Thursday, July 03, 2008

Quebec's 400th Anniversary and la famille Trudel


There are huge happenings in beautiful Quebec City as it celebrates its 400th anniversary, marking the founding of what has become modern day Quebec City on July 3rd, 1608 by the French explorer Samuel De Champlain.
My ancestor, Jean Trudel, came to Quebec from France in 1655 (not quite 400 years ago but pretty close) and settled in L'Ange Gardien, a small town just outside of the city. Here are some historical notes:
The first mass celebrated at L'Ange Gardien was in the house of your ancestor Jean Trudel. A pioneer of the parish of L'Ange Gardien, Jean Trudel settled on the coast of Beaupré, near Québec, in 1655. His farm was approximately a mile and a half on the side of the Montmorency Falls. In 1911, a monument commemorating Jean Trudel was erected by his descendants on the site of his original house which still had visible foundations at that time.

At the beginning of colonization, up until the time that churches and chapels were built, services were held in a settler's home by missionnary priests. At L'Ange Gardien, these services were held in the house of Jean Trudel. This is noted in an act of 1664 whose subject was the election of marguilliers (?).

It is interesting to note that during the census of 1666, Jean Trudel was identified as 'canvas weaver'. For many generations, one of our national industries was this weaving and your ancestor Jean Trudel was one of those who contributed in its development.
There is a Trudel website with the family crest, the monument and more, although I can't imagine why you'd be interested unless you're a Trudel.

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