I always find it interesting to follow a single family through the census records. It is interesting to see what has changed? Did they move? have more kids? lose a child? Buy a home? Change professions? In this blog, we are going to follow the family of Edouard Royer, my 2nd great grandfather, born in Quebec, Canada in 1862.
The first census that we find Edouard in is the 1871 Census of Canada. Edouard is listed as 8 years old and living with his parents Vital Royer and Marcelline (St. Pierre) Royer in Saint-Lazare-de-Bellechasse, Quebec, Canada.
The next census that we find Edouard in is the 1881 Census of Canada. Edouard is listed as 19 years old and living with his father Vital Royer. The family is still living in Saint-Lazare-de-Bellechasse, Quebec, Canada.
Edouard is the son of a Cultivateur, which is french for farmer. He is not attending school. Others in the household include his father Vital age 45; his six brothers Vital age 23, Lazare age 22, Xavier (formally listed as Francois X.) age 20, David age 15, Nérée (formally listed as Siré) age 11, Alfred age 6 and one sister Lysa (formally listed as Eliza) age 13. Everyone in the household is listed as Catholic and of French Origin.
So let’s take a look at what has changed:
- Edouard’s mother Marcelline is no longer listed on the census and his father Vital is listed as Widowed. Marcelline passed away sometime between 1875 and 1881
- There is a new child in the household: Alfred Royer was born in 1875
The next census that we find Edouard in is the 1891 Census of Canada. Edouard is listed as the head of the household, age 29 and living with his wife Amaryllis (Lacroix) Royer age 26 and their son Edward Royer age 1 month. The family is living in Saint-Nérée-de-Bellechasse, Quebec, Canada, which is about nine miles from Saint-Lazare.
Edouard’s occupation is listed as a farmer (Cultivateur) and he appears to own his own farm, as he is recorded as being an employer vs. a wage earner. Everyone in the household is listed as Roman Catholic.
- Edouard has now moved out of his father’s home. Based on additional research, Edouard’s father vital passed away on May 10, 1881, shortly after appearing in the 1881 census.
- Edouard has married Amaryllis (recorded as Amardice on the census). Based on additional research Edouard and Amaryllis were married on May 19, 1890, in Armagh, Bellechasse, Quebec, Canada
- Edouard and Amaryllis had one child. Edward Royer was born in March of 1881
- Edouard now appears to own his own farm and may employ others
The next census that we find Edouard (listed as Edwin) in is the 1900 US Federal Population Census. Edouard is listed as the head of the household, age 39 and living with his wife Amaryllis (listed Marrie) age 35 and their children Edward (listed as Eddie) age 9, Xavier (listed as E*), Regina age 4 and Alexander age 1. The family is living in Newton, Mackinac, Michigan, USA.
Edouard’s occupation is listed as a cedar maker. He owns his own home, free of mortgage. Edouard was unable to read or write, but was able to speak English.
So let’s take a look at what has changed:
- Edouard and his family have emigrated from Canada to America. Based on additional research, this emigration happened between 1894 and 1896.
- Three new children are included in the family, Xavier age 7, Regina age 4 and Alexander age 1. These children were born in Michigan
- Edouard is not listed as a farmer but instead is listed as a cedar maker.
- Edouard owns his own home, free of mortgage, but is no longer living on a farm
The next census in which we find Edouard (listed as Edward) is the 1910 US Federal Population Census. Edouard is listed as the head of the household, age 48 and living with his wife Amaryllis (listed Amaryllie) age 48 and their children Edward Jr. age 19, Xavier (listed as Louis) age 17, Regina age 14, Alexander age 11, Joseph age 9, Adalard age 5 and Amedee (listed as Raphael) age 3. The family is living in Rudyard, Chippewa, Michigan, USA.
Edouard’s occupation is listed as a farmer on a general farm. He owns his own home, which is mortgaged. The family is living on the farm. Edouard was now able to read and write.
So let’s take a look at what has changed:
- Edouard and his family have moved from Newton, Mackinac, Michigan to Rudyard, Chippewa, Michigan.
- Three new children are included in the family, Joseph age 9, Adalard age 5 and Amedee (listed as Raphael) age 3.
- Edouard is again listed as a farmer, owning his own farm for which he has a mortgage.
The next census that we find Edouard (listed as Edward) in is the 1920 US Federal Population Census. Edouard is listed as the head of the household, age 58 and living with his wife Amaryllis age 54 and their children Edward age 29, Alexander age 21, Joseph age 19, Adalard (listed as Adelard) age 15 and Amedee (listed as Meddy) age 13. The family is still living in Rudyard, Chippewa, Michigan, USA. Edouard’s occupation is listed as a farmer on a general farm. He owns his own home.
So let’s take a look at what has changed:
- Xavier, Regina and Joseph are no longer living in the household
The next census that we find Edouard (listed as Edward) in is the 1930 US Federal Population Census. Edouard is listed as the head of the household, age 68 and living with his wife Amaryllis (listed as Emryanahylis) age 65 and their children Edward age 39 and Adalard (listed as Edlore) age 25. The family is still living in Rudyard, Chippewa, Michigan, USA. Edouard’s occupation is listed as a farmer on a general farm.
So let’s take a look at what has changed:
- Alexander and Amedee are no longer living in the household. Based on additional research, Alexander passed away on January 26, 1926
To Summarize my findings; we have followed Edouard Royer from his childhood home in Saint-Lazare-de-Bellechasse, Quebec, Canada where he is living at home with his parents, through his emigration from Canada to America, to his life living in the upper peninsula of Michigan. I've heard that:
I hope that this journey through the census records of Edouard Royer and his family has given you a little better understanding of what their life may have been like. That is what this journey is all about! Understanding what the lives of our ancestors were like, helps us better understand our own lives.
You can’t really understand another person’s experience until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.
Genealogist on a Journey
Rebecca J. Walbecq
