Lewiston, on the Androscoggin River in central western Maine began development in 1850. It grew into the largest industrial city in Maine.
The first French Canadian, Georges Carignan, arrived in 1860.
French Canadians numbered only 720 in 1870 and 1,604 by 1874. But, by 1880, the U. S. census listed 4,550 French Canadians in Lewiston alone.
Originally the French Cemetery, established on July 1, 1876 on the Switzerland Road.
The first interment, on July 2nd of that year, was Joseph Gaudios Laroche, 10-month-old son of Joseph Laroche and Celine Ferland.
Cemetery records indicate 172 previous interments, between 1870 and July 1, 1876 in what was then known as
Le Cimietière de la Congrégation Canadienne.
Saints Peter and Paul Parish, founded in 1870, is the oldest parish for the French-speaking Catholics in the Diocese of Portland.
For the French Canadians who began arriving in Lewiston in the mid-19th century, the Catholic church was, next to the family, the focal point of life.
Under the guidance of the Church, virtually every spiritual, social, recreational, and educational need was taken care of.
Founded in 1980, The Maine Franco-American Genealogical Society (MFGS) is a non-profit society promoting the study of genealogy and genealogical research in the State of Maine, with a special focus on Franco-American genealogy.
I am a member and suggest that if you are in Lewiston, you visit here for excellent Franco-American resources for the State of Maine.
Meet cousin Adrienne, (cousin to my grandmother) and her son Roger (also my cousin ... gee go figure).
The photo was taken at Marois Restaurant (now closed) on Lisbon St., in Lewiston.
Lucien Sutton, a descendant of George Sutton and Elizabeth Murphy of Newfoundland
married Adrienne Desjardins on 10 NOV 1930 at Sts. Peter & Paul in Lewiston.
Norm Dubé and his wife Florence (Lachance) Dubé, 1st cousin to my dad. Florence was the only child of Joseph-Hervé Lachance and Rose Bazinet (my great uncle Harvey and Aunt Rose).
They knew me before I was born but only now do I realize the importance of that relationship.
More great pictures and “sssssssh, don’t tell anybody, but there’s a picture of Florence in her ummm...very early years.
Alex and Anita (Paquet) Theberge
Anita (Paquet) Theberge is the daughter of Maria (aka Marie Josephine Zoé) Lachance and Leon Paquet. Maria was my grandfather's sister.
Anita married Alex Theberge on 10 MAY 1947 at St. John The Baptist Church in Brunswick, ME.
Alex and Anita were two of the most gracious people you might ever meet.
The story here is from a trip taken with my nephew Troy around 1990.
Gilberte Beaule
Meet Gilberte a cousin on the Desjardins side through marriage to the Desrochers. I think we had never met previously, but I feel now, I have known her all of my life. We visited the Genealogical Center in Auburn, and spent time just talking ... getting to know each other better.
And lest I forget, some really great old photos shown on the page.
