I just went through the Ancestry.com DNA test process. I was surprised by the results, although maybe i should not. I am French and my tree does go back to France in 1700. Granted that is only 400 years ago and i don’t know where the Robineau’s were before that date. The test involved a swab from my cheeks and their is no reason to believe it is not scientific. So, the test says that my ethnic genealogy is 66% British Isles, 24% Southern Europe (Spain and Italy) , 5% Eastern Europe and 5% Uncertain. Apparently , British Isles can be “stretched” to include Normandy. But the analysis from Ancestry does not mention France. I suspect that the Robineau ancestors spent a lot of time in the British Isles. One theory is that the Robineau’s, or whoever they were back then were part of the invading Roman hordes who invaded the British isles. Perhaps my ancestors spent a fair amount of time there (at least that is the genetic implication). I presume that at some time they decided the food and wine was better in France and moved there, a mere few hundred years ago. This just means i have to learn more about genetic testing and what it means for the Robineau family history.
Adrien Robineau – My Father
He was Born on the 30th of April, 1924 in Sturgeon Falls. He lived in Sturgeon Falls until the late 30′s (more research required). In 1940 at the age of 16 he completed Grade 10 at St. Joseph’s school in Sturgeon Falls. Although his service record says he was at the “Industrial ” school from September 1938 to June 1940. (Hmmm). At the same time being of a poor and divided family living during the depression he was sent to an “Industrial” school in Alfred Ontario (St. Joseph) to learn a trade (Shoemaking). He was sent to Lancaster Ontario to be an apprentice shoemaker, where he met his future wife Lily Sauve (my monther). They were married in 1948, but before that he did a stay in the RCAF during the war. He joined the RCAF on November 19, 1943. He served in Canada and Labrador (before it joined Confederation). He served as shoemaker and was apparently in charge of the shoe repair shop for five months. He served from November 19, 1943 to March 13, 1946. His service record indictates that he joined as (AC2- Aircraftman , Class 1) , became (AC1 – Aircraftman Class 1) in October 1944 and (LAC – Leading Aircraftmen) in April 1945. He spent most of his time in Moncton and Goose Bay. He was awarded the CVSM – Canadian Volunteer Service Medal andClasp.
Witches
One of my genealogical contacts had a book with the names of witches burned at the stake in Massachusetts and offered to look up if there any Robineau’s or Sauve’s. There were none. Perhaps, they were too crafty?
However, there were at least five Robineau’s guilllotined during the French Revolution…more on that later.
Damase and Joseph
Joseph Robineau was baptized on March 8, 1804. According to the church record Joseph’s parents were Louis Robineau and Marguerite Bigras who were married in 1799 at Oka (L’Annonciation-de-la-Bienheureuse-Vierge-Marie).
Joseph Robineau and Eleonore Phalmeur were married on February 20, 1832.
As per the Church record, Joseph Robineau’s parents were Louis Robineau and Marguerite Bigras. In this record the priest chose to write that Eleonore’s parents were Andre “Phalmeur” and Marie Margerite Cleroux. Phalmeur is one of the several variants in the church records. As I have hinted at before, i think the true spelling of the name should be “Falmar”. The marriage took place in St. Benoit parish.
Based on a record search through the Drouin records on Ancestry.com, i can say that Joseph and Eleonore had the following children. This list is probably not complete. The dates listed are most likely dates of baptism and not dates of birth:
- Olivine, baptized in 1844
- Joseph baptized in 1846
- Joseph was married to Marie Portelance in February 1871.
- Marie Marguerite baptized in 1842
- Joseph Robineau baptized in 1836 – died in 1837
- Artimise Pricille baptized in 1838 – died in 1839
- Emelie Onezime baptized in 1835
- Aurelie baptised in 1833 – married in 1857 (Hughes)
- Frederique baptized in 1848
- Damase Robineau baptised on August 1, 1854
The “1852 census of Canada – East” lists six Robineau’s in the household (Emelie, Olivine, Joseph, Marguerite, Frederique and Aurelie). Artimise and Joseph died before 1852 and Damase was born after 1852.
Joseph Robineau died in 1855. According to hearsay, Eleonore was destitute after Joseph’s death. Apparently he had a lumber business with his in-laws and when that business failed they lost all their wealth. Eleonore was helped in the raising of her children by Joseph Brunet who she eventually married.
