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ALEXANDER DUCHARME (1850-1934)
CATHERINE (KATHLEEN) CORRIGAL (1849-1922)

(Last Updated: July 21, 2014)

 

Alexander DUCHARME was born around 1850 at Lambert’s Point in St Andrews Parish (Red River), son of Jane LAMBERT and Antoine DUCHARME (1816-1856). ** MORE ABOUT ANTOINE DUCHARME

 

Canadian Confederation
Alex marries Catherine CORRIGAL
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.

 

Around 1868 Alex married Catherine CORRIGAL in St Andrews, daughter of Hannah ANDERSON and James CORRIGAL (1810-1887). ** MORE ABOUT JAMES CORRIGAL

Cathy Waytiuk: Kathleen (Catherine) received Lot 255 in St Clements as a wedding present from her father.

 

Parkdale - Selkirk, Manitoba

Lot 255 is located on the east side of the Red River (across from Lambert’s Point; south of Narol)

 

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. A list of men from who mustered to their rescue included numerous members of various CORRIGAL families from St Andrews Parish.
** MORE ABOUT THE RED RIVER REBELLION in WIKIPEDIA


In 1869-70 Alex DUCHARME is included in a list of men from St Andrews Parish who mustered to the rescue of those imprisoned by RIEL at Upper Fort Garry.

 

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 Andrews Parish:  Alex DUCHARME (age 22); wife Catherine (age 49) and daughter Jane (age 1). With them is Catherine’s sister, Bella CORRIGAL (age 15). ** In the spring of 1871 their first child (Jane) died.

 

On July 21, 1875 both Alex and his wife Catherine applied for their Half-breed Scrip, for themselves and for their deceased daughter Jane.

 

From the Census of 1881 in St Andrews: Alex DUCHARME (age 31), wife Catherine (age 31). Children: William (age 7), Alfred (3) and Mary (age 1).

 

On June 1, 1885 the community of Gonor opened its first post office at a spot between the Red River and the CNR line. Early records suggest the post office and railway station shared the same building. The communities of Gonor and Narol grew after 1890 when immigrants from Ukraine, Poland, and Russia arrived in Manitoba from their arrival ports of Halifax, St. John, and Montreal. Among these immigrants around 1900 was Alex’s future son-in-law, Henry MICHOLSON who came from Brody, Poland (SE of Berlin near the Polish-German border).

 

From the Census of 1891 in St Clements Parish: Alexander DUCHARME (age 40); wife Catherine (age 40). Children: William George (age 17), Alfred (13), Mary (11), Angus (6) and John (age 2).

 

Around 1900 son William married Jane McDONALD, possibly a daughter of Elizabeth ANDERSON & John McDONALD(1827-1913). ** Unable to positively identify Jane’s parents; help will be appreciated.

 

In May of 1900 the Gonor School District (No. 1070) was formed with a one-room schoolhouse built in the fall. The first year of operation lists 55 girls and 75 boys in attendance.

 

Census 1901: Alexander DUCHARME, age 62; wife Catherine, age 50. Children: Alfred (age 22); Mary (20) and Angus (age 16). 

 

In 1904 daughter Mary gave birth to a child in St Clements, apparently out of wedlock. This was Edith Mabel Kathleen DUCHARME. On Apr 18, 1906 Mary gave birth to a second daughter, Emma Jane. Both of these births are registered with Manitoba Vital Stats with their mother’s maiden name as Mary DUCHARME.

 

From the Census of 1906 in St Clements Parish: Alex DUCHARME and his wife Catherine (both indicated as age 55). With them is daughter Mary (age 25) and granddaughters (Mary’s children) Mabel DUCHARME (age 2) and Emma J DUCHARME (age 1). It only later becomes apparent that the father of Mary’s children was Henry MICHOLSON, a young immigrant from Poland.

 

Lockport Bridge

In 1910 construction of the Bridge and Locks at Lockport was completed

 

Census of 1911: Alexander DUCHARME (age 62); wife Catherine, (age 61); son Alfred (age 29). In their household are a “Lodger” Jenny DUCHARME, age 25 (born Apr, 1886) and a William DUCHARME, age 2 (born Nov, 1909). ** Unable to ascertain who were the parents of these two.

 

World War I
1914-1919

 

On Aug 4, 1914 Great Britain (Canada on Aug 5) declared war on Germany and Austria-Hungary to uphold treaties with France and Belgium which were under German attack. This marked the beginning of World War I.

 

Census of 1916: Alex and his wife Catherine (both age 66), and son Alfred (age 30).

 

November 11, 1919, Armistice Day (Remembrance Day) marked the end of the First World War.

 

From Census of 1921: Alex DUCHARME and his wife Catherine (both age 71), and son Alfred (age 43).

 

On June 20, 1922 Catherina (nee CORRIGAL) DUCHARME died in St Clements, age 72.

 

On Jul 20, 1934 Alexander DUCHARME died in Selkirk, age 82.

 

Comments and queries at this link: FORUM DISCUSSING the ALEXANDER DUCHARME FAMILY

 

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

 

Children:
1. Jun 1, 1870 JANE (ANN) DUCHARME (Died in infancy)
2. Jun 17, 1874 WILLIAM GEORGE DUCHARME (m. Jane McDONALD)
3. Jul 14, 1878 ALFRED DUCHARME
4. Mar 6, 1880 MARY DUCHARME (m. Henry MICHOLSON)
5. Nov 9, 1884 ANGUS (ALEX) DUCHARME (Died age 17)
6. Feb 21, 1887 HENRY DUCHARME (Died in infancy)
7. Jul 13, 1889 JOHN DUCHARME (Died age 10)
8. Jun 28, 1891 EMMA DUCHARME (Died in infancy)
9. Jul 1, 1894 CATHERINE DUCHARME

 

=========================== Notes & References ===========================

 

Alex Ducharme Property - River Lot 255

For John & Thea Marineo - Approximate location of River Lot 255 (Property of Alex Ducharme)

 

 

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