When I began my research in genealogy at the time of my retirement as a teacher, I was fascinated upon finding my ancestors. I often found a roadblock with unsuccessful research but when I found an interesting link, I was very happy.
Among my ancestors, I found "coureur des bois" (bush rangers), farmers, blacksmiths, etc. Among these, there were some very special family names such La Fournaise (The Furnace); I needed to search for the origin of these names. None of my discoveries left me indifferent because I was able to see my ancestors living with their daily joys and sorrows. I also did research in order to prove the veracity of certain facts alleged by my parents regarding the family links with the giant Beaupré, with Louis Riel and, on my husband's side, with Sir Wilfrid Laurier.
My research was for me a real history lesson. For example, why was the Rawdon region in Québec populated with the Irish?
I was able to easily retrace the first Robillard who arrived alone at the age of 12 in a country which was for him rich in hope. What went on in this young man's mind that made him leave his parents in order to come here in this country of which he had heard the travelers speak, these who had the audacity to come to settle in Québec a few years before?
On my maternal side, the Rivard and the Léveillé provided for me quite a few twisted links. It is thus, by a happy coincidence, I saw one day on the internet, the name of Normand Léveillée of Rhode Island who was also researching the Léveillé. What a break! I had therefore found a man who was interested in the same genealogy as I was, that is, the Léveillé ancestry, but the problem for me was whether he knew how to speak or understand French for my English was more or less adequate. Ah yes, despite years spent in the United States, Normand had preserved the language of his ancestors. During our string of emails, I gave him French lessons; I corrected his little mistakes in French but since he was an excellent student, he soon caught up with his professor.
When we first met at Odanak, I brought with me photos of our American visitors who had come to my parents home in Montréal when I was a child. These people were unknown to me but I knew that they were related to my mother. Normand knew all of them and gave me their names with no problem. They were his father's as well as my mother's cousins who had immigrated to the United States.
One day, Normand told me that he had a surpise for me. He sent a photocopy of the baptismal certificate of his father; guess what I read: my grandparents, Philias (Rivard) and Marguerite were the godfather and godmother of his father. It was thus apparent that we were distant cousins who did not know each other until this day.
I do not wish to omit another fact: on a photo that was taken at Saint Aimé (birthplace of our grandparents), Normand is photographed with his parents at my uncle Arthur's home, my mother's brother. Normand must have been around 14 years old on this photo and he was fascinated with one of my female cousins. I hesitate to reveal which of the three daughters of Arthur had caught his attention, so as not to cause jealousy but Normand still remembers the beautiful eyes of this female cousin. In addition to being very intelligent, one can also attest that he was aware of pretty girls at that time.
By relating these tidbits, I wanted to show you a side of Normand's personality of which not too many people can brag of knowing. My meeting with Normand was for me an event which provided for me genealogy as well as human insight. Normand is an exceptionl person, highly cultural, very grounded in his origins. He helped me to inculcate the desire for genealogical research for without him, I would have had many occasions to become discouraged; but he was always there to assist me.
Thank you, Normand for all that you have done in genealogy as well as making us love and know our ancestors who have paved our way to this day. That you were able to preserve your language despite the years in Rhode Island is another proof of your connection to our ancestral values.
PS: I am asking Normand not to omit the last paragraphs in which I honor him. I hope that he will listen to his "cousine" despite the strong-minded trait inherited from the Léveillé ancestors.
