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LOUIS CYR (1777-1871)
NANCY
ELISE CUMMINGS and/or LOUISE BOUCHER (1794-1830)
CATHERINE MARTINEAU (1807-1888)

(Last Updated: January 18, 2017)

 

Louis CYR was born on Aug 3, 1777 in Louiseville, St-Maurice, Quebec, the son of Marie Josephte CONSTANTINEAU and Firmin CYR (1754-1797).

 

Upper and Lower Canada in 1791

 

It is uncertain when Louis CYR came to the Northwest (known as Rupert’s Land in 1791). We do know that he eventually settled in St Boniface, east of the Red River and the mouth of the Assiniboine River (The Forks). Circumstantial evidence suggests that as a young man he may have had occasional employment with the North West Company (NWC). French Canadians and French-Metis of that era were primarily buffalo hunters, fishermen and farmers. The NWC dominated the fur trade in Rupert’s Land until after the arrival of the Selkirk Settlers at Red River which began in 1814.
** MORE ABOUT the SELKIRK SETTLERS in DCBO

 

On November 1, 1818, Father Joseph-Norbert PROVENCHER (1787-1853) built a small log chapel which he dedicated to Saint Boniface, the English missionary monk and apostle, who spread the Catholic faith among the Germanic tribes in the 8th century.  Saint Boniface, the first permanent mission west of the Great Lakes, became the heart of Roman Catholic missionary activity extending to the Pacific and the Arcitc coasts, as well as serving the growing population of the Red River Settlement.
** MORE ABOUT FATHER JOSEPH-NORBERT PROVENCHER in DCBO


Union of the North West Company with the Hudson’s Bay Company
1821

 

In 1821 the union of the North West Company (NWC) and the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) occurred, ending the years of bitter rivalry for dominance of the fur trade in Western Canada. George SIMPSON (1786-1860) became the Governor of Rupert’s Land. After the merger, almost 1,300 employees lost their jobs since the single HBC organization that emerged had no need for most of the voyageurs and fur traders.

 

Louis and a Half-breed named Nancy
1822

 

In December of 1822 daughter Josephte was born somewhere in the Northwest. In her Scrip Affidavit of 1875 Josephte indicates her parents as a half-breed named Nancy and Louis CYR, French Canadian.

 

Louis and Elise CUMMINGS and/or Louise BOUCHER
1825

 

In 1825 son John was born in St Boniface. In his Scrip Affidavit of 1875 John indicates his parents as half-breed Elise CUMMIN(G)S and Louis CYR, French Canadian. ** Confusing and conflicting accounts regarding Louis’ marriage to either Elise CUMMINGS and/or Louise BOUCHER and equally confusing information about their first child together, John or Jean Baptiste.

 

Marriage to Catherine MARTINEAU
1832

 

In 1832 son Joseph was born; his mother later identified as Catherine MARTINEAU in Scrip.as the daughter of Charlotte and Ambroise MARTINEAU (b-1761) a French Canadian.

 

In 1840 eldest daughter Josephte was in a connubial relationship with Joseph HUPPE in Portage la Prairie, son of Marguerite MARCELLAIS and Joseph HUPPE SR (a French Canadian from Quebec), a retired North West Company voyageur. ** MORE ABOUT JOSEPH HUPPE SR

 

In 1847 son Jean Baptiste (John) married Marie BOUCHER in Red River, daughter of Francoise ST GERMAINE and PAUL BOUCHER (1789-1845).

 

Around 1854 son Joseph married Catherine BERARD, daughter of half-breed Catherine HUGHES and Louis BERARD (1794-1874) a French Canadian.

 

Around 1855 daughter Marguerite married John KLYNE in St Boniface, son of Suzanne LAFRANCE and Michel KLYNE (1781-1868).  ** MORE ABOUT MICHEL KLYNE in WIKIPEDIA


In 1861 son Pierre married Marie Anne LAGIMONIERE in St Boniface, probably a daughter of Caroline LARIVIERE and Romain LAGIMONIERE (1818-1905).

 

In 1862 son George married Isabelle DAUNAIS in St Boniface, daughter of Catherine HENRY and Jean Baptiste DAUNAIS (1810-1885).

 

Around 1864 daughter Josephte married a second time to David VENNE, probably a son of Mary and Peter VENNE (b-1774). In 1881 they were recorded in Pembina, Dakota Territory.

 

In 1866 daughter-in-law Marie Anne (nee LAGIMONIERE) died in St Boniface, and in 1869 widowed son Pierre remarried to his sister-in-law, Angelique KLYNE in St Norbert, daughter of the aforementioned Suzanne LaFRANCE and Michel KLYNE (1781-1868.

 

Canadian Confederation
Red River Rebellion
Manitoba becomes a Province
1867-1870

 

On July 1, 1867 the British colonies in North America were united under the British North American Act to become the Dominion of CanadaSir John A MACDONALD (1815-1891) was appointed as Canada’s first Prime Minister. William McDOUGALL (1822-1905) became the Minister of Public Works, and he began negotiations to acquire Rupert’s Land from the HBC, sending out surveyors to prepare the way for an expected influx of settlers.

On Oct 11, 1869, Louis RIEL (1844-1885) placed his foot on the surveyors’ chain to tell them their work was finished. This marked the beginning of a Red River Metis Rebellion. In early November that year he took possession of Upper Fort Garry with armed forces, taking prisoners in the process. ** MORE ABOUT THE RED RIVER REBELLION in WIKIPEDIA


On July 1, 1867 the British colonies in North America were united under the British North American Act to become the Dominion of Canada. Sir John A MACDONALD (1815-1891) became Canada’s first Prime Minister.

 

In 1867 son Patrice married Zoe JOURDAIN, daughter of Julie PERREAULT and Jean Baptiste JOURDAIN (1795-1891).

 

Red River Parishes in the 1870's

Red River Settlement Parishes in the 1870’s

 

On July 15,1870 Manitoba became the fifth province of Canada, the Canadian Government having acquired the territory previously governed by the HBC.The Rebellion was essentially over.

 

Census of 1870 in St Boniface: Louis CYR (age 93) wife Catherine, (age 63). Children): Patrice (age 23), Isabelle (19), Eulalie (15). Also son Joseph (age 36) and his family.

 

On Jan 4, 1871 Louis CYR died in St Boniface.

 

In 1873 daughter Isabelle married her brother-in-law, Joseph LAGIMONIERE, son of Marie VANDRY and Romain LAGIMONIERE (1818-1905).

Also around 1873 youngest daughter Eulalie (Ellen) was married to Daniel SHEA, who was born about 1839 in Ireland.

 

In 1880 Widow Catherine was recorded in Pembina (Dakota Territory) with her daughter and son-in-law, Ellen and Daniel SHAY (SHEA).

 

In 1881 Widow Catherine (nee MARTINEAU) CYR received a Land Grant in Twp 8-3-Wpm., SW of Winnipeg and NE of Carman. She and her VIVIAN in-laws also received another Land Grant (as Tenants in Common) in the same area (Twp 8-3-Wpm).

 

On Aug 6, 1888 Catherine (nee MARTINEAU) CYR died in Baie St Paul (MB).

 

Comments and queries at this link: FORUM DISCUSSING DESCENDANTS of LOUIS CYR

 

========================== Family Details ==========================

 

Children with Nancy and/or Louise BOUCHER:
1. 1822 JOSEPHTE CYR (m1. Joseph HUPPE JR; m2. David VENNE)

** MORE ABOUT JOSEPH HUPPE JR

2. Dec 1, 1825 JEAN BAPTISTE (or JOHN) CYR (m. Marie BOUCHER)
Children with Catherine BOUCHER:
1. 1832 JOSEPH CYR (m. Catherine BERARD)

** MORE ABOUT JOSEPH CYR

2.1833 ANONYME CYR (Died in infancy)
3. 1834 LOUIS CYR
4. Jul 12, 1835 PIERRE CYR (m1. Marie Anne LAGIMONIERE; m2. Angelique KLYNE)
5. Dec 18, 1837 MARGUERITE CYR (m. John KLYNE)
6. Feb 13, 1840 GEORGE CYR (m. Isabelle DAUNAIS)
7. Oct 26, 1847 PATRICE CYR (m. Zoe JOURDAIN)
8. Jun 3, 1852 ISABELLE CYR (m. Joseph LAGIMODIERE)
9. Jul 12, 1854 EULALIE (ELLEN) CYR (m. Daniel SHEA)

 

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