View of Lower Quebec Village and the majestic St. Lawrence River as seen from the Chateau Frontenac in Upper Quebec Village.
French Canadian Ancestry
In addition to Irish ancestors, Mike has French Canadian ancestors who immigrated into Quebec as early as the 1650s. We are very familiar with French Canadian records which are typically handwritten in French. Our knowledge of the formatting of French Canadian records and the types of records available allows us to move back in time without spending a great deal of time translating the French records.
Mike’s 8th great-grandfather Michel Desorcy-Lincourt was born circa 1625 in France and made his first trip to New France (Quebec) in 1656 landing in what is now Old Quebec City. Mike’s 7th great-grandfather Michel Viau-Lesperance was born circa 1675 in Longueuil, Chambly Quebec which borders Montreal directly across the St. Lawrence River. Mike’s direct line Lincourt and Lesperance ancestors emigrated from Canada to northern New York across the St. Lawrence River in the mid to late 1800s. As for Lincourt, it was the French spelling of Mike’s direct line ancestors, but like so many surnames, was changed over time to Lancour then to Lancor.
As a result of following his Lincourt and Lesperance ancestors back in time, Mike has lots of experience reading baptism, marriage and death records which were all recorded in French. Mike has visited the Montreal area many times beginning early in his childhood and Kate and Mike have made two trips to Old Quebec City to research Mike’s Lincourt heritage. French-Canadian ancestry is indeed a passion for both Kate and Mike.
Modern day Italian restaurant in Lower Quebec City that just happens to be on land where Mike’s 8th Great-Grandfather Michel Desorcy-Lincourt resided in the mid-1600s! The Hotel Frontenac in the background standslike a sentinel over the St. Lawrence River.
A Keen Focus...
Old Friends Genealogy did a remarkable job for me, identifying numerous progenitors, tracing their origins and untangling a complex cemetery deed. All of their efforts evidenced a keen focus and access to a wide range of domestic and international resources. Their investigations were conducted with great enthusiasm and professionalism. Vicki B., New York City, NY