Red River Ancestry

New Family Page: CHARLES SIMARD aka SEYMOUR (1888-1935)

Please post comments an queries about the family of Charles SIMARD aka SEYMOUR here.

Sandra Litwin's posting regarding the orphaned children of Margaret KENNEDY & Charles SIMARD aka SEYMOUR: After speaking with Mildred Litwin the children were placed in a school in Berens River which was run by the catholics nuns. I searched schools and asked her a name called Lady of Snow. She has a sharp memory and said yes this is where her and her sibilings were taken. After the fire she lived with her older brother (Stanley) for a short time and then went there from 1940-1944. Mary left there and went to BC and died she said there at the age of 21 or 22. This school is not listed as a qualifing residential school run by the federal govt as it was listed as being run by a religeous group.I have requested a search of her school records. She lived with her siblings and attended a school next door which other children also attended..

Thanks very much for that info Sandra. I have updated the family page for Charles SIMARD aka SEYMOUR with your comments added. - Gary

Another posting by Sandra Litwin:
Hi Gary, how would I research if the federal government was responsible by sending the family of Margaret nee KENNEDY (SIMARD) children after she perished in a house fire to Berens River. I am trying to determine if this was a residential school (federal run). You seem to have great knowledge when it comes to finding things out.

Also not noted in census of Margaret Kennedy were other children my mother in laws Mildred LITWIN (SIMARD) other siblings. She mentions Mary and Louis. Younger siblings I will double check. Mildred is the only living one left.

Sandra: It would be helpful to know the birthdates of the SIMARD children you mentioned.

I do know that as early as the 1920’s there was a Catholic Mission and boarding school at Berens River called Our Lady of the Snows, run by Father Joseph De GRANDPRE (1883-1973) and Brother LEACH.