. In September 1794, she married Jean-Baptiste Lemieux, by whom she had eleven children. Marie Anne and Jean-Baptiste are my maternal ancestors.
13 March 1703:
Death of Catherine Loignon in Château-Richer, Montmorency County, Quebec. She was two weeks shy of her 34th birthday, and left behind nine children (two had predeceased her). Her husband Etienne Drouin remarried in 1711, a widow by whom he had no children. Catherine and Etienne were my paternal ancestors.
20 March 1833:
Death of François Pineault dit Laperle dit Deschatelets. His funeral took place two days later in Ste-Anne-des-Plaines, Terrebonne County, Quebec. François’ married twice: first to Marie Louise Colle (they are my maternal ancestors) and second to Marie Angélique Duquet (Madry), who survived him.
29 March 1733:
Burial of Jeanne (Françoise) Petit in Longueuil, Chambly County, Quebec. She died the previous day, aged either 77 or 90, depending on her age on the 1681 census or in her burial record. Originally from La Rochelle, France, Jeanne came to Canada as a “fille du roi” in 1672. That September, she entered into a marriage contract with François Séguin dit Ladéroute, whom she married on 31 October 1672 in Boucherville, Chambly County. Jeanne and François were the great-grandparents of Marie Anne Séguin, born on 5 March 1773, above.
Copyright © 2013, Yvonne Demoskoff.
Friday, March 01, 2013
Friday Photo: Young and Carefree
On the first two Fridays of each month, I showcase a family photo and answer the “who, what, when, where and why” of that picture. The first week’s Friday photo is taken from my side of the family and the second week’s Friday photo is chosen from my husband’s side of the family. (I got the idea for this column from Amy Coffin’s ebook The Big Genealogy Blog Book advertised on her The We Tree Genealogy Blog.)
Who:
My parents, Maurice Belair and Jacqueline Desgroseilliers. Dad was about 26 years old and Mom about 20.
What:
Mom and Dad met in the early 1950s and were going steady by 1953. They’re standing next to Dad’s Pontiac, which I think is a 1950 Silver Streak.
When:
Mom is wearing a lightweight sleeveless cotton dress, so the photo was probably taken in the summer of 1953 or 1954.
Where:
My parents were photographed in Dunnville, a small town in southwestern Ontario near Lake Erie.
Why:
Mom and Dad enjoyed travelling and being outdoors. Once Dad was able to afford cars, he and Mom liked to go out on day trips and outings.
I love this photo, because it shows my parents when they were young, happy and carefree. I see their love for each other and that makes me happy!
Copyright © 2013, Yvonne Demoskoff.
 |
| Maurice and Jacqueline, about 1953 |
Who:
My parents, Maurice Belair and Jacqueline Desgroseilliers. Dad was about 26 years old and Mom about 20.
What:
Mom and Dad met in the early 1950s and were going steady by 1953. They’re standing next to Dad’s Pontiac, which I think is a 1950 Silver Streak.
When:
Mom is wearing a lightweight sleeveless cotton dress, so the photo was probably taken in the summer of 1953 or 1954.
Where:
My parents were photographed in Dunnville, a small town in southwestern Ontario near Lake Erie.
Why:
Mom and Dad enjoyed travelling and being outdoors. Once Dad was able to afford cars, he and Mom liked to go out on day trips and outings.
I love this photo, because it shows my parents when they were young, happy and carefree. I see their love for each other and that makes me happy!
Copyright © 2013, Yvonne Demoskoff.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)