Family History

To understand who we are is to understand where we came from.

François Gautreau

François Gautreau (our first ancestor to migrate to Canada) was from old Poitou in France and landed at La Hève (Nova Scotia) on September 8, 1632, with Isaac de Razilly and 300 elite men to colonize Acadia. In 1635, he married Marie in France, by whom he had two children: Marie and Charles. François became a widower and married his second wife, Edmée Lejeune, also from France, in Acadie, around 1644. François and Edmée had nine children - four daughters and five sons: Marie, Jean, François, Renée, Marguerite, Claude, Charles, Jeanne and Germain. The family then settled in Port-Royal where they were during the first Acadian census of 1671. François’ occupation was that of a Bush Ranger in the 1671 census. Some sources say François was a witness to the 1654 capture of Port Royal by the English. He died in Port-Royal sometime before the 1693 census.

During the Great Acadian Upheaval of 1755 “Le Grand Dérangement” François Gautreau's family was dispersed. Our ancestors, P'tit Pierre and his brother, P'tit Jean, resettled in New Brunswick and helped found the Village of Gautreau near Memramcook, south of Moncton. Read more about Gautreau Village.

As descendants of Frederic Gautreau and Marie Rose (Cormier) Gautreau, we are related to both of François’ wives: Marie and Edmée.

Our direct line to François through his first wife, Marie and his second wife, Edmée...

Our direct lines in the Cormier and Gautreau families...