A Canadian Family

Genealogy, Family History & Vintage Postcards

St-Jovite in the Quebec Laurentians – a vintage postcard

St-Jovite, Quebec – La Rue Principale

Quebec vintage postcard, ski region


 When I was growing up in Quebec in the 1950s/60s, Read more »

July 26, 2010 Posted by | . | , , , , | 2 Comments

Pierre Ross/Rosse and Julie Thiffault/Thiffaut/Thiffeau

This is in response to a query from Susie Perkins.

1. Pierre Ross/Rosse, son of (Jean Baptiste /Thomas?) Ross/Rosse and Marie Anne Giguere. (Note: Credible online databases list the father as Thomas but I see Jean Baptiste on his marriage certificate. You’ll have to follow up on this yourself).

Pierre married Julie Thiffault/Thiffaut/Thiffeau on 20 Oct 1835 in St-Stanislas Champlain Mauricie QC CAN.  He was a farmer. Julie’s parents were Pierre Thiffault and Marguerite Bertrand dit St Arnaud. Neither spouse was able to sign the marriage certificate.

Children from this marriage included: Read more »

July 26, 2010 Posted by | . | , , , | Leave a Comment

The Laprairie Tourist Rooms on Blvd. Taschereau | Famille Pinsonneault

Quebec vintage postcard, old cars, 50s-60s

Laprairie Tourist Rooms,

Showers and Spring Mattresses,

Route 9,  Bld. Taschereau, Laprairie, Quebec

Emile Pinsonneault, Prop.


The owner of the Laprairie Tourist rooms was the  Emile Pinsonneault (son of Isaie Pinsonnault and Alma Parent) who married Louise Lanctot (daughter of Pilocles Lanctot and Lumina Robidoux) on October 1st, 1932 in St-Constant (Laprairie). Read more »

July 26, 2010 Posted by | . | , , , , , , | 1 Comment

White River (The Coldest Spot in Canada) And Birthplace Of Winnie The Pooh

White River – The Coldest Spot in Canada

Algoma Ontario | Roadside Attraction | The Coldest Spot in Canada | Vintage sign | giant Thermometer Text from back of postcard

“CANADA’S COLD SPOT”

Severe winter temperatures have given White River the reputation of being Canada’s Coldest Spot. This electronically operated thermometer, probably the largest in the world, stands 25 feet high and gives constant accurate readings. Located at Bagdon’s Esso Service Station on Highway 17 at White River, it is a must for every sightseer.  Color by Russell Romanick, For William.

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Winnie The Pooh

What many of you may not know is that White River is actually the “real” Winnie The Pooh’s birthplace.

White River had been founded by the Canadian Pacific Railway in the late 1800s, and at the beginning of World War I it was an important stopover for trains carrying soldiers and horses.

In 1914 one of these trains stopped in White River and let the horses off for watering and exercise. The man in coverall charge of these horses – Lieutenant Harry Colebourn – saw a bear for sale and bought it. Colebourn brought the bear with him to Valcartier (Quebec) and then on to his posting on the Salisbury Plains en England.

After Colebourn (now a Captain) was stationed to France, he placed her temporarily at the London Zoo. Colebourn survived the war and returned to Canada, but decided to leave Winnie at the London Zoo. This was where author A.A. Milne and his son Christopher Robin eventually discovered him and re-christened him Winnie-the-Pooh  - which became the inspiration for these beloved tales.

And finally – a little genealogy!

Surnames extracted from the 1901 census for White River (Algoma, Ontario district) Read more »

July 26, 2010 Posted by | . | , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Canadian Family Headstone: Adelard J. Legacy/Lagace, died Nov. 3rd, 1959

My maternal grandfather – buried at

Holy Family Church in Bathurst, New Brunswick


July 26, 2010 Posted by | . | , , , , , | Leave a Comment