Initiatives in French Midwest Heritage Collection (IF Midwest)

Collection Overview

Abstract

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Administrative Information

Box and Folder Listing

Series 1: IF Midwest Historical Documents, 2007-2010

The first series consists of documents related to the founding of IF Midwest and conferences it sponsored.

Box 5

Folder 12: 2004-April 26, 2007

Folder 13: Inaugural Meeting, April 27, 2007, at the University of North Dakota

Box 9

Folder 44: IF Midwest Conference at Turtle Mountain Community College, May 2-3, 2008

Folder 45: IF Midwest Conference at Turtle Mountain Community College, July 17-18, 2009

Folder 46: IF Midwest Conference at the Heritage Center in Bismarck, July 9-10, 2010

Folder 47: IF Midwest Correspondence, 2006-2009

Mainly between Dr. Virgil Benoit of IF Midwest and Marie Roberge of Rolette, North Dakota

Oversize Folder 2: Map: "French Heritage in the Midwest of the United States," Researched by Dr. Virgil Benoit

Editions in both French and English. This was distributed at the inaugural meeting of IF Midwest on April 27, 2007, at the University of North Dakota.

Series 2: Chez Nous, Nouvelles Villes Jumelles, and Quebec Update, Donated by Dick Bernard, 1980-2001

Chez Nous is the newsletter of La Sociétè Canadienne-Française, which was created by John Rivard in April 1980. The purpose of the newsletter and of the society was to "gather in assembly and rejoice in French-Canadian heritage." This publication ran from April 1980 to November 2001. Typical articles found in this periodical included childhood memories recalled by members of the society, views on the French-Catholic church, remembrances of past members, photographs of subscribers to the newsletter as well as authentic French recipes. This material was donated by Dick Bernard, editor of Chez Nous, Woodbury, Minnesota, in December 2006 (2007-2891). IF Midwest staff, along with Special Collections staff, created an index to this publication. Digitized versions of Chez Nous can be downloaded from the website of the French-American Heritage Foundation of Minnesota: http://fahfminn.org/chez-nous/.

Bernard also donated several issues of the Nouvelles Villes Jumelles, the monthly newsletter of La Sociétè Canadienne Française Du Minnesota and Quebec Update, a bi-weekly newsletter sent out by the Quebec Government Office in Chicago, Illinois. Indices were created for both Nouvelles Villes Jumelles and the Quebec Update.

Box 1

Folder 1: Index to Chez Nous – 1980-2001

Folder 2: Chez Nous ­– Organizing Letters: 1979

Folder 3: Chez Nous – 1980

Folder 4: Chez Nous – 1981

Folder 5: Chez Nous – 1982

Folder 6: Chez Nous – 1983

Folder 7: Chez Nous – 1984

Folder 8: Chez Nous – 1985

Folder 9: Chez Nous – 1986

Folder 10: Chez Nous – 1987

Folder 11: Chez Nous – 1988

Folder 12: Chez Nous – 1989

Folder 13: Chez Nous – 1990

Folder 14: Chez Nous – 1991

Folder 15: Chez Nous – 1992

Folder 16: Chez Nous – 1993

Folder 17: Chez Nous – 1994

Folder 18: Chez Nous – 1995

Folder 19: Chez Nous – 1996

Folder 20: Chez Nous – 1997

Folder 21: Chez Nous – 1998

Folder 22: Chez Nous – 1999

Folder 23: Chez Nous – 2000

Folder 24: Chez Nous – 2001

Folder 25: Index to Nouvelles Villes Jumelles and Quebec Update

Folder 26: Nouvelles Villes Jumelles – 1986

Folder 27: Nouvelles Villes Jumelles – 1987

Folder 28: Nouvelles Villes Jumelles – 1990

Folder 29: Nouvelles Villes Jumelles – 1991

Folder 30: Nouvelles Villes Jumelles – 1992

Folder 31: Quebec Update - 1986

Series 3: Family Heritage of the Emard and Boucher Families, Donated by Laura Munski

The Emard and Boucher families both originated from France and immigrated to Canada and the United States. This collection chronicles the families, most specifically the Emards, through photographs, letters, and genealogy.

Family Heritage of the Emard and Boucher Families was a three ring binder put together by Therese Emard and Laura Munski to fulfill "a strong desire to preserve [their] family history." The contents were divided into nine folders based on individual chapters predetermined by Emard and Munski, and were kept in their original order. The contents begin with individual Emard and Boucher (pronounced Bushee) ancestry dating back to 1581, and are then connected through a separate index of marriages and resulting children. The collection follows the family to Red Lake Falls, Minnesota, and is more specifically directed towards Pierre Joseph Emard (1892 -1944), as most information and artifacts are supplied for him.

The majority of this collection is from Pierre Emard’s World War I experience, ranging from draft cards, exemption denials, letters home, medals and patches. Emard was unable to avoid the draft and was eventually sent to military bases in Iowa, Georgia, and New York before being sent to France in 1919.

Two binders, the first primary documents, the second transcriptions, document Emard’s journey through World War I. After the war, Emard married Ida May Boucher. Eight years later Ida May passed away. Pierre Emard had to raise his family alone and due to mustard gas in the war, received subsidiary checks from the government. The family lived off these until Emard’s death in 1944.

Joseph "Eddy" Emard (September 21, 1925 – March 20, 2001), Pierre Emard’s oldest son, is documented through photographs. After the death of Pierre Emard, Eddy took over supporting the family by working for the railroad.

Therese Marie (Emard) Thompson was a daughter of Pierre Emard, and sister of "Eddy" Emard, and also is documented through photographs. She kept and maintained the family’s records and passed them down to her daughter, Laura Munski.

To further specify genealogical ties found in Family Heritage of the Emard and Boucher Families, two published family histories, Our French Ancestry in Huron County 1631-1976, and Our French Canadian Ancestry 1631-1982, were included in the collection. The books document a number of families including the Denomme, Durand, Ducharme (relation to Emard), Masse, LaPorte, and Geoffroi.

An oversize folder was placed in the oversize file cabinets and contains a family photo of Pierre Emard (Pierre Joseph Emard’s father) with his siblings, as well as the 1976 Red Lake Falls centennial newspaper, The Gazette. The newspaper shares stories pertaining specifically to the Emard family, as well as additional history on Red Lake Falls.

George Thompson, brother to Laura Munski, put together seven different genealogical charts and each covers a section of the Emard or Boucher families. They are entitled, Descendants of Pierre Emard (3 copies), Descendants of Joseph Boucher, Ole Hovet, Descendants of Ida May Boucher, Ancestors of Pierre Emard, Descendants of George Thompson, and the last chart entitled Ancestors of George Bennet Thompson Jr. combines all the ancestry into one over-arching chart. The charts are bundled into six poster tubes placed adjacent to the collection on the shelves.

These materials were donated to Special Collections by Dr. Laura Munski, Grand Forks, North Dakota, in January 2007 (2007-2894) and January 2012 (2012-3150).

Box 1

Folder 32: Purpose

Folder 33: Emard Family (From: Family Heritage of the Emard and Boucher Families)

Folder 34: Boushee Family East Grand Forks (From: Family Heritage of the Emard and Boucher Families)

Folder 35: Marriages (From: Family Heritage of the Emard and Boucher Families)

Folder 36: East Grand Forks Courier, Fosston Newspaper, Crookston Times, Thirteen Towns, Grand Forks Herald 1890-1900. Crookston Times 1885-1887 (From: Family Heritage of the Emard and Boucher Families)

Folder 37: History of Red Lake Falls, Minnesota, Historical Context to the family (From: Family Heritage of the Emard and Boucher Families)

Folder 38: Our French Ancestry in Huron County 1631-1976 (From: Family Heritage of the Emard and Boucher Families)

Folder 39: Our French Canadian Ancestry 1631-1982 (From: Family Heritage of the Emard and Boucher Families)

Folder 40: Denomme and Emard Common Ancestry (From: Family Heritage of the Emard and Boucher Families)

Folder 41: Emard Family Photographs (From: Family Heritage of the Emard and Boucher Families)

Folder 42: Pierre Joseph Emard 1892-1944 World War I Experience

Folder 43: World War I Artifacts of Pierre Emard

Folder 44: Pierre Joseph Emard WWI medals and patches

Folder 45: Joseph "Eddy" Emard Family Photographs

Folder 46: Therese Emard Family Photographs

Folder 47: Our French Ancestry in Huron County 1631-1976  T.W. DENOMME

Folder 48: Our French Canadian Ancestry 1631-1982  T.W. DENOMME

Folder 49: Historical Atlas/Portion of Hay Township

Folder 50: Pierre Emard Family Photographs

Box 3

Folder 1: Emard Family Legal Documents, 1933-1954

Box 5

Folder 9: Binder: Pierre Emard

Contains newspaper clippings, documents related to his service in the First World War, and correspondence

Folder 10: Binder: "Joseph 'Eddy' Emard: September 21, 1925-March 20, 2001, Family Photographs"

Folder 11: Binder: Georgene Emard, Born September 16, 1923-November 21, 2008

Contains newspaper clippings, documents and photographs

Poster Tubes :

The poster tubes were placed adjacent to the collection on the shelves.

Poster Tube 1: Descendants of Pierre Emard (3 copies)

Poster Tube 2: Descendants of Joseph Boucher

Poster Tube 3: Ole Hovet

Poster Tube 4: Descendants of Ida May Boucher

Poster Tube 5: Ancestors of Pierre Emard

Poster Tube 6: Descendants of George Thompson and Ancestors of George Bennet Thompson Jr.

Oversize Folder 1: Family photograph of Pierre Emard (Pierre Joseph Emard’s father) with his siblings, as well as an original 1976 Red Lake Falls centennial newspaper, The Gazette.  The newspaper shares stories pertaining specifically to the Emard family, as well as additional history on Red Lake Falls.

Series 4: DuBord Family Papers, Donated by Richard DuBord

The DuBord family settled in the Fargo-Moorhead area, and is documented through a genealogical chart, several scrapbooks, a prayer book, and one immigrant cross. The material was donated by Richard DuBord of Dent, Minnesota, on April 27, 2007 (2007-2895).

Richard DuBord is the son of Beatrice Marie DuBord and Armand "Pete" DuBord. Beatrice (1917-2006) and Armand (1914-1988) were married June 15, 1939, in Wild Rice, North Dakota. This collection primarily documents the life of Beatrice Marie DuBord. Other family members mentioned prominently include Lumina Rheault DuBord (1885-1957), mother of Armand DuBord. Lumina was married to Arthur DuBord (1887-1952) on November 18, 1913, in Wild Rice, North Dakota. Eusebe DuBord (1850-1930) was the father of Arthur DuBord.

The first folder contains a four generation genealogical chart created by Richard DuBord.

The first scrapbook was made by Beatrice Marie DuBord, and consists of newspaper clippings, invitations, and photographs (1908-2005). There are many clippings about priest ordinations, priest deaths, St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fargo, and several other churches. Several pages of obituaries, weddings, anniversaries, and births are located in this scrapbook, including Beatrice Marie DuBord and Armand Dubord’s wedding, Armand’s obituary, and Arthur and Lumina Dubord’s obituaries. The high school diplomas of Beatrice and Armand are also in this scrapbook. A few pages contain articles of soldiers going off to the armed forces in World War II, as well as newspaper clippings of missing or killed soldiers. Miscellaneous photographs are also included.

Within the first scrapbook are several loose items, which include postcards, graduation, wedding, birth, and funeral announcements. The loose items were placed in a separate folder and arranged following the scrapbook.

The second scrapbook is in a three-ring binder and consists mostly of postcards from the Dubord family travels (1973-2003). In some cases, along with the postcards, there are newspaper clippings about tourist sites for that city. There are photographs of the family’s trip to Hawaii and also some photographs from the Roger Maris Museum in Fargo. Other than the postcards, this scrapbook contained articles on weather in the Fargo-Moorhead area, Stations of the Cross clippings, various awards and invitations to Beatrice DuBord, and a few articles on the ordination of Bishop Samuel Aquila.

Also included, is a prayer book, Manuel De Sainte Anne- Règlements ET Prières A Ľusage Des Dames De La Congrégation De Saint Anne. It is dated 1930 and published in Montreal, Canada. This prayer book belonged to Lumina DuBord. There is also an "immigrant cross" that first belonged to Eusebe Dubord, who passed it on to Armand DuBord. When he passed away, it was left to his wife Beatrice, who then gave it to Richard Dubord. It is a black wooden cross that sits in a stand and depicts Jesus Christ nailed to the cross. The letters INRI are above Jesus’ head.

Box 1

Folder 51: Genealogical Chart

Box 2

Folder 1: Scrapbook 1: 1908-2005

Folder 2: Scrapbook 1: 1908-2005

Folder 3: Scrapbook 1: loose items

Folder 4: Scrapbook 2:  1973-2003

Folder 5: Prayer Book, Manuel De Sainte Anne- Règlements ET Prières A Ľusage Des Dames De La Congrégation De Saint Anne: 1930

Box 3

Item 1: Eusebe Dubord's Immigrant Cross

[Please note: The Immigrant Cross is on loan to the Musee de l'Amerique francaise in Quebec City until 2020. The cross is featured in an exhibit entitled "ON THE ROAD: the Francophone Odyssey".]

Series 5: "A Volume of Treasures," Donated by Becky Leonard

"A Volume of Treasures" is a photocopied scrapbook documenting the Martineau family of St. John, North Dakota. The family traces its roots to Fortunat Martineau and Marie Cedule Plante, who were married in Quebec City on February 20, 1882. The couple moved to St. John in 1883, where the Martineaus operated a general store and merchandising business. The couple had twelve children, including Emma, who created the scrapbook.

The scrapbook (1882-1968) contains family photographs, documents, and newspaper clippings. All of the photographs are identified, and a majority of them are dated. The scrapbook was given to Dr. Virgil Benoit by Becky Leonard, Rolla, North Dakota on April 27, 2007. Dr. Benoit then deposited it with Special Collections on November 14, 2007 (2008-2921). Special Collections staff added material regarding the Martineau family from various genealogical sources.

Box 2

Folder 6: "A Volume of Treasures": photocopied scrapbook, 1882-1968

Folder 7: Martineau Family Genealogical Information

Series 6: Sacred Heart Church of Oakwood, North Dakota, Donated by Mrs. Henry Bolek

This material consists of three photocopied pages from an unknown source which detail the establishment and history of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Oakwood. Father Louis Bonin was the founder of the Sacred Heart Church, and he celebrated the first high mass in Oakwood on July 11, 1880. The original church was built by volunteers from Oakwood, and completed in June 1881. The first church was replaced in 1906 by a larger church, which was destroyed by fire several years later. A new church and rectory were then dedicated in 1912. The article also details the terms of service of many early priests. This photocopied material was given to Dr. Virgil Benoit by Mrs. Henry Bolek in 2007. Dr. Benoit then deposited it in Special Collections in April 2008 (2009-2941).

Box 2

Folder 8: Sacred Heart Church of Oakwood, North Dakota

Series 7: Boucher Family Documents, Donated by Merle Boucher

The Boucher family were some of the first settlers in Quebec, coming from Mortagne, France. The material consists of four documents related to the genealogy of the Boucher family.

Box 2

Folder 9: Boucher Family Documents

Series 8: French Language and French Music, Donated by Sylvia Paquin Steinart

These documents deal with the study of French language and music. Items regarding the French language include an article from Modern Maturity (April-May 1982) and handouts from a beginner’s language class. The materials relating to French music include several copies of sheet music and lyrics to songs. Many of these songs appear to be those traditionally sung at holidays.  Several of the French songs include translations in English. These materials were given to Dr. Virgil Benoit by Sylvia Paquin Steinart, Red Lake Falls, Minnesota. Dr. Benoit then deposited these materials in Special Collections in April 2008 (2009-2943).

Box 2

Folder 10: French Songs and French Music

Cassette Tape 2220: "Gracieuseté" and "Chanson en Francais" by Jean Beaudoin

Separated into the Audio Tape Collection

Series 9: "Des Champ: From the Field," Donated by Leo Beauchamp

"Des Champ: From the Field" is a work of historical fiction about Jean Beauchamp and his wife and family. The novel is 24 pages in length, and was written by Leo Beauchamp in 1988. The Beauchamp family dates back 400 years to Nanteuil, a village in southwestern France. The Beauchamps of today descend from two brothers, Jean and Jacques Beauchamp, who settled in the area around Pointe-aux-Trembles, Quebec, in the early 1600s. In this work, Leo Beauchamp, an 11th generation descendant of Jacques, details the life of Jean Beauchamp after he moved to Quebec with his family. While Jean started his new life in Quebec, he often daydreamed about his childhood days in France. Leo Beauchamp of Walhalla, North Dakota, donated this work to Dr. Virgil Benoit. Dr. Benoit then deposited the work in Special Collections in April 2008 (2009-2944).

Box 2

Folder 11: "Des Champ: From the Field."  By Leo Beauchamp, 1988.

Series 10: Personal Journal and Article of Batoche Trek, Donated by Jim dale Huot-Vickery

In a handwritten journal, Jim dale Huot-Vickery detailed a trek he made, along with about 60 members of the Red River Métis Heritage Group, from St. Norbert, Winnipeg to Batoche, Saskatchewan, in 2004 and 2005. The trek consisted of two parts.  The first part started in St. Norbert and went to San Clara on the Saskatchewan border. Part two of the trek started in San Clara and went to Batoche, which is located on the south fork of the Saskatchewan River. The purpose of the journey was to honor Métis heritage and to revitalize Métis culture and ethnic self-appreciation. Also included is a magazine article "All to the Fiddler’s Tune" (Prairies North: Saskatchewan’s Life Magazine vol. 7, no. 3, fall 2005) by Lionel Hughes. The article gives an overview of the Métis Batoche trek. The journal and magazine article are both copies of the originals. Jim Dale Huot-Vickery of Ely, Minnesota, donated these materials to Dr. Virgil Benoit in September 2007. Dr. Benoit then deposited these materials in Special Collections in April 2008 (2009-2945).

Box 2

Folder 12: Personal Journal and Article of Batoche Trek

Series 11: "Remembering Our Acadian Heritage," Donated by Virgil Benoit

"Remembering Our Acadian Heritage" is a reprint of a September 29, 1994, article by Jim Bradshaw, City Editor of The Advertiser, in Lafayette, Louisiana. The article details the history of the Acadians and their settlement in North America. The Acadians were among the first Europeans to settle in North America, even before the settlement of Jamestown and before the journey of the Mayflower. Dr. Virgil Benoit deposited the article in August 2007, and delivered it to Special Collections in April 2008 (2009-2946).

Box 2

Folder 13: "Remembering Our Acadian Heritage"

Series 12: Marcil Family History, Donated by Wilmer Marcil

The Marcil family came to Rolette County, North Dakota, from Montreal in the late 1880s. Four Marcil brothers: Alexis, Sefroid, Alcide, and Arsene; sons of Jacques and Celina (Trembly) Marcil, were ancestors of all the Marcils born and raised in Rolette County. A manuscript titled "Rolette County’s Marcil Settlers" describes the lives of these four brothers and their families, and includes other stories and family notes. Written by Wilmer Marcil in August 2007, the manuscript is ten pages in length. Two ancestral charts devoted to André Marcil and James Arthur Marcil are also included. Wilmer Marcil of Tacoma, Washington, donated these papers to Dr. Virgil Benoit in June and August of 2007. Dr. Benoit then deposited these materials in Special Collections in April 2008 (2009-2947).

Box 2

Folder 14: Marcil Family History

Series 13: "Beaulieu Remembered,” Donated by Ray and Rita Dunnigan

“Beaulieu Remembered” is an essay written by Lorn Dunnigan (Lincoln, Nebraska) and Raymond Dunnigan (Walhalla, North Dakota) regarding the settlement of Beaulieu in Cavalier County, North Dakota. The community was founded in 1880 and named in honor of Paul Beaulieu, a descendant of the fur trader Joseph Beaulieu. One of the most distinguishing features of the community is the Beaulieu trail, which many hunters and trappers used even before it was named. The first store in the settlement was established in 1881 or 1882, while the first post office was built came about in 1882. In the mid-1880s, the first school was built, followed by a second school in the 1930s. The sole church in the community is Presbyterian and was built in 1888. Ray and Rita Dunnigan donated the essay to Dr. Virgil Benoit, who then passed it along to Special Collections in April 2008 (2009-2948).

Box 2

Folder 15: “Beaulieu Remembered” by Lorn Dunnigan and Raymond Dunnigan

Series 14: “French Exile from Nova Scotia,” Donated by Kacie Richard

Kacie Richard of Rolette, North Dakota, delivered this speech to her 11^th grade English Class at Rolette Public School. The speech examined the history of the Acadians and highlighted their struggles due to British aggression during the French and Indian War.  Many Acadians were displaced, exiled or became prisoners of war. Kacie Richard donated the speech text to Dr. Virgil Benoit, who deposited the essay in Special Collections in April 2008 (2009-2949).

Box 2

Folder 16: “French Exile from Nova Scotia”

Series 15: Guibord Family Genealogy, Donated by Michael Martin

This material consists of a photocopy of the 1904 edition of “Notices Généalogiques sur la Famille Guibord”. This is French book chronicles the family of Antoine Guibord. Also included is a 1914 supplement, also written in French. Finally, there is an ancestral chart outlining six generations of the Guibord family. Michael Martin of Gig Harbor, Washington, donated this material to Dr. Virgil Benoit in January 2007. Dr. Benoit then deposited the information in Special Collections in April 2008 (2009-2950).

Box 2

Folder 17: Guibord Family Genealogy

Series 16: Brunelle Family Genealogy, Donated by Jacqueline Keller

Among these family history documents are a two page of a pedigree chart, listing the ancestry of Eléonore Brunelle, married in Oakwood, North Dakota, in 1881. There is also an ancestral chart of Med-We-Goo-Nint, a full-blooded Chippewa who was the great grandmother to Eléonore Brunelle. Finally, there are assorted documents regarding a mitochondrial DNA test used to identify ancestral origins along maternal lines. Jacqueline Keller of Colorado Springs, Colorado, donated these materials to Dr. Virgil Benoit, who in turn deposited the materials in Special Collections in April 2008 (2009-2951).

Box 2

Folder 18: Brunelle Family Genealogy

Series 17: Historical and Genealogical Materials of Rolette County, North Dakota, Donated by Marie Roberge

This material consists of assorted documents and publications regarding the history of Rolette County, North Dakota. Included is information on several different Catholic parishes and the Queen of Peace Convent in Belcourt. Materials regarding the cities of Dunseith and Rolette, the Rolla Community Hospital, and historical sketches written by Marie Roberge about women who lived in the county are also included. Marie Roberge of Rolette, North Dakota, donated these materials to Dr. Virgil Benoit, who in turn donated them to Special Collections in April 2008 (2009-2952). Additional materials were deposited by Susan Roberge, Los Alamitos, California (via Myron Senechal of Bismarck), on August 4, 2017 (2017-3358).

Box 2

Folder 19: Historical and Genealogical Materials of Rolette County, North Dakota

Box 9

Folder 48: Catholic Church Historical Material

Folder 49: Pierre Bottineau Biographical Materials

Folder 50: Miscellaneous Family History/Genealogy Materials

Folder 51: Joseph Rolette Biographical Material

Series 18: Quilt made by Honorè Savard, Donated by Evelyn Landis, 1865

"Born in 1832, Honorè was a ship designer working in the Quebec shipyards until they burned. He later settled in Walsh County and is buried in Drayton. He designed many quilts, one of which won an award in England. This is his only quilt still in existence, perhaps because he considered it one of his lesser works, and it was stored away in the attic. In 1949, Polly Trost Savard and Roma Savard Osowski found the quilt top and added the backing. The fabric and thread of the top came from France."

Source: A Century of Quilts: An Exhibit of North Dakota Quilts in Honor of One Hundred Years of Statehood, 1889-1989. Fargo, N.D. : Quilters' Guild of North Dakota, 1989.

The quilt was donated to Special Collections by Evelyn Landis, Inkster, North Dakota, on November 23, 2009 (2010-2982). Landis is Savard's great granddaughter.

Box 4

Item 1: Quilt made by Honorè Savard, 1865

Folder 1: Documentation:

Item 1: A Century of Quilts: An Exhibit of North Dakota Quilts in Honor of One Hundred Years of Statehood, 1889-1989. Fargo, N.D. : Quilters' Guild of North Dakota, 1989.

The Honorè Savard quilt is number 7

Item 2: Exhibit panel for Honorè Savard quilt, 1989

Features a photograph of Savard

Item 3: "The Old Ethnicities" by Chuck Haga. Grand Forks Herald. 20 December 2009

The article describes Evelyn Landis and the Honorè Savard quilt

Item 4: Undated, color photograph of Evelyn Landis

Series 19: "Bill Martin's Letter to His Grandchildren", January 24, 1993

In this four page letter dated 24 January 1993, William J. Martin outlines his family history and his experiences in World War II. Martin descended from French Canadians on both sides of his family. His mother, Maria (Provencher) Martin, was the oldest of ten children. Although Martin does not provide names, both of his father’s parents were French Canadian. Bill Martin spent the first two years of his life in Saco, Montana, before moving to North Dakota.

In April 1941, Martin was living in Overly, North Dakota, when he was asked to register for Selective Service. He was subsequently chosen first in the draft lottery from Bottineau County. Martin mentions that when he reported to Camp Claiborne in Louisiana, “our orders read the 164^th Infantry Regiment, but they were full up so we went across the road to the 135^th.” The 164^th was a North Dakota National Guard unit which saw combat in the Pacific Theater. Martin joined the 135^th and saw combat in North Africa. He eventually transferred to the 815th Military Police unit and served in France. He was discharged and returned home in July 1945.

“Bill Martin’s Letter to his Grandchildren” was given to Dr. Virgil Benoit, who donated it to Special Collections. The original donor is unknown.

Box 2

Folder 20: “Bill Martin’s Letter to his Grandchildren”, January 24, 1993

Series 20: Casavant and Dionne Ancestry

The history of the Casavant and Dionne families are outlined in six pages of various ancestral charts and genealogical information. Branches of both families originated in France, before settling in North Dakota. These documents were given to Dr. Virgil Benoit, who donated them to Special Collections. The original donor is unknown.

Box 2

Folder 21: Casavant and Dionne Family Genealogies

Series 21: "As I Remember St. Paul of Tarsus' Parish"

“As I Remember St. Paul of Tarsus’ Parish” is a seven page document outlining the history of Tarsus Catholic Church, located near Bottineau, North Dakota. The fifth page notes that it was “Narrated by Claudia DuBois Bergeron.” This is followed by a single page, handwritten document by “Sr. Mildred,” which lists the priests who led the congregation. The last page consists of a photocopy from an unknown publication which features a short paragraph on the early history of the church. The church was built in 1899 and closed in either 1947 (according to Sister Mildred), or 1948, per Claudia Bergeron.

These documents were given to Dr. Virgil Benoit, who donated them to Special Collections. The original donor is unknown.

Box 2

Folder 22: “As I Remember St. Paul of Tarsus’ Parish”

Series 22: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, 125th Anniversary, 2007

This single folder contains a bulletin from the 125^th Anniversary Mass at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Olga, North Dakota, on June 16, 2007. These documents were given to Dr. Virgil Benoit, who donated them to Special Collections. The original donor is unknown.

Box 2

Folder 23: Bulletin from the 125th Anniversary Mass at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Olga, North Dakota, June 16, 2007

Series 23: Notre Dame Academy Reunion, 2006

This single folder contains material related to the 2006 all school reunion at Notre Dame Academy in Willow City, North Dakota. The all school reunion took place at the centennial celebration of the academy’s founding in 1906. The school witnessed its final graduating class in 1968. Material in the folder includes historical information on the school and each graduating class. These documents were given to Dr. Virgil Benoit, who donated them to Special Collections. The original donor is unknown.

Box 2

Folder 24: Notre Dame Academy All School Reunion Booklet, October 8, 2006

Series 24: "The Ancestry of Louis Elie Benoit and Rose Anna Chouinard"

This single folder contains an ancestral chart and family historical information related to Louis Elie Benoit and Rose Anna Chouinard. Louis Benoit was born in Gentilly, Minnesota, on August 30, 1893; Rose Chouinard was born on August 26, 1899, also in Gentilly. The couple married on February 10, 1920, in Gentilly. They had two sons, Raymond Louis and Cyril Joseph, both of whom were born in Gentilly. Louis died on May 11, 1936, in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Rose significantly outlived him, passing away on November 9, 1970, in Gentilly.

These documents were given to Dr. Virgil Benoit, who donated them to Special Collections. The original donor is unknown.

Box 2

Folder 25: "The Ancestry of Louis Elie Benoit (1893-1936) and Rose Anna Chouinard (1899-1970)"

Series 25: Pierriche by Louis Ritchotte

These files relate to the book Pierriche: A Biographical History Novel written by Louis Ritchotte in 2000. The book regards the legendary Metis fur trader and musician, Pierre Falcon, also known as Pierriche. Employed by the Northwest Trading Company, Pierriche extensively traded furs in the first part of the 19^th Century, in addition to leading a wagon train to present day California.

Louis Ritchotte (1942-2014) was Pierriche’s great-great grandson. Ritchotte spent over two years researching and writing the book, which utilized numerous Canadian church and family historical sources. Pierriche: A Biographical History Novel is available in Special Collections.

This material was donated to Special Collections in April 2007 by unknown persons (2007-2900).

Box 2

Folder 26: Screenplay: "Pierriche" by Louis Ritchotte

Folder 27: Newspaper and Magazine Articles, 2000

Folder 28: Correspondence, 2000

Series 26: Charlebois Family and Richard Family Materials, Donated by Carmen Richard

The Charlebois family materials contain two folders of county court papers along with one folder of other family documents.  There is also one folder containing a family descendant report.  The Richard family materials consist of family reunion correspondence including a newspaper clipping, a biography of Felicia Bergeron, and other articles dealing with the Richard Family reunion that date from 1996-1999.  In addition, there are Richard Family Reunion Committee meeting minutes dating from 1995 to 1996.  Also included are Richard Family Reunion Newsletters from 1995 to 2000.  Carmen Richard of Rolette, North Dakota, donated these materials to Dr. Virgil Benoit, who in turn deposited them in Special Collections in April 2008 (2009-2955).

Box 5

Folder 1: County Court Papers of the Charlebois Family – Part 1

Folder 2: County Court Papers of the Charlebois Family – Part 2

Folder 3: Charlebois Family Documents

Folder 4: Descendant Report of the Charlebois Family

Folder 5: Charlebois Family Photographs:

Photograph 1: Mr. and Mrs. Alex Charlebois

Mrs. Charlebois’ maiden name was Christine Brenner (a descendant of Pierre Bottineau).

Photograph 2: Jerry Charlebois (Stage name – Michael Forest)

Appeared in many “Star Trek” episodes and was on the TV show “As the World Turns.” Grandson of Alex Charlebois, a Belcourt, North Dakota, pioneer

Photograph 3: Jerry Charlebois

Folder 6: Richard Family Reunion Committee Meeting Minutes, 1995-1996

Folder 7: Richard Family Reunion Correspondence, 1996-1999

Folder 8: Richard Family Reunion Newsletters, 1995-2000

Series 27: "Walking in Our Time: The Family History of Flavien Croteau and Zelia Filteau of St. John, North Dakota"

This is a photocopied 13 page document written by Michael F.D. Croteau of Victoria, British Columbia, in 1997. The author is the great-great grandson of Flavien and Zelia Croteau. Flavien was born in St. Jean Deschaillons, Quebec, on January 28, 1845. He married Zelia Filteau on February 14, 1872. Zelia had been born on August 15, 1855, also in Quebec. The family moved to the United States and settled near St. John, North Dakota. Together, Flavien and Zelia had 17 children. Flavien died on April 16, 1926, followed by Zelia on December 12, 1946. Both are buried in Holy Cross Cemetery near St. John.

These documents were given to Dr. Virgil Benoit, who donated them to Special Collections. The original donor is unknown.

Box 5

Folder 14: "Walking in Our Time: The Family History of Flavien Croteau and Zelia Filteau of St. John, North Dakota," written by Michael F.D. Croteau, 1997

Series 28: Father Joseph Goiffon Material

This material consists of a translation of Father Goiffon's autobiography. The document was both translated and edited by Edith Farrell and Emily Benidt of the University of Minnesota-Morris. This document consists solely of the English translation of the autobiography. Additional information on Father Goiffon may be found in the book Father Joseph Goiffon: A Tale of a French Missionary, edited by Duane Thein and published in 2005.

Donated in Fall 2009 (2010-3025).

Box 5

Folder 15: "The Autobiography of Reverend Joseph Goiffon," Edited and Translated by Edith Farrell and Emily Benidt

Series 29: Family Heritage of the Bernard, Blondeau, Collette, and Cote Families, Donated by Dick Bernard

This series documents the history of the Bernard family, which has roots in both North Dakota and Minnesota. The series has been further sub-divided into nine sub-series. Donated by Dick Bernard, Woodbury, Minnesota, in Fall 2009 (2010-3025) and July 2010 (2011-3083). The materials were given to Dr. Virgil Benoit, who donated them to Special Collections.

Additional material was donated by Florence (Bernard) Hedeen, Park Rapids, Minnesota, on August 29, 2017 (2017-3363).

Sub-Series 1: Henry Bernard and Josephine (Collette) Bernard

Henry Bernard and Josephine Collette were married on June 3, 1901, in Oakwood, North Dakota. The couple settled in Grafton, North Dakota, where Henry worked at the Grafton Roller Mill. The couple had three children: Josephine (1902-1985), Henry Junior (1905-1997) and Frank (1915-1941).

Box 5

Folder 16: Henry Bernard

Folder 17: Henry Bernard: First North Dakota Infantry and Military Service in the Philippine Insurrection, 1898-1899

Folder 18: Henry Bernard: 1901 Oldsmobile Car

Folder 19: Josephine (Collette) Bernard: Recollections of Her by Her Son, Henry Bernard, Junior

Sub-Series 2: Henry Bernard (Junior) and Esther (Busch) Bernard

This second sub-series contains the vast majority of the material. Henry Bernard (Junior) was born in Grafton, North Dakota, on December 22, 1907. He was the son of Henry and Josephine Bernard. He married Esther Busch on August 9, 1937, in Berlin, North Dakota. Esther had been born on July 27, 1909, in Berlin. Both Bernards were public school teachers before retiring in 1971. The couple had five children: Richard (Dick), Mary Ann, Florence, Frank and John.

After retiring, Henry and Esther lived in Grand Forks until 1978. They then moved to San Benito, Texas, where Esther died in August 1981. Henry remained in San Benito before moving to Belleville, Illinois, in 1987, to live at a Catholic retirement community known as Our Lady of the Snows. He died there in November 1997.

Henry was a prodigious letter writer, who wrote regularly to each of his five children. The letters he wrote to his eldest child, Dick, comprise the main portion of this sub-series. Besides this correspondence, other materials in the sub-series include diaries, newspaper clippings and photographs. A file from Esther Busch's high school years can also be found.

Box 5

Folder 20: Henry Bernard, Junior: Remembrances Written by Him

Folder 21: Henry Bernard, Junior: Diary, 1987

Folder 22: Henry Bernard, Junior: Diary, December 1987-December 1988

Folder 23: Henry Bernard, Junior: Diary, 1990

Folder 24: Henry Bernard, Junior: Diary, 1992

Folder 25: Henry Bernard, Junior: Diary, 1994

Folder 26: Henry Bernard, Junior: Diary, 1995-1996

Folder 27: Henry Bernard, Junior: Diary, 1997

Folder 28: Henry Bernard, Junior: Correspondence, 1977

Folder 29: Henry Bernard, Junior: Correspondence, 1980

Folder 30: Henry Bernard, Junior: Correspondence, 1981

Folder 31: Henry Bernard, Junior: Correspondence, 1982

Folder 32: Henry Bernard, Junior: Correspondence, 1983

Folder 33: Henry Bernard, Junior: Correspondence, 1984

Folder 34: Henry Bernard, Junior: Correspondence, 1985

Folder 35: Henry Bernard, Junior: Correspondence, 1986

Folder 36: Henry Bernard, Junior: Correspondence, 1987

Folder 37: Henry Bernard, Junior: Correspondence, 1988

Folder 38: Henry Bernard, Junior: Correspondence, 1989

Folder 39: Henry Bernard, Junior: Correspondence, 1990

Folder 40: Henry Bernard, Junior: Correspondence, 1991

Folder 41: Henry Bernard, Junior: Correspondence, 1992

Folder 42: Henry Bernard, Junior: Correspondence, 1993

Box 6

Folder 1: Henry Bernard, Junior: Correspondence, 1994

Folder 2: Henry Bernard, Junior: Correspondence, 1995

Folder 3: Henry Bernard, Junior: Correspondence, 1996

Folder 4: Henry Bernard, Junior: Correspondence, 1997

Folder 5: Henry Bernard, Junior: Correspondence, Undated

Folder 6: Henry Bernard, Junior: "Highlights of the Retirement Years", 1982

Folder 7: Henry Bernard, Junior: "Highlights of the Retirement Years", 1983

Folder 8: Henry Bernard, Junior: "Highlights of the Retirement Years", 1984

Folder 9: Henry Bernard, Junior: "Highlights of the Retirement Years", 1985

Folder 10: Henry Bernard, Junior: "Highlights of the Retirement Years", 1986

Folder 11: Henry Bernard, Junior: "Highlights of the Retirement Years", 1987

Folder 12: Henry Bernard, Junior: "Highlights of the Retirement Years", 1988

Folder 13: Henry Bernard, Junior: Newspaper Clippings, 1987 and Undated

Folder 14: Henry Bernard, Junior: Family Photographs

Folder 15: Henry Bernard, Junior: Funeral Bulletin, 1997

Folder 16: Esther (Busch) Bernard: General File, 1913-1981

Consists of legal documents, correspondence, and her obituary

Folder 17: Esther (Busch) Bernard: The Gleaner (literary publication), St. John's Academy, Jamestown, North Dakota, 1925-1927

Folder 18: Henry Bernard, Junior, and Esther (Busch) Bernard: "Highlights of the Retirement Years", 1971-1980

Folder 19: Henry Bernard, Junior, and Esther (Busch) Bernard: "Highlights of the Retirement Years", 1981

Folder 20: Henry Bernard, Junior, and Esther (Busch) Bernard: Guest Book, 1973-1997

Folder 21: Henry Bernard, Junior, and Esther (Busch) Bernard: "Bicycling Story", 1974-1981

Contains photographs, newspaper clippings and correspondence

Box 9

Folder 43: Correspondence between Henry Bernard (Junior) and Florence (Bernard) Hedeen, 1996-1997

Florence (Bernard) Hedeen is the third child of Henry Bernard (Junior) and Esther (Busch) Bernard.

Sub-Series 3: Frank Bernard

Frank Bernard was the youngest child of Henry and Josephine (Collette) Bernard. He was a sailor in the United States Navy and died aboard the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941.

Box 6

Folder 22: Frank Bernard: General File

Sub-Series 4: Dick Bernard

Richard "Dick" Bernard is the oldest child of Henry Bernard, Junior, and Esther (Busch) Bernard. He is retired school teacher and was also the editor of Chez Nous (see Series 2).

Box 6

Folder 23: "The First 300 Years: Remembering Four of the Families (Cote, Blondeau, Bernard, Collette) of Henry Louis Bernard," Compiled and Edited by Dick Bernard, 2009

Folder 24: Dick Bernard: Various Writings

Item 1: "Memories from 1940-1950"

Item 2: "Collettes and Bernards - A Short Rough Draft of a Family History." 1981

Item 3: "As I See It." MEA Top of the Range. 1990

Item 4: "The Collettes of North Dakota, Minnesota and Manitoba: A Family Odyssey, Part 1." American-Canadian Genealogist. 2003

Item 5: "The Collettes of North Dakota, Minnesota and Manitoba: A Family Odyssey, Part 1." American-Canadian Genealogist. 2004

Item 6: "Reconstructing Our Real Heritage." IF Midwest Magazine. 2009

Folder 25: Dick Bernard: 1994 Philippines Trip, 1994-1998

Mainly consists of a travel diary from the trip, plus correspondence with people he met while there

Folder 26: Dick Bernard: Photographs

Folder 27: Dick Bernard: Funeral Card for Barbara Bernard

Barbara (Sunde) Bernard was married to Dick. They were married on 8 June 1963 and had one son, Thomas. She died on 24 July 1965.

Sub-Series 5: Florence (Bernard) Hedeen

Florence Heeden is the daughter of Henry Bernard (Junior) and Esther (Busch) Bernard. The material in this sub-series consists of "The Events of My Life," a short autobiographical sketch she wrote at the insistence of her brother, Dick.

Box 6

Folder 28: Florence (Bernard) Heeden: "The Events of My Life"

Sub-Series 6: Bernard Family Genealogy

This sub-series consists of genealogical information on the Bernard family. A fair amount of the material is the work of Jean-Marc Charron, a certified genealogist and retired Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) investigator. Charron and Dick Bernard corresponded extensively in 1994 and 1995.

Box 6

Folder 29: Romain Bernard and Julienne Cote Marriage Certificate, 17 September 1850

Folder 30: Bernard/Old Photos/Maps, 14 July 1994

Folder 31: Bernard, 6 August 1994

Folder 32: Bernard Lineage/Tadoussac/Maps, 11 August 1994

Folder 33: Bernard Ancestry, 22 November 1994

Folder 34: Bernard Family (Final Version), 2 December 1994

Folder 35: Bernard Family (Very Important), 7 December 1994

Folder 36: Herva Bernard/Mill Story, 16 December 1994

Folder 37: Bernard, December 1994

Folder 38: Bernard Family Miscellaneous

Folder 39: Gourde Family

This was an early family in Oakwood, North Dakota. They moved west along with the Bernard family.

Sub-Series 7: Blondeau Family Genealogy

This sub-series consists of genealogical information on the Blondeau family. A fair amount of the material is the work of Jean-Marc Charron, a certified genealogist and retired Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) investigator. Charron and Dick Bernard corresponded extensively in 1994 and 1995.

Box 6

Folder 40: Blondeau, 2 February 1995

Folder 41: Blondeau, March 1995

Folder 42: Blondeau Family/Maurice Blondeau, 1 June 1995

Folder 43: Blondeau Family Land Records

Folder 44: Blondeau Family Genealogy Material Received from John Garney, Annandale, Virginia

Folder 45: Blondeau Family Miscellaneous

Sub-Series 8: Collette Family Genealogy

This sub-series consists of genealogical information on the Collette family. A fair amount of the material is the work of Jean-Marc Charron, a certified genealogist and retired Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) investigator. Charron and Dick Bernard corresponded extensively in 1994 and 1995.

Box 6

Folder 46: Campbell, Marvin

Childhood friend of Frank Bernard and Collette family member

Folder 47: Collette/Bernard, 14 May 1994

Folder 48: Missing Fingers/Collette-Bernard, 27 August 1994

Folder 49: Collette/Bernard/Tadoussac, 25 September 1994

Folder 50: Photo of St Henri/Collette ref Riel, 20 October 1994

Folder 51: Introduction/Collette and Vermette Wedding/Lambert, 3 April 1994

Folder 52: Collette, Denis

Folder 53: Collette Family Land Holdings, Oakwood, North Dakota

Box 7

Folder 1: Genealogie de la Famille Collette (publication), circa 1989

Folder 2: Collette Genealogy Correspondence to/from Dick Bernard

Folder 3: Collette Family Reunion, Dayton, Minnesota, 2002

Folder 4: Collette, Julie (Schiller)

Daughter of Alfred Collette

Folder 5: Collette, Loria (Kelly)

Daughter of Ernest Collette of Grand Forks

Folder 6: Collette, Octave

Folder 7: Collette, Rene: Correspondence with, 1981-2010

Folder 8: Collette, Samuel

First Collette in Minnesota

Folder 9: Lessard, Raymond

Oakwood, North Dakota, native with Collette ancestry

Folder 10: Manitoba Collettes

Folder 11: Pfleider, James

Friend of Julie (Collette) Schiller who contacted Dick Bernard for genealogical help

Folder 12: Roy, Remi

Great grandson of Philippe Collette

Folder 13: Sell, Vernon

Grandson of Alfred Collette of Ostego, Minnesota

Sub-Series 9: Miscellaneous

Box 7

Folder 14: Correspondence between Dick Bernard and Jean-Marc Charron from Quebec, 1994-1996

Folder 15: Pedigrees Langevin dit LaCroix, Catherine Baillon, Adelaide LaCroix and Samuel Blondeau

Folder 16: Sacred Heart Church, Oakwood, North Dakota

Series 30: Dr. John Crawford Material, UND Department of English; Donated by Gwen Crawford

John Chapman Crawford (Professor of English Emeritus), 82, of Grand Forks, ND died April 25, 2009, at the Altru Hospital, Grand Forks.

"John Crawford was born July 5, 1926, in Iron Mountain, Mich., the son of Edmund and Alice (Chapman) Crawford. He grew up in Quinnesec, Mich., and graduated from Bessemer (Michigan) High School. He served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946. He married Gwen Titmus in Ann Arbor on Dec. 21, 1946.

He attended the US Naval Reserve Midshipman's School, Columbia University, in 1945. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in chemistry at the University of Michigan in 1947, and a Master of Arts in linguistics at the University of Michigan in 1948. He attended the Summer Institute of Linguistics at Oklahoma University in 1949, and the Asbury Theological Seminary from 1949–1950. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy in linguistics at the University of Michigan in 1960. From 1951 - 1969, he worked at the Summer Institute of Linguistics (Wycliffe Bible Translators), as a linguistic field worker in Mexico, and as a researcher, teacher and instructor at the Summer Institute of Linguistics at Oklahoma University and the University of North Dakota. He was a professor in the English Department at UND from 1980 - 1991, with emphasis on linguistics, English grammar, language and culture. He was instrumental in the establishment of Native American language programs at UND. He also worked at the Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian, Peoples Republic of China, two and one half academic years between 1990-1996 as a Foreign Expert teaching English language, writing and literature. He worked at the Turtle Mountain Community College in Belcourt, N.D., from 1981-1983, during which time he edited The Michif Dictionary. From 1991-1998, when not in China, he worked as a researcher and compiler of materials on the Michif language at Turtle Mountain Community College. Two of his major publications were the Totonepec Mixe Phonotagmemics, Mexico, Summer Institute of Linguistics Special Publications in 1963 and The Michif Dictionary, editor, Pemmican Publications, Winnipeg, Canada, in 1983. He was also very active in the Habitat for Humanity, the Second Wind Band and the Grand Forks City Band.

He is survived by his wife Gwen of Grand Forks, children: Malcom (Christiane) Crawford of St. College, PA; Bruce (Rita) Crawford of Fox Island, WA; Dr. Jean Crawford of Kansas City, MO; Craig (Nichole) Crawford, of Marshfield, VT; and Ellen (Raoul) Stitt of Kansas City, MO; six grandchildren: Leigh Moyer, Jessica Whiteley, John Chapman Crawford II, Lauren Crawford, Joshua Crawford and Bennett Delp; two sisters: Maxine (Arthur) Freel of Millersburg, MI, and Joyce Freeman of Lansing, MI, and two brothers, Bruce (Ruth) Crawford of Kalkaska, MI and David (Sonja) Crawford of Lyons, MI. He is preceded in death by his parents, and three brothers, Jim, Ron and Robert."

Source: University Letter, University of North Dakota

Gwen Crawford, Grand Forks, North Dakota, donated these materials to Dr. Virgil Benoit, who in turn deposited them in Special Collections in Fall 2009 (2010-3028).

Box 7

Folder 17: Dr. John Crawford Biographical Material

Folder 18: "Michif: A New Language." Dr. John Crawford. North Dakota English. 1976

Folder 19: "The Michif Language." Dr. John Crawford. in L'Heritage Tranquille: The Quiet Heritage. Proceedings from a Conference Sponsored by Concordia College. 1987

Folder 20: "Some Observations about the Ojibwa Language of the Turtle Mountain Reservation." Dr. John Crawford, 2005?

Folder 21: "The Ojibwa Language of the Turtle Mountain Reservation." Dr. John Crawford

Folder 22: Michif Exercises

Folder 23: Michif Language Assignments, 1974-1985

Folder 24: Michif Language Conference, Winnipeg, June 1985

Folder 25: Michif Language Lessons, 1973-1985, undated

Folder 26: Michif Word Lists

Folder 27: Schedule for the 2nd Annual Ojibwa Language Camp

Location and Date unknown

Folder 28: Cree Syllabary, October 1977

Folder 29: Turtle Mountain Community College, 2001-2002

Item 1: ANA Grant Application, Language Preservation Planning Grant

Item 2: Final Report, Language Preservation Planning Grant, 31 August 2002

Box 8

Videotape 1: "Sounds of the Turtle Mountains"

21 minutes in length

Cassette Tape 1: Michif Language Lesson 1, 1972

A male voice repeats words and phrases in Michif, along with the English translation

Cassette Tape 2: Michif Language Lesson 1, 1975

Elma Wilkie and Rosina Sattendal repeat words and phrases in Michif, followed by a male voice providing their English translation

Cassette Tape 3: Michif Language Lessons 1-10, 12

Cassette Tape 4: Michif Language Lesson 2, 1978

Cassette Tape 5: Michif Language Lesson 3, 1981

Featuring Roseanne Swenson and Dr. John Crawford

Cassette Tape 6: Michif Language Lesson 5, 1983

Featuring Dr. John Crawford

Cassette Tape 7: Michif Language Lesson 8, 1993

Cassette Tape 8: Michif Language Lessons 9-11

Cassette Tape 9: Michif Language Lesson: Making Choke Cherry Wine

Featuring Roseanne Swenson and Dr. John Crawford

Cassette Tape 10: Michif Language Lesson: Making Choke Cherry Wine (duplicate)

Featuring Roseanne Swenson and Dr. John Crawford

Cassette Tape 11: Dr. John Crawford, May 1979

Miscellaneous words and phrases in Michif

Cassette Tape 12: Ojibwa (Cree) Dialect Samples, Recorded by Kent Gordon, 1955

Cassette Tape 13: Phrases in Michif with English Translations, 1972

Cassette Tape 14: Ojibwa Immersion Camp, 2001

Female voice saying words and phrases in Ojibwa along with their English translations

Series 31: John Rivard Archive, Donated by Jeanne Rivard

"Rivard, John T., Age 94, of Coon Rapids died on October 30, 2005 of pneumonia. Preceded in death by parents, Louis H. & Alma; brothers, Louis, Richard and Raymond; and sister, Louise. Survived by spouse of 35 years, Jeanne; many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews and cousins. Ordained a Catholic priest May 18, 1940 in the Cathedral of Quebec, he served as Assistant Pastor in several parishes prior to becoming Pastor at St. Anne's in Somerset, WI (1946-65), leaving the priestly ministry in 1970. John married Jeanne Shallbetter in 1970 at St. John's Abbey, Collegeville, MN. He was made District Manager of Northern MN Historic Sites by the MN Historical Society and retired from the Society in 1978. He continued giving historical programs based on historical figures for many years, numbering 1,394 programs in all. In 1979, he founded the Societe Canadienne Francaise du MN, having chapters in the Twin Cities and St. Cloud. He will be missed very much by his loving spouse, Jeanne, and his many, many relatives and friends."

Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3 November 2005

John Rivard was the founder of La Societe Canadienne Francaise, a cultural interest group based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Material related to the organization includes its constitution and by-laws, meeting minutes, correspondence and photographs.

The collection also documents Rivard's role as an historical re-enactor. He portrayed a French voyageur, United States President George Washington, a lumberjack, and Charles Lindbergh, among others. He gave numerous presentations throughout the upper Midwest and served as the "Official Voyageur of Minnesota" during his career.

Jeanne Rivard gave these materials to Dick Bernard, who in turn deposited them in Special Collections in April 2008 (2010-3024).

Box 7

Folder 30: John Rivard Biographical Information

Item 1: Pamphlet: "History Alive: Live Presentations by John T. Rivard"

Item 2: "Chronology of the Life of John Theophile Rivard"

Item 3: Funeral Card, November 5, 2005

Photograph 1: Black and White Photograph of Rivard in Lumberjack Costume

Folder 31: John Rivard Newspaper Clippings

Folder 32: Slides for Presentation by Rivard: "Lumbering 1"

Folder 33: Slides for Presentation by Rivard: "Lumbering 2"

Folder 34: Slides for Presentation by Rivard: "Minnesota Explorers and Settlers 1"

Folder 35: Slides for Presentation by Rivard: "Minnesota Explorers and Settlers"

Folder 36: Text of Presentations by Rivard: "The Miracle of the Constitution" and "The French Voyageur and the Fur Trade", 1987

Featuring Rivard portraying George Washington

Folder 37: "Nicolas Rivard, Sieur of La Vigne"

Handwritten essay

Folder 38: La Societe Canadienne Francaise: Constitution and By-Laws, 1987

Folder 39: La Societe Canadienne Francaise: "Notre Manuel", November 1983

Introductory manual

Folder 40: La Societe Canadienne Francaise: Informational Pamphlets

Folder 41: La Societe Canadienne Francaise: Meeting Minutes, 1982-1986

Folder 42: La Societe Canadienne Francaise: Meeting Minutes, 1987-1988

Folder 43: La Societe Canadienne Francaise: Meeting Minutes, 1996-2001

Box 9

Folder 1: La Societe Canadienne Francaise: Correspondence, 1979-2001

Folder 2: La Societe Canadienne Francaise: Correspondence, undated

Folder 3: La Societe Canadienne Francaise: Membership

Folder 4: La Societe Canadienne Francaise: Activities/Programming, 1981, 1982, 1986

Folder 5: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Grand Portage, September 21, 1985

Folder 6: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Christmas Party, December 21, 1985

Folder 7: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Summer Picnic, 1987

Folder 8: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Summer Picnic, 1988

Folder 9: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Picnic, June 1989

Folder 10: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Cathedral Visit and Festival of Nations, April 1990

Folder 11: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Picnic, June 25, 1990

Folder 12: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Christmas Party, December 14, 1990

Folder 13: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Festival of Nations, April 25 and 26, 1991

Folder 14: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Little Canada, Minnesota, Parade, August 11, 1991

Folder 15: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: August and October 1991

Folder 16: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Christmas Party, December 1991

Folder 17: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Picnic in Stillwater, Minnesota, June 23, 1992

Folder 18: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Festival of Nations, April 29, 1993

Folder 19: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Picnic, July 25, 1993

Folder 20: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Christmas Party, St. Louis Church Mass, and Christmas at Stephens, December 1993

Folder 21: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Picnic and Rice Street Parade, July 1994

Folder 22: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: November 10, 1994

Folder 23: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Christmas Party, December 1994

Folder 24: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: April 28, 1995

Folder 25: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Picnic, July 1995

Folder 26: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: January 27, 1996

Folder 27: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Picnic, June 23, 1996

Folder 28: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Picnic, July 1997

Folder 29: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: March 1999

Folder 30: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: October 1999

Folder 31: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: March 2000

Folder 32: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: October 6, 2000

Folder 33: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Christmas Party, December 6, 2000

Folder 34: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: St. Jean Baptiste Fete, June 23, 2001

Folder 35: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Christmas Party, December 1, 2001

Folder 36: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: June 3, 2002

Folder 37: La Societe Canadienne Francaise: Central Minnesota Branch

Folder 38: La Societe Canadienne Francaise: Ellis Island Centennial Commission Certificate, 1985

Folder 39: Charles Lindbergh General File, 1927, 1970-2002

Includes correspondence from Charles Lindbergh to John Rivard

Folder 40: Festival du Voyageur Programme Souvenir: 1979, 1980, 1991

Folder 41: "French in America" Calendar, 1985-1996

Created by UND Professor Dr. Virgil Benoit

Folder 42: Societe des Voyageurs Nationale

Box 8

Cassette Tape 15: "Perspective" Radio Program, 1978

Program host Bud Goldstein interviewed Rivard regarding the life and times of Charles Lindbergh. Rivard worked for several years as the Manager of the Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site in Little Falls, Minnesota.

Oversize Folder 1: Color Photograph of Rivard in Voyageur Costume

Placed in the Oversize File Cabinets

Series 32: Charles Morin Materials, Donated by Jerry and Julie King

This series regards Charles Morin, who was born in Quebec on 9 July 1849. He worked throughout Canada and the United States before settling in Argyle, Minnesota, in Marshall County. He married Maire Victoria Schiller on 15 February 1887 in Argyle. Morin died on 5 July 1922 and is buried in Saint Rose of Lima Cemetery in Argyle.

This material was donated by Jerry and Julie King, White Bear Lake, Minnesota, on 28 October 2010 (2011-3071). The material consists of autobiographical material, photographs, and the constitution of the Societe 'Union Canadienne Francaise'" of Argyle.

Yves Frenette, France Martineau, and Dr. Virgil Benoit highlighted the life experiences of Morin when they wrote Les Voyages de Charles Morin: Charpentier Canadien-Français in 2018. This book is available in the Department of Special Collections.

Box 10

Folder 1: Ledger

The ledger has two separate parts:

1. Constitution et Règlements de la Societe “Union Canadienne Francaise” Sous Patronage de Saint Jean-Baptiste (and) Saint Rose de Lima D’Argyle, Comté de Marshall, Minnesota  (pages 1-31)

2. Memoir written by Charles Morin (pages 33-86)

Folder 2: "Memories of My Trips" by Charles Morin

Typed, 38 page manuscript

Folder 3: "The Story of a Courageous Man: Written from a Translation of My Father's Memoirs into English from the Original French and Facts I Know about Him Remembered Through the Years" by Clara Morin Des Chene

Typed, 78 pages

Folder 4: Photographs

Photograph 1: Morin Family

Back row: Omer Morin, Clara Deschene, Joseph Morin, Josephine

Front row: Ozelia Morin, Charley Morin

Photograph 2: Morin Family

Photograph 3: Honories Morin and Henrietta Aubin, circa 1911

Photograph 4: Herbert Morin, circa 1920s

Photograph 5: Unidentified Family

Photograph 6: Argyle, Minnesota, School Building / Unidentified Family

Two separate images reproduced on photo quality paper