Richard Roy

AN ANCIENT PASTIME
Genealogy, or the study of family origins, has fascinated people from every walk of life since the dawn of civilization. The word itself comes from two Greek words meaning "family" and "science". Genealogy was first used to document the lives of pharaohs, royalty, gods, and mortals that had become divine in Greek and Roman mythology. Today, thanks to European genealogical history and the rise of the middle classes, people may trace their family trees by referring to public and census records; parish registers; birth, marriage and death certificates; wills, newspapers and photographs.

EASTERN TOWNSHIPS GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
In the Eastern Townships several genealogical societies provide research facilities and assistance to anyone interested in tracing their family roots. I visited one of these on a recent trip to Sherbrooke. The "Société de Généalogie des Cantons-de-l'Est (Eastern Townships Genealogical Society) is located in the historic former post office building at 275 Dufferin in downtown Sherbrooke. The mission of this bilingual organization is: "Working together to discover our ancestral roots."

"A MUSEUM OF FAMILY HISTORY"
The genealogical society is a virtual "museum of family history." Here you will meet dedicated and amiable volunteers with a passion for genealogical research. "My job is truly fascinating," said my host, archivist Micheline Gilbert, with a smile. "We are volunteers here, and we love it. All our services are offered in English under the supervision of Mr. Jos Allard, which will be of interest to our American friends searching their family roots this side of the border." Ms. Gilbert went on to say that the Society receives visitors and requests for information from all over North America. "We've helped researchers from New England, Louisiana, New Orleans, California, Florida and throughout Canada," she said, indicating the numerous reference shelves with a sweep of her hand. "In fact, we have references to all the places that Quebeckers have moved to over the years."

At the genealogical society, you can look up families by name, date, profession, history, and by marriage, which even includes the names of family members and guests attending the wedding. The Society has an impressive collection of reference material, including thousands of volumes and microfilm reels; directories of Canadian and American genealogical and historical periodicals; marriages, baptisms and burials; as well as the complete collection of microfilms formerly available at the Archives nationales du Québec. There are genealogical dictionaries on hand where you can refer to families as far back as 1422.

2,000,000 ENTRIES
Another invaluable resource is a database with more than 2,000,000 entries, which I found absolutely incredible. While I only had a mild interest in my own background (I do know a little about my British heritage), I was now about to have the door opened onto my French Canadian past. Excited and full of anticipation, I peeped over Ms. Gilbert's shoulder at the computer screen. In less than two minutes, she had traced my lineage back to two brothers who had immigrated to Quebec from Normandy, France in 1665.

Archivist Micheline Gilbert, a dedicated volunteer.
(Photo: Richard Roy)

"We can do research for a fee for anyone who cannot come in person, which is especially important for Americans or Canadians that live too far away to come here," explained Ms. Gilbert. On my way out, she reminded me that it is "very important, whether you come in person or whether you request a search, to give us as much information as possible. Nothing should be overlooked. Bring us all certificates, check stubs, leases, places of work, where the person lived -- in short, anything that will help us with the research."

For more information on business hours, entry fees and membership, or assistance in your research, write the Eastern Townships Genealogical Society at: 275 Dufferin, Sherbrooke, Quebec, J1H 4M5; or contact them by phone at: (819) 821-5414; or by email at: sgce@libertel.org.

EASTERN TOWNSHIPS RESEARCH CENTRE
There are many other facilities in the Townships where you can explore your family's past. Why not try the Eastern Townships Research Centre, located in the McGreer Building at Bishop's University, Lennoxville, QC, J1M 1Z7. At the ETRC, you will meet archivist Daniel Bromby, who can assist you in your search. One of the many resources on hand at the Centre is the complete Eastern Townships United Church and Presbyterian birth, marriage, and death records, now in the public domain. Also available are the vital statistics recorded in the Stanstead Journal from 1845 to 1958 and the Sherbrooke Record from 1897 to 1906, and alphabetical indexes of land ownership in Quebec from 1763 onwards. You may also want to consult the Guide to Eastern Townships Genealogy Source Material which is available.

Mr. Bromby will respond to internet requests for genealogical assistance at etrc2@ubishops.ca. This is a free service. The ETRC may be reached by phone at: (819) 822-9600, ext. 2261.

And don't forget to check out some of the many other historical societies and museums in the region. Many have archives of their own which may contain the information you are looking for. With a little research and with a few pointers from the experts, the distant and not so distant past of your family can be brought vividly to life once more.