![\"\"](\"https:\/\/toursaccolade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/french-canadian-ancestry-trip-quebec.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\nPrepare your ancestry trip<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
As obvious as it may seem, to discover places linked to your ancestors, you must first know who they are, where they come from, where they lived and where they went.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you read this article, it’s probably because you already have a detailed family tree. Maybe you’re confused with the names of the lordships (seigneuries<\/em>), parishes (paroisses<\/em>), cities and municipalities, especially because they changed. Among the most useful tools, take a look at:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maybe there are holes in your family tree or you need to double-check some information. The best solution is simply to hire a professional genealogist. For example Kim from the French-Canadian Genealogist<\/a>, fluent in French and English.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now you know where your French-Canadian ancestors lived (from vague areas to specific houses), you can pinpoint that information on a map and start to build an itinerary. You’ll want to visit towns and cities, which is great, but kind of scrawny. Essential things are missing: information, history, and insight!<\/p>\n\n\n\n You’re lucky, there are plenty of institutions, sites, monuments and activities related to your ancestry in Qu\u00e9bec Province. Here are some ideas in Qu\u00e9bec City and its surroundings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Every year the Mus\u00e9e de la Civilisation<\/em> has fascinating exhibitions. Two of them are permanent and a must-see for French-Canadian descendants:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Plan a half day in that terrific museum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Mus\u00e9e de la Civilisation<\/em> also takes care of the Mus\u00e9e de l’Am\u00e9rique francophone<\/em><\/a>, currently “mutating”. This one is also relevant, it’s about French-speaking people in North America. That could be useful to connect some dots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maybe there’s a lord in your family tree, maybe not. Nonetheless, the lord was a prominent character back to New France, until the British abolished this system in the mid-1800s. Not all of them were wealthy, but some of them had huge manors. Like the Manoir Mauvide-Genest<\/a><\/em> on the Island of Orl\u00e9ans. The manor is beautifully restored and animated. You’ll see there many authentic tools, furniture and so on. This is among the best place to travel back in time with the Maison Drouin<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Fondation Fran\u00e7ois-Lamy<\/a> takes care of the Maison Drouin<\/em> and the Maison de nos A\u00efeux<\/em>, both valuable for an insightful ancestry trip. Located on the Island of Orleans, the first one is a humble 300-year old house, more likely to look like your ancestors’ homes than the manor. The second one is an institution that will help you to learn more about the history of the island and its founding families. Some of these founding families could be in your family tree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you come prepared or not, you’ll enjoy that visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back to the 1600s and most of the 1700s, the vast majority of the French-Canadians lived next to the shore of the Saint-Lawrence river. This majestic and huge river was part of their life. Many farmers were also fishing, especially the eel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Located on the Island of Orl\u00e9ans, the Parc maritime de Saint-Laurent<\/a><\/em> is charming, small and interesting. There’s absolutely no reason to skip it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Louis Fr\u00e9chette is among the most famous poet and author in Qu\u00e9bec Province. With his writings, he contributed to the collective memory of the French-Canadians. If you’re looking for some poetry in a picturesque scenery, go to the Maison natale de Louis Fr\u00e9chette<\/a><\/em>. Don’t be scared because everything is in French. People working there will be happy to greet you in English, because that’s l\u00e0 o\u00f9 les mots rassemblent<\/em> (where the words gather).<\/p>\n\n\n\n For the same reason you have to see the exhibition “This is Our Story”, you also should consider a visit at the Huron traditional site in Wendake<\/a>. Content provided is excellent and the site itself is well organized. It’s an ideal attraction to understand the complex local history. You’ll certainly figure out why many French explorers, coureurs des bois<\/em> and voyageurs<\/em> were fascinated and attracted by this culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n French-Canadians and Irish were Catholic. It was common they married each other. For that reason, many French-Canadians have Irish roots. You know the arrival of most Irish in the 1800s was quite tragic. From 1832 to 1937, immigrants, among them Irish people of course, had to spend some time on Grosse-\u00cele, which was a quarantine station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Parks Canada take care of this island which is now an Irish Memorial National Historic Site<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Spoiler: that’s the activity I provide and I’m very proud of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I’m used to tailoring private tours live in Qu\u00e9bec City, L\u00e9vis and nearby. This experience though, called Your Roots Private Walking Tour<\/a>, requires preparation. Basically, the client sends to me the family tree and any relevant information. Sometimes there’s a lot of it and I just need to explore it. Sometimes very little and I look at the databases myself. If necessary, Kim, from the French-Canadian Genealogist<\/a>, can help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I’m looking for familiar names like first settlers, King’s daughters, militia captains, etc. Sometimes I find little gems like trials. I try to understand where the people lived, how the family “moved” in the territory. Especially during key dates and pivotal moments in history. Overall the idea is to connect the dots between raw data and history itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most importantly, I don’t only check the father-line or mother-line, I really explore the whole accessible family tree. That’s why it’s so important to contact me weeks before you come to Qu\u00e9bec City. I already provided last-minute tours like this, doing the research late in the evening, but I can’t always do miracles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, it’s the time to greet the travelers and to guide them between 2 and 4 hours in relevant places, using the information I analyzed. The tour isn’t only about history, it is about their history. Almost abstract names then become embodied figures in the great spectacle of history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This private tour<\/a> is definitely a unique experience, especially because among all these activities, sites, attractions and institutions mentioned in this article, this is the only one you get something personally tailored, just for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back to the 1600s and 1700s in Canada, the variety of ingredients was descent, but not as impressive as it is today. No tomatoes, pepper and other exotic fruits and vegetables. Moreover, many varieties were different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tragically, it is not clear what the French-Canadians ate through centuries, because we don’t have many reliable old recipes and the influence of the British seems to be huge in the 1800s. You also have to keep in mind there’s a difference between the daily recipes and the feasts of the nobelry. That’s usually the latter we find in the books.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are restaurants where you can have an idea of the traditional food though. The place to go is certainly the famous restaurant on St. Louis Street in Qu\u00e9bec City: Aux Anciens Canadiens<\/a>. It is a touristy restaurant, but a delicious one. La B\u00fbche<\/a>, more sugar shack style, is also to consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With industrialization and strict regulations, Qu\u00e9bec lost too much of its culinary authentic products in the XXth century. While many artisanal productions thrive nowadays, some traditional products come back to life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That’s why if you go to the Island of Orl\u00e9ans, you absolutely have to visit this cheese producer: Les Fromages de l’Isle d’Orl\u00e9ans<\/a>. Overall, this Island is perfect to taste local delicacies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The vast majority of your French-Canadian ancestors were farmers. One aspect of their daily life was the reward of a tremendous work: harvesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are several farms around Qu\u00e9bec City were you can pick-your-own fruits and vegetables. Check the list on Autocueillette website<\/a>. It’s in French only, but you’ll recognize the fruits available with the images. This activity is a must-do if you travel with your kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, don’t spend your day there, you’ll destroy your back. Just fill one or two trays and enjoy later the most delicious fruits: the ones your harvested yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Centuries ago, people didn’t spend their entire life in their town. They traveled quite a lot for business, family or religious matter: fur trade, lumbering, wedding, funeral, pilgrimage, etc. During war time, men from shore of the Saint-Lawrence river could go as far as Pittsburgh (former Fort Duquesne).<\/p>\n\n\n\n They traveled across the country by foot (and snowshoe during winter), boat and canoe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To have a little foretaste of their journeys, you could go canoeing, hiking or snowshoeing at the Parc de la Jacques-Cartier<\/a>. Depending on the season, naturally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After having prepared private tours based on the family of many clients, the observation is that there are certain patterns. Names and places come often up, which is not surprising: the community was pretty small back to the 1600s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Old Qu\u00e9bec is, of course, a must see. Using it as starting location, you probably have 4 or 5 directions to consider. Or 2 loops if you have time and if it’s relevant. Make sure you take a look at the ancestral homes and churches along the roads. When you stop at a church, always look for plaques and monument nearby. Same for cemeteries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are drafts of itineraries on a map:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you would like to know more, here are the names of some villages and municipalities on the map:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re looking for a loop, you can connect:<\/p>\n\n\n\n We’ll stick to manuments and skip the plaques in order to keep that long article… not too long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The two statues I show quite often to travelers during a private tour “Your Roots”<\/a> are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Actually they are the only statues of first settlers in the area. Other monuments are related to people you certainly won’t have in your family tree: religious people (no kids), Champlain (no kids), generals (kids in Europe), etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Further away from the old city, two monuments could be relevant though:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you planned to go further West or East and explore Qu\u00e9bec Province, there are other relevant sites and attractions you could visit to have an idea of what was it like to be French-Canadian centuries ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Located in an over 300 years old farm house in Montr\u00e9al, this museum<\/a> is dedicated to Marguerite Bourgeoys and the Filles du Roy<\/em> (King’s daughters). They have exhibitions and organize several activities every year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The probability you have Filles du Roy<\/em> in your family tree is huge. It is therefore one of the most ancestry-related place to visit in Montr\u00e9al.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite the fact you can go to any old town to admire old authentic houses, you have to visit Village Qu\u00e9b\u00e9cois d’Antan<\/a>. Not only you’ll feel you travel in time because of the lack of cars, asphalt and insipid contemporary houses, but they also organize fun activities. It is definitely an attraction to visit with your family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This reconstituted town recreates a typical environment from the 1810 to 1930. That’s the time frame during which hundred of thousands of French-Canadians left nowadays Qu\u00e9bec Province to move to the United States and the Central and West parts of Canada. Check in your family tree the last generation that lived in Qu\u00e9bec Province, go to the Village Qu\u00e9b\u00e9cois d’Antan<\/em> and you’ll have an idea of what they left behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This site is located in Drummondville, which is between Montr\u00e9al and Qu\u00e9bec-City, South of Trois-Rivi\u00e8res.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Check their exhibitions on the official website<\/a>, sometimes they’re relevant with ancestry and the life of your ancestors. It’s also a great way to make a bond between your ancestry and the contemporary culture of Qu\u00e9b\u00e9cois.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re traveling between Qu\u00e9bec City and Montr\u00e9al, it’s also a nice stop. Take the time to visit the Manoir Boucher de Niverville<\/a> and the Forges of the Saint-Maurice<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Less than 1 hour away from Trois-Rivi\u00e8res, there’s the Village b\u00fbcheron<\/a><\/em> which is a reconstituted lumberjack town. Guided tours are provided by musicians and storytellers. Immerse yourself in the universe of b\u00fbcherons<\/em> (lumberjacks) and draveurs<\/em> (raftsmen) in French or English.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you visit the spectacular Royaume du Saguenay<\/em> (Saguenay Lac St-Jean), travel back to the 1920s in the ghost town Val-Jalbert<\/a>, now historical village. With exhibitions, guided tours, an immersive show, nature hikes and scenic viewpoints, this attraction does worth the drive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Located between Saguenay and Tadoussac, in the small town of Saint-F\u00e9lix-d’Otis, on the shore of the fjord, the Site de la Nouvelle-France<\/a><\/em> (Site of New France) provides a travel back to the 1600s. Natural site is also a must see. This site will be back in 2022 after major improvements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your family tree leads you to Gasp\u00e9sie, a peninsula you should visit anyway, make sure you take a look at the exhibitions of the Soci\u00e9t\u00e9 d’histoire et de g\u00e9n\u00e9alogie de Matane<\/a><\/em> (historical and genealogical society of Matane). The fishing bank of Pasp\u00e9biac<\/a> is a must see. The Mus\u00e9e de la Gasp\u00e9sie<\/em> has a permanent exhibition, the deep blue sea<\/a>, that is partially relevant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many French-Canadians have Acadian roots. On the way to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, former Acadia, you have to stop at the Mus\u00e9e Acadien du Qu\u00e9bec<\/em><\/a>, located in Bonaventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, even if you don’t find Micmac ancestry in your family tree, your ancestors probably interacted with them. More information at the Micmac interpretation site of Gespeg<\/a> to learn more about this Nation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your ancestry trip to Qu\u00e9bec City and its surroundings will be memorable. Not only the area is picturesque and beautiful, the people charming and welcoming, the heritage gorgeous and well-preserved, the attractions fascinating and terrific, but the trip itself is about you and your ancestry. You’ll connect with your family tree!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes it’s a journey in a completely unknown territory, discovery after discovery. Sometimes it helps travelers to understand better some memories they have with relatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSites and activities related to your ancestry<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Museums, exhibitions and local attractions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/toursaccolade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/musee-de-la-civilisation-quebec.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nMus\u00e9e de la Civilisation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/toursaccolade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/manoir-mauvide-genest.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nManoir Mauvide-Genest<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/toursaccolade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/maison-drouin.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nMaison Drouin and Maison de nos A\u00efeux<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/toursaccolade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/parc-maritime-de-saint-laurent.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nParc maritime de Saint-Laurent<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/toursaccolade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/maison-natale-de-louis-frechette.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nMaison natale de Louis Fr\u00e9chette<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/toursaccolade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/site-huron-traditionnel-wendake.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHuron traditional site in Wendake<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/toursaccolade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/grosse-ile-irish-memorial.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nGrosse-\u00cele and the Irish Memorial National Historic Site<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Activities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/toursaccolade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/old-quebec-private-tour-your-roots.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nYour Roots Private Walking Tour (Qu\u00e9bec City and\/or L\u00e9vis)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Traditional food<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/toursaccolade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/pick-your-own-farms.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nOld fashioned activities<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Sport-related activities<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Towns and monuments<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Towns maybe related to your ancestry<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/toursaccolade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/map-insightful-ancestry-trip-quebec-tours-accolade.png\")
Monuments maybe related to your ancestry<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/toursaccolade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/carte-vacances-quebec.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nGoing further West and East in Qu\u00e9bec Province<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Maison Saint-Gabriel<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Village Qu\u00e9b\u00e9cois d’Antan<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Mus\u00e9e Pop – La culture populaire du Qu\u00e9bec<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Le Village du b\u00fbcheron<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Val-Jalbert<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Site de la Nouvelle-France<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Gasp\u00e9sie<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Wrapping up: enjoy an insightful ancestry trip<\/h2>\n\n\n\n