This is a list of the early Acadian families that were the first settlers in Port Royal, Acadia, later renamed to Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia. While these early settlers were later completely dispersed throughout North America, up to 5 million people in Canada and the United States can today trace their ancestry to the original 400 Acadian settlers in Port Royal and the Rivière du Dauphin (later named to the Annapolis River).[1][2][3]
Port Royal, in Acadia (later renamed Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, in 1710), was founded in 1605 by French explorers Pierre Dugua, Sieur de Mons, and Jean de Poutrincourt. It is considered the first permanent European settlement in New France. The colony achieved greater stability after the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye in 1632, which returned Port Royal and Quebec to French control following a brief period of English occupation. In the decades that followed, numerous settlers arrived from France and other Acadian communities, while some local Indigenous inhabitants intermarried with the European colonists.
Unlike other European settlements in North America such as Plymouth or Jamestown, there is no surviving original record of the very first Acadians. This article chronicles the families noted in the earliest complete document of Acadians at Port Royal, the 1671 census. The census was conducted by the local parish priest, Father Molins, under the direction of Governor Grandfontaine.[4]
By 1755, the Acadian population remaining in Annapolis Royal and vicinity were expelled by the British during the great upheaval. A handful of families were eventually allowed to return, but today, almost all of the descendants of the original Acadian inhabitants are dispersed throughout North America. Up to 5 million people in Canada and the United States can today trace their ancestry to the original 400 Acadian settlers in Port Royal and the Rivière du Dauphin.
Babin Family
Antoine Babin, farmer (b. 1625)
Marie Mercier, wife (b. 1645)
Children: Marie (b. 1662), Charles (b. 1664), Vincent (b. 1666), Jeanne (b. 1668), Marguerite (b. 1670)
No known direct record exists of the arrival of Antoine Babin to Port Royal or Acadia. Historian André-Carl Vachon proposes he came to Acadia in 1658 with Alexandre Le Borgne.[5]
Bajolet (Baiolet) Family
Barbe Bajolet (Baiolet), (b. 1608), widow of Savinien de Courpon
Barbe was married three times, with her third husband being Savinien de Courpon. They lived at Cap Sable until he died around 1661 when she moved to Port Royal.[6] There were no children from this marriage. However, she relocated back to Port Royal with two children from her previous marriages to Isaac Pesseley and Martin Lefebvre. The children were Marie Pesseley and Marie Anne Lefebvre.
Belliveau (Béliveau) Family
Jacques Belliveau, cooper (b. 1641)
Marie Girouard, wife (b. 1651)
Child: Marie (b. 1670)
The earliest recorded family member in Acadia, Antoine Belliveau, does not appear in the 1671 census, although he appears in the one of 1686. There is no known direct record of the arrival of Antoine Belliveau to Port Royal or Acadia. Historian André-Carl Vachon proposes he came to Acadia in 1648.[5]
Bertrand Family
Clement Bertrand, carpenter (b. 1621)
Huguette Lambelot, wife (b. 1623)
Children: None
No known direct record of the arrival of Clement Bertrand in Port Royal or Acadia. He is, however, noted as living in Port Royal as early as 1644.[5]
Blanchard Families
Jean Blanchard, farmer (b. 1611)
Radegonde Lambert, wife (b. 1629)
Children: Magdeleine (b. 1643), Anne (b. 1645), Martin (b. 1647), Guillaume (b. 1650), Bernard (b. 1653), Marie (b. 1656)
Martin Blanchard, farmer (b. 1647)
Francoise LeBlanc, wife (b. 1653)
No known direct record of the arrival of Jean Blanchard in Port Royal or Acadia is known to exist. He is, however, noted as living in Port Royal as early as 1644.[5] The Blanchards would settle along the north side of the Annapolis River near Belleisle, Annapolis, County, Nova Scotia.[7]
Boudreau (Boudrot or Boudreaux) Family
Michel Boudreau, farmer (b. 1600)
Michelle Aucoin, wife (b. 1618)
Children: Francoise (b. 1642), Jeanne (b. 1646), Marguerite (b. 1651), Charles (b. 1649), Marie (b. 1653), Jehan (b. 1655), (Habraham) Abraham (b. 1657), Michel (b. 1659), Olivier (b. 1661), Claude (b. 1663), Francois (b. 1666)
No known direct record of the arrival of Michel Boudreau in Port Royal is known to exist. He is, however, noted as being a syndic of Port Royal in 1639.[5] The Boudreaus would settle along the south side of the Annapolis River between present day Annapolis Royal and Upper Clements, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia.[7]
Bourg (Bourque) Families
Antoine Bourg, Laborer (b. 1609)
Antoinette Landry, wife (b. 1618)
Children: Marie (b. 1645), Francois (b. 1644), Jehan (b. 1647), Bernard (b. 1649), Martin (b. 1650), Jeanne (b. 1653), Renee (b. 1655), Hugette (b. 1657), Jeanne (b. 1659), (Habraham) Abraham (b. 1662), Marguerite (b. 1667)
Bernard Bourg farmer (b. 1648)
Francoise Brun, wife (b. 1652)
Child: Marie
Francois Bourg, farmer (b. 1643)
Marguerite Boudrot, wife (b. 1648)
Children: Michel (b. 1665), Marie (b. 1668)
Historian André-Carl Vachon proposes Antoine Bourg came to Port Royal in 1640.[5] The Bourgs would settle along the north side of the Annapolis Basin near Granville Beach, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia.[7]
Bourgeois Families
Jacques Bourgeois, Surgeon (b. 1621)
Jeanne Trahan, wife (b. 1631)
Children: Jeanne (b. 1644), Charles (b. 1646), Germain (b. 1650), Marie (b. 1652), Guillaume (b. 1655), Marguerite (b. 1658), Francoise (b. 1659), Anne (b. 1661), Marie (b. 1664), Jeanne (b. 1667)
Charles Bourgeois, farmer (b. 1646)
Anne Dugast, wife (b. 1654)
Child: Marie (b. 1669)
Jean Bourgeois, Laborer (b. 1645)
Marguerite Martin (b. 1644)
Children: Anne (b. 1668), Margueritte (b. 1669)
Jacques Bourgeois arrived in Port Royal in 1641.[5] The Bourgeois would settle along the north side of the Annapolis River between Belleisle and Bridgetown, Nova Scotia.[7]
Breau (Brot) Family
Vincent Breau, farmer (b. 1631)
Marie Bourg, wife (b. 1645)
Children: Marie (b. 1662), Anthoine (b. 1666), Margueritte (b. 1668), Pierre (b. 1670)
No known direct record of the arrival of Vincent Breau to Port Royal or Acadia is known to exist. Historian André-Carl Vachon proposes he came to Acadia in 1658 with Alexandre Le Borgne.[5] The Breaus would settle along the north side of the Annapolis River near Granville Centre, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia.[7]
No known direct record of the arrival of Vincent Brun in Port Royal or Acadia is known to exist. Historian André-Carl Vachon proposes he came to Acadia in 1648.[5] The Bruns would settle along the north side of the Annapolis River between Granville Centre and Belleisle, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia.[7]
Comeau Families
Pierre Comeau cooper (b. 1596)
Rose Bayon, wife (b. 1631)
Children: Etienne (b. 1650), Pierre (b. 1653), Francoise (b. 1656), Jehan (b. 1657), Pierre (b. 1658), Anthoine (b. 1661), Jeanne (b. 1662), Marie (b. 1664), Jehan (b. 1665)
Etienne Comeau, farmer (b. 1650)
Marie Anne Lefebvre, wife (b. 1650)
Child: Catherine (b. 1671)
No known direct record of the earliest recorded family member, Pierre Comeau, in Port Royal or Acadia is known to exist. Historian André-Carl Vachon proposes he came to Acadia in 1648.[5] The Comeau family would settle on the south side of the Annapolis River near Moschelle, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia.[7]
Corporon Family
Jean Corporon, farmer (b. 1646)
Francoise Savoie, wife (b. 1653)
Child: one daughter 6 weeks old
Cormier Family
Thomas Cormier, carpenter (b. 1636)
Madeleine Girouard, wife (b. 1654)
Child: one daughter age (b. 1669)
Daigle (Daigre) Family
Olivier Daigle, farmer (b. 1643)
Marie Gaudet, wife (b. 1651)
Children: Jean (b. 1667), Jacques (b. 1669), Bernard (b. 1670)
No known direct record of the arrival of Olivier in Port Royal or Acadia is known to exist. Historian André-Carl Vachon proposes he came to Acadia in 1661.[5] The family would settle on the south side of the Annapolis River between Bridgetown and West Paradise, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia.[7]
De Forest (de Forêt) Family
Michel De Forest, farmer (b. 1638)
Marie Hebert, wife (b. 1651)
Children: Michel (b. 1667), Pierre (b. 1669), Rene (b. 1670)
Doucet Families
The founder of the Doucets in Acadia, Germain Doucet
Pierre Doucet, mason (b. 1621)
Henriette Peltret, wife (b. 1640)
Children: Anne (b. 1661), Toussaint (b. 1663), Jehan (b. 1665), Pierre (b. 1667), and 1 unnamed daughter (b. 1671)
Germain Doucet, Military Commander (b. 1641)
Marie Landry, wife (b. 1647)
Children: Charles (b. 1665), Bernard (b. 1667), Laurent (b. 1668)
Historian André-Carl Vachon proposes that the first member of the family in Acadia, Germain Doucet, also known as Sieur de La Verdure, was born around 1595. It is believed that Doucet's origins trace back to Coupru, France.[1] He served as a French military commander in colonial Acadiana. Doucet's North American career started when he began an association with Charles de Menou d'Aulnay, who later became captain and governor of Acadia. Doucet arrived in La Hève in 1632, alongside d'Aulnay and Isaac de Razilly. From 1635 to 1645, he served there as captain-at-arms of Fort Pentagouët (modern day Castine, Maine), holding the rank of major. After the death of d'Aulnay in 1650, Doucet assumed the role of commandant serving at the French fort of Port-Royal (now Annapolis Royal). However, during the English capture of Port-Royal on August 15, 1654, led by Massachusetts Major General Robert Sedgwick. Under the surrender, Doucet was compelled to leave Acadia permanently and return to France. It is believed that he died the same year.
Dugas Family
Abraham Dugas, gunsmith (b. 1616)
Marie Judith Doucet, wife (b. 1625)
Children: Marie (b. 1648), Anne (b. 1654), Claude (b. 1652), Martin (b. 1656), Abraham (b. 1661), Margueritte (b. 1657), Magdeleine (b. 1664), Marie (b. 1665)
Abraham Dugas came to Port Royal on the Le Saint Jean in 1638.[5] The family would settle on the south side of the Annapolis Basin, immediately south of Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia.[7]
Dupont (Dupuis) Family
DuPont (Dupuis), Michel, farmer (b. 1634)
Marie Gautrot, wife (b. 1637)
Children: Marie (b. 1657), Martin (b. 1665), Jeanne (b. 1667), Pierre (b. 1671)
The family would settle on the north side of the Annapolis River, near Belleisle, Anapolis County, Nova Scotia.[7]
Gaudet Families
Jean Gaudet, laborer (b. 1575)
Nicolle Colleson, wife (b. 1607)
Child: Jehan (b. 1653)
Denis Gaudet, farmer (b. 1625)
Martine Gauthier, wife (b. 1619)
Children: Anne (b. 1646), Marie (b. 1650), Pierre (b. 1651), Pierre (b. 1654), Marie (b. 1657)
Marie Gaudet, widow of Étienne Hébert (b. 1633)
Children: Marie (b. 1651), Marguerite (b. 1652); Emmanuel (b. 1653), Etienne (b. 1654), Jean (b. 1658), Francoise (b. 1661), Catherine (b. 1662), Martine (b. 1665), Michel (b. 1666), Antoine (b. 1670)
Historian André-Carl Vachon proposes Jean Gaudet came to Acadia in 1652.[5] The Gaudets would settle at what is today known as Bridgetown, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia.[7] A historical panel was unveiled in 2024 near the location of their homestead.[8]
Gautrot (Gaudreau, Gautreau or Gaudreaux) Families
François Gautrot, farmer (b. 1613)
Edmee LeJeune, wife (b. 1624)
Children: Marie (b. 1636), Charles (b. 1637), Marie (b. 1647), Rene (b. 1652), Marguerite (b. 1655), Jean (b. 1648), Francois (b. 1652), Claude (b. 1659), Charles (b. 1661), Jeanne (b. 1664), Germain (b. 1668)
Historian André-Carl Vachon proposes François Gautrot came to Port Royal in 1632.[5]
Girouard Families
Ellen DeGeneres descends from the Aucoin-Girouard family of Port Royal
Francois Girouard, farmer (b. 1621)
Jeanne Aucoin (b. 1631)
Children: Jacob (b. 1648), Marie (b. 1651), Marie-Magdeleine (b. 1654), Germain (b. 1657), Anne (b. 1659)
Jacob Girouard, farmer (b. 1648)
wife Marguerite Gautrot (b. 1654)
son: Alexandre whose age was not recorded
Historian André-Carl Vachon proposes Francois Giroard came to Acadia in 1644 as a soldier.[5] The family would settle along the Annapolis River between Tupperville and Centrelea, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia.[7]Mount Girouard in Banff National Park, Alberta is named after a descendant.
Historian André-Carl Vachon proposes Antoine Hebert came to Acadia in 1648.[5] The family would settle on the south side of the Annapolis River near Centrelea, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia.[7]
Kuessy Family
Roger Kuessy, farmer (b. 1646)
Marie Poirier, wife (b. 1649)
Child Marie (b. 1669)
LaBatte Family
Jean LaBatte, farmer (b. 1638)
Renee Gautrot, wife (b. 1652)
Children: None
Lanoue Family
Pierre Lanoue, cooper
Landry Family
René Landry, farmer (b. 1619)
Perrine Bourg, wife (b. 1626)
Children: Henriette (b. 1641), Jeanne (b. 1643), Marie (b. 1646), Marie (b. 1648); unmarried; Magdeleine (b. 1656), Pierre (b. 1658), Claude (b. 1663)
Perrine Landry, (b. 1611) widow of Jacques Joffroi
No children
No direct record of the arrival of René Landry in Port Royal or Acadia is known to exist. Historian André-Carl Vachon proposes he came to Acadia in 1640.[5] The Landrys farmed what was known as the Marais de Landry and lived near what is now Saint George Street and Saint Patrick's Lane in Annapolis Royal.[11]
Notable descendants include: Bernard Landry (former Premier of Quebec)
Children: Married: Francoise (b. 1653); Unmarried: Jacques (b. 1651), Estienne (b. 1656), Rene (b. 1657), Andre (b. 1659), Antoine (b. 1662), Pierre (b. 1664)
Daniel LeBlanc arrived in Port Royal before 1650.[5] The LeBlancs settled on the north side of the Annapolis River near Belleisle, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia.[7]
Notable descendants include: Romeo LeBlanc (former Governor-General of Canada)
Martin Families
Pierre Martin, farmer (b. 1601)
Catherine Vigneau (b. 1603)
Children: Pierre (b. 1626), Marie (b. 1636), Marguerite (b. 1639), Andre (b. 1641); (unmarried): Matieu (b. 1636)
MARTIN, Barnabe, farmer (b. 1636)
wife Jeanne Pelletret (b. 1644)
Children: Marie (b. 1667), Rene (b. 1670)
MARTIN, Mathieu, weaver, (b. 1636); Not married
MARTIN, Pierre, farmer (b. 1631)
Anne Ouestnorouest, wife (b. 1644)
Children: Pierre (b. 1661), Rene (b. 1663), Andre (b. 1666), Jacques (b. 1668)
Pierre Martin arrived in Port Royal in 1636 on the ship Le Saint Jean.[5]
Melanson Families
Charles Melanson (born 1643)
Marie Dugas, wife (b. 1648)
Children: Marie (b. 1664), Marguerite (b. 1666), Anne (b. 1668), Cecille (b. 1670)
Pierre Melanson, tailor (refused to give answer to census taker)
Notable descendants include: Paul Octave Hébert (former Governor of Louisiana)
Morin Family
Pierre Morin, farmer (b. 1634)
Marie Martin, wife (b. 1636)
Children: Pierre (b. 1662), Louys (b. 1664), Antoine (b. 1666), Marie (b. 1668), Ann (b. 1670)
Pellerin (Pelerin) Family
François Pelerin, farmer (b. 1636)
Andrée Martin, wife (b. 1641)
Children: Hugette (b. 1666), Marie (b. 1669), Daughter (b. 1671)
No known direct record of the arrival of François to Port Royal or Acadia exists. Historian André-Carl Vachon proposes he came to Acadia in 1658 with Alexandre Le Borgne.[5] The Pellerins farmed what was known as the Marais de Pelerin in Annapolis Royal.
Petitpas Family
Claude Petitpas (Sieur De La Fleur), farmer (b. 1626)
Catherine Bagard (Bugaret) (b. 1638)
Children: Bernard (b. 1659), Claude (b. 1663), Jehan (b. 1664), Jacques (b. 1666), Marguerite (b. 1661), Marie (b. 1668), Elisabet (b. 1670)
Claude Petitpas came to Port Royal before 1639 as he was noted as one of the first syndics (community representatives) of Port Royal.[4] The Petitpas family settled on the north side of the Annapolis River near Paradise, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia.[7]
Notable descendants include: Alexandre Mouton (former Governor of Louisiana)
Pitre Family
Paul Prudhomme is decended from the Pitre family who farmed along the Rivière du Dauphin (Annapolis River) in Nova Scotia
Jean Pitre, edge tool maker (b. 1636)
Marie Pessely, wife (b. 1645)
Children: Marie (b. 1666), Catherine (b. 1668), Claude (b. 1670)
The Pitre family settled on the south side of the Annapolis River between Moschelle and Round Hill, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia.[7]
Michel Poirier, bachelor (b. 1651), son of the deceased Jean Poirier
Richard Family
Michel Richard dit Sansoucy, farmer (b. 1630)
Madeleine Blanchard, wife (b. 1643)
Children: Rene (b. 1657), Pierre (b. 1661), Martin (b. 1665), Alexandre (b. 1668), Catherine (b. 1663), twins Anne and Magdeleine (b. 1671)
Historian André-Carl Vachon proposes Michel Richard came to Port Royal in 1651 as an indentured soldier and married Madeline at the end of his indenture.[5] The Richard family settled on the south side of the Annapolis River near West Paradise, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia.[7]
Historian André-Carl Vachon proposes René came to Port Royal from 1637 as an indentured soldier and married Anne-Marie after his indenture.[5]
Robichaud Family
Étienne Robichaud, farmer
Notable descendants include: Louis Robichaud (former Premier of New Brunswick)
No known direct record of the arrival of Étienne to Port Royal or Acadia exists. Historian André-Carl Vachon proposes he came to Acadia in 1658 with Alexandre Le Borgne.[5] The Robichaud family settled on the north side of the Annapolis Basin near the Port-Royal National Historic Site, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia.
Salé Family
Marie Salé, (b. 1610), widow of the late Jean Claude
Historian André-Carl Vachon proposes he came to Acadia in 1648.[5] The Savoie family settled on the north side of the Annapolis River near Belleisle, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia.
No known direct record of the arrival of Jean Thériault in Port Royal or Acadia is known to exist. Historian André-Carl Vachon proposes he came to Acadia in 1640.[5] The Thériault family settled on the north side of the Annapolis River near Belleisle, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia.[7]
Children: Pierre (b. 1670), Marie (b. 1661), Marie (b. 1662), Marie (b. 1664), Anne Marie (b. 1665), Catherine (b. 1667)
No known direct record of the arrival of Pierre Thibodeau in Port Royal or Acadia is known to exist. Historian André-Carl Vachon proposes he came to Acadia in 1640.[5] The Thibodeau family settled on the south side of the Annapolis River near Round Hill, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia.[7]
Notable descendents include: Henry S. Thibodaux (former Governor of Louisiana)
Guillaume arrived in Port Royal in 1636 on the ship Le Saint Jean.[5]
Vincent Family
Pierre Vincent, farmer (b. 1631)
Anne Gaudet, wife (b. 1644)
Children: Huguette (b. 1664), Thomas (b. 1665), Michel (b. 1668), Pierre (b. 1669)
No known direct record exists of the arrival of Pierre Vincent to Port Royal or Acadia. Historian André-Carl Vachon proposes he came to Acadia in 1658 with Alexandre Le Borgne. The Vincent family settled on the south side of the Annapolis River near Round Hill, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia.[7]
Families known to have presence in Port Royal, but not in the Census
The following families were known to be present in Port Royal before 1671, but do not appears in the census:
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
