The Journey of French Speakers to Quebec, Canada

Finding the roots of French-speaking settlers in Quebec, Canada, traces back to a maritime odyssey across the North Atlantic Ocean. The stories of these early settlers are filled with adventure, hardship, and the enduring spirit of those who chose to leave the familiar lands of France for the untamed wilderness of North America.

Initial Settlement and Expansion

At the time, the only feasible method of travel from France to Canada was by ship, undertaking a voyage across the vast North Atlantic. The original inhabitants in New France primarily consisted of miners, hunters, fishermen, fur traders, and tradesmen. These men were dispatched to Canada to establish and develop New France. They departed from La Rochelle, France, and made landfall along the St. Lawrence River.

The King of France reaped significant wealth from the minerals, furs, timber, and other goods that these settlers sent back. In just five short years, a fleet of ships carrying women arrived to marry and populate the region, with each farmer husband receiving a generous land grant of fertile soil along the St. Lawrence River. These early settlers' descendants still inhabit Quebec today, carrying on the legacy of their forefathers.

The King's Daughters: Les Filles du Roi

Between 1663 and 1673, 800 young, eligible women volunteered to immigrate to New France to help populate the province. Known as ‘Les Filles du Roi’ (The King’s Daughters), these women played a crucial role in the development of the colony. Their influence was transformative, shaping the unique society and surroundings that we cherish today, particularly in terms of their contributions to family and societal structures.

Settlements and Battles

Most of the original “habitants” were transported via sailing ships before the 1759 Battle of the Plains of Abraham, which marked the end of French rule in North America. Following France's defeat in the French-Indian War and the Seven Years' War, they ceased sending settlers to Quebec. Since then, only small numbers of French-speaking immigrants arrived in Canada, predominantly from former French colonies like Haiti or Africa.

Early settlers arrived in various capacities—adventurers, settlers, and explorers. For instance, my ancestor, Hughes Picard, was recruited by Governor Maisonneuve as part of a group of 100 recruits in 1653 to protect Montreal from the Iroquois. Jacques Cartier, the first official Frenchman to make contact with the New World in 1534, established early relationships and settlements.

The Odyssey Across the Atlantic

Each Frenchman’s journey to Quebec began with a powerful push and a long, perilous voyage aboard a ship. Sailing into the unknown, crossing the Atlantic, and eventually settling in the Saint Lawrence Valley was a rite of passage for those who dared to leave their homeland for the New World.

Despite initial skepticism about Jacques Cartier's claims of discovery, it is widely accepted that his expeditions laid the groundwork for French colonization of Canada. His voyages set the stage for future settlers to come, altering the demographic and cultural landscape of Quebec forever.