In the 19th century, over one hundred thousand Quebecois went to settle in the United States. Documents mention singles, men and women, as well as families, some with several children, who emigrated, often attracting parents who also went into exile. These emigrants on the other side of the border were mostly artisans, farmers looking for land, people who came to work in textile factories or railway companies, a flourishing sector at that time. There were few merchants, however, and from this point of view, Alexis Trudeau is an exception.

To better understand their motivation, the Association des Truteau d'Amérique identifies the Trudeaus from Quebec who chose to exile themselves, and seeks to verify if they improved their situation or if they returned to the country. To this end, the Association is interested in private documents, such as that of David Trudeau, The Origins of Alexis Trudeau and Isabella Dalglish in 19th Century Quebec. This work is very valuable, first because it complements the memory work, Trudeau Family Tree, undertaken by the author's cousin, R. W. Trudeau, and published in 1988; secondly, because this new investigation conducted by David Trudeau using modern tools and exchanges with many individuals and historical societies, as well as his recent trip to Quebec to the places where his great-grandparents lived, allowed him to know more deeply about their origins, describe their life and understand the reason for their departure to Minnesota.

The board of directors of the Association des Truteau d'Amérique is proud to present to its members and partners the French translation of this book of great interest for the history of Quebec and our family.

N.B.: This e-book is distributed free of charge to members. To obtain it, join us!

This English e-book presents the results of the researches David Trudeau conducted on the origins of his great-great-grand-parents in Quebec. 96 pages. Maps and full illustrations.

On July 22, 2012, in Old Montreal, there was a gathering of members of the Association des Truteau d'Amérique with a talk on "Rue Saint-Gabriel".

The association took the opportunity to launch the commemorative stamp "Étienne Truteau, La Rochelle 1641- Montreal 1712, Master Carpenter". This philatelic product from the Association des Truteau d'Amérique, issued by Canada Post, recalls the memory of a pioneer craftsman from Montreal, Longueuil, and Saint-Lambert, the French ancestor of the Truteau and Trudeau of America, and a multitude of people affiliated through the female lines. It should be mentioned that this project, once again, was accomplished thanks to the professional but voluntary work of the graphic designer Yves Trudeau.

Please note that while supplies last, the First Day Cover of the Étienne Truteau Stamp is given as a bonus to all new members of the Association des Truteau d'Amérique.

Pin with the logo of the Association des Truteau d'Amérique. In blue printed silver metal, it measures 1 centimeter in diameter.

The song "I Remember the Carpenter" by the singer-songwriter Michel Léonard with arrangements by André Nadeau, Produced by the Association des Truteau d'Amérique during the commemoration of the 350th anniversary of the arrival of Étienne Truteau in America. Limited edition.

« J’ai lu, dans ma jeunesse, les relations des mœurs et des manières des Sauvages écrites par des religieux qui, quoique les auteurs passent pour des saints, étaient pleines d’absurdités et de contradictions. » Trudeau ne mâche pas ses mots. Au moment où il entreprend son voyage sur le Haut-Missouri, il a 45 ans, dont 26 passés parmi les Indiens, surtout les Sioux Yanktons et les Panis Républicains.

« Tous ces peuples sauvages ne connaissent point de subordination, ni de distinction entre eux […]. Ils n’ont ni loi, ni juge, ni prêtre ». Moqueur, Trudeau souligne que les lois des « nations policées ressem-blent, en certaines circonstances, à ces toiles d’araignées qui arrêtent le moucheron et que les taons brisent ». La liberté sexuelle des Indiens le gêne, mais moins que la frénésie des « jeunes Canadiens qui, à leur arrivée [chez les Indiens], se mettent à courir à toute bride comme des chevaux échappés dans les champs de Vénus, d’où ils ne sortent rarement sans être munis des maux qui y sont irrévocablement rattachés ». Il ajoute un petit détail à propos des maladies vénériennes : « Les Sauvages s’en guérissent parfaitement bien ».

Trudeau ignore le politiquement correct. Quand il est scandalisé, il le dit sans détour. Le Sauvage de Trudeau n’est pas un Indien inventé. Il est bien réel, avec ses grandeurs et ses faiblesses, sa passion pour la guerre et sa recherche effrénée de scalps. Trudeau répond à bien des questions sur les pratiques et croyances des Indiens. Il bouleverse nombre d’idées reçues.

Source : Les Éditions du Septentrion